Date: 2013-09-05 07:00:00+00:00
Description: A plague has wiped out humanity and a new civilization emerges. Tucked safely behind their iron walls, protected from the horrors of the plague ravaged world, the citizens of this community live as if the rest of the world doesn’t exist. Their own ways of life are often comical and heartbreaking. But it’s their world … welcome to Beginnings, Montana The Horse Soldier is the Tenth Book in the Beginnings Series and the most unforgettable one, yet. Beginnings is not the same since Frank has disappeared. Many mourn him, but the Society celebrates because they have him. Not only that, following an

HORSE SOLDIER

Beginnings Book 10

By

Jacqueline Druga

The Horse Soldier

Beginnings Book 10

By Jacqueline Druga

Copyright 2013 by Jacqueline Druga

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any person or persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Thank you so very much to Cindy P for all your help with this book.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE US ARMY FOR THE COVER ART PHOTO OF THE CAVALRY.

While the photo is courtesy of the United States Army, The US Army does not endorse this product.

THE PLAN . . .

CHAPTER ONE

September 8

Kingman, Arizona

The sergeant that led the raid for the Society army stood off from his waiting men. He spoke on the phone to Jeremy Lyons, George’s go between while George did business. “We’ve arrived. It’s almost sunup now.”

“I trust that when I hear from you again, you will have made the raid, Sergeant?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good,” Jeremy said, “then I will inform the president when he calls that our victory over this UWA is imminent.”

“Yes Sir.” The Sergeant ended the call and turned to his corporal.

“You didn’t tell him.”

“The trip isn’t a complete failure,” The sergeant said. “Maybe we got lost somewhere.”

“The sign said Kingman.”

“I know.” The sergeant tapped the phone. “Corporal, if you were five hundred men, where exactly would you hide?”

“Hide?”

“Yes. That’s exactly what they’re doing. They’re hiding.” The Sergeant paced away from the corporal. “We just have to find them.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Joe’s hand rolled over his face as he sat at his desk staring at an upbeat Danny Hoi. His hand went from his hair, across his forehead, to his nose. His fingers pulled the skin drastically as he listened. “Danny, look . . .”

“No Joe, hear me out.” Danny held up his hand. “Frank Avenue.”

“Christ.”

“No, Frank.”

“Danny!” Joe’s hand slammed down on the desk. “Can a week not go by in this community without you coming up with ways to change it?”

“Make it better,” Danny corrected. “You people are gonna be awfully glad I arrived. I’m only trying to make it cooler here in Beginnings. I mean, if we’re all gonna live here, we might as well love it and have a good time when we’re not working.”

“True.”

“They do call me Mr. Fun.”

“I thought they called you, Mr. Resourceful, Mr. Perky, and the Hero guy.”

“Those too. Wow, am I the name guy. Anyhow, I have to keep up with the reputation I established, right? I can’t let people down.”

“That would be a tragedy,” Joe said with sarcasm.

“Yes, it would. Just wait until you see the plans I have for a public pool next summer. But don’t worry. I won’t bother you with it now. I still have details to work out.”

“A pool.” Joe sat back. “Danny, what the hell does street names have to do with making things more fun around here?”

“Oh Joe, for security alone it will be a blast.”

“Really.”

“Really. O.K. Watch.” Danny stood up.

“I get a visual?”

“And an audio.”

“It’s seven in the morning, Danny.”

Danny looked at his watch. “That it is. Ready?”

“Sure.” Joe lifted his hands then cupped them behind his head. He watched Danny grab a radio.

Danny deepened his voice. “This is Eagle One. I’m on that, you know, road that swings around to the front gate. I’m gonna head into town on that road in there. Where can I meet you, Steve?” Danny switched the radio to the other hand and scooted over, turning to face where he stood before. “This is Steve, Eagle One, I’m on that road that comes from town and I’m doing my rounds. I just finished the second and third street on the right side if you’re facing town. How about I meet you on the fourth street, three houses in?” Danny went back to his other position. “Roger that Steve-O. This is Eagle One out.” Danny held up his hand. “But . . . if we do my plan.” He did his deep Robbie voice. “This is Eagle One. I’m on Garfield heading east into Main. Where can I meet you, Steve?” Danny switched position again. “This is Steve, Eagle One, I’m on Main right now. I just finished Elm and Tennessee, two hundred block. How about I meet you on Crest? 208.” Danny grinned. “See Joe. It’s easier, not to mention all the air time saved and we don’t sound like bumbling idiots.”

“Are those the names you chose?”

“Nah. I have the names written down on the map I drew. I can start erecting the poles today when I’m done with my other work, of course.”

“Of course.”

“And we’ll paint the signs. They’ll be up by this week. Come on Joe, what do you say?”

“Give me the map.” Joe held out his hand. Danny gave it to him. “Go ahead. Do it. You do have a copy of these names so you don’t change them on me and make me nuts?”

“Yep.” Danny nodded with excitement. “Thanks, Joe. You won’t regret this. The first street is called Frank…just for you.”

“I see.” Joe looked. “I also see you named every road we have.”

“I have to. I’ve gotta run. I have a lot to do. Thanks again.” Danny hurried to the door. “Oh Joe.” He spun around. “Any thoughts to giving me that run so I can start renovating the empty storage into a Bowling Alley?”

Joe just peered up.

“Just asking. Later.”

Joe moaned some as Danny left. “Street names.” The map dropped from Joe’s hand as he looked at it. “Now how
in the hell did I know this would be a name of a street?” Joe shook his head. “Hoi Avenue.” Then he smiled.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

It looked almost as if Hal was crazy as he walked across the empty field in his uniform. He spoke loudly as he walked tall with his hands behind his back.

“Rules are rules,” he spoke strongly. “Look at this as a game. I want no man taking out his anger on his brother here. If you do, you deal with me. Sgt. Ryder, Sgt. Evens, and I will referee and will tap you when we deem you a causality. No weapons. Hands only. Ready?” Hal walked back off the field to the side where Sgt. Ryder and Sgt. Evens waited. “Begin.”

Sgt. Ryder blew a whistle and moments after its loud ear piercing sound, from both ends of the field, from beneath brushed, behind trees and dug into trenches at least a hundred men charged on foot. Fifty on each side of the field and they raced to each other. Vocally they cried out as they ran and as they met up with each other, the fighting began.

With a clipboard, like judges in a dance contest, Hal, Sgt. Ryder, and Sgt. Evens walked through the battling men. They would see one fall and they would tap him out. The fallen man would leave the field and go off to the sidelines.

Hal seemed to enjoy watching the men in their sparing attacks. He grinned widely because he knew he not only was watching the training, he was watching to see which men he would choose to scout for the Wild Cats and Mathias’ men.

The grin did not remain long on Hal’s face. When he felt the tap on his shoulder and turned around, his stomach churned. Before him was one of the guards that watched the large white house of the hidden.

“Yes?” Hal swallowed as he asked.

“Sir.” The man saluted. “Gr . . . . Gr . . .”

“Don’t say it.”

“Grace.”

“Geez!” Hal cringed. “What? Don’t tell me she needs to speak to me?”

“Oh boy.” The man shook his head as he blew out slowly, causing his cheeks to puff. “Oh boy.”

“Christ.” Hal rubbed his forehead. “I knew it. I knew it. All right. Tell Gr . . . Gr . . .”

“Grace?”

Hal cringed again. “Yes, tell her it will have to be in a few hours. I’m training the men and then I have a meeting. I’ll send for her.”

“Can I write her a note?” the man asked. “Do I have to speak to her personally?”

“Yes.”

“All right.” The man saluted and ran off the field.

Hal looked for Sgt. Ryder. “Elliott,” he called to him, summoning him over.

“Yes Captain.”

“I know the men have a day off, but I need to speak to those twelve who were chosen. Seems, Gr... . Gr . . .”

“Grace.”

“Yes.” Hal ran his hand down his face. “She wants to meet with me.”

“Oh boy.”

“Yes, so find them I need to recap their night. I have to be prepared.”

“Right away.” Sgt. Ryder trotted off the field.

“And you aren’t leaving me alone with her!” Hal shouted and received a raised hand from Sgt. Ryder. Then Hal went back to what made him feel better, watching his men train.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Ellen could hear the music playing in the lab before she even entered it. It was at a low volume and a little slower than she remembered, but nice. She leaned on the lab doorway watching Dean do his normal thing, racing about the lab, a scientist on a mission. On the long counter was the tan sack and spread out were all the grass samples she and Robbie had brought back.

Ellen walked in quietly so as not to be heard. She sneaked up behind Dean in a rare occurrence of his standing still. “Morning,” she whispered at him.

“Hey.” With a smile he turned around. “You’re not working, I hope.”

“Don’t you want to work with me?”

“I don’t want you to work yet.” Dean laid his hands on Ellen’s waist and pulled her closer. “It’s nice to see you in here.” He kissed her. “I missed you.”

“No you didn’t.”

“You don’t think? Johnny is worse than you at times.” Dean shook his head and stared at her. He blinked harshly to bring himself out of his daze, kissed her quickly, and returned back to his work.

“Something wrong?”

“I’m getting wrapped up.”

“In your work?”

“No, in you.” Dean walked to the samples. “Especially after these. I can’t afford to do that.”

“What do you mean?” Ellen asked him. “Dean?”

“Taking advantage of Frank’s absence is one thing. Having you all to myself eventually is another.”

“Why do you say that? You piss me off.” Ellen lifted a sample of grass. Dean lightly smacked her hand and she put it back down.

“El, history tends to repeat itself. I get you then Frank takes you.”

“Oh bullshit.”

Dean laughed.

“No, Dean. Besides, I was living with you, right? Well now, you gave me a really cool house.” Ellen brought her face close to Dean’s. “Even if I hate you, I’m not going anywhere. Hell, I’m the envy of all the women. I love it.”

“Well if you’re gonna stay at the house,” Dean spoke trying to hide his snicker as he worked. “there are a few conditions.”

“Conditions?”

“Yep.”

“What?” Ellen asked.

“Now this is based on the fact that you’re only staying with me for my house.”

“O.K.” Ellen leaned against the counter “What are the conditions? I can pay up. Hey, I want the house.”

“All right. You have to make all the beds.”

“Yuck.” Ellen cringed. “Doable. Go on.”

“You have to take turns with me bathing Joey.”

“Aw.” Ellen tried not to smile. “He splashes and never gets out. But . . . for the house, I can handle that. What else?”

“And . . . you have to make love to me at least once a week.”

“Now you’ve gone and crossed the line. Forget it.”

Dean raised his eyes, watched Ellen smile, and kissed her.

Robbie’s clearing of his throat preluded his speaking. “When Frank’s away, Dean does play.”

Still close to Ellen, Dean whispered, “It’s a Slagel thing isn’t it?”

Ellen nodded and moved away from Dean. She faced Robbie and Joe who just walked in. “Morning.”

Joe merely pointed and smiled. “You look different.”

Robbie slightly rolled his eyes. “She probably got laid last night. Now . . . she would be glowing had she tried to hit on me yesterday.”

“Robbie,” Ellen called his name.

“Robert,” Joe said sternly.

“What did I miss?” Dean asked. “Hmm? No, wait. He’s a Slagel and trying to fill in for Frank. I don’t want to know. But . . . I will tell Frank.”

Robbie took a step to Dean. “I’ll beat you up.”

“I’ll give you a virus.” Dean smiled.

“Hold on,” Joe interrupted. “Dean, you just said you’ll tell Frank?”

“When we find him,” Dean said.

“Does that mean?” Joe asked and saw the look on Dean’s face. “It does.”

“Yep.” Dean pointed to the samples. “It was Frank’s blood consistently on every sample. They took him Joe. Going by where Ellen said Frank was shot, I know he can probably handle a lot more than that. And . . . going on Ellen’s theory, if they took him, he must be alive. Why would they take him if he were dead unless they discovered a new thing I don’t know about, I doubt it.”

“So you think by where he was shot, he may still be alive?” Joe asked.

“Like I said, from what Ellen described, chances are good,” Dean answered.

Joe was pleased and he looked it. “Excellent. This goes no further than this room. Not even Henry is to know. Got that? The less people who know, the better. I’d like to include Henry and Andrea, but . . . Andrea is still on the suspect list and Henry is an iffy. I’m going to start making the preparations for a paper run for recycling. I went through history. We haven’t hit the area I want to search.”

“Joe, how are you going to get away with that without letting it be known you’re looking for Frank?” Dean asked.

“One man will know,” Joe said. “The others will just think it’s a run. Robbie’s um . . . roommate will be the one who knows. I’m certain, because of all he told us and how long he’s been here, he’s not on the inside.”

“Good. When he comes today for testing, I’ll speak to Jess about the sort of things he should look for,” Dean commented as he re-wrapped the samples. “You know, evidence that will indicate where they stopped with Frank.”

“Why are you testing Jess?” Ellen asked. “Is he sick?”

“No, not at all.” Dean noticed the clueless look on Joe’s face too. “You don’t know either? I thought that the Slagels had a rare mutation causing the immunity to be passed on more easily, because most cases were one parent, one child. I’ve never seen brothers. I stopped questioning and testing survivors after I found the similarities in your . . .”

“Dean!” Joe yelled. “Quit rambling. I hate when you explain something medical. You ramble. Get to the point.”

Ellen gasped. “Joe, are you rude.”

“Yeah I am. Go on, Dean.”

“Jess has you guys beat,” Dean said. “Not only did his father survive the plague but so did his two brothers. However they died of other circumstances.”

Joe was speechless.

Ellen was not. “So do you think they may be related to Joe?”

Dean snickered. “No. I think that our community is so small that all we would have seen was the Slagel occurrence because of the rarity. But there are other families out there. We just haven’t come across them until now. I’ll know more when I test Jess.”

Joe looked very seriously at Dean. “Did you tell Jess?”

“Tell Jess what?” Dean asked.

“What all he has to give up?” Joe spoke with a raised eyebrow.

“Or rather . . .” Robbie interjected. “How much he has to give up.”

“What are you guys talking about?” Dean asked.

Robbie decided to clarify. “Try this. No dirty magazines, just a cup and the words of advice ‘enjoy’.”

Dean scoffed. “All of you make too much out of it. Too much.”

“Dean,” Robbie said his name firmly. “I was a young guy. You made me feel as small as my sample.”

Dean swayed his head. “You guys whine too much. Almost every male did it. It’s no big deal.”

“Did you?” Robbie asked.

“Um . . . yeah. I gave a sample.” Dean started working again.

Robbie snickered in shock. “You had help.” He shifted his eyes to Ellen. “Did you help him?”

“I plead the fifth,” Ellen said. “Anyhow, this is going to be interesting because I’ll be involved in the Jess testing. I didn’t know when you guys gave your sample. Boy . . .” Ellen paused to think, looking so serious and tapping her lip. “I wonder if I’ll be able to look at him with a straight face when he steps out of the back room with his cup.”

“Ellen.” Joe winced.

Ellen ignored Joe. “Dean, will you let me know if you see the classic signs on my face that I’m about to laugh.”

“Ellen,” Joe said her name stronger. “All right. Me and Robbie are out of here. We have to plan the run and get ready for the memorial service.” He took a deep breath. “Gonna be even harder knowing what we do know. So Ellen, grieve.”

Ellen gave a thumbs up as Joe and Robbie started to leave. “Joe, Jason has that video camera in his lab to document his experiments. Would people think I’m odd if I taped Frank’s memorial service.”

Joe just stopped and spun around, He back handed Robbie in the gut when Robbie laughed. “Ellen, why in God’s name would you video tape it? That’s sick, not to mention morbid.”

“Joe, we can tell Frank all about it when he gets back, but don’t you think it will be worth it watching him watch it.”

Joe took on a thinking look. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea and we can get away with it. Yeah, let’s do that for Frank.”

“Thanks Joe. I’ll get it from Jason.” Ellen smiled as she watched Joe and Robbie leave. She turned to see Dean staring at her. “What?”

“Video taping Frank’s service?”

“Oh yeah. Trust me Dean, if I knew we were going to go back in time and bring you back from the dead, I would have videotaped your service as well. It was so nice.”

Dean didn’t know what to say. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

Still a little in disbelief, Dean returned to his work.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“He’s twitching,” Dr. Morris explained to George as they both peered into Frank’s room. “His left hand is moving, twitching often.”

“Like a muscle reaction?” George asked.

“It’s involuntary, yes. He’s also experiencing rapid eye movement. That’s something we haven’t seen in him before. So, he’s dreaming. And . . . his heart rate has been changing.”

“He’s getting ready to wake up.”

“I’d say so,” Dr. Morris answered.

“All right, from here on in, nothing is said in his room on the outside chance he can hear it. Got that? I’ll order guards to be outside this door.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“Let me know as soon as he wakes up.”

“I will.”

Dr. Morris walked down the hall. George could have walked away too, but he didn’t. He couldn’t leave without looking at Frank and saying something to him. George walked into the room and close to Frank’s bed. “Soon Frank,” he spoke to him. “Soon you will wake up. I can’t wait to see your face when you see who has you.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Trish was annoying as she held Jason Godrichson’s camera. She stood outside of the chapel and took shots of the faces that entered the memorial service for Frank. She stopped recording and lowered the camera when she saw Ellen walking with Joe. She hurried to her.

“Ellen. Can I speak to you?”

Ellen released Joe’s arm and let him go in ahead if her. “What’s up?”

“Well, remembering Princess Di’s funeral, I wanted to know what you would think if I got crowd reaction for the video.”

Ellen shifted her eyes. “That might not be a bad idea. Try to get the faces of those who really didn’t like Frank.” Ellen started to walk. “Wait, scratch that. It could be very depressing if anyone rolls their eyes. Just get the sad faces.”

“Got it.”

Ellen moved from Trish, placed on her grieving face, and walked into the chapel.

Reverend Bob read the scripture like he meant it. “ . . . and yes we are fully confident that we would rather be away from these bodies. Then we will be fully home with the Lord . . . Amen.”

The congregation responded.

Reverend Bob closed his bible. “Corinthians always offers beautiful passages, comfort in times of sadness, reassurance in times of insecurity, and words of wisdom in times of happiness. Ellen shared with me this morning that Frank often read from the book of Corinthians . . .”

Ellen saw Joe and Robbie both look at her. “He asked me,” Ellen whispered.

Joe rolled his eyes and looked forward to the reverend.

“ . . . and when you know a man like Frank,” Reverend Bob spoke, “it should not be surprising to us that he lived by the Bible and often read the word of God . . .”

Joe’s jaw clenched and he looked, over Robbie, to Ellen again. Ellen sucked in her lip and stared forward.

“ . . . Frank was a rich man. Not of money, but of things that matter most in this life. He was a man rich with strength, with many friends, and with words of wisdom he shared with us all.”

Dean knew it. He didn’t have to look to know what the childish expressions of Robbie and Ellen would be. But when he looked, his eyes glanced down to the leg nudging match that entailed between Robbie and Ellen. Dean merely reached his hand down, grabbed Ellen’s, and held it.

Ellen leaned her head on Dean’s arm. “Sorry.”

Dean wrapped his arm around her as he stared forward. He laid his hand on Ellen’s cheek, pulled her to him, and spread his fingers to cover any expression she made at that moment.

Reverend Bob paused momentarily when he saw the sadness Ellen portrayed. “I could stand before you and speak words of comfort. I could read passage after passage but that isn’t what we need. We need to feel Frank. We need to share in memories. That is why we have this memorial service. So . . . because I’ve known Frank and have been a member of the community for quite some time, I have taken the liberty to ask a few of you to share some words about Frank. Eulogize him as only you can do.” Reverend Bob stepped back and took his seat.

Ellen and Robbie’s heads immediately swayed to each other when Dan, one of Frank’s most trusted Security men, gripped emotionally to the edges of the podium, lowered his head, heaved his shoulders, and let out a single long sob.

Dan sniffled loudly and long and then raised his head. He ran his hand down his reddened face. “I’m sorry.” He held up his hand. “It’s just a very . . . it’s an emotional time for me. I guess it didn’t seem real until today.” He let out a heavy breath. “I kept hoping to see him come back.” Dan’s lip quivered. “When I first came to Beginnings, and I was one of the first survivors here, Frank . . . he saw something in me. He took me under his wing. I thought, sorry Ellen, I thought when I first met him he was one of the meanest men I had ever encountered in my entire life. But when you got to know Frank, you saw that he had a heart as big as he was. He taught me how to do things I never thought I could. He taught me how to take care of myself and anyone I’m around. I loved Frank and I’m gonna miss him. This community will never be the same without him, but I’m sure there’s always gonna be a little bit of Frank hanging around.” Closing his mouth tightly, Dan stepped from the pulpit and walked to Ellen. He extended his hand and gripped hers. As Dan looked at her, he lost it again, crying as he made his way back to his seat.

Ellen whispered into Robbie. “Frank will never let him live that down.” She felt Dean’s arm move from around her and curiously Ellen watched Dean stand up. “Shit.” She whispered and looked at Robbie. “Dean?”

Dean stood silently before everyone. “I promise not to bore you with anything medical.” He brought from everyone a light rumble of emotional chuckles. He cleared his throat. “When Reverend Bob came to me yesterday morning and asked if I would speak second today about Frank, I . . . I kind of laughed. Frank and Dean being used in the same sentence usually meant impending disaster, but then I started thinking.” Dean leaned on the podium. His wrists rested against the edge of it and he spoke relaxed. “I thought, what would I say? I thought this after the laugh and then I got serious. Someone once told me there is a fine line between love and hate and for as much as I hated him at times, I guess . . . I guess I loved him too. I never realized how much life and spirit he brought to me until now.” Dean paused. “I miss him. I miss his walking into my lab and calling out my name really loudly to make me drop things. I miss his fighting with me over Ellen. I miss his telling me I had little-man-attitude. Without Frank being around, his children will miss knowing one hell of a father. There is nothing I wouldn’t do, if I could bring him back. Beginnings is not the same without Frank. None of us are the same without Frank.” Dean straightened up. There were strong sniffles in the chapel. He walked solemnly down and sat next to Ellen.

“Oh Dean.” She kissed him on the cheek. “That was really nice.”

“I wrote it yesterday before I knew what I knew,” he whispered to Ellen. “Don’t worry. I do want him back, even if it is just to kill him for kidnapping you.” Dean patted her hand then looked up when Henry stood before the congregation.

“Frank.” Henry spoke his name. “He was my best friend. I knew him well. A lot of people really didn’t know Frank, probably because they didn’t like him.” Henry shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess if you look at it, you can see their point. He could be really mean…and loud.” Henry shook his head with a loud breath. “Boy, could he be loud. How about when he would yell over the radio? He’d yell a lot but that was just Frank.” Henry looked at Johnny who sat in the same row as Ellen. Johnny’s head was down as he stared at his hands. “Johnny, when I look at you, all I see is your father. You should take pride in that because your father was someone to be proud of.”

Johnny lifted his head and smiled a sad smile at Henry. Joe reached over and grabbed Johnny’s hand.

“Your father saved my life more times than I can count. He saved a lot of our lives and he did it with style. He did it without regards to himself or to his life. It didn’t matter who it was, Frank’s life played second to whoever he tried to help.” Henry’s hands held to the podium. “I forever will be grateful for having known him, loved him, and been his friend. I will never forget him. I will make sure, for the rest of my life, no one ever forgets Frank Slagel.”

Ellen watched Henry sadly step from the podium and back to his seat. She saw Robbie standing up through the corner of her eye. Her hand grabbed his as he slid from the pew and walked to the front of the chapel. She thought how strong he looked and handsome he was dressed in a grey shirt and black tie. His hair was combed neatly instead of spiked up and tossed about.

Robbie swallowed before he said anything. He held his hand up a little above the podium. “I remember,” Robbie closed his eyes, “when I was six, my father let me walk to the store for the first time, but I had to walk with Frank. I can still hear my father yell out the screen door. ‘Frank, hold Robbie’s hand’. I didn’t see it, but I’m sure, knowing Frank, he winced. But I didn’t. I was so little for my age, and Frank, he was so big for thirteen. My little hand was so lost in my big brother’s hand.” Robbie stared at his own hand. “And I loved it. I was so proud to be walking with my big brother. I felt like the coolest kid in the world, thinking, ‘hey, look at me. This is my brother Frank.’” Robbie snickered. “And it’s funny, isn’t it. I still feel the same way when I would walk with him, proud to be seen with him. I guess every kid who has a big brother looks to them with pride. I always looked up to Frank. He has gotten my butt out of trouble for as long as I can remember. Man, the shit he could do.” Robbie swayed his head with a smile. “To work with him, to fight side by side with him, and to even stand next him are the greatest privileges I will ever know. Yeah we had our ups and downs. We’re family. But from kids on up, I wanted to be like him.” Robbie grew very serious and his words gasped with emotion. “He’s been my hero since I was three years old.” Biting his bottom lip, Robbie looked forward, stepped away from the podium, and walked straight out of the chapel.

Through the silence of the chapel, Ellen stood up, slipped past Dean, and followed Robbie out. He stood in the quiet empty street with his back to the chapel.

“Robbie.” Ellen walked up to him and laid her hand on his back.

“I know . . . .I know he’s out there, but he still needs us, El.” He turned around. “I don’t think I can ever remember a time where Frank really needed help. He needs our help.” Robbie closed his eyes as he spoke with passion. “If I have to give my life to do it, I’m making sure he comes back. I want him back.”

Ellen, with no words to say, stepped to Robbie. Her arms went around his waist and her head fell to his chest. While the service finished inside without them, Robbie and Ellen stayed on the street in their own emotional embrace.

CHAPTER TWO

Bowman, North Dakota

Hal’s stomach grumbled in anxiousness. He just wanted to get it over with. He knew it was going to happen. It was just of matter of when. Like a bomb going off, Hal waited for doomsday to arrive.

“I like the teams you picked,” Sgt. Ryder told him as they sat in Hal’s office. “Captain?”

“Huh?” Hal looked up. “I’m sorry.”

“Deep in thought?”

“Deep in dread.” Hal took the paper Sgt. Ryder handed him. “You didn’t say what you thought of my teams I picked out?”

“I’m sorry. I like them.”

“Good, I’ll start prepping them tomorrow. We might as well send out the Mathias scouts as well as the Wild Cats scouts. We should also be hearing from someone regarding the search for our men and Beginnings man. When is he due back for supplies?”

“Tomorrow morning,” Sgt. Ryder answered. “Boy, you are in deep thought. Usually you know exactly . . .”

“Shh.” Hal held up his hand. “Listen. It nears.”

“I’m leaving.” Sgt. Ryder started to stand up.

“You’re staying. Prepare.”

There was a knock at the door, only one. It opened and Grace walked in. She looked back into the hall. “Wait there and don’t leave. I will not walk these streets alone.” She straightened her moo-moo style dress and closed the door. “Captain. Can we be alone?”

“No,” Hal answered as he sat down after playing the gentleman and standing on her entrance. “Elliott must be here. He’s learning the tricks of the reigns if I must leave.”

Grace smiled some. “Elliott, that will be a welcome change. Perhaps you can make your men behave like civilized human beings.”

Hal waited for it. He wanted it over with so he figured he might as well get it started. “I’ve spoken to my men. They said nothing out of the ordinary occurred.”

This was a mistake on Hal’s part. Like a monsoon wind, she blasted him. Hal thought--only for a second--that he saw fire spit from her mouth. “Where do you get off taking their word over mine!”

Hal leaned back.

“Do you realize, Captain, that three of those men had dirt ... dirt imbedded in the grains of their skin? Dirt! Do you believe that? Dirt!”

Dirt. Dirt. That word started to make him smile.

“Is it any wonder you find yourself in this position?” Grace asked loudly.

Upon her words, Hal seemed to leave that office and escaped the pain of that moment for the pain of another . . .

“Is it any wonder you find yourself in this position?” Lucille, Joe’s fifth fiancée yelled at a fourteen year old Hal. Lucille was older than Joe. It was his experimental phase when he was tired of the young dumb ones. Of course, Hal never remembered that phase lasting past Lucille. She could have been attractive had she not been so nasty, yet she turned on the sweet as pie act when Joe walked in. “Are you listening to me?”

“Are you listening to me?” Graces voice interfered with Hal’s memory.

Hal snapped back. “Um, yes. Go on.” But Hal didn’t listen his mind went back to that day again . . . the day Lucille found a few innocent pornographic magazines and went after Hal.

“Look at you. Is it any wonder I’m not shocked to death at this moment.” Lucille was in her bitching glory. “Do you really think I need to subject myself to this when I make a bed? Being your father’s slave? Working unappreciated for you boys? And you don’t care. Do you help? No. Look at you, Hal Slagel. You scream future rapist.”

Hal snickered at his thought. Not at Grace, though it appeared otherwise.

“Captain.” Sgt. Ryder called his name. “Any suggestions?”

“Um . . . You said the man filling in for Peter was what?”

“Pornographic.” Grace nodded.

Hal tried not to laugh. “Sorry. Let me hear it all first. Finish.”

Grace began to. She had a list. She rambled off on things such as preparatory actions not taken prior to arrival at the house. As Hal thought of how he would get his men out of this mess and forever save them from the ‘Grace’ torture again, he thought of how he got himself out of that mess with the porno magazines.

“Robbie.” Hal walked into the second bedroom. Robbie sat with Jimmy on the bed. Both of them look worried. Hal did not. He shut the door and smiled.

“Tell us,” Robbie said. “I know it’s bad.”

“Nah.” Hal joined them on the bed. “I explained everything.”

“Shit!” Jimmy freaked. “See, now Doug at the store is going to get in trouble for selling them to me. I’m only sixteen. God, it’s against the law you know. I knew I should have never have gotten those for Robbie. He was too young.”

Hal fluttered his lips. “He doesn’t know what he’s looking at anyhow. Don’t worry. I didn’t say it was you. O.K.? I explained it to Lucille and she is explaining it to dad.”

“Thanks,” Jimmy said in relief. “I’m sorry they thought they were yours.”

“Me too,” Robbie said.

“Hey, what are big brothers for, huh Robbie?” Hal rubbed his head. “If not to take the entire blame?”

“The entire blame?” Jimmy asked. “Wow.”

“Yep.” Hal exhaled. “The entire blame.”

Upon completion of Hal’s words, the door to the bedroom blasted open as if an explosion went off. The door slammed against the wall and brought in something worse. Frank stood in the door. He huffed. “Which one of you told Dad those were my fuckin magazines?” Frank asked so angrily his face was red. “You have three seconds or I start beating you up. One, two . . .”

The three boys looked at Frank.

“Three.” Frank slammed the door and dove after Jimmy. Hal, knowing what he had to do to help, took his opportunity as Robbie jumped on Frank. Hal darted from the room, screaming the entire way. “Dad! Frank’s mad because we told and now he’s beating us up! Dad! Help!”

The loud shrill long call of his name brought Hal back to the painful world of Grace. “Captain!” Her face was so near to his. “What do you plan on doing?”

“Can I get back to you?” Hal asked.

Graces hand slammed on the desk. “I should have known. We don’t ask much. We merely ask that you handle these situations. I certainly hope you aren’t ignoring our needs.”

“Never,” Hal told her. “While I determine a suitable action, what do you have in mind? Any suggestions?”

Grace raised her head high as she moved to the door. “We can forget about this whole mess if you can get Peter to be a permanent monthly guest at the house for myself.”

Hal’s eyes widened. “I’ll uh, see what I can do.”

“It would prove beneficial and I can guarantee there will be once less complaint each month.” Grace opened the door. “I expect to hear from you within the hour.” She stepped out. “Soldiers, guard me on my way back.” The door closed.

Sgt. Ryder looked at Hal. “You cannot even consider her request,. I’ve heard what that woman does. It would be cruel to ask Peter that.”

“I know but she likes him.” Hal tapped his fingers together. “One less complaint, Elliott.” Hal smiled. “Doesn’t hurt to ask, now does it?” Hal stood up. “Isn’t he up for promotion? I think he is. Yes.” Hal paced around with a thinking, smiling face.

“It’s bribery.”

“It’s Gr . . . Gr . . .”

“Grace?”

Hal cringed. “Yes, it’s her not bitching, one less slot open per month, and another less chance of us being picked.”

Sgt. Ryder stood up. “I’ll go summons Peter.”

Hal grinned with arrogance and thought again then returned to his desk.

^^^^

Quantico Marine Headquarters

Sitting at his desk, Jeremy Lyons held the phone tightly to his ear with closed eyes. He just received the dreaded call from George and delivered the news he so much wanted to keep from him. Jeremy listened as George spoke sternly to him.

“I’ve deliberately kept you away from our soldiers for this very reason. You know what to do. Get ready. I know exactly where to put you,” George told him and hung up.

“Damn it,” Jeremy spoke to a deadened phone. He laid it down and stood up. He had things to do and preparations to make. By the way George sounded, he’d better do them quickly.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

George stared at the phone. He didn’t let his anger take him over when he heard the news that his troops failed to find the UWA camp. He would wait until they returned, listen to what they had to say, and then start interrogating the UWA men again. But George knew his men well. He also knew it was very possible that they ended up in Kingman, Texas.

George dialed the phone again and held it to his ear as it rang. “Hi. It’s me.” George smiled. “Yeah. Just wanted to let you know we’re moving ahead so get ready. I’ll keep you posted. Is it a good time? Then I’ll wait . . . I’ll let you know. Take care of yourself.” With another smile George ended the call and went back to doing whatever he did to occupy his time. At that moment, it was just a matter of waiting.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Ellen peeked into Dean’s home office. He sat with his feet on his desk, staring at the computer, the keyboard draped across his lap. His desk was a mess with papers and books all over it. “Dean?” Ellen poked her head in the door. “You need anything?”

“No. I’m fine, thanks.” Dean looked up, smiled, and returned to his work.

Ellen pulled the door closed and walked back in the living room. The house was quiet since the kids were in bed. She sat down on the floor with Henry. “So where were we?”

“He’s been in there an awfully long time, El.”

“Yeah, but he’s home, right? At least if the kids want to kiss him, they can.”

“You know what I think.” Henry said.

“What’s that?”

“I think that you guys should let me live here. I can room with Josh.”

“Oh I don’t think Dean would let you.”

“I lived with him while you were gone,” Henry nodded, “and he said his house was never cleaner. And, El . . . he took my son. Took him right away from me.”

“Tell him you want Nick back.”

“I did. He said now that you live here, so does Nick. He said I can have him a day or two a week.”

“But Henry, you don’t like caring for babies.” Ellen reached up and picked up her glass of tea.

“True but it’s the principal of it, don’t you think?”

“Most definitely. Thanks for the ‘take off your shoes’ sign.”

“Not a problem.” Henry waved his hands. “People can be such pigs. They just don’t know how to take off their shoes in a new house.”

“To me, it was habit.”

“Me too.” Henry leaned to her. “Hey El, do you think that Nick will get confused, I mean with Dean raising him now? At least with Frank he saw the dark hair. Dean’s so Caucasian.”

“I don’t think so, Henry. You’ll be around. Besides Nick shouldn’t realize he looks different. The kids around here don’t look at each other differently. Even Marcus doesn’t get a second glance and look at him. Do you suppose he looks in the mirror and realizes that he doesn’t look like Mark?”

“Actually if you saw Mark first thing in the morning when he comes to work, they do look alike.”

“Really?” Ellen laughed. “I thought Mark was cute.”

Henry made a cringing face. “His face stays puffy for hours. If I were a woman I wouldn’t want to wake up next to him.”

“Oh I have to make it a point to get up there early in the morning.”

“It has to be before nine or he looks normal again.”

Dean wondered what were they rambling about as he heard Henry and Ellen’s laughter seep through his closed door. He lifted his notes, read them, set them down, and began to type while speaking his entry out loud.. “Initial test on DNA for Jess Bowen shows mutated strand. Patient was unable to give sperm sample due to pressure.” Dean shook his head. “I’m killing those guys for scaring him.” As his fingers clicked again, his private phone rang. Dean blindly reached for it and braced it between his shoulder and ear. “Dr. Hayes.”

“Hello, Dean.”

The keyboard dropped from Dean’s lap, his notes flew, and Dean sprang up. He felt the heat hit his face when he recognized the voice.

“Miss me?”

“George.”

“Guess who I’m staring at right now? You think he’s dead, but he’s alive and well.”

“Frank?”

“That’s the one.”

Dean raced across his small office, threw open his door, and leaped over Ellen’s legs as he raced out the door of his home, bare foot.

Ellen and Henry both stood up.

“Must be an emergency,” Henry said.

“Must be.” Ellen closed the door and went back to sitting with Henry.

Trace the call. Trace the call. That’s all that ran through Dean’s mind as he headed through the living section at his top speed. He had to get to the tunnels. If George was looking at Frank, the reprogramming could tell Dean where Frank was.

“Dean, let me tell you if you’re thinking of finding out where I’m calling from, don’t. You know as well as I do, I have someone other than John in Beginnings. Do you want to take that chance with Frank?”

Dean stopped running. He caught his breath and noticed he was center town. “Why . . . why are you calling me?”

“Here’s the deal, Dean. I have something you want and you have something I want.”

“And they are?” Dean paced in circles center town.

“I have Frank. I lost my top genetics specialist in an accident. I have files and formulas people can’t figure out. I want you, Dean, to come and work for me.”

Dean laughed so hard. “Fuck you.”

“No see it’s fuck you. The way I see it, you’re the one who’s fucked.”

With so much sarcasm Dean spoke. “How do you figure?”

“You’ve already lost one child. It would be a shame if you lost another, now wouldn’t it.”

Dean’s heart sunk as he sat down on the wall in the small park.

“Accidents happen every day. You don’t know who my person is. You don’t know who to trust or who to watch, do you? It would be so easy for something to happen to Billy. I hear he’s quite the wanderer, thinking he’s more grown up than he is.”

“I’ll have them watched.”

“Make a move like that and Frank dies. I have him in my control right now, Dean. You want him back? You want your kids safe? Fair exchange. Simple. You leave Beginnings and join my side. I thought Frank would be a good weapon against Beginnings but I think you’ll be a better one. How broken Beginnings would be with Frank dead and Dean gone. You come with us.”

“You want me to just up and leave my family? I think you’ve lost it.”

“No you’ve lost it.” George stayed calm. “The way I see it, Dean, I have you by the balls. You have no choice. If you stay in Beginnings, one of your kids will die. I will guarantee that and Frank . . . he’ll become a CME or SUT as you call them. But if you leave and I feel enough time has passed and you aren’t going to try anything funny, I will have my person get your family out of there and I will return Frank to Beginnings, unscathed.”

“I’m supposed to believe this?”

“You have my word. Didn’t you say at the memorial service today that there was nothing you wouldn’t do to bring Frank back? What did you do, Dean? Lie in a church?” George tsked.

“How do I know you have Frank?”

“He has a high resistant viral strain pneumonia in both lungs. He’s been shot in both arms, his shoulder, gut, and leg. They were minor wounds that caused a lot of blood loss but not enough to kill him. He has a few more scars than the last time I saw him. I don’t know what more I can tell you. I have him. You know that.”

Dean ran his hand down his face. He thought. That’s all he could do was think. “You made sure you have your guarantees. What are mine?”

“You get none.”

“Bullshit. I want guarantees. If I’m going to up and leave to save my kids and Frank, then I want guarantees too.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“I tell one person,” Dean stated.

“No.”

“I tell Ellen. She has as much to lose as I do if she opens her mouth.”

“If you tell her, she can’t be-bop along Beginnings like Frank is alive. She’s a big key to them thinking he’s dead. Everyone knows how connected they were. She has to make it seem like he’s dead.”

“She will.”

“Why Ellen?” George asked. “Of all people, why her?”

“She’s my guarantee that if you break your word, you will die.”

“What?”

“You heard me. What did I do for the army, George? You don’t think she and I have at least three dozen different biological strains here in Beginnings. We do. I have antidotes too, easily delivered to Beginnings’ people but not to you. I leave then I call her when I see Frank. If she doesn’t hear from me in one or two days or if I tell her Frank is not fine, she is to tell Joe everything and give out the antidote. Joe can then fly over and dump the virus on you. Trust me, George, it will spread like wild fire on your people. What the hell do we care if everyone dies on your side of the country? I’ll walk out of that camp and back home. She will hear from me periodically. If something happens to one of my kids, same deal. Don’t think about taking her out, because I’m smart enough to leave a backup somewhere in the plan. I stay with Frank until he leaves. That will be my assurance that you do not make him into one of your soldiers. Frank is returned before my family joins me. If he doesn’t make it back, again, same deal.” Dean’s heart raced and his breathing was heavy as he listened to the silence come from George.

“You’re awfully confidant you can wipe me out.”

“Very easily. Do you care to test that?”

“Why haven’t you done so already if you have the means?”

“You can say I value the human life unlike you and the innocents that you’ve taken,” Dean spoke coldly. “But if it comes to between them and those I love, I really won’t give a shit who they are.” Again Dean waded nervously through the silence. A thin line of sweat formed on his brow and gathered between his hand and the phone.

“You tell no one but Ellen.”

Dean let out a breath.

“We will set up specifics of the deal when I call you back.”

“When will that be?”

“I’ll call you back when I’m ready to come and get you.”

“Which will be?” Dean questioned.

“When I’m convinced that Beginnings thinks Frank is dead. When Joe thinks Frank is dead. You want a guarantee, that’s one I want. Use your little woman to your advantage, Dean. She can do some convincing. Perhaps if you marry her again that will show the people she has moved on. Convince them. See, I’ll know. Runs to look for Frank that are listed as just runs will be a dead giveaway. Behavior will be a dead giveaway. If I even think that you guys are planning to raid us or you’re up to something to get Frank back, I’ll return him to you just so you can see how we destroyed him and I will definitely keep my threat against your child. Don’t test me either. I’ll give you two weeks to convince me. After that, deal’s off. If I’m convinced, I’ll set up when I come for you. Remember, you tell only Ellen. At least I know strategically alone there’s nothing you two can do. Until then.” George hung up.

Dean stood in the street. He looked at the timer on the phone. He had spoken to George for ten minutes. What had he agreed to? He just felt as if he signed a deal with the devil. It was a deal where not only his life but others as well depended on. Frank. His children. Never in his life did Dean think he would be such a bargaining tool, but George must want him and need him badly to agree to Dean’s terms. Dean would use that to his advantage. With his phone still in his hand, and the deal agreed to, Dean had to think of his next step.

^^^^

With so much passion and heart Ellen’s words were near tear filled. “No Dean.” Her hand pointed out to him. “I will not let you do this.”

Joe sat on the sofa with Robbie next to him in Robbie’s living room.

“Ellen.” Dean stepped to her. “There really isn’t a choice. Now is there? I can pretty much guarantee nothing is going to happen to me. I don’t want to take a chance on my kids and I can’t just turn my back if I have a chance to help Frank.”

Joe’s hands ran across his face as he stood from the sofa. “I can’t let you do this.”

“This is Beginnings, Joe,” Dean said. “We pride ourselves on being safe here. Do I want to leave? No. But I don’t want to worry that my children aren’t safe. We don’t know who the insider is. Also, this is Frank we’re talking about. Frank. Are you going to tell me he wouldn’t do the same for me? If I were out there and he had to leave to get me, he would and so will I.” He walked to Ellen. “You have to be a part of this. You have to play your part. I’ll go and I’ll be back. But I’ll be back with Frank.”

Robbie stood up also. “Dean’s right. This is the best way to get Frank. We go with George’s plan keeping it between the four of us. We convince the community that Frank is dead through our actions. We let Dean go. We track him. We should have time. Let me talk to Danny about a tracker. I’m sure we can get it from him with no questions asked. We’ll track Dean to George’s location. Then we send a scouting party out first to scout the area. We’ll scout the camp, take pictures and such. We’ll learn it.”

“That way we pretty much have a grip on where Dean’s is if he fails to call us,” Joe said. “I think George wouldn’t underestimate Dean. I think George will think there’s a virus somewhere here he created. Dean will call and we can have the system set up to trace the call. With Robbie’s plan, we can pretty much stage our rescue of the two. Sneak attack in.”

“I can lay that out,” Robbie said with certainty. “That’s my field of specialty. That’s what I did in the service for nine years. Once we have all we need on the place they have Frank and Dean, we can get them and we can do it so carefully by the time George figures we’re getting them out of there, he won’t have his inside man take a chance because we’ll be watching Ellen and the kids like hawks. Even if we have to synchronize the rescue with getting Ellen and the kids out, we will.”

“Four man rescue team?” Joe asked Robbie.

“Depends on their man power and the size of their camp. We may have to go with six.”

“No!” Ellen shouted. “You can’t do this. Frank’s already out there. You can’t let Dean go too.” She walked up to Dean. “You can’t go. Please tell me you’re not doing this craziness.”

Dean stared at her. “I’m sorry.”

Ellen grunted and backed up with folded arms.

Joe knew it wasn’t what Ellen wanted to hear, but this was an opportunity to get Frank home. Though they had to do it minimally, they could. “Robbie you will plan the rescue, every detail? I know you can do it. But . . . I’m going to need you here when it all goes down. You leaving will throw suspicion especially since now you’re head of security. Besides, I trust you impeccably with the lives of Ellen and the kids. I want you on them, watching them when it all goes down.”

Robbie nodded. “I understand. You want to go, don’t you, Dad?”

“I will go. I promised Ellen I would bring him back myself and I will. But . . .” Joe took a breath. “I’m gonna have to retire to do so. I think now is a perfect time. I’ll step down to council position because my mind is not straight with all that has gone down with Frank. It will be more like an extended sabbatical. I’ll make a few runs in the mean time with Cole, after I retire, to make it look legit.”

Dean drew up a look of concern. “Wait a week before doing so. Try to push more on Henry since he will be . . .” Dean swallowed. “. . .the leader of this community. Throw hints his way and others that you aren’t up to it.”

Joe agreed. He walked to Ellen and laid his hands on her shoulders. “This will work. We can bring Frank back. He’s alive, Ellen, and he’s fine. You have to do your part. You can’t dwell on Dean’s leaving. You have to think about him bringing Frank back. Dean’s going is an assurance that nothing will happen to Frank in the meantime. Think about that.”

Ellen took a long breath and turned around. “I guess you’re right. Frank’s all right. He’s alive and we have to help him. If we don’t do this, we may never find him.”

Robbie spoke up. “We will eventually but it could be a long time. It’s a big country out there.”

Joe saw that Ellen was coming around. He kissed her on the cheek. “O.K., we have a direction. Inform Jess that the search for Frank is off. I do, however, still feel we can trust him so let’s train him for the scouting.”

Robbie nodded. “Jess is a good man for this. He was in the Canadian Special Forces. This is right up his alley.”

“Good,” Joe said. “Ellen, you know your part. George’s suggestion of a marriage may be something to consider. If the people in this community see you move on, they will really doubt that Frank is alive and this inside person will see this. That’s where our main concern lies. We four have to be convincing. Dean, what do you think about the marriage, even if it’s just until Frank’s back? It can be annulled after that. Of course we have to make it look real to Reverend Bob so it will have to be legit.”

“I understand,” Dean commented. “It could be a good idea.”

“It would show stabilization in Ellen’s life,” Joe explained, “especially after all she’s been through. I’ll need you two to start talking about it and letting it be over heard.”

Dean watched Ellen nod to Joe and he shook his head. “The marriage is a good plan, but it doesn’t have to happen to convince people. Scratch the marriage idea.”

“If it’s not going to hurt, why not do it?” Joe asked.

Dean looked at Ellen. “It’s not right. And I . . . I can’t do it.”

Joe was shocked. This really surprised him.

Ellen moved to Dean. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t marry you, El.” Dean looked at her. “Not for this reason. It’s not right to get married only to break up when it’s done. I won’t. I’m sorry. It doesn’t have to be done so why do it? It’s just icing on the convincing cake and we don’t always need icing.”

Ellen bit her bottom lip. She was silent for a long time, staring at Dean. As she saw Joe ready to speak she held up her hand. “Dean,” she whispered “We’ll talk about this later. O.K.?”

Dean shook his head. “No. We won’t. El, please. Let’s not talk about it at all.”

“You don’t want to marry me.”

“Not for this reason,” Dean reiterated.

“You’re really not going to do this.”

“No.” Dean said. “I’m sorry. It doesn’t need to be done.”

“I think it does. If George mentioned it, we should do it because he has Frank and right now he holds the high card. We don’t know who his person is. Dean?” When she received no response, Ellen tossed her hands up and moved toward Robbie’s front door. “Fine. This is stupid. You’ll do everything else but this. I’m going home. To my home. Joe, Robbie, let me know when we need to discuss this more. Just know this. If I’m going to go along with this plan then I’m going to do all that I can to make sure it works in our favor.” Ellen stormed out, slamming the door.

Joe wasn’t going to say anymore. Ellen had said enough and he could see by the look on Dean’s face that Dean didn’t need any more questions on the subject that left the room with Ellen. “All right.” Joe bent down to the coffee table and picked up the tablet he had there. “Let’s sit down and recap what we wrote down . I want to go over again everything that George said.” Joe moved to the sofa and sat down. Robbie did too. Dean still stared at the door. “Dean?” Joe called to him. “Join us?”

Dean, in thought, took another second of staring, as if he expected Ellen to return. “Um . . . yeah.” Slowly he turned and joined Joe and Robbie. He felt really bad at that moment for turning down Ellen, but he felt strongly in his reasons for doing so, but those feelings and thoughts would have to wait. It was time to return to the discussion of George.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Dr. Morris made notation in Frank’s chart as he stood by Frank’s bedside. “Vitals strong. Respiration normal. Reflexes normal. Everything is normal.” Dr. Morris closed the chart. “So tell me Mr. Slagel, what is holding you up from coming back to us? Hmm?” Tucking the chart under his arm, Dr. Morris checked Frank’s intravenous once more and walked from the room.

Dr. Morris’ footsteps moved as steady as the beeping of Frank’s heart monitor. The sounds of his walking faded away until it no longer could be heard. And then Frank . . . opened his eyes.

CHAPTER THREE

September 9

Beginnings, Montana

As she did her hair, trying to get finished before she had to get the kids up for school, Ellen heard the thump coming from outside her bathroom door. She opened it up and looked into her bedroom. She saw Dean opening his dresser. “What are you doing here?”

“I live here.” Dean pulled out a pair of jeans. “I need fresh clothes.”

“How did you get in?”

“The window.”

“Well, I’m going to have to tell Henry to put an alarm system on my windows to keep out unwanted pests.”

“Ellen,” Dean said her name strongly. “Why are you being like this? Why did I have to come home to find myself locked out of my own house? A house I just moved into thank you very much.”

“You’re a dick.” Ellen walked by him and to her dresser.

“Excuse me?” Dean stopped her, taking hold of her arm.

“Did you not hear me?”

“Oh, I heard you. Can we talk?”

“Nope. You said last night we wouldn’t talk about it.”

“Ellen . . . listen.”

“No.” She pulled away. “What is it about me? I’m good enough to sleep with but I’m not good enough for a commitment? You don’t have to even look at it as a real marriage.”

“That is exactly the reason I will not marry you.”

“What?” Ellen said with sarcasm. “What kind of reason is that Mr. ‘I’m going to save Frank but I have reservations about some parts.”?

Dean slowly took a breath, walked over and closed the bedroom door. He had an edge to his voice, his hand moved with a ridged action as he spoke. “Look. From the moment I knew I loved you, that was the moment I knew I wanted to commit to you and spend the rest of my life loving you. Now, history shows we were married. But you see, in my mind, time was rippled, I’m not blessed with that memory and that is a memory I want. There’s is nothing more that I want than to marry you, El, but I’ll be damned if to get that I have to cheat. I don’t want our marriage to be a ploy, a front, and I certainly don’t want you to have the easy out when it’s all said and done. And you will have that. Frank comes back, marriage annulled. If circumstances were different and I didn’t love you as much, I would do it. But that’s not the case. Marrying you means far too much to me than to have my shot and it be short lived.”

“If you question the fact on whether or not I love you enough to marry you for real, then question no further. If a real marriage is what you want. I will give you a real marriage with no intentions of taking the easy way out when it’s all said and done. I love you enough to do that.”

“If you would have said that yesterday before my phone call from George, I would believe that. But you want Frank back. You’ll say or do anything to get that. You may believe what you say is true, but when Frank walks through those gates, all will change. It always does and it always will.”

“You don’t believe what I’m saying is true?” Ellen spoke with some hurt in her voice.

“I believe you believe it . . . for the time being.”

“Then the hell with you.” Ellen tossed her hands in the air. “You say you love me. I say I love you. Well you know what I think. I think you’d be afraid to take the step no matter what the reason. You say you want to marry me? Well I think you’re a coward and I think you would find an excuse not to no matter what the circumstances.” Ellen started to walk out.

“Then I’m a coward. But I’m a coward with reason because I’ve been burned one too many times by you.”

Ellen stopped in her stride out the door. Calmly she walked back in her bedroom and straight to Dean. “Fuck you.” She turned around and walked back out.

^^^^

If one were to ask Ellen to describe Johnny’s appearance she would say, though he looks like Frank, he is much better looking than Frank was at his age. Johnny knew he probably was one of the best looking guys in Beginnings. He was sneaking around with the women before he was sixteen and before understandings even began.

He needed milk and Johnny’s time was so limited since Joe ran him around in every division he could use him. Distribution always seemed like a pain to Johnny. But on this day it, fit into his plan in which he had reluctantly agreed to help his grandfather.

She stood there, leaning against the counter talking to Cole. Bev flirted, perhaps to get a little more. Since Johnny, in plan mode, he made it obvious. He stood next to her and . . . well, he stared.

It took a few minutes into Bev’s conversation with Cole. At first she thought Johnny was staring and then she knew. Annoyed, Bev swung her head to Johnny and, rolling her eyes, she spoke so snippy. “What are you looking at?”

Suave would describe him as he ran his forefinger and thumb down the sides of his goatee. He flashed his bright smile and leaned close to Bev, staring his dark eyes at her. He spoke deep and smooth. “Your legs. They’re the best pair in Beginnings.” Taking his milk from Cole along with a ‘what are you up to?’ look from him, Johnny left distribution.

Bev’s mouth dropped open and her eyes followed Johnny out.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

Every man that could, lined up in the field. Standing tall and proud, Hal walked down the long line of men. Rows deep they were. Peter stood there waiting as Hal approached him. They exchanged salutes.

“For displaying qualities of leadership, for handling pressure in extreme circumstance like no other could, and for bravery he has shown me, I hereby promote Private Peter Haskell to the ranking of Sergeant. With this promotion, he will lead his first regiment out west to scout for the camp or camps associated with the Wild Cats.” Hal extended his hand to Peter. “Congratulations, son.”

Following the shaking of hands, Sgt. Ryder edged his way to Hal and cleared his throat subtly.

Hal leaned down bringing his ear closer to Sgt. Ryder. “Yes.”

“Grace . . .”

Hal cringed.

“Grace is going to be upset. You’re sending him away. I saw his schedule.”

“Gr . . . Gr . . . she’ll just have to get over it. She never mentioned he had to be around now, did she?” Hal stood straight and grinned. He watched the new Sgt. Haskell gather up his men for a scouting expedition that would leave Bowman in a few short minutes. To Hal, everything was falling into plan.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Dropping the last child off at the nursery, Ellen headed to a place where she seldom saw the inside walls . . . the library. Not that Ellen was particularly the reader, she wasn’t but the cavalry soldier was waking and wanted something to read. Ellen wanted to do him the favors of picking out a special book. Beginnings had a great library or at least she heard.

“Boo.”

A small shriek came from Ellen then a laugh as Danny walked up behind her.

“You’re out and about early. I didn’t think you were working yet,” Danny said.

“I’m not, but why not take advantage of the free babysitting, right?”

“Right. Where you off too?” Danny asked.

“The library. God, I think I was in there once.”

“I didn’t know you read a lot,” Danny commented.

“I don’t. It’s not for me. It’s for the cavalry soldier that is ill. I’m picking him out a book only I haven’t a clue what to get him or where to start.”

“I’ll help you. I’m very averse in libraries, you know.” Danny grinned. “They call me Mr. Library.”

Ellen laughed as they neared the library. Upon entering they saw Trish who usually worked at history.

“Hi.” Trish smiled but spoke at a library whisper. “Well if it isn’t Mr. Library.”

Danny nodded. “What did I tell you?”

“Trish, why are you working in here today? Doesn’t Lynn usually work the library?” Ellen asked..

“Usually but she has a case of this terrible stomach flu. She thinks it was something Josephine baked.” Trish shrugged. “Go figure. Why are you here, Ellen? You don’t read.”

“Yes I know. It’s not for me. It’s for someone in the clinic. Danny’s helping me.”

“We have a great thriller and horror section. Go take a look-see.”

Ellen motioned her head. “Come on Mr. Library. Show me the way.”

With his hand holding onto Ellen’s arm, Danny led her in the right direction. “Is this guy going to read it or are you reading it to him?”

“I’ll read it to him if he wants.” Ellen looked around the sides of the books. “Wow, how can you tell what they’re about?”

“Open the inside or some have it on the back.” Danny answered

“Like a video box.”

“Exactly.”

Ellen reached for a book and snickered.

“What is it?” Danny moved to her.

“Look at this. It’s her picture. God, how awful.”

“True, but she wrote that good vampire series.” Danny put the book back and grabbed another. “How about him?” He showed Ellen the author’s picture.

“Oh I never liked him. And what’s up with that pose? The hand to the chin thing they all do. I would think if they want to sell books they might pose nude or get someone attractive to decorate the back cover. I would.”

“No, you wouldn’t.”

“Yes, I would.” Ellen put the book back.

“Wait. I know an author who takes great pictures. He’s in the next aisle. I’ll be right back.”

“O.K.” Ellen browsed the titles, pulled one out and put it back. In her reach for a thick book, thinking it had to be good because it was big, she heard the annoying voice of Bev. The mention of Dean’s name made Ellen’s listen. She pulled the book some and saw Bev as she talked to Todd from fabrics.

“I just felt so bad for Dean,” Bev stated. “He was wandering around last night because she kicked him out of the house.”

“The house he worked so hard on for her.” Todd commented.

“It’s his house too. Anyhow . . . he was really appreciative when I let him stay with me.”

Ellen’s heart sunk and she moved to replace the book. In her slow deliverance of it to the shelf, a hand met hers and helped her place it back. She shifted her eyes with the shocked expression still on her face. Danny was there.

“I got a good book for your friend.” He held it up. “Let’s, uh, get out of here.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Ellen followed him up to the desk where Trish sat waiting.

Trish looked up from a book she read. “Find something for the sick person?”

Danny laid the book down. “He might like this. It’s an all-like.”

“Oh I couldn’t agree more.” Trish opened the cover. “Library card please.”

Danny looked at Ellen then back to Trish. “I don’t have a library card.”

“Then you can’t check out this book.”

“Trish.” Danny didn’t know if she was serious. “Lynn let’s me check them out without a card.”

“O.K. but if you excuse me for saying so, Lynn’s a fool. People don’t return books as it is. Imagine if you didn’t know who had it.”

“Just write down my name.” Danny told her.

“How will I find you? The library card makes it so much easier.”

“Can’t I have the book without a card?” Danny asked.

“Certainly . . . not.” Trish answered. “But . . . would you like to check it out?”

“Yes.” Danny said hearing Ellen snicker.

Licking her finger, Trish leaned down, opened a drawer, and pulled out a piece of paper. “Fill this out. This is an application for a library card. Include your address since you know what yours is. You made them up.” She handed him a pen.

Danny leaned on the desk to begin to fill it out. He looked at Ellen. “A hundred and fifty people in this town and they’re afraid they won’t be able to track us down. Where are we gonna go?” Shaking his head, Danny filled out the application.

^^^^

Andrea exercised the leg of the Society soldier, Tom Collins. She spoke to Dean as she bent the leg up and laid it back down. “Muscle tone, Good. Reflexes improving.”

Dean wrote down in the chart. “Any responses at all to touch?”

“Some,” Andrea said and smiled at Tom. “He’s not feeling it. I am. It’s a good sign.” She laid down his leg. “Anyhow . . . I’ll let you get some rest.” She covered Tom up. “We’re going to be trying you in a wheelchair today. How’s that?”

“A wheel chair?”

“Yes,” Andrea told him. “that way you can get around our little town. As soon as I see you practiced enough, we’ll move you to containment. There are a lot of people there who can assist you if you need it.”

“Doctor, what’s your opinion? Will I walk again?”

Andrea smiled at him. “I believe with a lot of hard work you will not need the use of a wheelchair forever. I believe that. But . . . are you ready to work hard, Tom?”

“I’m very ready.”

“Good.” Andrea laid a hand on his leg. “Dr. Hayes. Walk with me?”

“Yes.” Dean lifted a hand and waved to Tom then followed Andrea out. “So you really believe he’ll walk again.”

“The spinal cord is healing nicely. I see no reason for prolonged paralysis but I want to talk to you about something,”

“Oh boy.”

“What’s that mean?”

“You have this serious look on your face and . . .you’ve stopped walking.”

“You know me.” Andrea smiled. “I’m concerned. I heard a rumor that’s spreading around Beginnings. Did Ellen kick you out?”

Dean let out a breath with a laugh. “Man, one person sees you walking around in the middle of the night and things get out of hand.”

“So she did kick you out?”

“Last night. I’m back. It’s not permanent, I don’t think.” Dean shrugged. “We just had a disagreement.”

“Sorry to hear that especially with her just coming back home.”

“Well . . . if the truth be known, she’s up . . .” Dean paused. He had to remember how careful he had to be when he talked. “She’s still upset about Frank.”

“Understandable. It is still soon.”

“Yeah.” Dean nodded. “And you know, with her and this Robbie thing, she’s in this searching phase. Looking for a little of Frank. I guess I’m just not understanding enough. You warned me.”

“I did,” Andrea said, “because I’ve been there. When my Miguel died, I was the same way. Remember how I befriended Alonso? All because he was Hispanic and he reminded me of Miguel. Right away I attached myself to him. It gives you a little of that back. You want to be around those who are most like those you’ve lost.” Andrea took a second to think and smile. “So you two made up?”

“Not yet, no. Our conversation ended this morning with ‘fuck you’.”

“Oh Dean.” Andrea tsked. “Language.”

“I didn’t say it. She did.”

“Why don’t you talk to her?”

“I will,” Dean responded, “when I see her later. Maybe by that time she’s had a chance to cool down.”

Andrea looked at her watch. “Why don’t you go home for lunch in a few hours? Spend some time with her.”

“You know what? That might not be a bad idea. We can talk then. I have a meeting with Joe this afternoon. I’ll cut out early? Thanks, Andrea.” Dean started walking again, this time toward his lab.

“Dean?” Andrea called out to him. “Why are you meeting with Joe?”

“Um . . . it’s uh . . . personal thing about Ellen. You know, he’s her Dad and you also know Joe. You have to schedule time.” Dean tossed his hand up and moved again.

Andrea looked oddly at him as Dean disappeared quickly down the hall.

^^^^

“Is there is anything else I can get for you?” Ellen asked the UWA soldier, “Just let me know.” She fluffed his pillows up.

“I’m fine.” He spoke weakly as he watched Ellen. “The book is very nice.”

“I’ll read to you and my friend Danny will read to you also.”

“Why . . . why are you being so kind to me? It’s a wonderful gesture on your part.”

Ellen spoke as she tucked in his covers. “Well saving my life was a wonderful gesture on your part as well. I will never forget that.” Ellen rested her hand on the bed. “Ever. What you guys did to help me and Frank, I am grateful.” Leaning down, she pressed her lips to his forehead. “Thank you.” She looked up when she heard the clearing of a throat. Dean was walking into the room.

“El, you’re not supposed to be working.”

“I’m not. I’m visiting Gerry.”

Dean walked closer to the bed. “Gerry, you’re doing better, I see.”

“Yes and the woman is being very kind.”

Dean’s eyes rose to Ellen.

Ellen whispered. “It’s a respect thing he has. You can call me Ellen.”

“No, that would be too much to ask,” Gerry said.

Dean opened his chart. “What was your last recorded temperature? Are you sure you’re not feeling dizzy or abnormal in any way?”

Ellen gasped. “Don’t answer that, Gerry. He’s being sarcastic because you’re being polite. He is the epitome of the word dick.”

Dean slammed the chart. “Look, I don’t want to fight with you.”

“Oh.” Ellen spoke long and drawn. “Really? Well you’re not getting a fight. You’ve secured an ending to that.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I think you know.”

“El.” Dean stayed firm, speaking to her across Gerry. “Look, I want to talk to you. Can we go somewhere?”

“Nope.”

“El.”

“Nope.”

“Ellen, listen . . .”

“Where’d you sleep last night?” Ellen asked with edge.

“What?”

“Where did you sleep last night?”

“You kicked me out, so that is none of your concern now is it?” Dean spoke with resentment.

“I think it is. Where did you spend the night?” Ellen asked again, this time stronger.

“And I told you before it is none of your concern.”

“Fuck you, it isn’t my concern.” Ellen snapped at him.

“No El, fuck you. You kicked me out!”

After his eyes and head shifted back and forth one too many times, Gerry had heard enough, especially from the doctor. “HEY!” He shouted the loudest he could. “Don’t you dare take that tone with the woman.”

Dean’s moth dropped open and his head swung to a view of Gerry. “First off we’re arguing. Second she is my . . .”

“I don’t care what she is to you. She is a woman and should be treated with respect. Where is your leader?”

Dean blinked several times. “What?”

“Where is your leader? I want to inform him of your behavior to the woman.”

Ellen looked smug. “The leader is my father.”

Gerry stared harshly at Dean. “Apologize to the woman or I will talk your leader. I hate to rat on a fellow man but you crossed the line with her. Apologize.”

Dean was silent.

“Apologize.”

“Yeah Dean, apologize.”

“Ellen, don’t,” Dean spoke strong.

“If Frank were alive,” Gerry said. “He would kill you.”

“He would,” Ellen came back.

“Madam, whatever the relationship may be between you and this man, may I, as someone who has respect for a woman, tell you he is not even worth speaking to.”

“Thank you,” Ellen spoke calmly. “You are absolutely right. He’s not. And I’ll be back, Gerry.” Ellen walked around the bed and out of the room.

“El.” Dean chased her out. “Ellen, stop. I want to talk to you.”

“Talk to you new lover.” Ellen spun, yelled, and spun back around the other way.

“Where is this coming from? Ellen?” Dean followed her.

“I know where you spent the night last night, Dean.”

“O.K., so you know. Big deal.”

“Big deal?” Ellen said with such a shock. “I certainly hope you enjoyed it because that body can lie next to your body from here on in.”

“Why would I want to lie next to Henry? Do you think I had sex with Henry?”

“Henry?” Ellen stopped walking.

“Yeah, Henry. I stayed with Henry. Why do you think Henry and I are lovers? Is he starting trouble again?”

“Henry does not start trouble.”

Dean laughed. “Oh, I beg to differ. Did he tell you something happened between him and me last night? I can just see him doing . . .”

“No, Bev did.”

“Bev told you something about Henry and me?” Dean asked.

“No, she told Todd from Fabrics she slept with you.”

Maybe Dean could have had more tact but he didn’t. He immediately started to laugh. “And you believed her? God, Ellen what . . .El?”

Ellen had sped off.

^^^^

Binghamton Alabama

There was so much disbelief in his voice as he spoke. George would have yelled had he not been so stunned. “Hid?”

“Yes sir.” The sergeant that led the raid on Kingman answered nervously.

“They hid.”

“Yes.”

“Five hundred men hid?”

“We believe so.”

“What are you? A moron?” George’s voice rose. “Five hundred men who live and train in one place cannot hide.”

“Well sir, I couldn’t find them anywhere. They hid.” The Sergeant was so serious as he spoke. “You know how clever these UWA soldiers are. They can outsmart us at times.”

“Sergeant, Elmo from Sesame Street can out smart you at times. Did it occur to you that they just weren’t there?”

“No sir.”

“No.” George closed his eyes and ran his hand down his face, mumbling, “This is why I need men like Frank Slagel.”

“Excuse me.”

“Nothing,” George said. “You’re dismissed. Send Lt. Merrick in.”

“Right away.” The Sergeant left and was almost immediately replaced with Lt. Merrick.

“President Hadley.” Lt. Merrick stood tall.

“Lieutenant. Starting first thing tomorrow I want those UWA soldiers interrogated again for information and I will be present this time to make sure it’s done right.”

“Yes sir.”

“And the man that gave you the false information.”

“Yes.”

“Shoot him and shoot him now. Do it in front of his fellow soldiers.”

“Yes sir.” Lt. Merrick, stone faced, left George’s office.

George sat back in his chair at his desk and desperately tried to stay calm. He had other things on his mind that must be foremost. Frank and Dean. The Legion of Doom was what he planned to refer them once he had them on his side.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Jason reviewed the list of missing files Andrea had given him as he walked down through the tunnels to the cryo-lab. He didn’t quite understand how in a community as small as Beginnings, files could actually get lost. But Andrea explained it wisely. If Dean was working on the files, Dean will lose them and the risk would now run greater since he had a home office.

Andrea hated the tunnels, especially when the weather was getting cold, so Jason graciously offered to search out the missing files. He buzzed himself into the cryo-lab, turning on the lights as he walked in the door. “Files, files.” He scratched his head at the mess. Sample cups laid around. Papers were scattered about. He didn’t see any files. He saw a small warming light on in the backroom, the former cryo-wall slash Henry-world. Hoping that the files would be in there, Jason walked in. He peeked at the glass dish with a brown substance that sat under the light. It grew something, but Jason hadn’t a clue what that was. His eyes skimmed about the room seeing nothing that resembled files. As he turned to leave the quiet lab, he jumped at the sound of a starting compressor. Wondering where it was coming from, Jason listened. It was close. It was in the room. Not seeing anything, he began to leave again when his eye caught it. Had the warming light not been on, Jason wouldn’t have been so curious as to what was hidden under the black blanket. It was large and covered and set in the corner. The closer Jason stepped to it the more he heard the running compressor.

He reached and felt the solidness of the object, the metal feel and Jason slipped the cover from it enough to expose what it was. A long white freezer was hidden there. His fingers crept against the crease and he gripped the lid. It wouldn’t budge. It was locked.

“Dr. Godrichson,” Johnny’s voice called out.

Jason jolted. “Johnny.” He grabbed his chest.

“What are you doing?”

“What’s . . . what is he hiding in here? This is a weird new lab.”

“Don’t know.” Johnny walked inside and recovered the case. “Not my business. Only El and Dean know.” He laid the files in Jason’s hands. “Andrea said you were here looking for these. I knew where they were. They were Ellen filed. Which means stuffed in a drawer until she felt like getting to them.”

“Thanks.” Jason looked at the files as he felt led out. “I would have never found them,.”

“Glad to help.” Johnny waited until Jason was clear of the room and followed him. Reaching back to close the back room door, Johnny looked once more inside, then at Jason, and then shut off the back room once again.

^^^^

Robbie balanced his chair on its back legs as he sat in Joe’s office, looking so smug with his arms crossed against his chest. “Henry, you will just say or do anything to make me stay on that suspect list, won’t you?”

“See, Joe.” Henry pointed. “He’s making it out to seem like I have it out for him.”

“You do,” Joe said. “Saying he is George’s prodigal son, his golden boy, his right hand man and child by proxy is not motive or means. Dean?” Joe looked at Dean.

“I’m with you, Joe. Robbie’s not a suspect,” Dean said as he peered more at his notes, looking more like his thoughts were elsewhere.

“Then I say we scratch him off the list,” Joe stated, holding his pencil ready.

“Joe!” Henry shouted. “That’s not fair.”

“Try this. If Robbie stays so do you.” Joe looked at Henry.

“All right,” Henry pouted. “But that’s blackmail, Joe, and it isn’t very nice.”

“Well neither is telling Bev that Dean slept with you last night.” Joe raised his eyes up to Henry as he scratched out Robbie’s name.

“Oh my God, Joe. I told Bev no such thing. Granted I don’t want her near me and it could be the best thing to do to get her away from Dean as well, but to tell her Dean and I slept . . .”

“Henry!” Joe yelled. “That’s not what I meant. Someone told Bev that Dean stayed at your house. Care to clarify who that could be?” Joe raised his eyebrow at Henry.

“Haven’t a clue, Joe.” Henry tossed his hands in the air.

Grumbling a ‘hmm’ Joe returned to his notes. “All right. We have two more suspects to get to before we finalize this list. Me and Jason.” Joe cringed. “Henry, for Christ’s sake what?”

“I don’t think you should be on the list that’s all. I don’t have a motive for you.”

“Well I do,” Joe said and saw everyone looking at him. “I gave it some thought.”

“Are you confessing?” Henry asked.

“No!” Joe yelled. “I’m just giving you boys something to think about. O.K.? We’ll discuss me after Jason.”

“Oh this must be plausible,” Henry said. “If he’s saving himself for last it has to be good. I’ll wait. Let’s talk about Jason.”

Joe looked so annoyed. “All right. Jason. I don’t even think we have to discuss his means.”

Robbie nodded in agreement. “Medical knowledge. Blood knowledge. Virus. He was working with Dean in the cryo lab too. Remember? And Dean said something about someone messing up the recipe or something.”

“Formula,” Dean corrected. “Robbie’s right. Jason has all the medical knowledge and means as far as that goes.”

“And,” Joe added, “the time machine. Especially with the new power supply, he could make trips back without notice. Here’s one thing for all of you to think about. When Robbie and Frank went to the Garfield project to get into the cryo-lab, soldiers and guards were waiting for them, almost like they were set up. Someone tipped them off. It could have been Jason.”

Henry, as usual, seemed so excited. “Oh that’s good, Joe. I lost a piece of my hair that day, remember. That bullet went and sailed right by me and nearly . . .” Henry saw the looks he was getting. “Nearly . . . it’s not a ripple in time comment, Joe.”

“I know. It’s a lame comment. O.K., Jason?”

“Stays,” Robbie answered without looking up.

“Stays,” Dean reiterated.

“Goes.” Henry snickered at the glances. “Kidding. Stays.” He took a second to laugh at himself. “O.K., Joe. Your turn. Give your theory about yourself.”

Joe prepared his notes and readied himself to speak. Just as his mouth opened, there was a knock at the office door. “Come in.”

“Aw!” Henry whined. He turned to see Ellen. “El, you put us in a commercial break.”

Ellen seemed so nervous. “I’m sorry.” Ellen rubbed her arms as she stepped in closing the door.

Joe looked up to her. “What’s wrong?”

“I uh . . . I know you guys have this meeting but I have my nerve up and I need to say something, I need to speak to Robbie. Can I?”

Dean rested his notes on his lap and watched Ellen bounce a little. He wondered why she was so nervous.

“Do you need to leave with him?” Joe asked.

“No.” Ellen shook her head drastically. “I want to do this now in front of all of you so there are no questions asked later. O.K.?” She turned to Robbie. “I have to tell you something.” She cleared her throat and looked only at him. There was a certain quiver to her voice. Ellen actually trembled. “I’ve known you since you were a kid. We’ve, uh . . . we’ve known each other a very long time. And Frank, Frank was very proud of you. He had always said that if something should happen to him, he wanted you to take care of his family, take care of me.” Again Ellen cleared her throat. “And . . . I’ve been through so much in my life, more so recently, I just want to stop. O.K.? I want to stop. I want to live a stable life. I want to just . . . stabilize. We’re really great friends and always have been. We never fight, ever. I love you. And if you would. I would be honored if you would just end this all with me . . . and . . . will you . . . will you marry me Robbie?”

Robbie’s eyes widened and he stood up.

Dean’s heart sunk and his notebook fell from his lap as he too stood up. “El, what are you . . .”

Ellen held up her hand to Dean keeping her eyes on Robbie. “Will you.”

Henry nearly fell over. “No. Robbie you can’t do this. El! No.”

“Robert,” Joe said his name calmly.

Robbie looked around at them. He bit his lip. “Wow.” He let out a breath.

“Robert,” Joe said with a warning.

Robbie raised his eyebrows. “Sure El, I’ll marry you. Thanks.”

“No, thank you.” Ellen tip toed up and kissed him. “Sorry I interrupted.” She hurried from Joe’s office.

There would have been silence had it not been for Henry knocking over the chair he missed when he went to sit.

Joe stared at Dean’s expression, so confused and so lost. He saw Robbie move to the door. “Robbie, what are you doing?’

“Dad.” Robbie reached for the knob. “Can we finish this later or tomorrow? Thanks. I have to talk to Ellen” He opened it up, walked out, closed the door, opened it, and popped his head back it. “Um to clarify that. My fiancée” Robbie grinned, wide and shitty, and removed his head from the door, bringing it closed.

Joe tossed his papers in the air. “I give up.” He saw the ‘need answers’ looks from Henry and Dean. “Don’t look at me. I’m just as shocked as the both of you.” Joe sat down in his desk chair. He rubbed his eyes harshly. “Oh boy.”

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Something told UWA soldiers, Kyle, Link, Jeff, and Ted, the footsteps they heard were not good ones. Sitting on the floor of the room they were held, they looked up when the door opened. Four armed Society Soldiers walked in with Lt. Merrick behind them. No words were spoken as Lt. Merrick emerged forward. He walked up to Ted, extended his revolver, pulled back the hammer, and fired a single shot into Ted’s forehead. With the splattering of blood outward like a burst water balloon, and the shocked cries of the UWA soldiers, Lt. Merrick, with a calm look, put away his revolver and walked from the room.

CHAPTER FOUR

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

It was so obvious to the four man scouting party of the UWA that they had stumbled onto something. Less one man who went back to Bowman for supplies, they rode in on their horses into what definitely looked like a temporary camp. They dismounted and searched about. There were long wooden pegs left on the ground, holes for them, remnants of several campfires long burned out, and . . . bandages. They were cloth, brown stained and hardened, and they were tossed into a brush area. Sgt. Daniel had wandered into the trees, deep in thought and deep in search. Had his foot not hit against it, he would have never spotted it. Slowly he bent down to the canvass bag. Cautiously he opened it. As he checked out the contents, he heard the call of his name.

“Sgt. Daniel. We found something!”

Grabbing the bag, Sgt. Daniel left the woods and walked to the camp where the call came from. He spotted one of his men. “What do you have?”

The soldier walked nearer to Sgt. Daniel he handed him a UWA patch. “Torn from the clothing sir, just like the Captain told us to do if ever taken.”

Sgt. Daniel took the patch. “Then they had our men here. I found something myself. Right now we need to canvass the area for clues to which direction they went.” The Sergeant spoke to his team. “Mark where we are and we head on home. Job accomplished for now.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Though they lived together, at that moment in the evening, in the huge kitchen getting dinner ready, Ellen and Dean were miles apart.

“Excuse me.” Ellen reached around him for some plates.

“I’m talking to you. Can you respond, please?” Dean cut up vegetables for a salad.

“Nope.”

“This is bullshit, El.”

“What is? You don’t want to do the vegetables? Tell you what, I’ll do that and you watch the pasta. You know the noodles that Andrea makes have to be watched.”

“That’s not what I mean.” Dean cut forcefully with the knife, slamming it against the cutting board. “Ellen.” Dean set down the knife and pulled her back. “Look, the game’s gone on long enough. O.K.? I get the point.”

“What are you talking about?”

Dean paused before saying anything. “This little charade you and Robbie set up.”

“Charade?” Ellen nodded. “You think I set up a charade with Robbie for your benefit?”

“Yes.”

“For what purpose?” Ellen questioned with a raised eyebrow.

“For the purpose of me seeing that you will marry someone for the ‘Frank’ plan, even if it’s not me.”

“Let me tell you something, Dean.” Ellen stepped to him. “I won’t marry just anyone. O.K.? I asked Robbie for the exact reasons I gave. I did not, did not set that up with him for your benefit so don’t flatter yourself.”

“So you’re really going to marry Robbie?”

“Yes.”

“You can’t do that.”

“Why?” Ellen asked.

“El.” Dean stepped to her. “Look.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Are you doing this to get me to change my mind about marrying you? Because . . .”

“No.” Ellen stepped back. “I don’t need to change your mind. I changed mine already.”

“That quickly? You stitched your feelings that quickly?” Dean asked with edge.

“No. I switched who I’m going to have a marriage with that quickly.”

“People will see right through it, El. They’ll see it’s not real.”

Ellen grabbed the plates and walked from the kitchen. “Then I guess I’m going to have to make it real, aren’t I?”

“How serious are you?”

Ellen slammed the plates. “I’m dead serious Dean.”

“Robbie Slagel. Of all people, you’ll marry Robbie Slagel.”

“What’s wrong with Robbie?”

“For one thing, it’s Frank’s brother.”

“And of all people in this community for me to marry, if I marry anyone, who do you suppose Frank would want that to be?” Ellen didn’t get an answer. “Dean, this conversation is over. O.K.?” Ellen walked back to the kitchen

“You got me.” Dean followed her. “You win. If you want me to say it, I’ll say it. I don’t want you to marry Robbie. O.K.? I don’t.” Dean stepped closer to her. “Please El.” He brushed his lips against hers. “Can we please stop fighting? I can’t take it. It’s driving me nuts. Please.”

“We’ll stop fighting.”

Dean hugged her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Ellen kissed him quickly. “It’s not good for the kids anyhow.”

“No it’s not. I’ll get them for dinner. How’s that?”

“Sounds good.” Ellen turned off the stove. “Oh and Dean.”

“Yeah?” Dean stopped on his way out of the kitchen.

“Thank you for saying how you feel.”

“You’re welcome.” Dean smiled.

“But uh . . . I’m still marrying Robbie.”

The smile fell from Dean’s face.

^^^^

Bowman North Dakota

Hal shouldn’t have been disappointed. His man was only returning for supplies and he was aware of that. But something in Hal wanted to hear more, like perhaps they found a clue to the whereabouts of his five missing men, but he had nothing. The only word the returning man gave was that they had made it nearly across South Dakota. Nothing was to be found. That was the second supply scout to return and the second that delivered empty news. Hal dreaded the thought of having to cross the ‘central border’ as he called it. If they did that, they were leaving safer territory. But Hal knew if it had to be done, it would be. Maybe the next day’s light would breed better news. For that, Hal could only hope and pray.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Seldom did Robbie ever show true anger and frustration but in his actions and in his voice, Robbie showed them to Joe. His face was a slight shade of red and his voice was edgy, boarding on a high tone as his hand cut through the air. “What is your problem with this, Dad? Huh?”

“You cannot do this.” Joe’s hand came down hard on Robbie’s table. “You hear me?”

“I don’t think it’s your place to say anything.” Robbie took a stand with his father. He rarely ever did that.

“Not my place? Goddamn it, Robbie. This is Ellen we’re talking about. This was your brother’s wife. Don’t you think you’re giving new meaning to the phrase keeping it in the family?”

Robbie’s top lip twitched as he bit his tongue on what he wanted to say. “Look. Drop it, Dad, O.K.? I’m marrying Ellen.”

Joe cut his eyes to Jess who was in the living room, and knowing how much Jess knew, Joe didn’t have to mince words with his son. “Look, I’m not stupid. I wasn’t born yesterday. I know you and I know Ellen. I saw through that little act in my office. Dean may question it. Henry may be fooled but I certainly was not.”

“All right.” Robbie raised his voice. “So what if that’s the case. If. But what’s the big deal about it.”

“How in the hell is Frank going to react when he finds out you married Ellen?”

“How is he going to react if he finds out she married Dean? It’s the best way and I’m doing this.”

“God, Robbie,” Joe shouted. “The whole principal of it is wrong. Wrong.”

“No, it’s right. Frank would rather have her marry me,” Robbie spoke with emotion. “I’m the best one to do this. I’m taking care of her until he returns.”

“And then what?” Joe questioned.

“Excuse me?”

“Then what?” Joe’s voice softened. “Are you graciously going to step aside when it’s all said and done? Are you going to say, ‘Here Frank, here’s Ellen.’?”

Robbie moved to the living room. “I’m leaving.”

“No you aren’t leaving!” Joe followed him. “In your mind you know damn well this is a facade you two came up with, but in your heart, you want it to be real. You always have. How are you going to be when Frank comes back and you get crushed?”

“I’m not going to get crushed. I’m too smart for that.”

“Are you?” Joe asked.

“Yes. I know what we have to do , I know how it has to be done. I know how we have to act. Trust me Dad, if I get caught up in it then that’s my own fault, isn’t it?”

“You’re going to,” Joe spoke fatherly.

“Yeah, well, probably but I’ll deal with it.” With his final words, Robbie left.

Joe stared at the closed door. “He’s going to marry her, isn’t he?” He looked to Jess.

Jess stood up from his seat on the couch. He laid down his book. “I think Robbie’s a smart man and I don’t think . . . I don’t think you should worry.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I don’t think Dean will let it get to that point.”

Joe turned his head back to the door. “Yeah, but what if Dean doesn’t have a choice. What if my son doesn’t give him a choice?”

^^^^

Dean sat in his little office at home reviewing notes from the week on the pneumonia cases that finally were showing signs of improving. The small window behind him was open a bit. It carried in the cool autumn air but it also carried in other things. Dean could have shut the window, but he didn’t. The voices that flowed through the window were informative. They were Ellen’s and Jenny’s. He worked as he eavesdropped. He shouldn’t have, but he did.

“Ellen, I’ll say it again. This is such a great porch.”

“Yeah, I’m in the rich section of town.”

“Can I ask you something about what I heard today?”

“Sure.”

“It’s about Robbie.”

There it was. It was the conversation Dean had been waiting for. His fingers moved slower and he zoomed in more. Surely Ellen would give some hint on how real this marriage was.

“What about Robbie?” Ellen asked.

“I heard . . . I heard you’re going to marry him.”

“You aren’t going to lecture are you?”

“No,” Jenny answered softly. “I’d like to know why? I mean, isn’t it sudden? I’m sorry. I’m intruding.”

“No. Maybe if I explain to you, then if you hear anyone talking, you can be my explanation to them.” Ellen took a long pause. “See I know it’s soon after what happened to Frank but so much has happened in my life. Brian. Frank. What happened to me. This house is a fresh start. It made me see I want stability. I want to change how I’ve been living as best as I can. I want to stop and just try to be as normal as possible in the screwed up world. Plus, Frank always said he wanted Robbie to take care of us.”

“Everyone is going to think that you’re just marrying Robbie because of what Frank wanted.”

“Yeah, I’m sure but I love Robbie. He’s my friend. I’ll tell you, I’m going to try to make it work. He’ll be good to me. I know that.”

“What about Dean?” Jenny asked.

“Dean will never marry me or take that chance with me. I gladly would have given Dean the chance to make my life normal but I want a commitment. One he can’t or won’t give.”

“What is wrong with him?” Jenny snapped. “My God. Commitment? Most men would love to have a commitment with a woman. He had a chance and wouldn’t take it. Well, perhaps Robbie may be a fresh start and a new direction on a road you should take.”

“Perhaps you’re right.”

Dean lifted the keyboard from his lap and laid it on his desk. Jenny was wrong. Robbie wasn’t the right direction Ellen should take. If she would just bide her time, Dean would give her all the commitment she wanted. He walked from his office to tell Ellen that whether she liked it or not..

Out of the kitchen and into the dining room, Dean approached the open front door. As he stepped to the screen door, he saw Robbie walking.

“Hey El.” Robbie stepped to the porch railing laid his hands on it, and then rested his chin on his hands. He looked innocently through the tops of his eyes at Ellen. “Can I steal you for a while?”

Ellen looked at Jenny. “We’re kind of talking, Robbie.”

Jenny waved her hand out. “Oh, I should be going anyhow. I have a class to plan for tomorrow.” She stood up. “Great talking to you, Ellen.”

“Same here.”

“Night.” Jenny stepped by Ellen and off the porch. She waved one more time before leaving.

Ellen saw Robbie raise his head some. “What’s wrong?” Robbie stared behind her and Ellen turned to see Dean in the doorway.

“Dean?” Robbie asked. “Do you mind if I steal El for an hour. I want to take a walk with her.”

Dean couldn’t answer. He felt the words, but they were thick in his throat. He wanted to tell him,. ‘no Robbie, I’d rather you not. I need to talk to her.’ But he didn’t. Dean shook his head and so much as gave his blessing.

“Thanks.” Robbie smiled, extending his hand to Ellen and taking hers.

Ellen looked back once more to Dean as she walked hand in hand with Robbie away from the porch. Dean still said nothing. He just watched them fade away.

^^^^

“Smaller.” Danny stated to Henry. Though every light was on in Henry’s house, they had two extra table lights on in the dining room as they worked. Electrical wires and other supplies spread out all over the place.

“Smaller?”

“Smaller.”

“How much smaller does it have to be?” Henry asked. “This is small. I can’t go much smaller, can I?” He held up something about the size of a match book.

“It has to be able to be concealed.” Danny told him of the box. “Something like that can be seen or lost and then we’re screwed.”

“What if we just put the tracking device in something else?” Henry suggested. “Like James Bond would do with a pen.”

“We could still lose it. It has to be smaller. Robbie wants these to be able to track our men when they go out in case something happens to them. I’m working on the tracker itself. You’re supposed to be working on the tracking. If you can’t do it . . .”

“I never said I can’t do it.”

“You’re acting like you can’t.”

“I can do it, I just need to think and right now I’m not thinking.” Henry scratched his head. “I guess I’m just tired and in a bad mood for some reason.”

Henry dropped the screw driver. “I need a break. You need one?”

Danny nodded. “Social hall?”

“Where else?” Henry tossed his hands up and moved to the door.

“We’ll have a bowling alley this time next year.”

“Joe won’t allow it.”

“Bet me.” Danny said.

“I’ll bet you.”

“Ten work hours.”

“You’re on.”

Danny opened his hand and motioned it out. He saw how miserable of a mood Henry was in and Danny was going to do everything in his power to get him out of that bad mood.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and annoyed if he gets awoken from it. And that was exactly how George felt at the steady thumping at his door. He grumbled, wanting to get some rest. He desperately needed to get some sleep. Though it was only nine at night, he really wanted to be slumbering. Patting down the hair that stood on edge, wearing boxer shorts and a tee shirt, George made his way to the door. “This better be good,” George said as he opened it looking at the soldier who stood there.

“Dr. Morris said to call for you. The Beginnings man is awake.”

Like a bright spotlight coming on, George’s face lit up. “Tell Dr. Morris to say nothing to him. I’m on my way.”

“Yes sir.”

George slammed the door and excitedly clapped his hands. Like a kid, George ran all the way to his room. This was a moment he had been waiting for . . . Frank’s expression when he saw George.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Sitting with a cigarette in one hand, Joe reached across the bar and lifted a bottle. He poured a drink, set it down, and winked at ‘Sam’ the mannequin. “Thanks Sam. I’ll give you a tip next time.”

Jason, who was sitting next to Joe, picked up Joe’s glass and pulled it away from him. “You’ve had one too many.”

“Give me that. Hell, that’s only my second.” Joe’s eyes shifted across the social hall. He could see Johnny shooting pool. Joe shook his head when he also saw Bev. She sat in a chair doing nothing but watching Johnny.

Jason leaned to Joe. “Looks like the little vixen has her eyes on your grandson?”

“Christ, if they could be anymore on him, he’d be wearing them.”

Johnny motioned his head to Cole, then to the ball. “Eight ball off the bank, corner pocket.” Johnny leaned over the pool table, revved back his stick, and took his shot. “My game.”

“You’re an ass. I refuse to play with you anymore,” Cole told him.

“Sore loser,” Johnny joked and turned around to see Bev standing before him.

“Johnny.” She spoke his name softly. “You have a great body.”

Johnny bit his bottom lip, raised one eyebrow, and handed her his pool stick. “Put this away for me. Thanks.” He sniffed loudly, pulled up the waist of his baggy Levi’s, turned away, and walked toward Joe. A shitty grinned graced his face. “Hey Pap.”

“Johnny.” Joe sipped his drink. “Don’t look now but your slave is running this way.”

Johnny smirked and mouthed the words. ‘Watch.’

Bev slipped up to Johnny. “Hi Johnny. I was wondering if you’re done. If you’d like to . . .”

“Bev.” Johnny stated her name while pointing to his temple. “I distinctively remember someone . . . snapping at me this morning in distribution? Was that you?”

“I really apologize for that. Can I make it up to you? Can we have a drink or something?”

With such arrogance, Johnny shook his head. “Nah.”

“But . . .”

“Bev.” Johnny laid his finger on her mouth. “If I want to deal with you, I will. I’m talking to my grandfather now.”

“But . . .”

“Bev.” Johnny motioned his head backwards. “Why don’t you sit down. If I join you, you got a deal. If not, oh well.”

“All right.” Bev smiled at Johnny and walked over to a table. She sat down, crossed her legs, and stared at Johnny.

Johnny looked quickly at her then Joe. “I’m out of here.”

“You’re leaving her?” Joe asked with a snicker. “Johnny, you are an asshole.”

“Yep, but you love me.” Johnny grinned widely, grabbed hold of Joe, and kissed him on the cheek. “Love you. Pap. Night.” He gave a swift pat to Joe’s back, nudged into Jason, and walked out the door.

Joe watched as Johnny left. He smiled and shook his head then turned serious when he saw Henry and Danny walk in. “Just the guy I wanted to see tonight.”

Jason looked. “Danny?”

“Henry.” Joe stood up. Henry didn’t look like he was in his usual mood. “Henry, my boy.”

“Hey Joe.”

“What’s wrong?” Joe asked.

“Just thinking and Danny and I have been working on something for hours. I needed a break.”

“Good because I needed to talk to you. Got a minute?”

“Sure.” Henry shrugged.

“Care to walk outside?”

“O.K.” Henry saw Danny getting their drinks. “I’ll be right back, Danny. As horrible as this sounds, why don’t you talk to Jason.”

Jason leaned down into his drink, calmly raised his hand with a shot of the middle finger, and sipped.

Henry and Joe stepped outside. Both men walked slowly up the street with their hands in their front pockets.

“Henry,” Joe spoke seriously. “Things have been bad.”

“What do you mean.”

“I try to put up this front, but . . . Frank has me down. Really down.”

“I understand that. Me too.”

“And there’s a lot to deal with lately. A bunch of runs are going out. This suspect shit. Savage attacks more frequent. The society. Distribution. Too much work and not enough people to distribute it to. I always have Frank on my mind along with a lot of everything else.”

“Well Joe, just tell me what you want me to do. O.K.? Anything you need for me to take for you, I will. You know that. Just tell me, You don’t even have to ask.”

“I know.” Joe laid his hand on Henry’s back. “I do want you to take something for me.”

“What’s that?”

“The leadership position.”

Henry stopped walking. “Joe, I can’t.”

“Why?”

“I’m no leader, Joe, and you know it.”

“Henry. You were elected by this community to take the reins. Your fairness is what decided that. You can be level headed when you need to be. I need the break. I need to have a little pressure off of me, even for a little while.”

“So you’re not retiring fully.”

“Well from the leadership position, yes. I’m stepping down to your position. If you can’t handle it or if there’s trouble and you need me to take the wheel, I will. But for the time being, I’d rather not have full responsibility. I need some time to pass before I can think of resuming my position.”

“It’s a rash judgment, Joe, and you know it.”

“Yep.” Joe nodded. “It is. My oldest son died, Henry. My kid. The same kid that started this whole place with me. I can’t function right with him so on my mind. I’ll help you every step of the way. I will answer any questions you have and I will show you exactly how this place runs. O.K.?”

Henry reluctantly nodded his head. “You’ll be back. I’m not keeping this position for ever. I’m too young to be old right now and this position will make me old.”

“You’ll do fine.” Joe laid his hand on Henry’s cheek. “I just want you to be the first to know so you aren’t shocked when I make an announcement at the community meeting tomorrow.”

“When . . . when will it be official?” Henry asked.

“Two weeks.” Joe answered. “Now let’s . . .”

Henry saw Joe’s eyes shift. “What’s wrong?”

“Robbie and Ellen.”

Henry turned around to see Robbie and Ellen walking hand in hand toward the living section. “Aw Joe, it seems awful quick for that to be happening.”

“Yes and I’m gonna to talk to him some more about it, but first, let’s you and me have a drink.”

“Sounds good.”

“A silent celebration before your ‘Joe’ training.”

“Oh boy.”

Joe laughed as he led Henry into the social hall. “Think of how much you and I will bond over the next couple of days.”

Danny held up darts when he saw Joe and Henry return. “Henry, wanna play? Maybe it will take our mind off our work.”

“Yeah. “ Henry poured a drink and joined Danny.

Danny stopped in his move to the dart board. “Wanna take on the old guys?” He pointed to Joe and Jason who looked like two barflies at the bar.

“That’s not even a challenge.” Henry stated. “But, sure why not. Hey Joe! You guys wanna play us?”

Joe looked at Jason twitching his head at Henry and Danny. “Care to take on the challenge of our Asian community?”

“Joe, come on. That’s not even a challenge.”

“We’ll take it easy on them.” Joe grabbed his drink and stood up. “Let’s throw the first game then get them to bet something really big and kill them.”

Jason snickered. He liked that idea. He thoroughly enjoyed the arrogant laughs of Danny and Henry as he totally missed the dart board on his first throw, knowing full well his mind was thinking up things he wanted from the wiry pair.

^^^^

Very seriously, Dean stared in his cup of coffee as if answers would somehow float up to the surface of the cream he had added. His hands gripped the cup. Occasionally he would look to Jess who sat with him.

“Look at your home, Dean. Look.” Jess spoke so seriously. “My God, you have it all. A home, a woman, kids. This is the perfect Ozzie and Harriet set up. Why are you being so dumb about this?”

“I told you.”

“O.K.,” Jess said. “You told me your reasons. What makes you so sure that Ellen is going to go through with the annulment after all is said and done?”

Dean chuckled in ridicule. “Jess, you’re new here. Trust me, it’s the same old cycle. If you realized how many times I have been wrapped up in her and then lost her to Frank, you wouldn’t say that.”

“But from what I understand, that hasn’t been the case recently. I’m talking before I arrived and before all of this went down.”

“Why do you care?” Dean asked. “Why are you so concerned with this?”

“I’m concerned with Robbie. Dean, when everybody else treated me like an alien because I was once a member of the society, Robbie did not. He saw who I was and he befriended me and trusted me. That means a lot. I want to be trusted. You could say I’m indebted to him. He took me in and he shares his home with me. We’re friends. I’m seeing my friend getting involved, no matter if this marriage is real or not.”

“It doesn’t mean anything when it comes to Frank. Trust me. Ellen chooses Frank.”

“Oh, does she?” Jess asked with arrogance. “Ever heard of the third party syndrome? Ellen chooses a third party so there are no more pulls between you and Frank. And how do you know, that this so called friendship between Ellen and Robbie can’t blossom? How do you know she just may not have that third party syndrome with Robbie? Or . . . things may just actually work. There’s a chance on that. You know that.”

“I know that,” Dean said.

“Is that a chance you’re willing to take? Robbie will treat her like a queen. They never fight, them two. Ever. You may just end up losing a chance you’ve wanted for a very long time.”

“Yeah, but it’s not time for that chance, nor are the circumstances right.”

“Make them right. Make it the time. Do something about this. Whether Robbie believes it or not, it will tear him and Frank apart if he marries Ellen. Real or not. Trust me, there is nothing worse than a woman coming between two brothers. I know.”

“Been there?” Dean asked.

“You can say that. Robbie loves Frank. It will kill him if he doesn’t have Frank as his brother.. Robbie will go on if he doesn’t have Ellen as his wife.”

“I think we’re worrying too much.”

Both of them turned their heads to the window when they heard Ellen and Robbie’s voices nearing. They were laughing and talking.

Jess looked at Dean. “Worrying too much? Really?”

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

George had to prepare. He wanted to look official when he arrived at the hospital to see Frank. The last thing he wanted Frank to see was a man who just climbed out of bed, half asleep. George combed his hair and even shaved his five o’clock shadow. Fully dressed in a nice shirt and dress slacks, George walked into the hospital. Dr. Morris waited for him at the old nurses’ station.

“Doctor.”

“President Hadley.” Dr. Morris looked pleased.

“He’s awake?” George asked with some excitement.

“Yes, sir he is. He’s sitting up in bed. He feels fine and . . .” He saw George walk away. “Sir, there’s something you should . . .” George didn’t answer. “ …know.” Dr. Morris dropped his hands, shrugged his shoulders, and hurried to catch up to George.

George took a deep breath, placed on his smug face, and walked into Frank’s room.

Frank sat in bed. He looked up to George, raising his dark eyes upon George’s entrance.

George smiled. “Hello, Frank.” He stepped closer. Something was wrong. Where was that angry Slagel expression . . . that jump from the bed and want to kill George look? George slowly stepped closer.

“Oh my God,” Frank gasped.

George grinned. “That’s right.” George looked so smug.

“You’re the President. Sir, forgive me for not getting out of this bed and saluting. I’m . . . a little without clothing, sir,” Frank spoke, staring at George.

“What?” George said shocked. “What . . . what did you just say?”

“I’m without clothing, sir.” Frank lifted his sheet.

George’s body shuddered in confusion. He blinked, spun around, and saw Dr. Morris behind him. “What’s going on?”

“Frank, we’ll be right back.” Dr. Morris spoke to Frank.

“Yes sir,” Frank responded.

Dr. Morris took George into the hall. “I see you talked to him.”

“What . . .” George pointed to Frank’s room and scratched his head. “What in the world is going on?”

“Seems someone is looking out for you. Frank’s doing well. He’s strong. A little confused. And . . . he has amnesia.”

George gasped in laughter. “He what?” He covered his mouth. “Shit.”

“Yep. We can’t determine how much he has lost in his memory. We wanted to give him another day before bombarding him with questions, but he definitely knows he was in the United States Army.”

“How long will he be like this?” George whispered as he looked into Frank’s room.

“Could be days, weeks, or forever.”

George clenched his fist with excitement. “This is great. We wanted Frank’s training, Frank’s mind, without Frank attitude.”

“Looks like you may have it,” Dr. Morris said.

“Excellent. Excellent. Excellent,” George gloated. “All right. Treat him good. Treat him with respect, but tell him nothing. Let me work on that tonight. Got it?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good job.” George gave a swift light punch to Dr. Morris’ arm. He chuckled when Dr. Morris rubbed the spot. “See you in the morning.” Grinning, George popped his head in Frank’s room. “Son, I’ll be back in the morning. We’ll talk.”

Frank nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

George snickered as he stepped back in the hall and pointed back into the room. “Did you hear that? Ha-ha!” He rubbed his hands together. “See you in the morning, Doctor.” Smiling widely, George moved with a quick pace down the hall, doing skip of excitement as he did so.

CHAPTER FIVE

September 10

Beginnings, Montana

O.K.! Joe thought, What did I do? Joe was a smart man. The slamming of his breakfast plate by Andrea was a less than subtle way to tell him she was upset. He peered through his glasses down to his eggs that scattered across his just tossed plate.

SLAM! SPLASH! Down went Joe’s coffee. Another slam brought Andrea seated, with her breakfast, at the table.

Very serious, Joe folded his hands and looked at Andrea. “Something wrong?”

Andrea spoke so high pitched as she grabbed the salt and frantically salted her eggs. “Well. If you must know.”

“Yes.”

“You.”

“What did I do?” Joe asked.

Slam! Joe groaned and watched particles of salt spill. “That’s bad luck, Andrea.”

“So is not telling your wife everything.”

“Excuse me.”

“I was not sleeping last night, Joe Slagel. I heard your little conversation with Henry.”

“So.” Joe started to eat.

“So? You’re retiring. When were you planning on telling me this?”

“This is what you’re upset about?” Joe asked.

“Yes.”

“Just wanted to know,” Joe continued.

“Joe Slagel! I am upset.”

“For no reason. Andrea, I’m retiring. So what? Why are you pissed about this?”

“This community will fall apart. Fall apart.” Her hands flew about. “If you don’t run it, Joe, what are we gonna do?”

“Andrea, I won’t let it fall apart. O.K.? I need a break. Drop it.”

“Drop it?” Andrea spoke with attitude. “I hope to high heavens you did not just tell me drop it.”

“I did.”

“Joe!”

“Andrea. Drop it!” Joe pointed his fork. “This goes no further than this house until I make my announcement tonight. Got that?” He waited for an answer. “Got it?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” Joe started to eat. “Goddamn it Andrea. all this marital arguing and now my eggs are cold”

Andrea really could care less if Joe’s eggs were cold. Her ‘so what’ attitude showed as she ate her own breakfast, ignoring the annoyed glances from Joe along with his grumbling.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

George whistled a happy tune as he walked out of his temporary home, an apartment on the first floor of an old house. It was a great early morning and what made it even greater for George was that he knew what he was going to tell Frank when he saw him. He had it all planned out in his head as he moved down the street toward the hospital. He stopped mid -street when he saw his soldiers escorting the UWA soldier out of one building and taking them to another. Interrogations. George would have to be there at them. But first, Frank. So with a smile on his face and a wave of instigation to the UWA soldiers, George moved on.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

Rinsing the soap from his face as he took a shower, Hal thought he heard the close call of his name by Sgt. Ryder. He removed his head from the water and heard it again. Faint but there. “Elliott?” Hal called out. “I’m in the shower.”

“Captain.” Sgt. Ryder’s voice came loudly into the bathroom. “Sir, our South Dakota team is back early.”

The pipes squeaked loudly as Hal turned off the water. His arm emerged from the shower curtain as he grabbed a towel. “Thanks.” He spoke as he wrapped the towel around his dripping body and flew out of the shower. Leaving a water trail, Hal fled from his apartment, sliding on his steps as he raced down them and out the door into the street.

It was true. The men were riding into town the second Hal hit the sidewalk. Holding his towel around him, Hal grinned proudly as Sgt. Daniel stopped his horse. “You have news, Sergeant.”

“We do,” Sgt. Daniel said after he saluted.

“Excellent. Let me get dressed and meet me in my office.” Hal received salutes from the trail of men that followed Sgt. Daniel into town.

Just as Hal was about to turn to enter his apartment building, he felt a coolness against his backside. Swaying his head with a look of irritation, he glared at Craig who lifted the back of his towel just slightly.

“Cute.” Craig grinned.

With a grunt and without words, prior to seeking out clothing, Hal decided in his anger to chase Craig down the street, towel and all.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“Retrograde amnesia,” Dr. Morris explained to George before he went into Frank’s room.

“Retro what?”

“Retrograde. That’s what Mr. Slagel has. It’s a very common form of amnesia that follows blood loss or trauma. The patient experiences memory loss of events that transpired prior. This memory loss can be of a day, a year, or one’s entire life. Mr. Slagel seems not to remember anything after the plague began.”

“Is that possible?” George asked.

“Very much so. When I asked Frank what he remembered last, he told me he was guarding a post outside of Chicago. There was rioting and an explosion. He barely remembers walking up in a medical tent but nothing after that. I’m thinking one head trauma is the marking for the other in the memory department.”

George snapped his fingers. “That’s right. I forgot about that. Frank had a severe concussion or something. He slept through the plague.”

“He remembers nothing about it. He knows a plague hit and that is it.”

“Well then I guess it’s time for me to fill him in,” George said happily. “Excuse me.” He walked into Frank’s room. “Frank.”

Frank looked up from his breakfast. “President Hadley.”

George held out his hand. “Please, you and I are beyond that. You call me George.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” George pulled up a chair. “Son, Dr. Morris says you’re having difficulty remembering anything that happened over the past seven years.”

“No sir, I can’t remember.”

“Well then that’s why I’m here. See Frank, you and I are very good friends and I want you to feel free to ask away. I’ll try to fill you in the best I can.” George saw Frank thinking, getting ready to ask and George went through the scenario in his mind. He had to get the story straight and keep it straight. Though Frank wasn’t the smartest person in the world, even pre-plague Frank was smart enough to smell something foul. George was determined to keep that odor from him.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Dean saw Ellen diligently trying when he came home, mid morning, to surprise her by spending time alone with her. He smiled as he quietly walked in. He set his stack of folders down on the end table and clenched the rose Andrea allowed him to pick from the Miguel rose bush at Greenhouse Three. Ellen didn’t even hear him as Dean sneaked in. She desperately was trying to reach something placed on the top of the living room closet. Dean could help her by getting her a chair, but he decided against it.

He walked directly up behind Ellen as she reached up. He glanced over her shoulder and at the same time, he placed the rose to her nose. “Hey.” He smiled.

Ellen looked down at the rose, then shifted her eyes to Dean. “What are you doing home?”

“Taking advantage of an empty house and a big empty closet with you.” Stepping forward into the large closet, Dean moved Ellen inside and closed the door. He grinned, laid both his hands on Ellen’s face, moved her against the wall of the closet, and kissed her. He kept on kissing her.

Ellen had to pull back in order to break from his clinging lips. “Dean, stop.”

“Why?” He tried to kiss her again.

“Just stop. All right.” She slid by him, opened up the closet, and walked out.

“El.” Dean followed her. “I thought we weren’t fighting.”

“We’re not.”

“So what’s the problem?” Dean asked. “We’re alone. I left work to be with you.” He stepped to her. “When was the last time I did that?”

Ellen shifted her eyes and saw the stack of work on the table. “Yes, I see where your mind was.” She held up the rose and gave a brief smile. “Thanks for this. It’s nice.” She walked into the kitchen.

Dean’s hand went through his hair and down his face. He moved to the kitchen. “El, what’s the problem? Two nights ago you kick me out. Last night, I try . . .” He moved closer to her. “I try to scoot up next to you in bed and you moved to the edge of the bed. Come on.”

Ellen took a deep breath and walked to the sink. She placed the rose in a glass and filled it with water. “Dean, O.K., here it is. I’m marrying Robbie. Do you think it’s right that we . . . well, you know? It’s a little in appropriate. Right?” She turned off the faucet to hear Dean’s laughter. She spun around to face him.

“El. All right.” Dean caught his breath and smiled. “Enough. Games over. You’re cute.” He kissed her quickly, then shook his head with a laugh again. “You’re right. I was wrong. You’re not gonna marry Robbie. I’ll marry you.”

Ellen stared very seriously at Dean for a second. “Fuck you, Dean. Fuck you.” She barged from the kitchen and stopped. “Marry you? And you had nerve to laugh at me.” She moved to the living room.

“El!” Dean raced after her. “I’m serious.”

“So am I.” She flung open the front door. “I’m marrying Robbie. And if he changes his mind tomorrow, I’m still not marrying you.” She ran out of the house.

Dean stood baffled in his empty home. His hand raised and dropped. “What did I say?”

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

With serious and a cigarette clenched between his lips, Hal stared at the UWA patch wedged between his index and middle fingers. “How close to central border?” Hal asked.

Sgt. Daniel cleared his throat before answering. “Ten miles, sir. We went over and checked. The trucks definitely moved south.”

Hal laid down the patch. “So they were alive when they took our men. You know as well as I do they probably moved more east. What else do you have? You said you found something else?”

“I did.” Sgt. Daniel laid the canvass bag on Hal’s desk. “I found this buried in the brush of the woods.”

Hal stood up, laid his cigarette down, and opened the canvass bag. “Did you remove the things?”

“No sir. You don’t have to. Look for yourself.”

On top of the bag was a white, blood-stained tee shirt. Hal removed it some to see the bullet hole in the shoulder. He looked at the collar of the shirt. No manufacturer tag. It was a handmade tee shirt and well made too. He shuffled the shirt some to expose the huge combat boots. He pulled one out and looked at the soles. New. He placed the boot back in the bag and then Hal saw the green color . . . Army green. Military work pants He didn’t pull those out but merely zipped up the bag. “Well,’ Hal breathed out. “I don’t think we need to ask who this clothing belongs to.” Hal sat back down. “All of this is Beginnings’ clothing and I think we know this is the Beginnings man’s.” Hal set the bag on the floor.

Sgt. Ryder looked to Hal. “Is that enough?”

“Yes.” Hal nodded. “It’s plenty. First thing tomorrow we return these clothes to the man’s home along with a note I’ll write tonight.”

“Then it’s time?” Sgt. Ryder asked.

“Yes,” Hal answered. “This should show Beginnings we are serious and that our intentions are good. It’s time that we join forces.” Hal folded his hands and brought them to his mouth. His mind immediately went to the letter he knew he would have to send by messenger along with the clothing . . . clothing that Hal did not look at fully. Clothing that he should have, because had Hal just pulled the military pants out of the bag entirely, he would have seen--like routinely done in the old world military--a name stitched above the back pocket of the pants. The name Slagel.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

At the same instant, Robbie, Joe and Dean all looked at Henry.

Henry felt the stares and looked up. “What?”

Joe held out his hand. “I just said we’re discussing me as a suspect. No comment?”

“No, Joe, go on.”

Dean noticed Henry’s unusual serious demeanor. “Henry, um . . . about this point you get irritating.”

“About this point . . .” Henry spoke very calmly, “I’m going to ask you to refrain from saying anything. I’m not in a good mood.”

Dean gave him an odd look. “And you don’t think any of us are gonna take advantage of your bad mood. Henry, you take advantage of ours.”

Again, staying calm, Henry spoke deeply and with a slight edge. “I’m asking you not to. O.K.?”

Joe interjected. “O.K. Let’s get to me as a suspect. My theory is . . .”

“Joe,” Henry interrupted. “Come on. This is stupid and a waste of time. You as a suspect?” He opened his notebook. “I think we should concentrate on the ones we have. Andrea, Rev. Bob, Jason, Bev, Cole . . .”

“And you.” Robbie pointed. “Let’s not forget you.”

“Joe,” Henry said.

Robbie laughed.

“Robert,” Joe scolded softly.

“What?” Robbie rocked in his chair. “We’re supposed to tip toe around Henry’s mood? Like I care. Every other meeting he comes in here yip yapping his mouth, driving us all insane, so now he’s not in the mood and we have to shelter his feelings. Right.”

“Robert.”

“I’m leaving.” Henry stood up.

Robbie waved his hand at him. “Sit your skinny ass down, Henry, and get out of the mood.”

“Get off my back.”

“I’m not on your fuckin back,” Robbie yelled. “If I was on your fuckin back you’d know it.”

“Robbie,” Henry said strongly. “You of all people right now are the last person I want to speak to, let alone sit in a meeting with.”

“Too bad.”

“Fuck you.”

Robbie jumped up. “Fuck me? What the fuck did I do to you?”

“Robbie!” Henry yelled sternly. “Sit down and don’t jump up at me. Your arrogance is the last thing I want to deal with.”

“I haven’t done shit to you.” Robbie bit his lip. “Don’t take that tone with me again. I’m warning you.”

“Don’t warn me.”

“Boys,” Joe called out cautiously shifting his eyes between the two standing men.

Robbie breathed deeply through his nostrils trying to calm himself. “What is your problem, Henry?”

“You wanna know? You! I’m pissed because you’re marrying Ellen. It’s wrong.”

“Like I care what you or anyone thinks.”

“Well you should,” Henry stated.

“Bite me.”

Henry snickered in disbelief at Robbie. “Can you be any more of an asshole?”

“Yeah when I come over and nail your ass.”

“Try it.”

On those instigating words, Robbie sailed forward and Henry, in a defensive anger, leaped at him too. Dean seeing the two men much bigger than him, jumped from the way of their entanglement. The second Robbie grabbed hold of Henry, Henry nailed him. Robbie’s returned the punch just as fast.

Joe sprang up. “Knock it off.” He flew to the two men and grabbed them before any more harmful fists could be thrown. Clenching tightly to Robbie’s tee shirt, he pulled him back, then Joe laid a flush hand to Henry’s chest, shoving him some too. “What is this shit? Huh? You!” Joe pointed to Henry. “Sit down. And you!” He pointed to Robbie. “Take a walk. Cool down. We’ll do this another time.”

Robbie’s face was red. “I didn’t fuckin start this shit!”

“Take a walk!” Joe ordered. “Now!”

Running the back of his hand over the corner of his mouth, Robbie glared at Henry, grunted, and stormed by the filing cabinet. pulling a Frank by slamming his fist into it as he passed it.

“Goddamn it!” Joe yelled as his office door closed. “It’s a family thing!” Taking a second to calm down, Joe returned to his desk. He looked at Henry who sat in the chair looking like a scolded child.

Since the outrage of the moment was over, Dean, so stunned, had a hint of laughter to his tone. “Well.” He cleared his throat seeing Joe stare so fatherly and angry at Henry. “I think I’ll uh . . .” He gathered up his notes that fell to the floor when he jumped up. “Leave.” Dean pointed to the door. “Joe, let me know when we are doing this again.”

Joe only lifted his hand in acknowledgment and Dean left. When he did, Joe opened up his bottom drawer, pulled out a bottle of moonshine, and slammed it on the desk. “Take a drink.”

“No Joe, I don’t . . .”

“Take a goddamn drink!”

Nervously Henry grabbed the bottle, took a drink, cringed loudly, and set it down.

“Now.” The scold tone was there in Joe’s voice. “What is wrong with you?”

“I’m sorry. I’m . . .” Henry rubbed his eyes and huffed out a breath. “I am really sorry. This Robbie and Ellen thing is on my mind but it isn’t on my mind as much as this leadership thing.”

“Is this the reason for the bad mood?”

“Yeah,” Henry told him. “I won’t be able to handle it. I know it. Two, three problems happen at the same time and I’ll lose it.”

“No you won’t.”

“Yes, Joe, I will.” Henry nodded. “I’ve done nothing but think about it since last night. What if I make a wrong decision? What if I screw up and Beginnings gets in trouble. What if . . .”

“What if. What if,” Joe mocked. “I don’t want to hear that shit. You got that? I don’t. Did I or did I not tell you I would help you.”

“Yes.”

“Then I will. I’m not letting you do this blind, Henry,” Joe explained. “And I’m certainly going to help you even after I’m retired so don’t let it stress you out. How far away will I be if there is a problem?”

“Not very?”

“Exactly.” Joe pulled out a cigarette. “Now, why don’t you and I start right now. O.K., tell me where all this pressure seems to be coming from about being a leader and I’ll see if I can help you through it.” He leaned forward with his elbows on the desk in a listening mode.

“Thanks Joe.” Henry said with such relief and he sat up straight. “I think it all started when I was in the fourth grade. See I was chosen to be our art project group leader . . .”

Joe’s head fell forward to the desk.

^^^^

It had to be the sight of Ellen that set Dean’s mind off. More so it was the sight of Ellen talking to Reverend Bob and Dean knew what she was talking about. Ellen smiled. Not good. And Dean had failed to take her seriously. What a bad move. He rummaged through his mind what needed to be said to her, yet every time, since the disagreement hours earlier, that Dean tried to talk to her about it, she switched the subject. When he asked why she did that, Ellen told him that she wouldn’t fight with him about anything and her marriage to Robbie was off limits to him.

It bothered him, but Dean had to wonder if he had placed himself in that position. He made his own bed and he knew it. It was time to change that. Dean started to realize that had he just swallowed his pride, he wouldn’t have choked like he thought he was going to.

Robbie.

If Ellen wouldn’t listen, maybe Robbie would. This was an option Dean was going to exercise.

After making it all the way into town, Dean went all the way back up to the line of utility buildings and all the way to the end to Frank’s office, where he knew Robbie was at.

“Come in,” Robbie called out after Dean’s knock.

Dean opened the door. “Hey. Busy?”

“Nah, come on in.”

Dean walked in closing the door. “How’s the uh . . . lip?”

Robbie pulled at his lip. “Sore. Can you believe Henry?”

“No.” Dean walked up to the desk and sat down before Robbie. “You sure you aren’t busy?”

“I’m going over attack maps of where we were hit so I know where it’s safe for a run. Why? What’s up?”

“I want to talk to you.”

“Sure.” Robbie set down the map he held and grabbed a cigarette. “Shoot.”

“It’s about Ellen.”

“O.K.” He lit his cigarette. “What about her.”

“Robbie.” Dean closed his eyes. “I love her. I have loved her for a really long time. We have a family together. A history. I guess . . . I guess what I’m trying to say is, I want to marry her.”

“You had a chance. You turned her down.”

“Yes, I know. I was wrong and I’m coming to you hoping that you can help out. I want to ask you not to marry Ellen.”

Robbie stared at Dean for a long time. “I can’t do that.”

“Robbie, come on. Yes you can.”

“O.K. I can, but I won’t.” Robbie said. “I want to do this.”

“It won’t be real. You know as well as I do as soon as Frank gets home it . . .”

“It will be over yes.” Robbie stated calmly. “But at least I would have had it.”

“What?” Dean was confused.

“Dean, you’ve had Ellen a really long time. What have I had? Who have I had? No one and it doesn’t look like it will happen unless we find a colony of about a hundred women.” Robbie folded his hands and leaned on his desk. “This is my only chance to have this and I don’t want to let it go.”

“So you’ll take my chance.”

“You had your chance.”

“Robbie, I am asking you not to do this.”

“Dean, I’m telling you I am.”

Dean shook his head and stood up. “What about Frank?”

“What about him?”

“How is he going to react to you being married to Ellen?”

“A lot better than he’ll react to her being married to you.”

“You think?” Dean asked. “I don’t. You think he’ll share her with his brother? No and he’ll be pissed, really pissed. Ask yourself how are you going to be in a community this small where you’re at odds with you brother.”

“Won’t happen.”

“You are convinced of that,” Dean said. “Think about it.” Dean walked to the door and stopped. “While you’re at it, think about this. I love her. I’m leaving Beginnings and I don’t know if I’ll even make it back. You, you’ll still be in Beginnings able to pick up the pieces. You’ll be spending time with the kids and Ellen while Frank and I are gone. You’ll be here. Your chance at this? This is my chance too, Robbie. In my time frame, I was never married to her. This is my chance to have that in my memory and it could be the last chance I ever have. Don’t take that from me. I am asking you to think about it. Please. Don’t take that from me.” In the moment of Robbie’s silence, Dean left the office.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“So you see,” George explained to Frank who was now sitting in a chair. “Your father was killed by these people in Beginnings. They killed him in cold blood because he was trying to start up this world again with me. And these Beginnings’ people are the one who shot at you while you were on your way here. They’ve . . .” George sounded so emotional. “They’ve joined forces with another group and they are stopping the freedom of this country. They are stopping us from growing and from protecting ourselves. My God, we have forces growing overseas now. How long will it be before they want to claim this land to grow food? If we’re a country divided, they walk right in.”

Frank looked so serious as he ran his hand across his goatee. “They killed my father.”

“Shot him, yes.” George nodded.

“The only surviving member of my family was shot.” Frank closed his eyes. “What . . . what exactly do I do for you?”

“You train my men because you’re the best. You train them to fight, to shoot, and to act. In this world, Frank, you’re a pretty tough guy to bring down. In fact, you’re one of the top men in my military now.”

“Really. Am I still a sergeant in this regiment?”

“Um . . . no.” George shook his head. “You’re a colonel.”

Frank whistled. “Wow.” He slowly stood up and walked to the window.

“You are one of the most dedicated men to my cause.” George stood also and walked behind Frank. “You love your country and you want with all your heart to bring it back.”

“I can see me thinking that way.” Frank stared out the window. “Where am I now?”

“In a new camp we set up. Um . . . you and I. We designed it. In fact, we’re just getting it situated now.”

“I suppose that’s why I’m here?”

“Yes.” George stood side by side with Frank. “You see, we just started building the army a little over a year ago. We have so many men to train, but not enough qualified men to train them. So the best forces move out trying to secure our country back. You train those ones. While the rest, well they are pretty pitiful.”

“I’ve never trained a man pitifully,” Frank snapped.

“Not you. Others have. So we decided these men here are going to be the elite force. Instead of you concentrating on building and training many armies, you decided to train the elite force here.”

“How many men do I have to train here?”

“Three hundred and fifty.”

“A staff? Do I have a staff?” Frank asked. “I’ll need to meet with them and train them.”

“Yes,” George spoke quickly. “And an office. It’s not situated yet, but we’re getting there.”

“Then I’d like to get started right way. No need to wait.”

“Absolutely. As soon as Dr. Morris gives his O.K., we’ll begin.”

“Excellent.” Frank turned from the window. “I’ll get these men trained right for you, George.”

“You’re the man to do it. This is going to be a major focus. We’ve started our labs here and we want this to be a major branch. You’ll be in charge here after I leave.”

“Thank you,” Frank said.

“I’ll let you rest. We’ll visit some more tonight.” George moved to the door. “And Frank, the men are very excited about meeting their new CO. You.”

Frank gave a partial smile and a nod as George left the room. Frank refaced the window, folded his arms with a stern look, and stared back out.

George smiled as he walked from the hospital room. Things were better and seemingly easier than he ever anticipated with Frank. Things were working for George and at that moment, George felt as if he held it all in the palm of his hand.

CHAPTER SIX

Beginnings, Montana

In a quiet moment, as if they were the only two in the social hall, Henry and Ellen huddled in a corner.

“El, tell me I can do this,” Henry whispered.

“You can do this.”

Slowly Henry breathed through his nostrils, looking over Ellen’s head and to the front of the room where Joe and Andrea waited. “I’m a little scared. This is a big responsibility.”

“You can handle it. I have every faith in you.” Ellen laid her hand on his chest.

“You’ll be there if I need you, right?”

“Always Henry.”

Smiling a little, Henry squeezed Ellen’s hand. “I’m glad you are talking to me like this.” He looked up when Robbie approached.

“I take it I didn’t miss anything?” Robbie asked.

Henry pulled back, closed his eyes and shook his head.

Robbie extended his hand. “Henry, I’m sorry we fought this morning.”

Henry shook his hand. “Yeah, me too. I’m sorry too. And I’d better get going up there. They’re ready to start.” He laid his hand on Ellen’s shoulder. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck.” After he walked away, she looked at Robbie. “You guys fought? Is that where . . .” She touched his lips. “Frank will kill you if he finds out Henry nailed you.”

“Yeah, well I would have killed Henry. He was in a fucked up mood.”

Ellen looked back to see Henry sitting at the table. “He’s stressed with Joe announcing the retirement tonight.”

“Still.” Robbie touched his lip. “It’s still swollen.”

“Does it hurt.”

“Nah, I mean, yeah. But I’m tough. Let’s sit down.”

Ellen followed Robbie to the seats. Most people were already seated while others chose to stand.

Ellen wasn’t seated long when Dean sat on the other side of her.

“El,” Dean whispered.

“Hey, Dean.”

“I’d like to talk to you after the meeting. I got Jenny to watch the kids and maybe you and I can be, well, alone. Can you?”

Ellen looked to Robbie. “I don’t know. I don’t think. No.”

“El.”

“Dean. What do you want to talk about?” she asked.

“Us.”

“Then no. O.K.? No.” Ellen crossed her legs and looked away from Dean to Joe who stood at the podium.

Dean sat back in his chair. He may have missed the ball, but he hadn’t struck out.

Joe gripped the edges of the podium as silence hushed over the room. “O.K.” He sniffed once. “There’s something I need to tell all of you this evening. I’ve led this community since we founded it over seven years ago and I have loved every single minute of it. All of you are very important to me. Your lives . Your survival. I know I’m gruff. But . . .” Joe reached up and took off his glasses. He rubbed his eyes. “Right now I’m uh, I’m going through a pretty bad time. I know all of you can’t see it. I don’t let you. But if the truth be known, I’m pretty much dying here. My son . . . my son is gone and a part of me just needs to deal with that right now. So . . . in order to do so, I have to release some of my responsibility. I want to work my division of distribution and runs and . . . and serve on council. Two weeks from today, Henry will take over the leadership position of this community.”

In a room where a pin could have been heard dropping, a sudden rumble of voices erupted.

Joe held up his hand. “I know this is a shock, but I need some time. I really do. I can’t lead you properly if I can’t lead you clearly.”

Jenny raised her hand and then her voice. “Will it be permanent, Joe?”

Joe shrugged. “Let’s see how I do. I’m hoping to return.” He smiled at Henry. “If Henry gives the position back up.” Joe cringed a little as questions came flying at him. He couldn’t make heads or tails out of them. “Let’s . . . . let’s let Henry say something. But before he does, let me just tell you thank you for making my work here something I lived for. Henry?”

Filled with nervousness, Henry switched places at the podium with Joe. “I believe . . .” Henry’s words echoed and he closed his eyes. “I believe this is a sad day for Beginnings. No, in two weeks it will be even sadder. Joe is like our father. We look up to him. We trust him. We depend on him. I was reviewing some of the responsibilities that I would have.” Henry whistled. “I served on council and hadn’t a clue to what all Joe did. Crops? Recycling? Metal, paper . . . if it is a division, Joe over saw it. Now when I was in the ninth grade I had this shop teacher. His name was Mr. Dithers, like the cartoon. Anyhow, I really liked him and he kind of took me under his wing. He was this good teacher. He made me see, though I looked different then the other kids, I wasn’t. He was like a father. He was in charge of after school activities. Well, January after Christmas break, I came back. Mr. Dithers did not. His wife had died and he needed some time. The substitute, yeah, he was good and I learned how to make a lot. He was young and he had Mr. Dithers when he was in school, but he wasn’t Mr. Dithers. No one was or would be. But you know what? Two months later, Mr. Dithers came back. He used a part of his sabbatical to get his head straight. And when he did, he was better than ever. I think, no I know, I’m just the substitute teacher here. Joe won’t be far. He’ll still help me out.” Henry smiled at Joe. “It’s gonna be rough while he’s gone. Adjustment always is, but I want you to know, I’ll do the best I can until Joe comes back. I think I’ll do a good job because I learned from the best. I’ll encourage Joe to do what he needs to do in order to return as leader, because let’s face it, this place just isn’t going to be the same without Joe running us.” Henry stepped back from the podium, faced Joe, and applauded him. When he did, a loud burst of cheers began and the community stood in ovation for Joe.

To Johnny Slagel it was the coolest thing. Something no one even noticed was there, but Johnny did. Popcorn. Johnny labeled Danny Hoi ‘the man’ for bringing it back. Danny stole the dried corn chicken feed and popped it. Johnny sat in the social hall. Most of the crowd had weeded out. He had his legs propped up on the table as he tossed popcorn in the air and caught it with his mouth. He felt each burst kernel smooth against his tongue then he almost choked when it fell into his throat because something else distracted him. A hand gently glided up his upper thigh and to his groin region. Johnny coughed, set down his legs, and looked up. Bev was there. “Fuck.” Johnny stood up. ‘You almost killed me.” He smacked himself in the chest and reached down to grab his drink. He took a long sip.

“I’m sorry.” Bev moved closer to him. “Let me make it up to you. Are you busy?”

“Nope.”

“Good.” Bev smiled, trickling her hands down his chest. “Wanna go to my place?”

“Um . . .” Johnny placed his hands on his hips and looked around. “Tell you what. You go on, If I’m not there in ten minutes, start without me.” Johnny started walking away and Bev followed him. “Bev, did I start something with you by complimenting you on your legs?”

“If you want to know, yes. I think that’s the first time I really noticed you. You’re so cute Johnny, and strong.”

“Yeah.” Johnny grinned. “But I’m not really interested in you so find someone else.”

“I always get what I want. I want you.”

Johnny laughed. “Guess what? It’s not happening.” Arrogantly, Johnny walked away.

Bev folded her arms and inhaled deeply. She spoke under her breath. “Wanna bet?”

He didn’t have the kids, Jenny did, and Dean spent most of his free time at the social hall that night, talking, watching Ellen, and waiting for an opportunity that just wasn’t coming. Ellen alone. Sipping a drink, something Dean rarely did, he stood up from the table and decided to wait no more. Perhaps he got his courage from the bit of whiskey he consumed. Whatever the reason, Dean decided that the ‘getting closer’ he saw Ellen and Robbie do, and ‘marriage’ was all going to stop if it was the last thing he did.

“El,” Dean called her name softly as he approached her and Robbie.

“Hi Dean.” Ellen smiled as her hand laid on top of Robbie’s which rested on her leg. Robbie and Ellen sat closely together.

“I want to talk to you alone.”

“What do you want to talk about?”

“I think you know.” Dean answered.

“If it’s about us. We’re not. Anything else, I’d be happy to.”

“We have to discuss us.”

“No we don’t.” Ellen shook her head.

“El, I have things I want to say to you.”

“You had your chance.”

“And you’re being ridiculous.” Dean told her. “I have to say something to you. Are you going to listen to me?”

“I’m sitting with Robbie.” Ellen glanced at Robbie.

“Then I’ll say it in front of Robbie.”

“Dean. I don’t think . . .”

“El, I want you to listen to me. O.K.?”

“Dean.” Ellen took a firm stand. “Now is not the time.”

“Now is the time!”

“Bullshit! We had time!”

“So make some more now,” Dean shouted back.

“I refuse to talk to you right now.”

“Oh yeah?” Dean snapped. “I refuse to have you ignore me.”

“Watch me.” Ellen turned away from him.

“No, El. Watch me.” Crash! With a fury, Dean sailed his drink glass against the side of the bar. The crashing glass caused an immediate hush across the room. “Now you will listen to what I have to say.”

Robbie held up both hands up. “Floor’s yours”

“What is this?” Dean asked with emotions. “Huh! Some sort of game to you? What the hell, El? What the hell do I have to do to get you to talk to me? I’m not playing anymore. This shit has gone on long enough. And I am not about to stand around and let you marry Robbie out of some sort of honor to Frank. I won’t. I love you! I love you. I have loved you forever and let me tell you something, El. You either tell this man you won’t marry him or I swear to God I will do everything in my power to stop it. You hear me? If you think for one second I am going to chance losing you again, then you are thinking wrong!” Dean’s voice lowered. “I’m sorry, Robbie. I am. I like you. You’re a great guy. But El and I, we have a life. We have a family and we have a history. And damn it, the long road that we have taken is not going to be a dead end. I wished to God you would see that, Robbie. I do.” Dean moved closer to Ellen, his voice at a whisper. “I didn’t take you seriously when you said you were marrying him. I’m taking you seriously now and . . . I’m scared.”: He laid his hand on her face. “I don’t want to lose you. I want you to be my wife. I want to live the rest of my life with you. I always have. I said the time wasn’t right; the circumstances weren’t right. I was wrong. Any time to marry you is the right time. Marry me, El. Marry me.” His lips moved closer to hers. “Tell me what you need me to do and I’ll do it. If you want me to get on one knee and beg you I will. I’ll do anything it takes, just tell me you won’t marry Robbie and you’ll marry me.”

So quiet Ellen was; so heavy her breathing too. Her eyes pulled from the lock Dean’s eyes had with hers. She shifted her glances to Robbie, then back to Dean but said nothing.

How long had Dean waited in the ringing silent social hall for an answer? He waited and only received a stare. Then Dean realized he waited long enough. “Sorry.” He slid his hand from her face, stepped back, and turned around. Slowly he made his way across the hall that still had many people.

Ellen and Robbie had locked their views on each other. They’re expressions spoke the words neither one of them did. Robbie kissed Ellen on the cheek, smiled at her, and squeezed her hand.

“Dean.” Ellen stood from the bar stool.. “Wait.”

Dean stopped near the door. He turned slowly around to see Ellen walking to him.

Ellen took small steps, inching her way quietly to him through everyone that watched and waited with anticipation. “I’ll . . .” Ellen moved right to Dean. “I’ll marry you.”

At that second, every ounce of tension dropped from Dean’s body and he exhaled loudly with a grin. His knees bent down in his relief and he grabbed hold of Ellen, lifted her some from her feet and embraced her. They were the entertainment for the evening. Dean’s victory belonged the people in the social hall. They clapped and cheered loudly. Dean felt Ellen’s hands graze across his hair and to his face as he set her down. He kissed her. “Thank you.” Dean delivered another kiss and he held her again. With Ellen tightly with in his arms, their faces pressed, Dean opened his eyes and raised them to Robbie mouthing the words ‘thank you’ while his eyes smiled in gratitude to him.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

There was a little bit of static to the radio that evening as Hal listened alone in the police station. A small light lit the table where he had placed a sheet of paper . He stopped writing to listen to the transmissions, then he’d write again. He didn’t get far into the letter, only the date, the addressing to the Commander and Chief of Beginnings Montana. Just as Hal began to write the words, Dear Chief, he heard the familiar sound of the chief over the radio. Hal paused.

“Well, what is tracking showing?” the chief asked.

“Tracking is showing nothing.”

“Well then we have to go with what tracking is showing.”

“But I hear hooting.”

“Are you absolutely sure someone isn’t messing with you?”

“Positive.”

“Maybe tracking is down. I’ll get a team up there. We’ll down the perimeter get the spot lights on. And let me get Danny out of bed to double check the system.” The chief instructed.

“Wait.”

“Wait?”

“Aw . . . never mind.”

“What.”

“Listen.” There in the back ground was the faint sound of laughter. “Forget it, chief. Denny and Josh are pulling their teenage antics again.”

“Christ. Tell that little son of a bitch to get his ass home right now before I chase him down and give him a reason to run away . . .”

Run away . . .

Dear Dad . . .

Hal’s mind went back to a time he held a pen in his twelve year old hand. He looked to Robbie, eight, who stood with a blue book bag. Tears streamed down his face.

“Robbie knock it off. Quit crying.”

“I can’t. I don’t want to leave.”

“We have to. We either leave or Dad kills us.”

“But . . . but . . .”

“But nothing. Remember when you broke Dad’s fishing rod? Huh? Was he happy? No. Did he yell? Yes. Well imagine how much he’s gonna yell when he finds out we put a baseball bat through the television. I don’t want to be around to hear it. Do you?”

“No.” Robbie sniffled.

“It’s better this way. Trust me. We’ll be fine. I’m close to being a teenager. Now let me write this before dad gets home.”

Dear Dad, I’m sorry to say but we had to leave home. Please don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine. We’ll call when we’re old in ten years. I have twenty-eight dollars and forty three cents. That should hold us over for a while. I’ll take good care of Robbie. But we just can’t live here anymore. Frank said he was going to kill us if we told on him about him breaking the television. The pressure is too much for us to live with. Goodbye. Hal and Robbie.

Hal carefully folded the note and placed it in an envelope. He set it on the key table by the door. “Let’s go.”

Gripping his blue book bag, Robbie grabbed Hal’s hand and they walked from the house.

Hal chuckled a silent laugh as he ran his hand down his face thinking back. Remembering about how after six hours of being gone, his father was so grateful to find him the television no longer was an issue. Of course, the next time Hal tried the running away bit, it really didn’t wash. Hal didn’t know why he remembered that incident as he wrote the letter. Perhaps it was the sense of familiarity that called to him from Beginnings. A sense of knowing something was there and he just couldn’t put his finger on it. He was filled with excitement and overwhelming feelings of wishful thinking as he began to the letter again, and it confused Hal, the feelings he had, because he just didn’t know why they were there.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Looking worn out, Lt. Merrick walked from the interrogation room to George who waited in the hall. “He’s not breaking.”

“How much physical abuse are you delivering?”

“Near death. He just keeps rambling.”

“What is he rambling?”

“The same thing over and over.”

“Yes.” George held back snapping. “Yes, I know that. But what?”

“Some sort of chant. He keeps repeating it as if that’s what he is supposed to say.”

“Are you deciphering it? Maybe you’re missing something.”

“No sir.” Lt. Merrick shook his head. “Would you like to hear?”

“Yes.” George stepped through the door and into the interrogation room. He looked at the large black man tied to a chair. His face was swollen and bloodied. George moved closer to Link, listening to the muffled words the seeped through the beaten mouth.

Link kept his head up, staring outward as if right through George. “I pledge allegiance to my country and for the alliance in which I stand. I will fight for my God, for my home, and for my land. And for my brothers who have lost their lives. I will defend with my honor and soul, all that I believe in. And I will fight for the freedom under which we all should live.” Link coughed blood. “My . . . my name is Charles Link. I am a private first class in the United Western Alliance Army. I serve with pride and I serve with honor under the command of Captain Hal Slagel. I pledge allegiance . . .”

Pummeled. So struck by the name delivered, George nearly lost his balance. Link’s chanting repeated. “No.” George shook his head. “No.”

“ . . . pride and I serve with honor under the command of Captain Hal Slagel”

‘Captain Hal Slagel . . . Captain Hal Slagel . . . Captain Hal Slagel . . .’

George turned white as a sheet.

CHAPTER SEVEN

September 11

Beginnings. Montana

The tender brush of lips against her own and the overwhelming smell of tooth paste woke Ellen from her slumber. Why she felt so tired, she didn’t know. Hoping it was a dream, she grumbled and rolled onto her side.

Dean snickered. “El, come on. Get up.”

“Oh God.” Ellen pulled the covers over her head. “It’s cold in here.”

“You left the window open all night. Wanna get up? First day back to work.”

Another grumble and Ellen pulled the covers down some from her head. She opened her eyes. The room was dark. “Dean? What time is it?”

“Five.”

“Wake me in an hour.”

“El.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “Come on, let’s have breakfast together before we get distracted with the hecticness of the morning. Let’s be alone this morning.”

“We were alone last night.”

“For all of two minutes then Jenny brings back the kids and you disappear with Robbie. Please?”

Ellen sat up. “O.K.” She ran her fingers through her morning hair. “Do I have time to take a shower?”

“No. I have breakfast ready. And we have to talk.”

Ellen hesitated in her stand from the bed. “About what?” She looked at him suspiciously.

“The marriage.”

“I knew it,” she snapped. “Fuck. You’re changing your mind.” Ellen was barely a morning person as it was and she easily got set off.

“Huh? No.”

“Oh. Well what do we have to talk about?”

“How about when we’re doing it?” Dean raised his eyebrow.

“Oh.” Ellen stumbled out of bed. “Um . . . damn it’s cold in here.” She rubbed her arms, speaking groggily. “Tomorrow?”

“What? That soon? What about the marriage classes?”

“We don’t need them.” Ellen grabbed her sweat pants. “We were married before.”

“Yeah, but I wasn’t married to you before. Remember, my time was rippled.”

“Yeah so was mine, remember, only you were dead.” Ellen seemed perturbed as she sat on the bed.. “Dean, can we not talk anymore until I had some coffee. We’ll pick a day.”

“O.K., I’ll go get breakfast on the table.” Dean kissed her quickly and hurried from the bedroom.

Ellen looked at the comforter, how cozy, warm looking it seemed. Grabbing the edge of it to warm herself, Ellen plopped sideways back down to the bed and fell asleep.

^^^^

If Robbie would have to name the single most best thing about having Jess as a roommate, it had to be that there was always coffee made in the morning. Whether Jess had to go to work or he just came back from shift, coffee was made. Robbie often wondered what he would do about his fist kick of Java if Jess ever worked a noon till midnight shift so Robbie never scheduled him for that. Just because.

“Morning Jess.” Robbie tossed on his shirt as he walked into the kitchen and immediately to the coffee pot.

“Hey Robbie, morning.” Jess read from a sheet of paper. “Want some toast?”

Robbie walked in the dining room and stole a piece of Jess’s toast. “Thanks.” Robbie sat down. “What uh, are you reading?”

Jess snickered. “Check this out.” He slid it to Robbie.

Robbie started to laugh as he read it out loud. “Beginnings’ Times, not a dinosaur reference.” What is this?”

“Danny Hoi’s attempt at starting a newspaper again. It’s an introduction looking for people to write it. Denny and Josh are gonna be paper boys. Yeah, he stole the copy machine from the modular homes sale office and has it in his house.”

“He’s bound and determined to make this the new old world.” Robbie sipped.

“So . . . how are you?” Jess asked with concern.

“I’m fine. How are you?”

“Robbie I’m talking about how you’re doing, especially after last night in the social hall. With Ellen marrying Dean.”

“Easy come. Easy go.”

“Robbie, come on.” Jess tried to get him to talk. “It has to bother you.”

“To be honest, at first it did. You know, I could have stopped El from saying yes, but . . . that would be wrong. For as much as we know, Dean is leaving. It’s just a matter of when. And her and I, we talked last night for a really, really long time. A long time and we situated some things.”

“Good. I’m glad. Now can I have my newspaper back?”

Robbie handed him the sheet, stopped and looked at it again. “I think I’m gonna talk to Danny about this position.”

“Which one?” Jess leaned in, looked, and laughed. “Story teller? Robbie, he wants shorts stories. He wants to run a segment of one every day.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I’ve read your reports. Basically, you um . . . suck. You can’t write a simple sentence.”

“Ha, ha, ha.” Robbie laughed. “So, what’s your point?” Robbie saw Jess’s expression. “Kidding. No, I have a bunch of short stories my brother Hal wrote. He used to send them to me when I was in the service. It was with all the stuff I kept.”

“No shit. Your brother was a writer?”

“He became obsessive about it. Wrote thrillers, but was always so dramatic.” Robbie shrugged. “I think it would be nice because they’re good.”

“Could I read them some time?” Jess asked. “They say you get to know about the writer by reading their stuff. I think it would be interesting to learn about your brother.”

“Then you shall. It’s a too bad you couldn’t know him personally. Hal was one of a kind.”

“Nice guy?”

Robbie laughed. “No, Hal was pretty much . . . a dick.”

Shocked, Jess was speechless. “O.K.” He took back the piece of paper and began to read again.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

George ordered the UWA soldier, Private Charles Link, to be moved from his comrades and placed separately. A prisoner of war, but one that would not be interrogated any further. He didn’t reveal anything he wasn’t supposed to, but he revealed more valuable of information than he thought.

George wrote the name down a dozen times. Captain Hal Slagel. To George it figured. Beginnings was a pain in the ass ran by Joe Slagel. It would only prove Murphy’s Law for the UWA to be run by Hal Slagel. At this point, George wouldn’t be surprised to learn the Savages were run by Jimmy Slagel. It was the family from hell, George thought. Another Slagel to battle, only this one had to take top priority a far as bringing down. His well trained forces were making a dent in George’s, even if small, they were making a dent.

But the thought of Hal Slagel didn’t make him cringe entirely. Actually it made George smile because he was certain, at this point, he knew something Beginnings did not and that was always a bonus.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

That flutter that builds within your gut built within Hal’s as he stood on the edge of town watching his messenger ride out. In three to four hours the messenger would be arriving at Beginnings and delivering the message. Hopefully to Hal, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would hear back before evening. The slight dust cloud rose up beneath the horse’s feet as the rider moved north. And Hal moved back to Bowman with high hopes of accomplishment.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“Are you O.K.?” Joe asked as he sat at his desk and looked at Robbie across from him.

“Oh yeah. I’m fine.” Robbie took a sip of his coffee, gasped at the enjoyment of the gulp, and set it down on Joe’s desk. “Let’s finish this. I want to get ready for the surveillance.”

“O.K. What do you have?”

“Some old. Same old.” Robbie read off a clipboard. “No unusual phone calls. No unusual visits to communications. He works his shift, goes home. Yesterday he went to the social hall for a drink after his shift in Mechanics and he sat in the chapel for his break. John Matoose is being a good boy.” Robbie laid the clipboard down on the table. “So tell me something. How are we justifying his being here still? Why haven’t we thrown him out?”

“One, we have to show the community what he’s done wrong. Two, we do that, suspicion starts to arise about someone else working for George. Three, we haven’t drained him yet. He still knows more about George than we do. My main focus is not to start a community up roar and that will happen once people learn one person is working for George. Fingers start pointing.”

“Valid point.” Robbie stood up. “All right. I’m heading out. I’ll be going more east today and circling my way back in.”

“You feel up to it?” Joe asked. “I can get Johnny.”

“No Johnny doesn’t look. I’ll do it. No problem.” Robbie stole one of his father’s cigarettes and moved to the door. “Hey Dad, here’s something I was thinking about.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, reading about John and his knowledge of the scientists. We knew of only what, sixty or so. So where did they get all these people?”

“Do you have an answer or are you just wanting to make me more nuts with something else to ponder?”

“No.” Robbie shook his head. “Actually I have an answer if . . . if Jason is the inside person.”

“Go on.”

“What if Jason went back in time and not only warned George of our attack on the cryo-lab for information, but his warning . . .

“Made George safeguard and freeze more assets.” Joe leaned back and rocked. “Good thinking. Keep that in mind when we go full force into this investigation.”

“I will.” Robbie opened the door. “See you in a hour or two.”

“Be careful.”

“Nothing exciting ever happens. I’ll be careful.” Robbie gave a thumbs up and walked out.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

In something no one in Beginnings would ever think they would see Frank wear, Frank sported a Caceres Society uniform. Camouflage pants. Black tee shirt. He walked around the compound with George. “Big,” Frank commented.

“Yes, one of the biggest reserve centers in the country. The squad bay alone houses most of our men and the hospital is so close by in case of any injuries.”

“Seem like there’s a lot of training area.” Frank’s hand motioned about. “Are the men concentrating right now on reconditioning the property or are you wanting to move ahead with training?”

“I’d like to divide it half and half right now,” George answered. “First thing I need is well trained men to guard these perimeters.”

“I can do that.” Frank folded his arms. “I’m taking it these fences are not protected electronically.”

“No. You can say . . .”

“Frank!” A male voice called in the distance, sounding so happy. “Frank!”

Frank’s eyebrow raised in oddity as he spun to the calling voice. He saw the small man in the distance running his way. “Shit.” Frank’s eyes widened. “Oh my God!”

“Frank.” Short in a Dean way, the dark haired man in his early thirties, caught up to Frank. Out of breath, he grabbed on to Frank’s arms. “It’s you.”

“Soldier.” George was firm. “Salute your CO. This is Colonel Slagel.”

“Colonel. Oh shit.” His hand ran down his own face with a wide grin of excitement. “I can’t believe it’s you. No wait, this set up. A colonel. Hell, I can believe you’re a part of it.”

“Soldier!” George called out again. “Frank, you know this man?”

“Yes sir.” Frank said. “Sir this is Richie Martin. Richie, this is the president. Did you know that? You’re not acting like you know that.”

“Sorry.” Richie extended his hand to George. “Sir, pleasure to meet you.” Then Richie’s views went back to Frank. “You of all people. God it’s like seeing family alive.”

“Yeah it is.” Frank grinned. “It’s good to see you. Man, wait till . . . wait till we get a chance to sit down and talk. Right now I’m getting the grand tour.”

“Find me, Frank. I’m in squad bay two.”

“You got it.” Frank nodded and watch Richie dart off. He returned to George. “Sorry, it’s just weird. Have I run into anyone I’ve known before?” Frank asked George.

“This is a first. Who is that man?”

“Richie?” Frank pointed back. “Get this, an old drinking buddy of mine from when I was stationed in Indiana. We’ve kept in contact though.”

“When’s the last time you saw him, Frank?”

“Real time or my time? Because it doesn’t seem that long ago to me. But he aged.”

“We all have.”

“Tell me about it.” Frank shook his head. “When I looked in the mirror, I couldn’t believe myself. However, I like the facial hair I decided to grow.” Frank rubbed his goatee. “Makes me look mean. I take it it’s not against regulations to have it.”

“Nope. In fact you started that rule about allowing facial hair.”

“Oh yeah?” Frank nodded, impressed with himself. “So, when do I see my office?”

“Right now. It’s in the main building.” George started walking with Frank. “You’ll have to excuse all the construction noise while you train. We’re renovating a building for a lab.”

“Oh. Hey George, Richie, what does he do?”

“Why?”

“Well, I was thinking, in a world like this how often do we run into a familiar face.”

“Not very.”

“Any chance I can put him on my staff, even as my secretary or my footwork man?”

“We’ll see what we can do.” George walked through the door Frank opened. “It’s down the hall.”

“Thank you.” Staying close to George, but letting him lead, Frank followed him down the corridor taking in the view of everything as he did.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“In every division,” Joe explained to Henry in his office, “you’re going to have your problems. Agriculture is a big concern in the late summer. Any call offs from there have to be replaced. Fields need tended to.”

“Where do we get them from?”

“Security, You will work it if needed. About now you start switching them over to food preservation. Look who did it the year before and ask Cole how they did. Fast is the name of the game in preservation. Only put the fastest workers there. Others move to the greenhouses.”

“I see. What about workers for distribution?” Henry asked.

“I’ll still be handling that. That’s my division and . . .” Joe looked up to the knock on the door. “Yeah.”

Perky as usual, Danny poked his head in the door. “Wanted to see me, Chief.”

“Um . . .” Joe shifted his eyes to Henry. “Nope. Henry did. Come in.”

“Me Joe?” Henry panicked. “I didn’t want to . . .” He shut up when Joe cleared his throat. “I did. Danny come in.”

Danny shut the door. “What’s up?”

Henry saw that Joe wanted him to deal with it. “Well Danny, with me leading the community in two weeks, Mechanics may suffer some. I’ll still work it as much as I can, but . . . well, you understand. So, what I needed to know from you is, would you be interested in heading up the mechanics division.”

“No shit?” Danny grinned. “Yeah, I’m an excellent employee motivator. In fact I used to be called Mr. Employee Motivator Guy.” Danny nodded. “Just tell me what I do.”

“Good.” Henry nodded so seriously. “I’ll start making time each day to teach you.”

“Thanks.” Danny walked back to the door. “Oh, almost forgot. Hey, Joe. Since I’m starting this newspaper again and since you’re retiring, any chance I can get you to write an editorial once a week. You have that grumpy feel about you.”

“Bye, Danny.” Joe waved.

“See you.” Danny walked out, then popped his head back in. “Oh if you guys are looking for me, I’m with the modular homes. Joe, you move in a week. Just thought you’d like to know.”

“A week? That’s fast.”

“What can I say.” Danny shrugged. “They call me Mr. Quick.” He grinned, shut the door, opened it back up and again popped his head in. “But for the record, I’m not known for that in bed.” The door closed.

Joe stood for a moment with his mouth open. “Did I need to hear that? I didn’t need to hear that. Let’s get back to work.”

^^^^

Looking and sounding bored, Robbie leaned against the door of the chopper as he flew, eyes as always, peered out. “This is Eagle One.” He did a ho-hum breath. “Flying east about sixty miles of Beginnings. I’m turning this around and bringing it back. No sign of Mathias’ men. Not-O, Nothing, zilch. No Neville nominations happening . . . . Oh shit!” Robbie sat up. “Shit.” He grinned.

Joe’s voice came over the radio. “What’s going on?”

“Shit. I have a group of Mathias’s men chasing a man across a field.” Robbie looked to the field below. The grass moved and through it Robbie could see a frightened man with a knapsack, running. Eight Society soldiers tailed close behind.

“Can you do anything about the situation?” Joe asked.

“Roger that, Chief. The bird is flying. Charge the trumpets. Eagle One to the rescue! I’ll get back to you.” Lowering his headset microphone, Robbie tilted the helicopter and picked up speed. He saw the man look up to him in a run and Robbie flew away on to circle around from the front of the man. With his hands steady on the wheel and his views focused on the Society soldiers, Robbie opened fired and, with precision, took the Society soldiers out with ease. He smiled. “Hey Chief, it’s Eagle One. Crisis over.”

“Already?”

“What can I say. I’m the man.”

“Speaking of men, what about the one that was being chased.”

Robbie looked out his window. “He um . . . he stopped running. He looks a little confused. Hard to tell. Shall I land and check him out?”

“Yeah, do that,” Joe said. “We need all the bodies we can get. If the society was chasing him he must be an able body.”

“Roger that Chief. This is Eagle One over.” Robbie began to circle around the area, looking for more Society soldiers and a decent place to land.

^^^^

Dan didn’t mind filling in for Robbie, as Robbie put it, the main security guy. Dan didn’t mind at all. He had to admit to himself that he became a little frightened when Joe announced his retirement. Somehow he thought Robbie would end up being leader and that would mean he would probably be asked to be the new head of security. Dan thought about how honored he would be, filling in the Slagel reigns, but he also was quick to think of what he would say for his decline. Honored to run security. Yes. Ready. No. For one, Dan wasn’t strategically fast. He figured that was an inborn thing that Frank and Robbie had. The second thing that played a deciding factor was Dan knew those evenings after his shift of getting high off the weed he grew in his backyard would have to end if he was constantly on call. Another deciding reason was the exact same reason Dan was thinking about it as he drove. The pesky survivors at the front and back gates showing up at odd times like vacationers. Dan hated the thought of the front gate especially. The tunnel there bothered him,. It always brought out that little bit of claustrophobia he had.

Stopping the Jeep about two tenths of a mile from the front gate, Dan could see the figure of a man standing there. He caught glimpse of a golden color coming from his head and the rich blue color clothing he wore. “Odd,” Dan spoke out loud, walking to him and also seeing a horse in the background. The closer to the front gate Dan got, the odder he thought it was especially when he saw the man up close. He looked to Dan like a cross between a biker and a soldier from an old John Wayne cowboy and Indian movie.

Dan raised his radio to his lips. “Chief, we got a live one here.”

“What’s going on?” Joe asked.

“Hold on. Let me check this out.” Dan lowered the radio.

“Sir.” The man saluted. “My Name is Private Willy Conrad from the United Western Alliance Army, sir. I’ve come in peace and I bring a note from our commander to yours. I also bring something that belongs to you, sir.” He held up the bag.

“What’s in there?” Dan asked.

“I am under orders sir to give this directly to your commander and chief . . . sir.”

“Oh brother.” Whistling out softly, Dan brought the radio to his mouth. “I think I have a friend of Ellen’s out here.”

Joe, so annoyed, swiped away Andrea’s hand as she tried to wipe his mouth with a napkin. “Andrea, please. Sit.” Joe grabbed his radio and picked at his lunch as he sat at his desk. “Dan, what the hell are you talking about?”

“O.K., well I have this guy. He says he’s a soldier with the wait . . . . thanks, United Western Alliance.”

“What?” Joe asked in shock. “What the hell is that?”

“I guess we’ll find out. He has his horse and a note from his commander. He also is dressed like Ellen described those cavalry guys.”

“You gotta be shittin me?” Joe pulled the radio from his mouth.

Andrea whispered at Joe. “Joe. Eat. Now.”

“Christ, Andrea, I’m busy. Dan?”

“Chief,” Dan said. “He has this bag he said belongs to us.”

“What’s in it?” Joe questioned.

“Says he can only give it directly to you. Chief, he seems friendly enough.”

“All right. Escort him in. Remove any and all weapons he may have on him and bring him directly to my office.”

“Got it.” There was static and Dan came back. “Uh Chief, what about his horse.”

“I don’t care what you do with the horse, damn it. Just bring me this man.”

“Got it.”

Joe set down the radio and rubbed his eyes. “Right in the middle of my lunch too.” Joe saw Andrea stand up and collect his meal, wrapping it up. “What are you doing? I’m eating.”

“Oh Joe, you can’t. You have visitors coming. If I had brought enough then I’d say eat. But, sweetheart, that would be rude.”

“Rude?” Joe’s hand followed the plate that left him, he grabbed a small piece of chicken off the plate as it was taken away by Andrea who hummed something.

It was lucky for Joe that he didn’t have any food in his mouth when Willy Conrad and Dan stepped in his office because Joe would have choked. His eyes widened the same as Andrea’s when the well dressed soldier walked in.

Willy saluted. “Sir, are you the Commander and Chief of Beginnings?”

“Yes.” Joe coughed. “Yes.”

“Private Willy Conrad. Very pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Likewise.” Joe was still stunned as he stood up, staring at the young man.

Dan held up a sword. “Check this out, Joe.” Dan extended it in Samurai fashion and mumbled something that sounded foreign.

“Dan!” Joe scolded. “Quit that. You’ll poke someone’s eye out.” Joe looked back to the soldier. “Private, you’re with the who?”

“Untied Western Alliance Army, sir. We’re freedom fighters. Sir.” He lifted the bag and the letter. “I am under direct orders to see that you personally get these.”

“Thank you.” Joe took them and grumbled at Andrea who peeked. He set the bag and the letter on the table. Joe’s curiosity got him first. He unzipped the bag. He knew as soon as his hand pulled out the shirt. “Frank’s. Private, Where did you get this from?”

“Sir, in a search for our own men we discovered that. We have the location, sir. I for one am not aware of that, only my commander.”

Joe grabbed the letter. It was sealed with wax and he broke the seal, slowly opening the note up. Joe raised his half square glasses, holding them, and began to read to himself. ‘To the Commander and Chief of Beginnings Montana. Dear Chief. It appears that we wage war in the same battle. A fight for freedom and a fight against the Society which tries to bring us down. I believe it is time that we consider joining forces in this one cause. My messenger will await your response and then we can begin this new union if you so choose. Sincerely, Captain Hal Slagel. United Western Alliance Army’

The glasses flew from Joe’s face and out of his hand when he immediately trembled out of control and inhaled a gasp so loud it sent him flying to his chair and grabbing for his chest. Joe turned white. He breathed hard, unable to speak. The letter stayed clenched in his hand and it shook as violently as Joe did.

Andrea and Dan raced to him.

“Joe,” Dan called out.

Andrea grabbed Joe’s wrist and held it. “His pulse is out of control.” She glared at the UWA soldier. “What is in this letter?” She grabbed Joe’s hand and moved the letter into her view. “Sweet Jesus,” she gasped.

“Andrea,” Joe breathed her name heavily. “Dear God, Andrea, can it be?”

“Sir.” Willy stepped forward. “Are you all right. Sir, I’m sorry we upset you.”

“No.” Joe closed his eyes. He held up one hand, taking a few moments to control his emotions. Though he still trembled some, Joe reached for his glasses and nervously placed them on his face. With a very deep breath, he clenched Andrea’s hand and brought the letter into his focus again. Was he wrong? Did he read wrong? Did his eyes play tricks on him? Joe knew for certain they did not when he read the signature again. Captain Hal Slagel. And each time his eyes read it, Joe’s heart beat stronger and stronger.

^^^^

Johnny was never known for lacking the Slagel trait of being unabashed, and he proved that the second Henry walked into the lab where he, Dean, and Ellen worked. His high pitched uncontrollable laughter stole Dean and Ellen’s attention away from a sample they reviewed.

At first Dean raised an eyebrow and curled his top lip in oddity at Johnny’s laughter. He turned to see what Johnny was laughing at. Then Dean too, started to laugh.

Ellen tossed her hands up and spun to see also. “I give up. What’s so funny?” She saw Henry walking in the lab. “Why are you guys laughing at Henry?”

Johnny ran his hand down his face, catching his breath. “Henry, what’s up with the white button down shirt and tie?”

“Hey.” Henry ran his hand down his tie. “Joe said it’s the leader uniform. I have to dress like this. Don’t make fun of me, it’s not very nice.”

Ellen moved closer to Henry. “Well I think you look very nice.” She took off her lab coat. “Ready?”

“Whoa.” Dean called out and rushed to stop her. “Where are you going? It’s not time to leave.”

“Yeah it is.” Ellen played with the collar of Dean’s lab jacket. “You heard Robbie on the radio. He has a new survivor. Containment calls and I want Henry to walk with me. There’s so much prestige in that now.” She kissed Dean who grumbled. “I’ll check back in an hour.”

Dean watched her leave. ‘I’m bringing you files to look at. You aren’t pulling a Frank today and hiding in your office.”

Ellen’s fingers were still waving when she walked into the corridor with Henry. They saw Joe walking in. He looked straight ahead. There was a bit of sweat on his brow and he looked as if he had seen a ghost. “Hi Joe.”

“Ellen. Henry.” Joe kept walking by them.

“Joe?” Ellen called out. “What’s wrong?”

“Um . . .” He scratched his head that held the letter. “Nothing. Is Dean in there?”

“Yeah.” Ellen answered.

“Thanks.” Joe walked in the lab.

Ellen and Henry both shrugged and walked from the clinic.

“Dean.” So serious, yet calm, Joe called his name.

“Hi Joe.” Dean was still smiling over some rip on Henry remark Johnny had just made.

“Hey Pap.”

“Johnny, can I have a minute alone with Dean, please?”

“Sure.” Johnny stood up and walked to the lab’s door. “Everything O.K., Pap?”

Joe nodded and waited until Johnny left. He walked over and shut the door.

“Did I do something, Joe?” Dean asked.

“No, you’re about to.” Joe met Dean at the counter. “Dean, I need your honest, expert scientific opinion.”

“Go on.”

“You’ve studied the DNA of us. You’ve been working with Jess about his family. With all that, you know about the virus and DNA hereditary factors. Is this possible?” He laid the letter flat on the counter.

Dean’s eyes shifted as he read. Suddenly he lifted his head. “Holy shit.”

“Exactly.”

Dean read again. “Holy shit.”

“You’ve said that.”

“Oh shit.” Dean flew over to the closet and ran inside.

“Dean . . . the mad scientist strikes again.”

“One second, Joe.” Dean’s faint voice and rummaging was heard. “I know it’s here . . . yep, got it.” He came out of the closet with a large bound manuscript. “I was about to pull this out to work with Jess. It’s my notes on the survivors.” He opened it up to the Slagel family. He chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. See . . . Robbie’s in here.” Dean pointed “I ran tests on Robbie.”

“Yeah so.”

“Look at the date.” Dean went to show Joe the date and stopped “Never mind. It would be right to you.”

“Is this a time machine thing?”

“Yes. See, I wrote down that because of the mutation factor in the gene, it was possible, not probable, that more Slagels could be alive.” Dean grinned then turned serious. “You don’t think it’s a trick do you?”

“No.” Joe shook his head. “This United Western Alliance. No. Not with our infection patient saying he was with the Alliance and the messenger that came today was dressed exactly like Ellen described, very cavalry like.”

“Wow.” Dean took the letter again. “So what you want to know from me is, can this be your son or is it a similar name?”

“Exactly.”

“It’s possible, Joe. It’s worth everything you are to look into it.”

“Thanks, Dean.” Joe patted him on the back and took the letter back. “I’m disappearing for a couple hours, maybe more. I need you to tell Henry there was a problem um . . . ” Joe took a second to think. “Tell everyone there was a problem in recycling. No one is there right now. I’m not to be disturbed. Tell Robbie that too when he comes back. Andrea and Dan know because they were there when I got this letter. You know now. No one else, not even Robbie is to know. No one. If this is not my son, I want no hopes to get up on Robbie or Ellen’s part. I’d rather have it be a surprise. I’ll radio you as soon as I know something. Help buy me some time, Dean.”

“Wait.” Dean tried to stop him. “Where exactly are you going Joe?

“Well, I’m taking a Jeep and me and this messenger are going on a little ride back to his home. Alone. I have to do this alone.” Joe raised the letter. “If this Captain wants a response, by God he’s gonna get one and if he ends up being my son, then he’s getting a bigger response then he ever thought he’d get. Wish me luck.”

“Good luck, Joe. My prayers are with you,” Dean said with such hope.

Joe stopped mid-walk. “Thank you.” He smiled a closed mouth smile to Dean, then Joe, clenching the letter, left.

^^^^

Leaving the horse behind, there was a mixture of expressions on Joe’s face as he drove through the front gates of Beginnings with the UWA messenger in his Jeep . . . worry, seriousness and anxiousness. There wasn’t an emotion Joe was feeling that wasn’t justified. He kept his focus forward and listened to the directions Willy gave him. Joe’s hands kept gripping and releasing the steering wheel, trying to dry the sweat that collected there. He couldn’t help it. He was nervous. He swore if his heart beat any stronger he would have a heart attack eventually. Joe didn’t care if he dropped dead as long as he dropped dead knowing and seeing for himself that another one of his sons had lived.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Frank jingled the keys in his hand as he sat behind a huge oak desk in the CO office of the Binghamton base. As he stood up, ready to try the unknown keys out of boredom, he heard the knock on his door. “Come in.”

“Colonel Sir.” Lt. Merrick stepped inside. “You wanted to see me, sir.”

“Uh . . .” Frank fluttered his lips. “I don’t know. Did I? Who the hell are you?”

“Lt. Merrick sir.”

Frank held out his hands. “O.K.”

“I’m the executive officer here, sir.”

“Oh.” Frank nodded. “Then I did want to see you, Lieutenant. Shouldn’t you have stood at attention until I said at ease?”

“Yes sir.”

“Then?” Frank motioned his head and watched Lt. Merrick stand at attention and Frank just stared and stared. “O.K. At ease. What I wanted you for is, I want every single man here rounded up tomorrow morning at zero five hundred hours out front on the drill deck. Got that?”

“Yes sir.”

“I will review with them what I want prior to chow. Then I need you to notify my staff that their training will begin will me at zero seven hundred.”

“Training?” Lt. Merrick asked.

“Training. When’s the last time you trained?”

“About six months ago.”

“Should do it every day,” Frank stated and walked to him. “And it should be regimented and rough. Makes a man strong.” Frank’s hand gave a slap to an unsuspecting Lt. Merrick’s back, sending him a foot forward. “Sorry. Let’s go.”

“Where to?” Lt. Merrick asked, seeing Frank walk out of his office.

“Um . . . Armory. We have an Armory division. Don’t we?”

“Yes.”

“Then I need you to take me there. Can’t train men properly without knowing what we have, can I?”

“No sir.” Lt. Merrick shook his head.

“Lead the way.”

Lt. Merrick stepped before Frank.

“Oh and Lieutenant, I got a task for you.”

“What’s that, Colonel?”

Frank tossed him the keys. “Find out what each of these unlock and label them for me please. Thanks.”

Lt. Merrick looked at the huge pile of keys. “Sir, there has to be thirty keys here.”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, sir.”

“Armory.”

“Yes sir.”

Frank gave a smirk as he closed his office door and followed Lt. Merrick to Armory.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

Hal finished eating his apple, never getting too close to the core. Perhaps it was a waste, but somehow that story his father told him when he was a child stuck with him. Even though Hal knew it was impossible to grow an apple tree in his stomach if he ate a seed, Hal never really wanted to chance it. He tossed the apple remains into his office trash can and stood up to look out his window. He was supposed to be reviewing maps and reports from the scouts, but Hal couldn’t. To him this was a landmark day and excitement over waiting to hear from Beginnings grew even though he knew it was going to be a while before his messenger returned. So he took a break, hoping to get his wandering thoughts from his mind so he could get back to his work. Hal leaned against his window and stared out at the training men in the distance.

“Up ahead, Chief.” Willy pointed then stood up in the moving Jeep.

“What are you doing?” Joe asked.

“Signaling.” Willy took off his yellow bandana and waved it high as the Jeep came closer to Bowman.

“Captain.” Sgt. Ryder, without knocking, walked into Hal’s office.

Hal turned from the window. “What is it?”

“Private Conrad has returned. Tower has spotted them.” Sgt. Ryder had a look of excitement and breathlessness about him.

“Did he run into trouble? This is way too soon.”

“Doesn’t appear so. Seems he is arriving by Jeep. We believe he brings the commander and Chief of Beginnings with him.

Immediately Hal became nervous. “Shit. Do I look presentable?”

“Yes,” Sgt. Ryder answered. “I’d button my shirt all the way.”

Hal began to button his shirt. “Tell all men to give the Beginnings’ man, whether he is the Chief or not, the utmost respect. All activity will stop as he passes. You hear me? Instruct them immediately.”

“Right away.” Sgt. Ryder opened up the door. “I’ll bring him right up.”

“Thank you.” As soon as his office door closed, Hal clenched his fist and grinned. “Yes!” He hurried about his office, cleaning it up, hiding the trash, and trying to make it look presentable.

Joe’s foot hit the brake some as he rode into town. Men who worked on a house stopped and saluted him. Men who stood on the road did the same. In the distance, Joe could see an abundance of training men. They all stopped, dropped in formation immediately, and held a salute until the Jeep rolled by. “Holy hell,” Joe commented.

“Sgt. Ryder.” Willy pointed.

“Excuse me?” Joe looked at him then followed the point. He saw Sgt. Ryder standing at attention on the side walk.

“He’ll take you to the Captain.”

Joe pulled over the Jeep and stepped from it.

Straightening his salute, Sgt. Ryder spoke deeply. “Sgt. Elliot Ryder, United Western Alliance. Welcome to Bowman, sir.” He extended a rigid hand to Joe.

Joe shook it. “Joe Slagel. Nice to meet you.”

Sgt. Ryder’s grip released. “Sir? What did you say your name was?”

“Joe Slagel.”

“The Chief of Beginnings?”

“Um . . . yeah. Is this where the Captain is?” Joe pointed to the building.

Sgt Ryder couldn’t take his eyes off of Joe. A little shorter, but the hair line was the same, and the jaw. The teeth. The nose. “Oh shit.” Sgt. Ryder’s eyes widened. “Sorry.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing sir. Um . . .” Sgt. Ryder opened the door. “Go on up, first door on your right.”

Joe entered the building slowly. The city hall was dim. He moved to the steps and Joe could feel his body shake with anticipation. His heart fluttered in his stomach and he literally felt weak. How far up the top of the steps seemed, how long of a journey. Then Joe reached the top. The door was there, closed, and the name ‘Captain Hal Slagel’ went through him like a bolt of electricity. “Please Dear God.” Joe closed his eyes as he reached for the door.

Hal was nervous, but he was bound and determined to be professional and to look the part of the leader. He heard the Jeep pull up but he couldn’t see the Chief. Standing at his window with his hands behind his back, Hal heard the single knock on the door. “Come in.” He heard the click of the door handle. Hal took a deep breath, drew up his confident, cool look, and turned around. The gasp that escaped him was nearly a scream when he saw his father, just as shocked, standing at his office door. “Oh my God.” He felt as if his insides had fallen from his being and were laying on the floor. Hal could not move.

Joe’s mouth opened, but nothing but a stutter came out as he took a step into the room. “This isn’t real.” Joe moved closer to him. “This isn’t . . . Hal.” Joe spoke his name long and whispering. He closed his eyes as his hand laid upon the cheek of his long lost son. “Hal.” With gratefulness, Joe’s eyes shut tighter and his hand gripped firmer to Hal’s face. He let out an emotional releasing breath when Hal’s hand laid on his.

A strong man, emotionally and physically, yet that one simple touch from his father nearly brought Hal to his knees. They buckled on him and Hal grabbed hold of his father. “Dad.”

The embrace at that moment was magnetic, powerful, and electric. Both Slagel men clenched tightly to the other in a hold that was seven years overdue. Joe pulled away some, laying his hands on Hal’s cheeks. “Oh my God.” His hands moved around Hal’s face and tears formed in Joe eyes. “Oh my God.”

Hal tried. He kept his lips closed tightly together, but somehow they quivered with his emotions. That quiver reddened his face and vibrated his body as he touched Joe. Hal closed his eyes, trying his hardest to stop the crying that just wanted to come. But the reunion and the shock proved too much for the both of them. They returned to the tight embrace, inner feelings flooded to the surface, and they found themselves locked and lost in a moment that neither knew they had waited for. A moment that could never be recaptured again. Father and son, a family, reunited . . . at last.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Bowman, North Dakota

What if he was wrong? What if the Captain gets angry at him for not doing his job? Taking a chance, Sgt. Ryder walked to Hal’s office. The door was slightly opened. He knocked once. “Captain, is everything . . .” He paused in his speaking and opening of the door when he saw the two men embracing. Sgt. Ryder was right. It was like he was watching an old movie. His heart skipped a beat for Hal and his eyes even glossed with a mist. “Excuse me. I apologize.” He began to step back.

“Elliott.” Hal called to him. “Wait.” He wiped his eyes and hoped his face wasn’t too red, but it was. “Wait. I need you to meet . . . meet my father, Elliott. This is my father.” Hal proudly pointed.

“Mr. Slagel.” Sgt. Ryder gripped Joe’s hand again, this time with pride. “You have raised one fantastic son. It’s an honor to not only meet the man who runs Beginnings but meet the man who taught our leader so well.”

Hal snickered a blush and waved his hand in an embarrassing ‘go on’ fashion. “Dad, Elliot is my right hand man. Sort of like that . . . who is your right hand man in Beginnings?”

“Supposed to be a man named Henry . . . .”

“Henry?” Hal looked to Sgt. Ryder. “Oh yes. Whiny guy.”

Joe looked at Hal oddly. “How do you know?”

“We monitor your radio transmissions. We haven’t communicated because, well, we didn’t want you to think we weren’t a serious organization.”

Joe shook his head. “You’re a serious organization all right. Goddamn, Hal. You did all this?”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to talk about that now. We will. Elliott have Craig bring us something to drink. Dad, are you still a coffee drinker.”

“You bet,” Joe said.

“Coffee, Elliott, and tell Craig to behave himself. My Father is here,” Hal said like a kid showing off his dad on parents’ day at school.

“Be right back.” Sgt. Ryder smiled.

“Elliott,” Hal called out. “Make sure you do return. We have a lot to talk about with my father.”

Sgt. Ryder smiled at the enthusiasm Hal showed. He paused in his leaving. “Mr. Slagel, I just want to tell you, since we have been monitoring your radio transmissions, we’ve been really entertained, and a little jealous of you guys. You seem to have a good time there.”

“Well you’ll have to come there, Elliott, meet some of our finest and then see how amused you are,” Joe said sarcastically and watched Sgt. Ryder leave. “Hal? If you’ve been monitoring transmissions, I’m on that radio all the time. How did you not know it was me?”

“I thought it. You know.” Hal pulled a chair out for Joe. “But then every guy who listened said someone sounded like someone they knew. I chalked it up to my imagination.” Hal slid a chair near Joe’s. “But Dad, I have to know. Don’t think I’m off my rocker, just bear with me. O.K.?”

“O.K.”

“Is this Eagle One, this Robbie or Robert . . . is he . . . is he my baby brother?”

Joe smiled. “Unfortunately, yes.”

Hal shrieked and jumped from his seat. “Let’s go.”

“What?” Joe stood up. “Where?”

“I’m leaving Sgt. Ryder in charge. I have to see him. I have to see Robbie. God, Dad,” Hal spoke rapid and fast. “I have been thinking about you guys nonstop. Now I know why. It was you, it was really you.”

“Easy.” Joe followed him. “We’ll get there, but I need to slow down or else you won’t be seeing me much longer. My heart can’t take this. I need to just take this all in before we race around and get all emotional again.” Joe grabbed his chest. “My son is alive.” He gripped Hal’s shoulder. “And look at what you’ve done. This is a hell of a community you got going. Can you show me it before we leave?”

“Aw.” Hal cringed. “It’s no big deal. I’ll show you later.”

“Hal.”

“O.K. I’ll give you the grand tour.” Hal held the door opened for Joe.

“Thank you.”

“Then we leave.” Hal moved quickly with Joe towards the steps. “Tell me Dad, is Robbie still the same?”

“Unfortunately . . . yes.” Laying his hand on Hal’s back, Joe moved with his son, looking just as proud to be seen with him as Hal was to be seen with Joe.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie sounded more like a children’s book than anything else, asking everyone, “Where’s my father? Have you seen my father.” Not out of concern, missing, or needing Joe, but out of the search for the possibility of getting away with a really long unscheduled break.

But Robbie figured he’d might as well get part of his job out of the way first, processing the new survivor he found out running about. Walking the male survivor to Joe’s office, because that was where the processing was done, Robbie slowed in his walk when he saw Dan outside Joe’s office, oddly enough, feeding a horse. “Dan?”

“Robbie. Hi.” Dan said nervously.

“Who’s horse?”

“Who’s horse?” Dan repeated.

“Yeah, who’s horse?”

“Joe’s.”

“My Dad’s?”

“Yeah, he wanted to start riding. Go figure. Must be a gas conservation idea he had for getting around the community.”

“Not for all of us, I hope,” Robbie commented.

“I think that’s where he’s steering,” Dan said.

“No way am I riding a fuckin horse.” Robbie opened Joe’s office door. “This way,” he told the thin man with dark hair. “Have a seat.” Robbie shut the door. “Let me just get some things.” He walked to the back of the office, to the examining room and came back out with a clipboard. He sat down at Joe’s desk. “O.K. you seem like a calm guy.”

“I am. I’m usually not quiet. Right now I’m still shaken up over what all went down.”

“What were you doing in the area?” Robbie questioned.

“Trying to find this mysterious community I heard about. See . . .” He fiddled with his hands. “I was traveling with this man. We’ve basically been scouting the country side looking for this place we heard others were searching for. We thought it was mythical. You know, sometimes people make up places to convince themselves that something better is out there. He and I were camping. We woke up to find the soldiers raiding our camp sight. They killed Tony and I took off. That’s when you found me. Thank you.”

“You’re lucky. I usually don’t go that far east.” Robbie grabbed a pencil. “O.K., we need this for the record before you go to containment. You remember that place I told you about?”

“Yes.” He nodded.

“Basics. What is your name?” Robbie asked.

“Jeremy. Jeremy Lyons.”

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

Joe couldn’t help it. With his coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other, he kept looking behind him as he walked with Hal and Sgt. Ryder through town.

“Dad, something wrong?”

“Why . . .” Joe looked back again. “Why is that man following us?”

“Damn it.” Hal bit his lip, looked behind him and shouted. “Craig! Go!”

“I see you have them here as well,” Joe commented.

“He annoys me.” Hal said.

Sgt. Ryder interjected, “He lets him annoy him.”

“It’s a Slagel thing. He can’t help it,” Joe said.

Hal stopped at the police station and opened the door. “This is where we monitor your transmissions.” As he stepped in, the monitor stood up. “Corporal, meet my father.”

“Your father? For real?” The corporal extended his hand to Joe.

“Yep,” Hal stated, “and the Chief of Beginnings. You can take a break.”

“Thank you.” The corporal left the office.

Joe checked out the radio. “So you do have radio communications?”

“Yes.” Hal answered. “We just stayed silent. Now we can use them, which eases my mind if Elliott gets into trouble here.”

Sgt. Ryder looked confident. “We shouldn’t have any problems. Hell, if we do, how long would it take for Captain Slagel to get back?”

“We can fly him here in twenty minutes. Fifteen tops.” Joe told him. “Thanks Elliott for taking the reins so I can spend time with my son. We need him there for a while.”

“The Captain is good enough to be there and give orders here,” Sgt. Ryder said. “I’m very happy his family is alive. And you giving him a truck to go back and forth will help us as well. Plus sir, we do want to know more about the place where we keep sending our sick men.”

“That’s right.” Joe snapped his finger. “We have one of your men. He’s doing very well. He had tetanus. But I do have to tell you something, Hal. You think Beginnings is this big deal. We haven’t the man power you have at all. You may not be all that impressed.”

“We are impressed,” Hal corrected. “We used to watch your community. We weren’t sure if you were part of the Society or not. And . . . we may have the manpower, but you have the technology. We’re soldiers in this battle, maintaining the front lines.”

“Which is?” Joe asked.

“Basically, we drew a line. The Dakotas, Kansas straight down is the front line. We’ve been doing good. Took out five, six camps so far.”

Joe whistled. “So what do you need us for? Aside that your family is there.”

“Survival. We’re rationing now. I have the man power you need to farm your fields. You have the food we need. We can help each other in more ways than you realize. I have to concentrate on training these men to fight the Society. With Beginnings helping, I can build the army we need to eventually bring the Society down.”

“A common goal,” Joe said, “and we have more than enough food. We waste so much between what we grow in the field and greenhouse. I can use the manpower for the fields and preservation right now. The more men we have, the less we will waste. Can you give up some men within the next week or so?”

“Absolutely. Name the number.”

Sgt. Ryder leaned toward Hal whispering loud enough for Joe to hear. “Tell him about your contract.”

Hal nudged him away. “Shh.”

“Contract?” Joe asked. “What, Hal? You wrote a contract to present to Beginnings?”

“Well yeah.” Hal shrugged. “It’s pretty detailed, explaining how we can scratch each other’s back.”

“God, that is so like you.” Joe laughed as he shook his head. “You realize we don’t need a contract now.” Joe didn’t get an answer. “Hal?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.” Joe turned to Sgt. Ryder. “So tell me, is my son still over the top and dramatic.”

“Yes,” Sgt. Ryder answered. “No. Yes. Dramatic yes, But uh . . .” He snickered. “Never without flare.”

Joe grabbed on to Hal’s uniform. “The Horse Soldiers?”

Hal grinned. “You got it. And . . .” He clapped his hands together. “Let me go pack. I can’t wait to see my little brother.” Hal rushed to the door. “Elliot, keep my father company and tell him nothing bad about me.”

Sgt. Ryder gave Hal a thumbs up as he left. “I’ve never seen him so excited.”

“Well I just have a feeling that excitement is going to be nothing compared to when he sees Robbie.” Joe smiled. “Those two back together again.” The smile dropped from Joe’s face. “Oh Christ, I’m in trouble.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Ellen had a slight smile to her face as she sat in her small office at containment, alone. “I don’t know, Frank.” She shrugged. “You can’t be threatened by this. Well Hon . . . what did you expect. I know. I know. You think? Yeah right . . . ha!” Ellen turned serious. “It’s the right thing to do. For you and for me. I feel a little guilty.” She held her fingers close together. “Just a little. But I love Dean and you know that. It’ll work out. I promise.” She leaned in to her desk more. “I miss you so much. God, how I miss you. I miss fighting with you. Touching you. Telling you I love you. This is the longest we have been apart and my heart is broken. Come back to me, Frank. Come back to me soon.” Ellen reached out her hand and lifted the picture of Frank she had setting against the pencil holder. It was the picture she classified as the best one Frank had ever taken. It was a couple years old, taken when Jonas was around taking pictures still, him and Robbie. It was an odd one of Frank. He smiled, genuinely smiled. Frank always posed in each picture like he was going to kill the world. So handsome she thought Frank looked as she ran her index finger across his face.

“El.” Robbie walked in, knocked on the door, and shut it. “Where’s my father?”

“Where’s my survivor?”

“In the security office up front.”

“In that case, I haven’t a clue where Joe is.” She noticed the frazzled look on Robbie’s face. “What’s the matter? What happened?”

“O.K., get this.” Robbie held up his hands. “I lost a Jeep.”

“You what?”

“I lost a Jeep. I don’t know how. I go to get one to bring the new guy here and there’s one less Jeep charging at the garage.”

“You’re kidding?” Ellen stood up. “Did you check the new reqs?”

“Yep and the old ones. I even looked on Frank’s desk and my Dad’s. Nothing. You know my dad put me in charge of them just this morning.”

“Oh man, Robbie. Wait, this is Beginnings. How hard is it to find a Jeep? Just make a radio call for the number.”

“Yeah right.” Robbie fluttered his lips. “And then what? Have my Dad hear? You’ll know what he’ll do. Shit, and Frank isn’t even here to blame it on.”

“You know what you should do? Talk to Henry. He’s the leader in training.”

“I thought of that.” Robbie ran his hand over the top of his head. “So I talked to him. He said I’d better find the Jeep before Joe gets real mad. Some leader. Shit.”

“Calm down. Just say a prayer to St. Anthony. Your dad said your mom always said it worked.”

“I’ll do that. How’s it go? Tony, Tony please come down . . .”

Ellen nodded. “Something’s lost and can’t be found. That’s the one.”

“Got it.” Robbie snapped. “I’ll get your survivor. Thanks, El, and if you see my Dad . . .”

Ellen zipped up her mouth. “But . . . we can always blame it on Dean. You know how he never signs reqs.”

“Good idea.” Robbie grinned. “See ya.” Robbie started to whisper as he walked out. “Tony, Tony please come down. Something’s lost . . .”

Ellen snickered as she leaned in her doorway, listening to Robbie repeat the prayer over and over. She shut her office door, returned to her desk, and put on her ‘official’ containment stern face.

^^^^

Hal seemed amazed as he rode in the Jeep with Joe. He held on with a wide smile on his face. “It’s been so long since I rode in a Jeep.”

“Well get used to it. I think I can issue two trucks to you guys. It’ll make for easy back and forth access to Beginnings.” Joe grabbed his phone and started to dial.

“So that’s why we don’t know everything? You talk on phones.”

Joe showed Hal the phone. “Henry did this . . . Dean?” Joe spoke his name.

“Joe shit. I’ve been waiting,” Dean spoke with excitement. “Well?”

“I’m on my way back home.”

“Well?”

“With my son.” Joe pulled the phone away from his ear. Dean’s excitement probably had more to do with the fact he was going to get to do more research. “Dean, listen to me. I need a favor. I want this to be a surprise so . . . get Robbie up to my office have him wait there and not move. Then hold Missy Jane at the clinic in the back until I radio we are there.”

“Got it.” Dean answered. “How far away are you?”

“Half hour tops. See you soon.”

“Oh Joe,” Dean called out. “I’m happy for you. I am.”

“Thanks.”

“Could you make mention that I want to run some tests on him?”

“Bye, Dean.” Joe hung up the call.

“Dad? Who’s Missy Jane?”

“Don’t worry about it. She’s just a friend I want to introduce you to.”

“Is she . . . is she a bearable woman?”

Joe looked quickly to his son, wondering what kind of question that was. “Well, she can be a little intolerable. Sorry.”

“Typical.” Hal slouched in his seat and stared ahead.

Joe snickered at his son’s dismay and continued to drive on.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“Sorry to pull you, Frank,” George told him as they walked into Frank’s small house on base “But Dr. Morris said one more day of rest then you can get things started.”

“I just hate doing nothing.”

“Well, you always are the do-it guy. But . . . I want you the healthy guy so give your lungs one more day to rest.”

“See I don’t get that. I was shot. How did I end up with pneumonia?”

“You laid in a stream for three days.”

“You’re kidding?” Frank asked surprised.

“Left you for dead, those Beginnings people did.”

“Bastards.”

George nodded. “Well, we have some of your clothes here. Relax and enjoy your new home. There’s food and beverages if you get hungry.”

“Thank you, George. I appreciate it.” Frank walked over and sat on his sofa. “I think I’ll just rest here.”

“You do that.” George laid a hand on Frank’s shoulder, turned around, and moved to the door. “Have a good day, Frank.”

“I will.” Frank folded his hands and tapped his fingers as he listened to George leave. “Oh this is dumb.” He tapped some more. “I need a cigarette.” Frank looked at his watch, stood up, walked to the door, and opened it. He looked out, saw George’s figure fading as it moved to the right, then Frank walked outside, shut the door, and went left.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Hal sat straight in his seat when they approached the front gate of Beginnings. “Dad, I’m nervous about entering these walls.”

“Why . . . hold on.” Joe spoke in the radio, “Down the front, Steve. Thanks.” He set the radio down. “Why are you nervous about coming to Beginnings?”

“Because in the world out there, this is utopia.”

Joe laughed loudly. “You haven’t met and mingled with the residents yet. After you do, then tell me if it’s your utopia or the equivalent of sitting in the Gong Show studio audience for two weeks straight.”

Hal laughed as the Jeep stopped. He saw a man open the gate. He let out his nervous breath slowly and quietly.

Dan approached the Jeep. “Is this him, Joe?” Dan pointed. “Hey, Dan Everett, Beginnings security.” He shook Hal’s hand. “Hal right? Wow, you look like your dad. Hey Joe?”

“Yes Dan?” Joe just wanted to drive through.

“Um, he’s a Slagel right? What’s up with . . .” Dan grabbed a hold of his own long ponytail.

Joe looked at Hal’s hair. “We’re getting the warm welcomes out of the way first. He’s staying with us. We’ll see what happens before he leaves.”

As the Jeep started to drive through the gate and into the tunnel, Hal panicked. It wasn’t about entering Beginnings; it was about his hair. Hal fiddled with his pony tail always so neat and thought in fear about how in his youth his father used to deal with his long hair.

^^^^

Ellen was the professional containment person sitting with Jeremy Lyons in her office. “It’s all part of the process. Joe usually explains this but right now he’s missing. That’s good, because so is a Jeep. Anyhow . . .” She slid him a paper. “These are some of the rules you have to follow while you’re in containment. Can you still read?”

Jeremy was about to be upset about that, but stopped. “A little. Will you help if I have problems?”

“Of course.” Ellen folded her hands and smiled. She heard the knock at her door. “Yes?”

Dean poked his head in. “Sorry to interrupt. I brought a substitute.”

“Substitute what?” Ellen asked.

“Containment worker.” Dean pulled in Jason. “Take her desk, Jason.”

“Ellen. Move.” Jason in his calm fashion walked over to Ellen, placed his hand on her arm, and helped her stand. “Thank you,” he said as he quickly took her seat.

“What?” Ellen looked at Jason then Dean. “What’s going on?”

“I need you now at the clinic.” Dean told her. “It’s something medically important I need to talk to you about.”

“O.K.” Ellen moved with hesitation to the door. “Jeremy, I’ll be back. Thanks, Jason, and don’t lie to him.”

Jason snickered as he stared at Jeremy and lifted his hand in a wave.

Ellen walked in the hall with Dean. “This better be good. I’m in the middle of processing.”

“I know. And it is good. Trust me.” Dean hurried her along. “I think you’ll find it absolutely fascinating.”

^^^^

Hal couldn’t believe it when they emerged through the front tunnel and the vision of the small town came immediately into his focus. “Whoa.” He lifted some in the seat of the moving Jeep. He could see people moving around. It was much bigger than he expected it to be. “We’re going to your office?” he asked Joe.

“Yep.” Joe turned the wheel taking Mcgruff Street--as Danny named it--to the utility building. “See that long metal structure?”

“Yes.”

“That’s where some of the offices are. I’m not going to explain a whole lot. You have all week to learn.” He pulled the Jeep up and parked it in front of his office. “Now before you walk in there, let me see if your brother has arrived as instructed.”

Hal nodded. He looked pale, worried about seeing Robbie again.

Robbie rummaged in his mind on how to explain the missing Jeep. He sat in Joe’s desk, rocking in his chair, tossing a ball up, and nearly hitting the ceiling. “I could . . . tell him Dean borrowed it and lost it,” Robbie thought, then shrugged and tossed the ball again. “Maybe he won’t notice it’s gone. Hell, he already knows it’s gone. Why else has he called me?” Robbie knew what he had to do. The moment Joe walked in the office, and that would be soon by the sound of the Jeep, Robbie would start rambling. He heard the footstep on the single step and Robbie cleared his throat.

“Robert,” Joe said his name as he walked in.

“Dad, hey. You know what? I was really thinking here lately. Do you think it’s possible that . . .”

“Robert, stop and what are you doing sitting at my desk?” Joe asked as he stood with the door partially open.

“Getting a feel for it.” Robbie rocked in the chair. “Yeah, you know I was the one that should have been picked for leader, not Henry. Hey, I’m more like you. Right? After all I’m the son that looks like you right?”

“What about Hal?”

“Dad,” Robbie scoffed and laughed. “Hal was the ugly Slagel. Man, you don’t want to say he looked like you.” Robbie was arrogant as he balanced his chair. “You want the pretty son to resemble you. Me.”

“Is that so? Hal not attractive?”

“Not from what I remember. No.”

“See what you think now.” Joe opened the door wider.

Hal stepped inside. No sooner had he walked in the door, a loud BANG rang out in the office. Robbie. in his rocking of Joe’s chair, took one look at Hal and rocked completely backwards and onto the floor.

“I think you’ll find it absolutely fascinating.” Dean’s words, spoken to her earlier, echoed in Ellen’s mind as she sat in a chair in Andrea’s office. Her elbow on the desk, her head leaning on her hand as she stared dumbfounded at Dean pacing before her and rambling about. “I think you’ll find it absolutely fascinating.” Ellen couldn’t help but wonder what in the world would make Dean think that.

“And then there is the intracellular toxin. That is the toxin produced in the bacterial cell. Contrary and not to be confused with the extracellular toxin which is a toxin produced and excreted by microorganisms.”

“Dean.”

“Wait. This is amusing. A toxin-antitoxin. I still have to chuckle at that. You would think they could come up with a better name for an immunization against Diphtheria. What do you think?”

“I think you’ve lost it.” Ellen stood up.

“No I haven’t. Sit down. We haven’t even touched the dermonecrotic toxin . . .”

“Dean.” Ellen stood firm. “Why are we discussing toxins?”

“When’s the last time we did?”

“Uh . . .” Ellen fluttered her lips. “I don’t know.”

“Then it’s time to discuss them again. I need you to sit down and be patient.”

“No Dean. Toxins, Drosophila, spirochetes. What the hell, Dean? You’re keeping me here for a reason.”

“O.K. I am.”

“Then don’t bore me to death. Unless you tell me you plan having sex with me right now, I have to get back to containment.”

Dean grinned and took off his lab jacket.

“Dean, I’m joking.”

“I’m not.” He stepped forward to Ellen, leading her back to the desk.

“Dean, stop.”

“No. It’ll be fun.” Dean began to kiss her, ignoring her mumbling gripes through his lips. He backed her down to the desk, pressing his body to hers.

“Dean, come in.” Joe’s voice called on the radio.

Dean stopped kissing Ellen and lifted himself.

“See Dean,” Ellen commented. “He knew what we were doing in here.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “He’s like God. Knows all, sees all.”

Dean grumbled and grabbed the radio. “Yeah, Joe.”

“We’re here, heading to the front door.”

“Thanks.” Dean grabbed Ellen’s hand. “Let’s go,”

“What’s going on?”

Dean opened Andrea’s office door for Ellen. “I had you here for a reason. We had to wait for Joe.”

“O.K.” Ellen stepped into the hall.

“El, your cavalry exists and the commander of the cavalry is with Joe now.”

“Oh shit. No way?” Ellen smiled and looked at the double glass door. She saw Joe and Robbie and another man walk in. The sun poked in brightly behind them and made them into almost shadows. “Wait a second.” Ellen took a step. Her words became breathy as she focused in on the third man.

Dean didn’t realize what his whisper would do. Seeing Ellen’s disbelief, he placed his mouth close to her ear. “Hal Slagel is alive.”

Dean’s words were an earthquake to Ellen. They trembled through her body and shook her stand. Her legs weakened. she swayed and began to drop to the floor.

Dean grabbed her, lifting her back up.

“Hal,” Ellen spoke his name, but it barely came out.

Hal saw her. He looked to Joe, then Robbie, then back down the hall. “Ellen!” he called out loudly.

“Oh my God.” Ellen recouped her strength and with the energy of his call, she raced down the corridor as fast as she could, leaping up at Hal, slamming her body into his, and wrapping her arms around him as she shrieked.

Clenching Ellen tightly, Hal lifted her feet from the floor. “Ellen. Oh my God.”

“Look at you. Hal.” Ellen’s hands grabbed his face as she still stayed in his lifting embrace. She exhaled emotionally. “God, you look at you.” She laughed and cried with excitement. “Robbie. Joe. It’s Hal.”

Hal’s head swayed back and forth. “I can’t believe this.”

“Hal!” Speaking his name quickly, Ellen held onto his cheeks as she stared at him. “Shit. Your men saved my life. They saved my life, Hal. They brought me home.”

“That was you?”

“Yes. Thank you.” Ellen kissed him. “Thank you.” She kissed him again, plastering his face with small, quick kisses over and over.

Hal laughed and then he embraced her, whole body, arms as tight as he could.

“Hal/” Joe tapped his shoulder. “Put her down. Put her down and meet . . . meet Ellen’s past and future husband.”

Hal slid Ellen to the floor. “Where?”

Joe pulled Dean into focus. “Dean Hayes, meet my son, Hal.”

Hal adjusted his views lower. “Oh.” He extended his hand to Dean. “Nice to meet you . . . El,” Hal whispered to her, “you’re marrying this guy?”

“Again. Yes.” Ellen nodded.

“But he’s so . . . so . . . little.” Hal commented.

Again Dean tossed his hands in the air. “I give up.”

Ellen snickered. “Little yes, but not where it counts.”

“Christ,” Joe griped. “Did we need that comment? No. Dean, thanks for your help. Ellen, go back to work.”

“Joe. No!” Ellen yelled “I want to hang out with Hal.” She grabbed his hand. “This is so great.”

“Yes, well, it’s not like you won’t see him again. Go. And find me Henry.” Joe shooed her away.

Ellen tgasped. “All right. Joe, where is he staying? Can he stay with Dean and me? Dean, you don’t mind, do you?” Dean opened his mouth, but Ellen kept on rambling. “Hal, Dean and I have the best house in Beginnings. And we have children. You have to meet them. You do. Joe, can he stay with us? I want him to stay with us. I can have Josh clean . . .”

“Ellen!” Joe snapped. “Christ, Yes. Go. Get me Henry.”

“You know.” Hal smiled. “I can’t wait to meet this Henry.”

“Yes you can,” Robbie said. “Trust me.”

“I can?” Hal looked confused, then wiped that look off his face. “You know I have this mental picture of him in my mind from hearing his voice. Is he like fifty, short, stocky and black?”

“Um.” Robbie thought. “Hal, that’s pretty good. You pegged him.”

“Thanks.” Hal grinned.

“Robert,” Joe scolded. “And Ellen. Go.”

“I’m leaving.” She kissed Dean then tip -toed up to Hal and kissed him on the cheek. “It’s good to have you here. Welcome back.” She moved to the glass doors and stopped. “I know for sure now, Beginnings just isn’t gonna be the same again.”

Dean chuckled softly as he looked up to the three Slagel men standing by him. All three resembled each other. And Hal, though lost for a while, proved to Dean he too had that Slagel connection with Ellen and why not? They were in a sense a family. As he stared at them once again, he knew Ellen’s last statement before she left the clinic didn’t even need to be said. With Hal’s arrival, Beginnings never being the same again was a given.

CHAPTER NINE

Binghamton Alabama

As much as the news of Hal entering Beginnings floored everyone there, it also floored George. “No,” he spoke on the phone. “When did he arrive there? Shit. I thought they wouldn’t find this out. Have you met him? I see.” George drew up a thinking look. “All right. I’m gonna have to head back to Quantico since my top man is there. If this is a joining of forces, I’m gonna have to move ahead with this plan. Are you ready?” George nodded. “Thank you. But . . . no. I take no chances with you. You’ll only do what I instruct you to do, no further. If they find you out they may kill you on the spot and then what? Huh? No. No chances. Just do what I tell you to do and no more . . . I know you want to help, but be patient, please. I have to go. I have to instruct my new CO on what needs to be done.” George snickered. “Isn’t that hysterical? I’ll call you back. Be careful. Yes. Bye.”

George’s inside person always brought a smile to his face. This person was so unknown, so brilliant on George’s part. But for as much as he wanted to smile in his aftermath of his call, he couldn’t. He had other things on his mind, the fact that Hal and Joe found each other. But that didn’t weigh as heavy as the scary portion of that thought. The UWA and Beginnings becoming one.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Hal stopped walking in awe as he, Joe, and Robbie entered the living section. “This is amazing.” He looked at all the houses. “Everyone lives here like a little town. It looks so lived in.” He looked at the street sign. “Frank Street? That’s really nice.” Hal smiled. “This is so nice.”

Joe gave him a double pat on the back. “You know, Beginnings has enough land to expand this living section to easily house your people. But I have a feeling you want to expand your people, so I have a few thoughts we’ll discuss another time”

“Sounds good,” Hal said as they moved to Joe’s house. “Dad, is this your house. Look, flowers.”

“Yeah,” Joe grumbled. “Anyhow, let’s go in.” He opened the door. Joe grunted when Robbie sneaked in first, then Hal.

Hal sniffed. “Wow, is that brownies?”

“Halberd!” Andrea shrieked his name with excitement as she darted from the kitchen.

Hal immediately looked with a weirdness at Robbie to the woman who now plastered him with kisses.

“Meet our new mom, Andrea.” Robbie snickered.

Hal whispered. “Dad’s still doing the same thing?”

“Oh Hal!” Andrea caught her breath. “You poor boy, lost out there in this world while your father lives here. Are you all right sweetheart? Look at you.” She stepped back. “So handsome. Oh Joe, he’s handsome.”

Joe sort of cringed.

Hal flashed a gloating grin. “I like this mom. No mom ever thought I was handsome.”

“That’s because you’re not,” Robbie said.

“One hour,” Hal said. “One hour I’m back and you’re starting?”

“Yeah.”

“O.K.” Hal shrugged. “Just checking. Get ready though.”

“I’m the master, Hal. I’m worse now. Wait, that’s not what I meant.”

Joe shook his head. “Can we just sit down and talk what we need to talk about? Andrea? Are you staying?”

“Oh no, sweetheart. Not me.” She laid her hand on Joe cheek. “Got to get to Gemma’s. A few of us gals are cooking a community dinner for Hal tonight. Danny’s reprogramming a few of the SUTs again for waiters.” She kissed Joe. “See you. Robbie, take my brownies out of the oven in ten minutes, sweetie.”

“Sure thing, Mom.” Robbie gave a thumbs up.

“And don’t eat them” Andrea instructed as she walked to the door. “They’re for tonight.”

Robbie responded with an innocent smile and another thumbs up as Andrea left.

Grabbing the large ashtray because he knew it was going to be a smoke fest, Joe set it on the coffee table and sat on the sofa. Robbie sat in the chair and Hal sat next to Joe.

Hal took in the view of the house. “This is great. Your wife is nice, Dad. Robbie hasn’t scared her away.”

Joe lit a cigarette. “Where’s she gonna go? Now let’s . . .”

“Joe!” Henry came barreling through the front door. “Whoops forgot to knock.” Henry walked out, knocked then barreled through again. “Joe!”

Joe held up his hand. “Hal meet Henry.”

Hal turned around on the couch and looked. “Henry?” Hal turned to Robbie. “I thought you said he was fifty, stocky, and black.”

“No that’s what you said he looked like. I merely agreed. He looks that way to me.”

Henry flipped Robbie off then shook hands with Hal. “Nice to meet you. Wow do you look like Joe.”

“Thanks. You look a lot different than I thought.”

Joe only looked up from his seat on the couch. “Henry is one half of our Asian community.”

“Joe.” Henry tsked. “I’m Japanese, so technically I’m not . . .”

“Henry, I don’t want to hear it. I’m always hearing it,” Joe bitched. “Anyhow, we’re gonna be busy for . . . Robbie? Where are you going?”

Robbie pointed backwards. “To check the brownies. I don’t want them to burn.”

Joe groaned. “Back to you, Henry. I need you to take the wheel for a while. I’m gonna be busy with Hal, catching up.”

“Sure thing, Joe. I have to get back to fixing generator two. It’s making this noise.” Henry shrugged. “I’ll just beat on it again.”

Joe winced. “You do that.”

“Worked before.” Henry raised his hand. “Hal, nice to meet you. Hope we can get along better than Robbie and I.”

“I’m positive of that, Henry.” Hal winked. “I’m the nice Slagel brother. Always have been.”

Henry snickered amongst the Joe moans. He waved once more then left.

Joe waited until Robbie returned and sat down. “All right, Hal. I’ve waited long enough. Where the hell have you been for seven years?”

Hal whistled and let out a long breath. “It’s a difficult story.”

“Try me,” Joe told him.

“Wait,” Robbie interrupted. “When I spoke to you and when Dad talked to you, you were sick.”

“Yes, I was.” Hal nodded. “I had the plague.”

A ‘what’ came from both Robbie and Joe.

“I had the plague like everyone else. I was on border patrol outside of Honolulu when I started getting worse. I dropped about eight hours after I talked to you, Dad.”

Joe closed his eyes and blinked. “Then you didn’t have the plague. No one we knew beat it.”

“Ah.” Hal held up his hand. “No one you knew. I knew thirty-seven guys that beat it. Elliott Ryder is one of them. We lost contact when we left the Islands. We met up again. We were all at the same med station.”

“What?” Joe was lost. “We had the top scientist working on it. He didn’t beat it until last year.”

“He was using modern medicine, wasn’t he. He used the resources science gave him.”

Joe nodded. “Yes he did.”

“Well that’s why he didn’t get a reaction. He needed to go back to basics, back to nature.”

“And that’s exactly how he ended up beating it.” Robbie said. “Using all natural stuff. But how did you . . .”

“Not me,” Hal answered. “I was out of it like I said. Had all the symptoms, bad too. There was this Korean doctor who was working the med station I was at. He was a homeopathy specialist. He tried these herbs on us. He said it was his cure. It sort of was. It took me three weeks to come around but I did. I remember reading his notes on how in his tents he had over two thousand patients, including himself. The herbs worked on fifty of us and everyone else died. Eventually thirteen more died in the next three weeks. They weren’t strong enough to fight the symptoms I guess.”

Joe was astounded. “Wait until Dean hears this. So this doctor, what happened to him?”

“Died of the plague. His medication prolonged him for a week but that was all. It didn’t work on everyone, just some. I guess it was our gene make up.”

“Dean is going to be fascinated by this,” Joe commented. “Be prepared for a lot of questions and tests.”

“And . . .” Robbie added. “Be prepared to jerk off in a cup.”

“Robert!” Joe yelled. “Then what, Hal?”

“Then . . . then . . . jerk off?” Hal shuddered in confusion. “Then we searched the islands, all of us, for survivors. They were all men. The herb didn’t work on any women at all, not even to prolong their life. We started thinking that the female species was wiped out.”

Joe raised his eyebrows. “Pretty much they were. Dean estimates one percent of the population remained, maybe less, but he estimates eighty percent of the survivors are men. The virus was gender prejudice. Males survived. Females didn’t. We’re still having an uneven ratio when it comes to births. Three to one. So go on. I’m sorry. You searched the island?”

“Yes,” Hal answered. “Four of our group were Islanders, so we searched for their families and for survivors.”

“All the islands?” Joe asked.

“No, it would have been too much, just the bigger ones. Anyhow, we were this group and we devised a plan. We grabbed a map of the mainland, charted out a course based on where all of our families were, and we were going to break down into five groups. We were going to travel the country looking. So we got a boat, stocked it with food, a lot of food, and headed to the mainland. At this point, there were close to sixty of us.”

“You arrived in the main land when?” Joe questioned.

“Let’s see,” Hal thought. “It had to be August. We devised a central meeting place and a time we would all meet. I didn’t figure for some to return. I knew I would. So we split up with each group going separate ways.”

Joe tossed his hands up. “Hal, I’m a little miffed. I spent my life beating it into your head about the contingency plan.. Why in God’s name didn’t you follow it? If you would have you would have seen we went to Ashtonville.”

“Yeah,” Robbie added, “and I made sure dad left word there where we went.”

“I did.” Hal was insistent. “I remembered the contingency plan, but when I got to Gaithersburg, I figured since there was no note, no one but me survived.”

“What the hell are you . . .” Joe saw, through the corner of his eye, Robbie standing up. “Robert.”

“Getting the brownies, Dad.” Robbie hurried into the kitchen. There was some clanking as he took the brownies from the oven. He came back feeling guilty. “All right. When I went with Miguel for a final weapons run around late July, we stopped at Gaithersburg to check on the note. I figured it had been months and Hal was sick so I uh .. . I took the note for a souvenir. I have it, Hal, if you want to see it.”

Hal’s mouth dropped open. “I wandered the country thinking my family was dead and you took the note? Dad! He wasn’t supposed to take the note! Robbie, you asshole.”

“Hey.” Robbie pointed at him. “I resent that.”

“Dad.”

“I know.” Joe held up his hand. “What’s done is done. Robbie’s done a lot of things through these years he shouldn’t have. I won’t get into it. Anyhow, you went home. No note. What then?”

“Well, we searched out the other families, picked up survivors, food and such and eventually made it to the meeting place. We were the first ones there and in another month or two, thirty five out of the original sixty had made it back, but we had all picked up people and we were about two hundred strong. Big community. Ten women I think.” Hal nodded. “So at that point we knew survival was an option. I moved us all to Mexico where there are a lot of natural rain forests. We planted, we harvested, and we lived there.”

“Then what happen?” Joe asked.

“We got hit, big time. Soldiers in these uniforms raided our town, shooting any of us who fought. I made my escape, me and about twenty other men. The rest . . .dead or taken.”

“The Society,” Joe said.

“Exactly. Which I didn’t know at the time. I thought it was another country finishing us off. I mean, what did we know? Another four months go by. It’s winter and this man told us the United States is rebuilding and they needed strong people to work and fight. He told us the President had lived. They had a truck and food for us. Why wouldn’t we believe him? So I went. I was in Tennessee with the Society.”

Robbie was shocked. “You worked for the Society?”

“Yep.” Hal nodded. “And I’m not proud of it. I started noticing that some men were like zombies, doing exactly as instructed. Those who were disruptive were never heard from again. Then one day they told us we were making a sweep, looking for survivors. When they said we were to shoot anyone who fought, I knew it was not my game. I mean the world died. Why kill anyone else? So I started to talk to men and one night we left, figuring we can feed ourselves. We don’t need them. I gathered close to fifty and we went west. That’s where the Society was least active from what I knew. And that’s where the Alliance all began. Us fifty decided we would fight what the Society was trying to do, a worldwide take over and through the next couple months, we began a Society of our own. People were joining. Defectors. Those zombie type soldier we would take and train ourselves. The more people that joined, the more regimented we became. We took on a gimmick so we could stick in their minds when we hit them. The world had been reduced to animals. Technology has been eliminated to most. We grew more so recently in the past nine months to our present size. And the bigger we got, the more difficult we knew surviving would get so we really started to pay attention to Beginnings at that point.”

“Do you have any women?” Joe asked. “We have eighteen.”

Hal whistled. “Eighteen out of a hundred and some? Wow. We have thirteen, but we weren’t concentrating on finding women for reproduction. We want the country back and we needed soldiers. When we found out through Sgt. Ryder what the Society does with women, we sheltered them.”

“What does the Society do with women?” Joe asked.

“Lobotomizes them and farms them. They are shells of women reproducing manufactured embryos. It’s like something out of a horror film as Sgt. Ryder put it.”

Joe swallowed harshly. “I didn’t know that. So you shelter your women. You mean protect them?”

“Always,” Hal said. “They’re near extinction. Our women have lived rough lives. Attacked, raped. They have a hatred for men I cannot explain, but it is understood. They deserve to be treated special. They don’t work. They stay in this huge house and when they come out, the men stay in. They call a lot of shots on how they get treated. None of them are very nice though. But . . . I guess I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. I’m sure you have the same problem.”

Joe was surprised. “Our women for the most part are nice. You don’t require your women to pull their own weight?”

“No.” Hal shook his head. “They wouldn’t do it even if I asked them too. They’re far too spoiled. Don’t tell me you make your women work, Dad.”

“Hell, yeah,” Joe said proudly. “Christ, if I made them stop they’d bitch. Our women are very important. But pampered?” He fluttered his lips. “They are protected by our walls. They don’t need a house to protect them from our men. Rape is against the law here. You get shot for raping a woman. We screen our people carefully before we let them in then they go through an entire processing before living in this community. Robbie, could you imagine what the men here would say if, let’s say Jenny, wanted to take a walk and we made all men go inside?”

Robbie laughed. “They’d stay out just to irritate her.”

Hal was shocked. “That isn’t right. There aren’t that many women. How can you not treat them special? That’s wrong. Anything they want, they should be given. They’re women. They’re few.”

“Yeah, and they get away with a ton around here,” Joe told him. “But I’m not making them stay in a goddamn huge house. They need their freedom.”

“I don’t make our women stay in a house,” Hal corrected. “They want it that way.”

Robbie laughed again. “Wait a second.” He held up his hand. “You have thirteen women living in the house alone. They have no contact with the male community at all?”

“No.” Hal interrupted Robbie. “Once a month, they present list to me of men they want to . . . well service them. And I’ll tell you, it’s like pulling teeth to get those men to agree to have sex, I mean, I’m sorry Dad, relations with these women.”

Robbie’s laughter increased. “Oh my God! Once a month. A selected few? Our women look like whores com . . .”

“Robert.” Joe cringed.

“Whores?” Hal questioned. “Please don’t tell me you made your women into whores?”

Joe huffed at Robbie. “See what you started. You have to start him on a righteous movement. You know all his life he argued the opposite way. No Hal, we didn’t make them into whores. The women have a share program here. They’re called understandings. They have one primary relationship and then one or two secondary. It works here. Very little competition or tension. It works.”

“Wow.” Hal blinked several times.

“Yeah.” Robbie noticed the look on his brother’s face. “Our men get it. A lot of them. You have thirteen women locked together . . . oh wait.” Robbie snickered. “Wait. Bet me they turned into lesbians.”

“Robert!” Joe yelled.

“They did!” Robbie pointed. “Look at his face. In a world with limited women, Hal has a group of lesbians.” Robbie’s high pitch laughing grew out of control. “Oh my God.”

Joe rubbed his face, watching Hal’s irritation. “Robert, knock it off!”

“O.K.” Robbie stopped laughing. “Sorry, Hal.”

Hal swayed his head. “They just hate men, Robbie. They do.”

“Well, keep them away from our women. No wait. Let’s get them together and watch them fight.”

“Robert.” Joe grew tired of yelling at him. “Enough of the women. Sorry about him, Hal.”

“No problem, Dad. I missed him.” Hal winked at Robbie. “I’m just amazed that your men all get along and share women.”

“It’s a rarity that a problem occurs,” Joe explained, “except between Frank and Dean. Them two just fight and fight over Ellen like . . .” Joe saw Hal’s expression drop. “What’s wrong?”

“Did you just say Frank?” Hal asked. “My brother Frank?”

“You don’t know.” Joe said. “Yes, Frank.”

“Wait.” Robbie again, spoke up. “You didn’t know? How can you not know? You sent his clothes back here. Didn’t you look at the pants? Geez.” Robbie stood up and aimed his rear-end at Hal as he pointed above his own back pocket. “How can you miss the name?” Robbie sat back down.

“I . . . I didn’t look at the clothes fully. They belonged here. Frank is . . . shit!” Hal yelled. “Frank’s the man we were searching for? He’s the man the Society now has?”

“Yes.” Joe nodded. “They have Frank. He’s alive and well and we’re gonna get him back.”

“Do you know where?” Hal asked.

“We will. George, he called Dean,” Joe explained. “See there’s someone else in Beginnings working for George. We don’t know who it is. George has used Dean’s kids as a bargaining tool. Either Dean leaves and joins him or something happens to one of Dean’s kids. So, Dean’s going to leave, but not without us tracking him. Dean agreed and in that agreement to go with George, it was decided he’d be at the same place as Frank.”

“So when you track Dean, you’ve found Frank,” Hal stated.

“Yes,” Joe answered.

“Then you tell me where they are and I will send every one of my men to that camp. We will ride in and get them back.”

“We can’t do that,” Joe told him. “I won’t let you do that. What? Your gonna go and send every man you have to go after your brother? Christ Hal, you said it yourself. The purpose of your army is to get our country back. It’s selfish to use that for your brother. No. I won’t let you. We’re sending a scout after Dean. He will run surveillance on the area and get as much information as he can. We will then sneak attack in and take them back, synchronizing the attack with the protection of Dean and Ellen’s children. That way, this inside person can’t touch them. If they do, we’re ready for them and we’ll get them. Otherwise, if we make a big move, George will see it coming and by not knowing who the inside person is, we may not see it coming if they go after one of the kids. It’s better this way. He has the upper hand as long as we don’t know who his person is. I’m sure you know how big the Society is.”

“I know exactly how big the Society is,” Hal said. “That’s why we only man this side of the country. We have to wait until we’re bigger to go over there. But Dad, you have to let me go with you. You have to let me be a part of this sneak attack. I want to. Please.”

Joe thought about it, but not for very long. “I would be honored if you’d go.” He heard Robbie whine. “Robbie, you have to stay here. You have Ellen and the kids to watch, and this community. Besides you get the glory of staging the whole thing.”

Robbie nodded with an arrogant smile. “Yeah I do. Hal, you have to remember, in order to keep up the plan we have to act as if we believe Frank’s dead. Aside from us, there are only two others that know . . . Dean and Ellen and they’re playing along. Not even Frank’s own son knows.”

“What?” Another shock to Hal. “Johnny? Johnny lived too. How old is he now. Twelve?”

“Nineteen,” Joe told him. “And a spitting image of Frank. Wait until you see him.”

“No.” Robbie stopped Joe. “A spitting image of how Frank used to look.”

Hal was confused. “What? Was he burned in a fire or something?”

“No.” Joe shook his head with a laugh. “Your brother has pretty much gone through a metamorphosis if a human beings can. Bigger, meaner looking, scarred. Cold. He looks scary at times.” Joe shuddered. “But don’t tell him I told you that. He thinks he’s quite handsome.” He smiled, “But I have to say, Frank is Beginnings’ hero. He is the strongest man I have ever met in my entire life. Always was, but now . . .” Joe whistled.

Robbie interjected. “I saw him toss a savage so hard the head of the savage actually severed from the body.”

“And what about . . .” Joe added. “That guy Don last year in containment? Frank rammed his face into that wall with such a force, I didn’t think a human face could make such a hole.”

Hal closed his eyes. “And he shoots each man in the head to make sure they’re dead, doesn’t he?” He saw Joe and Robbie agree. “He sounds rather sick.”

“He is.” Joe had a hint of pride to his voice. “That’s why we’re safe with him around. He fears nothing and goes after anything that’s a threat. Ask anyone. I’m sure they’ll have a story to tell you. If you want to know who your big brother is now, ask around.”

“I will.” Hal leaned back on the couch. The shock had to set in. “So many in our family lived.”

“We’re cool,” Robbie commented. “What can I say?”

Hal needed to get things straight. “O.K., so you have to get Frank back. You’re fighting the Society and savages. You are trying to find the inside person working for George. And now what about this new group of enemies. Tell me about them. I know nothing.”

Joe looked confused. “What are you talking about?”

“This . . . Mathias group. I’ve sent out . . .” Hal stopped talking when Robbie laughed. “What?”

“Mathias? You listened to our radio transmissions and you thought Mathias was real. Oh shit.”

Hal began to see red. “What are you talking about? I sent men out looking. You guys talked like they were . . . Robbie quit laughing.”

“I can’t help it.” Robbie tried to stop. “Sorry. Mathias is a code name for George. We got it from the movie Omega Man. We all want to be Neville. Did you hear that too? It’s like the big competition. Shit,” Robbie taunted. “And you sent men out looking for him. Wait until I tell . . .” Robbie saw the seriousness on Hal’s face. “No one.” Robbie held up his hand. “This goes no further than this room.” Robbie sneaked out another snicker then went silent.

“O.K.!” Joe slapped his own thighs then stood up. “Hal? Hal?” he snapped his finger in front of Hal. Hal kept staring at Robbie. “Hal, we all want to kill him at times, but right now, you have your nephew to see again.” He moved away from the sofa.

Without taking his views off of Robbie, Hal stood up. “I lied. I didn’t miss you.”

“Yes, you did.”

“No.” Hal shook his head violently. “I didn’t. I really don’t think I did, especially since you failed to grow up.”

“Yes you did. You missed me. How could you not. I’m your baby brother. Hal? I’m lovable.” Robbie tilted his head and held out his arms.

“Robbie, I didn’t miss you,” Hal insisted. “Let’s go Dad.” He walked to Joe.

“I would have missed you if I knew you were alive. I missed you, Hal. Hal? I missed you. Hal?” Robbie was ignored as Hal joined Joe. “Hal?” Robbie stood up calling as Joe and Hal walked to the door. “It’s great to have you . . .” The door slammed. “Here.” Robbie chuckled in amusement at himself. He then decided he was in the mood for one of Andrea’s brownies, just one. He went into the kitchen to steal one, Andrea would never know.

^^^^

With Andrea busy making a dinner and Jason out at the quantum lab, Dean had no other choice. He had to be the one to exam Bev’s neck to check the final healing and conditions for skin grafting. So leaving word with Patrick that if Ellen shows up to get him for their meeting with Reverend Bob, do not tell her he’s examining Bev, Dean walked to room two.

He cringed when he stepped inside, setting the chart at the end of the table near the feet of Bev’s nude body. “I’m looking at your neck. You didn’t need to get undressed.”

“Yes I did. I heard you were examining me.”

Dean could have left, but instead of wasting the time and having to make her get dressed and return, Dean just wanted to get the examination over. So he walked to Bev who laid back some, her left leg opening and closing slightly. He grabbed hold of her shoulders and pushed her to a sitting position. Dean stood behind her and lifted her hair.

“Hey Patrick.” Ellen walked up to him as he wrote in a chart. “Where’s Dean. We have to see Reverend Bob.”

“He’s in room two with Bev.” Patrick looked up. “Shit. I mean, did I say room two . . . Ellen?” Wincing, Patrick watched Ellen storm downed the hall, and then figuring what was Dean gonna do, fire him? Patrick went back to work.

Ellen hurried to room two. She opened the door without knocking. “Dean.”

Dean walked from behind Bev. “Just finishing up and then we can go.”

“Oh really?” Ellen tilted her head.

“What’s that supposed to . . .” Dean remembered. Bev was naked. “El.” He chased her from the room. “Ellen.”

“We have to be there. Are you done playing with your toy?”

“Ellen.”

“Did you get excited, Dean?”

“No. I didn’t even notice she was naked.”

Ellen stopped walking. “We have to go.”

“El, I am really getting tired of fighting with you over this.”

“And I’m getting tired of finding you in compromising positions with her.”

“El.” Dean tossed his hands up as he followed her of out the clinic. “I was examining her.”

“Her neck, Dean. Why was she naked?”

“O.K.! Enough!” Dean rushed to Ellen and physically stopped her. “Enough, El. No more fighting over this. This is stupid and I want it to stop.”

“You want it to stop?”

“Yes.” Dean nodded.

“Is this the Dean ‘big’ stand?”

“If it needs to be.”

“Fine. Then hear the Ellen big stand.” She moved face to face with him. “Innocent or not, I catch you in one more compromising situation with her, you, Dean, will become a Eunuch.” Flinging back her head, Ellen folded her arms and stormed off to Reverend Bob’s.

^^^^

“My God.” Hal’s mouth stayed open as he looked at Johnny before him in Joe’s office. “My God, do you look like your father.”

Johnny ran his hand down his goatee. “I think it’s the facial hair.”

“Frank had a beard?” Hal turned to Joe. “Frank hated beards.”

Joe shrugged. “Says it makes him look mean. Go figure.”

“What is his obsession about looking mean?”

“He’s Frank.” Joe held out his hands. “When you talk to people, you’ll get a good picture.”

“Amazing. Do you remember me, Johnny?”

Johnny scratched his head. “Would you be mad if I told you barely?”

Hal chuckled and stood up, laying his hands on Johnny’s shoulders. “Not at all.” He had to raise his eyes some to make eye contact. “Look how tall. A nephew.”

“One of many.” Johnny nodded. “My dad was like the father of the community. Even the kids El had with Dean, Dad called his own. Pap is their pap.”

“No kidding.” Hal smiled. “I have a big family?”

“And let’s not forget Nick?” Joe pointed. “So, Uncle Hal. You have one niece. And . . . Five? Nephews. Wait. Josh, Billy, Joey, Brian and Nick.”

“Pap.” Johnny said his name slowly and sad.

Joe let out a slow breath. “It’s still not sunk in yet.”

“What?” Hal looked confused. “What hasn’t sunk in?”

Johnny’s head lowered. “The Society hit us with a plague last month. Dean cured it, but not before we lost lives. Brian died. He was only one.”

“Frank lost a son?”

Joe sadly nodded. “He was Frank’s pride and joy. How badly he and Ellen wanted him. It crushed him. That’s why Frank took Ellen beyond the wall, to get time alone to grieve.”

“Kidnapped her, Pap. Dad kidnapped Ellen. Duct taped her and everything. Ask her.”

Hal’s eyes shifted about. “And . . . you’re sure Frank was all right?” Hal pointed to his own temple.

“Eh.” Joe waved his hand out. “That was Frank. And . . . here’s Jess. Your escort for this afternoon while Robbie and I finish our work.”

Hal spun to see Jess walked in the office.

“Hal?” Jess smiled. “Wow, it is really nice to meet one of Robbie’s brother’s. I’m so happy for the both of you.” He shook Hal’s hand.

Joe sat down at his desk. “Jess, here, is Robbie’s roommate.”

“Oh yeah?” Hal grinned. “How can you stand him?”

“Oh Robbie’s great. I see him differently than others do.”

Joe grumbled as he rummaged through his desk. “I bet.”

“Huh?” Jess questioned.

“Nothing.” Joe pulled out a requisition. “Fill this out Jess before you take a Jeep. Leave it in the bin at the garage. Keys are there.”

“Got it.” Jess took the requisition. “Ready, Hal? I’m showing you the industrial section. Joe said something about you having some men to work there.”

Hal looked in question to Joe. “I did? I thought it was food preservation.”

“Plastics, metal, food. Same difference.” Joe waved his hand at him. “Get going, Andrea’s gonna want you back and that’s a long ride out there.”

Jess, who was usually more serious, was upbeat and chuckling. He opened the door for Hal. “After you. Wow, all of you Slagels are huge.”

“And handsome.” Hal added as he walked out.

“Of course.” Jess followed and shut the door.

Joe’s eyes looked above his glasses. “Oh, brother.”

“Pap.” Johnny had an odd smile as he pointed. “Is he . . .”

“Clueless. Yes, my sons are clueless.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Think about what I meant.” Joe peered up at Johnny. “And are you just gonna stand there or is your skinny ass getting back to work?”

“Man, Pap, you’re tough. I’m going.” Johnny walked to the door.

“And Johnny. Bev. Get a move on it. I mean it.”

“Patience Pap. Patience.” Johnny held up his hand, fingers spread, and shifted it side to side.

“What? Is that some sort of new retarded hand shake? Why are you waving like that?”

“It’s not a wave. Just showing you my hand.”

“All right.” Joe took his glass off and leaned back. “I’ll bite. Why Johnny, are you showing me your hand?”

“Because soon Bev will be eating right out of it. Trust me.”

“Awfully sure of yourself.”

With arrogance Johnny nodded and opened the door. “I’m a Slagel.”

The door shut and Joe placed his glasses on and leaned into his desk. “Yeah. you are, and what an arrogant, smug, cocky, egotistical bunch you all are.” Joe huffed out a breath. “Where do they get it from?”

^^^^

In Reverend Bob’s office, Dean and Ellen sat on the ‘marital’ couch as Reverend Bob called it. It was a red flowered thing given to him by Danny Hoi. Danny had found it in the office of a church. He called it ‘Godly’ and Reverend Bob called it his own.

“El.” Dean spoke to her while they waited. “I won’t repeat this again.”

“Look at you being all forceful.”

“This is stupid. Now listen to me.”

Ellen began to sing. “Just what makes that little old ant . . .”

“Ellen, I hate . . .”

“Think he could move that rubber tree plant . . .”

“I hate that song.”

“Every one knows an ANT.” She placed her face close to Dean’s. “CAN’T. Move a rubber tree plant.”

“Ellen knock it off.” Dean grew irritated.

“Frank words!” Ellen looked away and sang different words to the melody. “He’s got attitude! Little man attitude. He’s stands, four feet tall and wears geek shoes.”

“You’re not gonna listen are you.”

“So any time you’re feeling low, I want you to know, things . . .” Ellen’s paused.

“ . . . could be worse, yes they can.” Dean shrugged as he sung the line.

Ellen giggled and looked at him. Then they both sang Frank’s made up line together.

“You could be another Dean attitude man.”

Dean laughed. “God, Frank is weird.”

Ellen sat back on the couch. “Things aren’t the same without him here.”

“No. No one picks on me. Of course I cannot wait to get him home to kill him.”

“For real?” Ellen asked. “Really kill him?”

“Yeah.” Dean nodded. “He stole you out of Beginnings.”

“It’s against the law here Dean.”

“You don’t think I can do it without it looking natural?”

“Yeah, I guess you can.” Ellen nodded. “Just forewarn him. He’d think it was fun, like a game.”

“He would, wouldn’t he?” Dean swayed his head with a smile, then looked up when the office door opened and Reverend Bob walked in.

“Look how happy we look.” Reverend Bob grabbed a folder from his desk. “Just what I want to see.”

Ellen leaned into Dean whispering. “I’m not happy with you at this moment.”

Dean whispered back. “When are you ever?”

“O.K.” Rev. Bob spoke perky and walked to the front of his desk, sitting on it. “Let’s get a relaxed feel shall we? Good. First let me say I’m glad you two decided to get married again. I didn’t perform the last ceremony, but I have an idea on this one and I see no reason why you two should wait to get married. You have children.” He opened up the folder he held.

Dean’s eyes shifted to Reverend Bob’s left hand. It was wrapped in a bandage. “What happened to your hand?”

“Oh.” He held it up, a small spot of blood came from his palm onto the bandage. “I was opening the church relic box Danny brought back and the screw driver slipped.”

“I should take a look at it. When did we last give you a tetanus shot?”

“I think that was two years ago when I stepped on that nail. Remember?”

Dean nodded. “Yes. Sorry. Just curious.”

“No big deal.” Rev. Bob waved his injured hand and began to read the wedding plans and arrangement to Dean and Ellen.

^^^^

Binghamton Alabama

“I trust your opinion, Dr. Morris.” George said to him.

“I realize that and I don’t know how much more I can convince you. I had all that information you gave me about his life. I tried tripping him up. He’s clueless. I believe this may be permanent, Mr. President. Frank may not have the mental capacity to return to normal. His brain, I’ve noticed, is a bit slow intellectually. What you see is what you get with him. His memory is gone.”

“Excellent.” George smiled and he walked to his door. “Frank, come in.”

Frank walked inside and nodded in acknowledgment to Dr. Morris. “You wanted to see me, George.”

“Yes, Frank. I was going over your condition with Dr. Morris. He thinks you’re doing just fine.”

“I am.”

“Yes, I know and the reason I was checking is because I have to leave for a couple weeks. I’ll be back, but important business further east calls me. Dr. Morris, could you . . .”

“Certainly.” Dr. Morris walked to the office door. “Frank, if you need anything, find me.”

“Thank you, sir.”

George waited until they were alone. “There’s problems with these Beginnings people again.”

“I don’t understand why you don’t let me prepare a ground troop to storm in.”

“It’s not that easy. The land is scientifically enhanced. They have a communications center we can’t chance losing. They have capabilities they aren’t aware of. We need Beginnings intact and if we storm in, we can chance losing that.”

“I should know this, huh? Forgive me I’m . . .” Frank pointed to his own head. “Not all there.”

“I completely understand. Now as I said I’m leaving so your CO position takes full effect this evening. You don’t need a memory to run a regiment. You know how to do that and you know what you have to do to rein my men into the best soldiers they can be.”

“You want them tough and skilled, right?”

“Yes.”

“Got it.” Frank closed one eye and nodded.

“And one more thing Frank. We have these men here, prisoners of war you can call them. They are part of this United Western Alliance as they call themselves. They are responsible for killing close to a thousand of our men.”

“Mercenaries? Gorilla type.”

“Exactly. Interrogations are not going smoothly. We need information. You must check on that progress daily. Can I trust you with that?”

“Absolutely,” Frank said with certainty. “I’m your man. Before long, they’ll be talking.”

“Good.” George grinned. “That’s what I wanted to hear.” George saw at the confident look in Frank’s eyes, but they were eyes that were missing something. Memory perhaps. A life he forgot he had. But that worked in George’s favor. Frank still had the qualifications George needed from him. He was skilled, obedient, strong, and strategically smart. Plus one more thing, Frank’s loyalty to the Society.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“Part of your job Danny as head of Mechanics is being trusted doing this.” Henry led him down the tunnels to the cryo-lab. “This is your job, no one else.”

“How often.”

“Every three to four hours,” Henry answered. “I’m usually up pretty late so if I can, I do the check in the middle of the night. If I can’t, Dean does. In emergencies, when where I can’t or he can’t, security does.” Henry stopped at the cryo-lab door. “Do you have that mask I gave you?”

“Yeah, but why.”

“This is Dean and Ellen’s work and it’s very scientific down here. They’re getting worse. They do shit down here they can’t do upstairs. I wished they would do it at the mobile, but I understand that’s too far.”

“What kind of science shit?”

“Gross scientific shit I can’t figure out the meaning to.” Henry set down his tool bag and opened it. He pulled out a spray bottle.

“What’s that?”

“Smelly stuff I made. It helps. You don’t want to put on your mask?”

“Nah.” Danny shook his head. “I’m tough.”

“O.K.” Henry picked up his tool bag again and punched in his code to the cryo-lab. He opened the door and immediately started squirting. He grunted when he walked in and flipped on the light. “God, can’t they clean up in here?”

“Neat.” Danny looked around. It really was a mess with folders and papers everywhere. Danny walked more around. On a counter Petri-dishes spread out. They grew something in them. He heard the metal banging and he looked to the noise. Across the small lab were six rabbit cages. The rabbits inside bounced high and banged off the cage. They squealed also. “Henry? When, uh, did rabbits start sounding like pigs?”

“Since Dean and Ellen got a hold of them. Don’t ask me. I don’t know what they do to them.”

Danny chuckled as he followed Henry. “Where we going?”

“To a place that used to be my world. They took it over, moving more of their stuff back there. Like they need the . . . aw I told him to move that out of my view.” Henry paused in his walk to the back door. He shuddered at the large jar on the counter.

“Oh my God.” Danny neared the jar with a pink fluid inside.

“They put it there so I can see it.”

“Oh shit.” Danny peered closed to the joined small objects inside the jar. They were about three inches big each. Rabbits conjoined at the head, facing each other, fur-less. Their eyes open as they floated.

“Siamese rabbits. You would have thought Dean hit the lottery when they were born.” Henry pressed numbers into the keypad. “The mother died giving birth to them. Dean wasn’t even experimenting on her at the time. Everyone said he did something to her. Ellen says no.” The door buzzed to the back room and Henry opened it. “This way.”

Danny took one more look. “Did Dean kill them?”

“Oddly enough, no. He tried to keep them alive. He did good for two weeks and they died. They never grew much. It was a funny thing watching them try to move.” Henry shrugged. “So he kept them. That’s his version of formaldehyde.”

Danny followed Henry into the dimly lit back room. The fluorescent light gave some hint.

Henry pulled out his flashlight. “Never turn on a light in here because you never know what Dean and Ellen are growing or making. This way.”

“What are we doing here then?”

“What Dean has in this case is very important. I don’t know what’s in here, but this case gets top priority. There’s two more cases in the other room. We check those twice a day. But this one, we check all the time.” Henry walked behind the case and move it out a foot.. He removed the black cover some and squatted down. He turned on his flash light. “Temperature gauge is here. It’s marked if the temp goes up. See. Can’t go passed this line” Henry showed Danny. “It’s good. Just check the power. Make sure it’s running. It is and then . . .” Henry lifted the clipboard that hung on the back. “You mark the time, initial it and that’s it. Any power problems or temp rises let Dean know immediately. This case has a back up coolant that lasts five hours.”

“Hence the reason for the checks.”

“Exactly.” Henry stood up. “Then just move it back and cover it.”

“Henry?” Danny called as Henry grabbed for the cover. “Is this locked up?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Who has keys?”

“Dean and Ellen.”

“Did they lose them?” Danny asked.

“No why?” Henry pushed the case back.

“Look. Someone was trying to open this lock.”

“Shit.” Henry swallowed harshly as he shined his flashlight on the case and his fingers moved against the scraped metal by the lock. “Shit.” He closed his eyes and shook his head.

CHAPTER TEN

Beginnings, Montana

Paul had to often wonder if he was chosen for the job because he was a loner or because he was good at it. He debated on it being the latter because it seemed everyone had something to complain about every time he was the disk jockey at a Beginnings occasion. But if they didn’t complain, it wouldn’t be Beginnings. Hal seemed to like it though. He waltzed around with a certain cockiness to him, bobbing his head to the beat as he bounced around, talking to everyone.

Johnny smelled the perfume first as Bev sat next to him. “Go away.” He lifted his drink and not his eyes.

“Really Johnny, you should be nicer if you want me.” Bev trickled her fingers up his arm.

“Bev.” Johnny finally looked at her. “Now see, you act like you got this thing for me.”

“I do.”

“So uh . . . why were you hitting on Dean this afternoon?”

Bev went silent.

“He’s old,” Johnny commented.

“He’s the smartest man in Beginnings.”

“He’s with Ellen.”

“I hate Ellen.”

“So this going after Dean thing is a chick thing?”

“No, there’s a prestige in being with Dean.” Bev told him. “A woman can have more than one man in these times, Johnny. I want Dean too. I’ll get him.”

“See ya.” Johnny stood up.

“Johnny.” Bev grabbed his hand. “There are lots of men in this community that want me.”

Johnny grinned in a sneaky manner. He walked behind Bev and leaned to her, placing his lips near her ear and whispering. “But I know you’re game. You only want the ones that don’t want you. Wanna know why? We’re the only ones who really got it. Bye, Bev.” Johnny raised his eyebrows quickly, backed up, grabbed his drink, and walked away.

“Frank.” Jenny tilted her head and tucked her red hair as she talked to Hal. “Hal, do you remember me?”

“A little.”

“Because you’re looking at me like you remember me. Anyhow, Frank. Frank. What exactly is it that you want to know?”

“Tell me what I missed knowing about him. What was he like here?”

“Mean,” Jenny stated. “Rough. Loud.” Jenny whistled. “Boy, was he loud. But . . . you have to give it to him. Not all men can dangle from a rope on a flying helicopter, swing down, lift Ellen from the clutches of the SUTs, and carry her off into safety. All with one hand, mind you.”

“Frank did that.”

“And lots more.”

“Thanks, Jenny, for the story.”

“I have more.”

“Maybe another time. Thanks.” Hal moved on. He saw Dean holding a baby. “Dean?”

“Hi Hal.” Dean bounced Nick.

“Who’s kid?”

“Technically?” Dean snickered. “Sperm provided by Henry, but if you ask Frank, it’s his kid. I’m filling in for a while.”

Hal peeked at the baby. “He looks like Henry.”

“Certainly not Ellen.”

Hal’s views quickly moved to her. “Is this common practice in Beginnings to give birth to more than one man’s child?”

“No. It’s Ellen practice.” Dean told Hal. “But we’re all quite used to it by now.”

“Well. you’re getting married to her.” Hal ran his hand over Nick’s head. “I’m sure all of that will change.”

Dean snickered. “Sorry.” He snickered again. His eyes moved to the bar.

Hal checked out where Dean peered. He saw his brother Robbie in dancing with Ellen by the bar. “What is my brother doing?”

“Taking Frank’s place.”

“Excuse me.” Hal moved from Dean and to the bar. He tapped Robbie on the shoulder. “Little brother, can I speak to you?”

“Sure.” Robbie smiled. “Excuse me, El.” Robbie felt Hal’s pull. “Yes?”

“What are you doing?”

“Partying.”

“Ellen is getting married to Dean.”

“Yeah, so.”

“Should you be touching her like that?”

“Um . . . how else should I touch her?”

“Robbie, Dean has every right to get mad.”

Robbie laughed. “Why? He’s used to it. It’s not like El and I . . .” Robbie dropped his voice to a whisper. “Haven’t had sex.”

“You slept with Ellen?”

“Ask her how many times,” Robbie said smugly.

“What about Frank?”

“That would be incest. Kidding. Call it her family obligation.” Robbie saw the offended look Hal gave. “Lighten up Hal. God, I’m joking around with you. Exaggerating? Geez, you haven’t changed one bit. Get a grip. Loosen up. This is Beginnings.” Robbie swatted his brother’s arm and returned to the bar.

“I’m beginning to wonder if it’s Sodom and Gomorrah.”

“Did I hear a Bible reference?”

Hal turned to see Rev. Bob. “Sir?”

“Reverend Bob.” He shook Hal’s hand. “Nice to meet you. I hear you’re asking for Frank stories.”

“You have one?”

“Um ... no. I never liked him much.”

Hal blinked in shock to hear that coming from a man of the cloth.

“Never liked him much.” Jason blew smoke from his mouth as he grabbed his drink, talking to Hal. “Frank was the most arrogant person I knew. Loud too. I never had much tolerance for intellectually challenged individuals so you can say I never had much tolerance for Frank.”

Hal quietly slipped away.

His next stop wasn’t much better. He was warned, but he didn’t heed it. Joe stopped him before Hal approached Ellen and Henry, but Hal went anyhow.

“Oh that is so true,” Henry agreed cheerfully with Ellen. “And what about when he broke down that door and pulled me out of the flames. He brought me back to life.”

“And Hal,” Ellen commented, “Frank wanted no glory. Never does. He only wanted to get laid.” She snickered. “He was such the nick of time guy.”

“Dramatic about it too,” Henry added.

“If he could cut it any closer, he did,” Ellen went on.

“But he showed up, charged in, and saved the day.”

“Like the cavalry.” Ellen pointed to Hal. “Hey! That’s you. Are we boring you, Hal?”

“Um . . .” Hal was trying to catch up to who was saying what. Ellen and Henry talked so fast and so connected that his head spun. “No, go on.” Hal knew that was a mistake as soon as he said it.

“Henry, what about the explosion in the lab? Could he have cut it any closer?”

“I forgot about that. Isn’t that weird? He did cut it close, El. It ended tragically.”

“Yeah it did.”

“What explosion?” Hal asked.

“The one in the cryo -lab.” Ellen answered. “The floor dropped, Frank showed up, and pulled me out. But there was a second explosion.”

“Lucky for you,” Hal commented.

Henry agreed. “Yeah but not for Dean. He was killed.”

Hal looked at Dean. “Dean’s alive.”

“Yeah.” Ellen nodded.

“So he died and you were able to bring him back? He wasn’t injured that bad?” Hal asked.

Ellen shuddered. “Not injured bad? The back of his head was gone. He died all right and he was buried, out in the under developed section. It was sad, wasn’t it Henry?”

“Terrible, El. Terrible. So sad. You were bad.”

“I was out of it. God.”

“Wait.” Hal held up his hand. “I’m confused. How did Dean lose the back of his head and get buried and now he’s walking around? Are you people medically doing something weird.”

“No.” Ellen laughed. “We went back in time and stopped the explosion.”

“Actually,” Henry interjected, “we weren’t supposed to stop the explosion. We were only supposed to get Ellen out of there so she could get the vial with the antidote to save Joe, so he could get Frank, so Frank could save Dean. But Ellen blabbed it to herself.”

“I blabbed.” Ellen nodded.

“No explosion.”

“None.”

Hal’s head hurt from switching. “Time machine?”

“You don’t know?” Ellen asked. “Henry, he doesn’t know.”

“Oh my God, how could Joe not tell you?”

“A time machine.”

“Yes.” Henry nodded. “That’s how Robbie ended up here.”

“He came through the time machine?” Hal asked.

“No.” Henry snickered and nudged Ellen. “Robbie didn’t show up in time to come to Beginnings, so Frank went back in time to get information on the Society but he made a phone call and that made Robbie go to Ellen early.”

“And marry me,” Ellen finished the story.

“You were married to Robbie?” Hal was getting more lost.

“For about ten years,” Ellen said, “but I don’t remember it because it never really happened in my mind. It did in Henry’s mind though.”

“My mind,” Henry said. “See Frank hated the fact that Robbie was married to Ellen but loved the fact that Robbie was here. So, knowing he couldn’t stand being the town drunk or Ellen-less, we all went back in time and stopped him from making the phone call. He mailed a letter instead. Hence Robbie.”

“Hence Robbie.” Hal tossed his hands up. “I’m still confused. A time machine?”

“Henry, he doesn’t believe us,” Ellen said. “You don’t believe us. I know. Jason will show it to you. If it wasn’t for the time machine, we wouldn’t know about the upcoming plague that passed and we wouldn’t have brought back Dean and we probably would have all died.”

“Except for us, El,” Henry added. “We’re immune.”

“Yeah we are. What do you think, Hal?”

“I think I uh . . .” Hal pointed to the end of the bar. “I need a drink. Excuse me.”

Ellen giggled. “He’s cute, Henry.”

“And nice, El. He’s so receptive to our stories. We have to talk to him more often.”

“Oh we do.”

“I’ll be back. I want to get Jason to explain the time machine thing to Hal so he can make sense out of our story later.”

“Good idea. You do that.”

Henry walked toward Jason and Ellen, smiling, faced the bar. As she reached for her drink, she heard that annoying voice.

“For a woman who’s possessive about her man, you certainly leave him alone a lot,” Bev commented.

Ellen ignored her.

“I know you think I’m just trying to get to you but think again. Maybe one morning you should stop by the clinic and see why Dean really leaves for work that early.” Bev reached around Ellen, grabbed a bottle, and poured herself a drink. She giggled. “If you don’t believe me, how else do I know about that crooked appendix scar Dean has?”

As Ellen spun around, Bev walked away. Ellen eyes shifted to Dean across the room.

Joe saw it all as he approached a clueless Dean from behind. “Bev,” he whispered in Dean’s ear. “Perhaps we should suggest to Hal that he take her back to Bowman.”

“Perhaps we should tell her she’s going and drop her off somewhere.”

“Sounds kind of heartless of you, Dean.”

“Yeah well.” Dean turned and faced Joe. “If you think about it, it’s the compassionate thing to do. At least she has a chance at living. She keeps up her antics here, someone will end up stopping her.”

“O.K.” Joe laid a swift hand on Dean’s shoulder. “When’s that wedding of yours, Dean?”

“Five days. Why?”

“Just changing the subject.” Joe lifted Nick from Dean’s arms. “Let me steal him and take him to see Andrea.”

Dean felt empty as Joe snatched the baby and walked away quickly. Dean watched him take the baby to Andrea who handled the baby like only a grandmother could. Then Dean couldn’t help but notice Bev, walking and flaunting herself around. Dean wondered what she said to Ellen. He knew it had to be bad by the way Ellen kept flipping him off every time he looked at her. Knowing it couldn’t possibly be anything true, Dean shrugged it off and did what everyone else seemed to do, seek out Beginnings’ newest celebrate, Hal.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“Frank, you’re the best. Thanks,” Richie praised in a happy manner.

Frank tossed his burning cigarette on to the grass beyond his front door as they sat on the step. He coughed. “You’re welcome.”

“Wow, the CO’s secretary.” Richie swayed his head in amazement at the title Frank just gave him.

“We start at five tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll be there. Just tell me what you need me to do.”

“Work with me,” Frank told him. “Let me ask you this. How is you rapport with the men here?”

“Frank.” Richie snickered. “You know me. They love me. Love me.”

“Good, I’m gonna need that during training.”

“Gonna get rough?” Richie asked.

“Somewhat, yes.” Frank peered out into the emptiness of the night.

“It’s good to see ya, Frank. It really is,” Richie spoke seriously.

“It’s good to see you too, Richie.” Frank laid his hand on Richie’s back. “Real good.” Frank’s hand slid from Richie and he listened to Richie ramble about old times. Frank didn’t mind. He liked hearing the stories. He really did. And knowing he shouldn’t, Frank lit another cigarette, leaned back on the step, and enjoyed the familiar company.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

They sat on the living room floor of Ellen’s home like the old friends they were, in the late night, after the party was over. Hal on his side, legs extended with Ellen sitting Indian style across from him. They both had coffee mugs on the coffee table and pieces of Andrea’s brownies. They talked and had been for hours.

Hal reached for his coffee, stopped mid-sentence, and raised his eyes when Dean came from his office.

“Night, El.” Dean bent down to Ellen, ran his hand over her head, and kissed her. “Love you.”

“Dream of Bev.”

Dean grunted and walked to the bedroom.

“See, El.” Hal pointed. “This is what I don’t understand.”

“What do you mean?”

“You say you love Frank.”

“I do, more than life itself.”

“But you’re marrying Dean. It’s not natural.”

Ellen smiled. “Yeah, if you think about it, it is. See Dean and I have a relationship. We work as a couple. We click, though right now we’re clashing. But for the most part, we work out. Frank and me, we’re the best of friends and great lovers, but every single time we try to make a relationship work, we fail miserably. We make a better couple when we’re not a couple? Does that make sense?”

“No.”

“It shouldn’t. But bring him home for me, Hal, and you’ll see.”

“I’ll bring him home.”

“I believe that. I wish I could see Frank’s face when he sees you.”

“I’ll tell you all about it.”

“In great detail please,” Ellen said. “You are the writer.”

“Yes I am. Thanks for opening your home to me.”

“Hal, I am so glad you decided to stay here. I have a surprise.”

“You do.” Hal sat up when Ellen did. “What?”

“Be right back.” Ellen jumped up and went down the hall

Hal listened to her thumping feet as she ran, the opening of the door, and Dean’s voice

“El, the light.”

“Shut up, Dean.”

Hal shook his head and smiled when the door closed and Ellen thumped her way back. He looked up to her. “What do you have?”

“Ready?” Ellen looked as if she were up to something. “Check it out.” From behind her back she pulled out a movie. “The Hal movie.”

“The Horse Soldiers.” He stood up, reaching for the tape.

“Yep. Wanna watch?”

“I’d love to but, El, it’s late I don’t want to keep you up.”

“Hal, please.” Ellen took the tape from him and placed it in the player. “We can only use the television for movies anyhow.” She grabbed Hal’s hand and brought him to couch. They sat down. “Let’s see how many of the words we remember.”

With the light out, they slouched down comfortably, leaning towards each other in a way they had done many years before. Somehow the movie was a bit different to them as they viewed it with adult perception. But one thing was the same, the way they mumbled through the lines, saying the words with the actors, surprising themselves on how much they actually remembered of that movie.

^^^^

Though George hated riding the train from hell, he rode it back to Quantico feeling a lot different. The conductor’s blowing of the whistle irritated him less. His mood was up. He was confident, at ease. Even though things were going his way with Frank, he knew that within a couple weeks time, things would go even better. How could they not? He would have Dean.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

September 12

Binghamton, Alabama

“Officer on deck!” Richie called out in the still dark early morning as Frank approached the rows and rows of men who stood outside waiting.

They all stood at attention.

“At ease!” Frank spoke loudly. “Listen up! If you cannot hear me, I suggest you pay attention because I have a big mouth and I will not talk any louder than this.” Frank paced in front of them. “I am your new CO. Colonel Frank Slagel The training you are about to embark on will make you into what you need to be. I can be your best friend or I can be your worst enemy. It’s your choice. Over these next couple weeks of intense physical training, I will get to know each and every one of you personally. Make no bones about it, you’ll get used to seeing this mug.” Frank paused to fix the sloppily tucked in shirt of a soldier who stood in the front line. “You will not be training alone. The extreme physical parts that you will encounter will be totally understood by those higher in rank than you. They will do it before you do it.” Frank looked at the shocked looks on his ten man officer team. “How can we expect you to respect us when you’re doing all the work? Correct?” Frank finally stopped moving about. “What I make you do, I will do. There’s not a mile you will walk or run that I haven’t or won’t. It is your right, gentlemen, if I ask something of you, to ask me to show you that I know how to do it. But let’s get one thing straight. I will know how to do it and if I have to show you . . . you’ll pay for the show. Got that. Now . . . .for the next week or so, you shall resume your duties of putting this base in order. I will assign temporary squad leader positions to replace my officers until my officers have completed the training I require of them. As for now, enjoy your chow . . . dismissed.” Frank turned on heel and walked away.

Lt. Merrick saw the questionable glances given to him by the other officers. Telling them he’d handle it, he went after Frank. “Colonel Slagel.”

Frank stopped walking. “Yes.”

“You . . . you weren’t serious about making us train were you?”

“We went over this before, you and I. Why would I lie? Now I suggest you and your buddies over there chow down and change them clothes. It’s gonna be a hot day.” Frank smiled when he saw the irritated look on Lt. Merrick’s face. “Buck up.” Frank gave a swat to his arm. “It’ll be fun. Think of your training as an adventure at an amusement park.” Frank leaned down to him. “You’re about to enter Frank’s world.” With a shitty grin, Frank turned around and left a speechless Lt. Merrick.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Hal and Josh were both at the house so there was no reason that Ellen couldn’t leave. She walked across the streets of Beginnings. The sun wasn’t up fully, yet Dean had left the house twenty minutes earlier. Perhaps Ellen shouldn’t have let Bev’s words get to her but they stayed with her all night, seeped into her dreams, and went with her to the clinic. Why did Dean go to the clinic so early? Knowing that she probably was wrong, Ellen just needed to go to the clinic and see for herself, settle her mind once and for all. Taking a chance of Dean getting angry for her checking up on him, Ellen entered the quiet clinic and then walked into Dean’s lab. The counter light was on but no Dean. As she turned to leave she heard voices, muffled but close. Zooming her eyes to follow the sound, Ellen spotted the door to the back room. With folded arms she approached the closed door and placed her ear near to it. The voices came from there. “No,” she spoke out loud, grabbed the door handle and turned.

Ellen gasped. Her shock filled voice carried into the room, shocking Dean and Bev who were in there. On the floor, on a make-shift bed, Dean laid on top of Bev. He was shirtless and so was she. Ellen felt crushed and her hurt magnified in her voice. “You asshole.” Ellen slammed the door and walked out. She stopped mid -lab to catch her breath and to slow her fast beating heart.

“El.” Dean’s voice followed the opening of the door again.

Ellen started to leave.

“El, let me explain.” Dean was putting on his shirt as he chased her.

“Explain what?” Ellen spun and faced him. “I knew it.”

“Listen. It’s . . . it’s . . .” Dean ran his fingers through his hair.

“It’s what, Dean? Exactly as I thought?” Ellen tossed her hands in the air. “I feel like such a fool for even believing you. You lied to me, Dean. You lied to me.”

“Yeah so what, El!” Dean yelled back. “How many times have you lied to me? Huh? How’s it feel El? How does it feel.”

“How does this feel, Dean?” With a tightly closed fist, Ellen pulled back, gave it everything she had and delivered a hard blow to Dean’s gut.

Dean’s painful scream and a loud ‘thump’ woke Ellen from her deep dream filled state. She sat up straight in bed, breathing heavily.

“El, you hit me.” Dean looked so confused as he picked himself up from the floor. “God, what the hell were you dreaming about?” He rubbed his shoulder. “You scared me out of bed.”

“How could you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Cheat on me in my dream.”

“What?” Dean ran his hand down his face.

“I hate you.”

“El, you can’t possibly be mad at me over something you dreamt. El?” Dean watched Ellen lay down and pull the covers over her head. “You are.” He sat on the bed.

“Appendix scar.” Ellen said from beneath the covers.

“What?”

Ellen sat up and flung the covers off. She was calmer. “She knows about your appendix scar. She told me that tonight. I guess that’s why I’m mad.”

“How does she know that?”

“I don’t know but it’s driving me nuts.” Ellen laid back down. “Sorry I hit you.”

Dean slipped in bed and laid next to her. “Sorry I cheated on you in your dream. Was I enjoying it?”

“Dean.” Ellen shook her head. “Can you uh . . . do me a favor?

“What’s that?”

“Can you not go to work early today?”

Dean inched closer to her, softening his voice. “Can you give me a good reason to stay in bed that extra hour?” He kissed her.

Ellen laughed.

“What?”

“An hour?” She laughed again. “O.K. sure, Dean. Take your hour.”

Dean smirked. He’d show her. He ignored her insinuations that his lovemaking time would be short and he kissed her. He knew he’d take his hour one way or another even if it meant irritating Ellen with an exaggerated amount of foreplay.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

There was a certain snicker on Frank’s face as he watched the struggle of the ten officers, each of them trying to take that ten foot wall. So pitiful they looked to Frank as they made their mad dash run, ram into the wall, leap and miss for the edge, and fall to the ground.

“Gentlemen. This is not a mountain here. It’s a fuckin’ wall. What’s the problem?”

Lt. Merrick huffed angry and out of breath as he approached Frank. “It’s ten feet tall.”

“Yeah, so.” Frank placed his hands on his hips, looking down to Lt. Merrick. “What’s your point?”

“It’s not that easy lifting yourself over a ten foot wall.”

Frank laughed with a toss of his head.

“Colonel, if it’s so easy, you do it.”

The smile left Frank’s face. “You don’t think I can take that wall? What are you? Fuckin stupid? I’m six foot three.”

“Not with ease.” Lt. Merrick spoke with edge.

“You don’t think. Let me tell you something, little man. I can take the wall with ease. It’s nothing. And when I show you that, you’ll pay.” Frank walked by the arrogant lieutenant and to the group of men trying at the wall. “Back it up. All of you!” Frank waited until the cleared. He stepped back from the wall, not nearly as far as the others did. He looked at it, shook his head in a scoff, and took a two step run. On his third step, he leaped. His hands gripped to the edge and his boot connected center to the wall. Frank lifted himself up without a struggle and hurled himself over the top, landing on his feet on the other side.

“That is how that’s done.” Frank told the officers then looked so perturbed as he walked back to Lt. Merrick. “Now, what is your problem with that wall?” Frank lowered his face close to his. So red, his words so strong.

“Nothing.”

“Good. Now for being an asshole, drop down and give me fifty.”

“Fifty what?”

“Push -ups.”

Lt. Merrick looked at Frank as if Frank were ridiculous. “What, are you nuts? I can’t do fifty push -ups.”

“Then you will stay out here until you learn. And you will do a hundred.”

“You said fifty.”

“I changed my mind. Do it!” Frank pointed and back up. “Now!” He turned his back and walked to the other officers, smiling as he did so.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Johnny sat on one side of the clinic lab while Dean sat on the other. Johnny was engrossed with the microscope, Dean with papers yet they spoke as they worked.

“Johnny you have to get a move on with this Bev thing. If you can’t do it, let us know.”

“Patience, Dean. Patience. Man, you and my Pap. If you want things to turn out right you have to do them right. I’m doing it the right way. But, if you must know, it isn’t gonna make a difference right now. She wants your little body so watch out.”

Dean reviewed the paper he worked on. “Johnny, what do you know about my appendix scar.”

“What do you mean?”

“Did you know I have one?’

“Yes.” Johnny hid his snicker. “And it’s crooked.”

“Thank you.” Dean began to write . “John . . . ny.”

“Why are you writing my name down.”

“If you must know, I’m making a list of everyone that I know who knows about my crooked scar,” Dean answered.

“Why?”

“Because Bev said something about it to Ellen.”

“She . . .” Johnny smiled. “Dean, if you wouldn’t go around dropping your pants in front of Bev, she wouldn’t blab about that scar.”

“What!” With shock, Dean looked up.

Johnny started to laugh. “Sorry. El. I had to see his face.”

Dean turned around on his stool to see Ellen. “God, can he be like Frank.” He stood up. “Hey El.” He brought the paper with him and handed it to her. “Here.”

“What’s this?” Ellen reviewed it.

“A list of names of those who know about my crooked scar. See any of these people could have mentioned it.”

“Why is Josephine on this list? How does she know?”

“I told her about it when I took her appendix out. Remember? You were there. So, this is for you.”

“Thanks.” she handed the list back. “You ready?”

“For what?”

“Clean up. Remember? Joe said if we don’t clean up that cryo-lab, he’s condemning it. He was there checking our case. He said he was entirely grossed out and to get our asses down there now.”

“Oh.” Dean nodded. “He was in here bitching about something. I was busy. O.K., we’ll hide the stuff.” He laid his hand on Ellen’s back as he led her out. “Bye, Johnny.”

“Have fun. And if I see Bev . . .”

Dean was going to say something, but he let it go. He pulled the lab door closed as he stopped in the hall with Ellen. “Did Joe tell you?”

“Boy, did he ever. He went off for about ten minutes, especially about Peter and Bugs, the fused bunnies. I thought . . .”

“No, about why he was really down there.”

“No.” Ellen paused by the front doors. “Why?”

“Get this, to reprogram the keypad so it no longer takes a general security code. Someone tried to break into the Zappa case.”

“Oh my God, Dean. Who?”

“They think whoever it is that’s working for George.”

“Reverend Bob had that wound.”

“Yeah I know. I told Joe.”

“Will he check it out?”

“One of us.” Dean opened the door for Ellen. “We have to watch that case, El. That’s all our special work.”

“I know. No one can know what’s in there. Dean, if they did . . .”

“I don’t want to think about it. Let’s just get down there and clean up.” Shuddering at the thought, Dean placed his hand in Ellen’s and they quickly headed to the cryo-lab.

^^^^

It fascinated Hal. Sitting on the hood of the Jeep, he watched Frank’s men train in the security training area. With his feet rested on the bumper, Hal placed his elbows on his knees and ran his cupped hands under his chin as he watched. They did some sort of technique Hal wasn’t quite familiar with but he knew he’d find out soon when the clipboard appeared under his nose. Hal looked up to Dan who presented it.

“Thought you’d like to see our schedule.”

“I would.” Hal smiled and took it. “Thanks. So you’re running training?”

“For Robbie. This is just practice.”

“What exactly are they . . .” Hal’s speech slowed down. “. . . practicing.” He checked out the schedule. “Neck snapping technique 12?”

“Yes.” Dan explained. “It’s where you have your enemy on the ground and you use your foot to turn the chin at just the right angle. It has to be done quickly or it only causes a severe sprain.”

“Technique 12?”

“One of Frank’s favorites.”

“So Frank came up with this? If this is technique 12, exactly how many neck breaking techniques did my brother come up with?”

“I believe twenty-seven.”

Hal mouthed the words, ‘twenty-seven’ and turned his head to the side in shock.

“So how long are you watching?” Dan asked.

“Well I was going to stay, but I think I’ll come back up for this one here.” Hal pointed as he handed the schedule back to Dan. “It surprises me that Frank trains that.”

“Oh that’s a Robbie addition. He thought that would be . . . how did he put it? Neat?”

“So my little brother came up with the name.”

“Oh no.” Dan shook his head. “The name ‘learn with Mr. Kung Fu’ says it all. That’s a Danny Hoi thing. He teaches it. Hal, you picked a fun day to watch training. Frank always designated Thursdays as free for all days where the training is different.”

“Fun days,” Hal stated. He thought about the activity training for the day. Neck breaking. Kung Fu. Killing with an assault weapon without using a bullet. Disemboweled in one easy movement. When he reviewed the list in his mind, it was pretty clear to him. From what he learned of Frank lately, yes, his big brother would designate these things as ‘fun’.

^^^^

“Sorry I’m late.” Dean barreled into Joe’s office, stopping cold when he saw Henry behind Joe’s desk. “Henry, what are you doing there?”

“Joe said to sit here,” Henry answered.

Dean looked at Joe who sat in Henry’s spot. “Joe, doesn’t that bother you?”

“Yes, but sit down so we can do this thing. Did you clean up that pigsty?”

“You mean the lab?” Dean sat down. “Yeah, spic and span.”

Henry let out a long sigh. “Thanks for making him do that, Joe. Did you see that jar?”

“Yes, Henry, I saw it.”

Robbie snickered. “What jar? What’s in the jar?”

Henry looked so disgusted. “Those Siamese twin rabbits.”

“I thought they died,” Robbie said.

“They did,” Henry commented. “Dean has them in formaldehyde.”

“Cool.” Robbie nodded his head. “Can I see them Dean?”

“Sure,” with a shrug, Dean answered.

Joe felt less in control than when he sat behind the desk, but he didn’t sound it. “Can we please just do this? Thank you. Now, Reverend Bob is why we’re here. Henry, you spoke to Danny?”

“Yes, Joe.” Henry nodded. “He did give Rev. Bob a relic box and it was locked. However Danny couldn’t confirm where he had it.”

“Good.” Joe jotted down on his paper. “We have to find that box and check it out. If he struggled with the lock, there has to be signs of it.”

Robbie had a look of disagreement. “Yeah, but if he’s guilty, wouldn’t he cover his ass? I mean, I would.”

“You would,” Henry interjected.

“Shut up, Henry.” Robbie continued. “Anyhow, it’s not concrete enough to eliminate him as the one going after Dean’s things.”

“Here’s the question on my mind,” Henry stated. “Why is he going after Dean’s case? What can be so important in there that he would go after it?”

Joe knew the answer to that question. It was simple and he couldn’t share it with Henry. If it was George’s person going after the case, then George’s person was going after the virus that Dean threatened him with. “Embryos.” Joe spoke up. “No one but Dean knows where those damn embryos are. After speaking to Hal and finding out how George farms his population, I’m gonna say it’s the embryos.”

“Joe.” Henry looked astonished. “Oh my God, that is really good thinking.”

“I’m smart, Henry.” Joe grumbled. “Blood. Dean?”

“Huh . . .” Dean was still stuck on Joe’s last sarcastic comment. “Sorry. No blood at the lab. El and I checked. If Reverend Bob injured his hand at the lab we thought there would be some blood. It was bleeding pretty bad. But . . . nothing. Floor’s clean.”

“When?” Joe asked sarcastically. “When is that floor clean?”

“Joe, please,” Dean scoffed.

“No, Dean, I’m dead serious here. I’m terrified of what you two are doing in that lab. Files, our files are brought down there. Blood samples. You only let people in there when you need them to do something normal for you. And it smells Dean. What in Christ’s name is that smell down there?”

“Smell?” Dean was confused. “What smell is down there?”

“Rotten. Sulfur. Dean, you name it, it stinks.” Joe rambled.

“Oh.” Dean shrugged. “Sorry. I must be used to it. Can we get back to Reverend Bob?”

Joe grunted slightly. “All right. This recent incident has only told me we need to move. So we will. Henry, you have to lay low while this transition thing is happening but the rest of us don’t. I divided up our five suspects between the three of us. Bev, now we have Johnny working on her. I’ll keep working on Johnny and the little trailing reports I get on a daily basis will keep her on check for the investigation.” Joe saw Henry raise his hand. “Yes, Henry?”

“Who’s trailing her?”

“I’d rather not reveal that to anyone. I have three little spies around here. They help out. Cole, now, I can handle Cole and even though Henry is laying low, he can help. Henry, you need to befriend him especially since you’ll now be working closely to him.

“Aw Joe,” Henry whined. “He is such a pervert. I really don’t like him.”

“Tough. Be his pal. I’m definitely going to take Andrea. I’ll pay more attention to what she says, keep my eyes out. Talk to her, probe her . . . . Robert.” Joe scolded at Robbie’s snickering. “. . . and see what I can find out. Dean, you have Jason. Medically you have reasons to be around him. If you don’t, find them.”

“Got it,” Dean agreed. “I have a feeling if he has anything, it’s in his lab.”

“I have to say you’re right,” Joe stated. “So maybe some interest in the time machine may not be a bad idea . . . Robbie, Reverend Bob is your man. You concentrate on him, check him out.”

“Dad? Um, I can do that, but uh, what is my reason for getting close to him? All of you have reasons.”

Joe grinned. “You my boy, are thinking of turning a new leaf. A Christian leaf.”

“I’m what?” Robbie was nearly shocked from his chair. “How am I supposed to explain that?”

“You’re a bright boy. You’ll figure it out. And speaking of bright boys.” Joe stood up and laid the tablet on the desk. “You boys can finish up. I have to seek out my other son and save him from the clutches of the people in this community.” He moved to the door. “With him wandering around here, it’s actually frightening to think who can corner him.” Joe shuddered as he left.

^^^^

“Oh History can be fun and exciting,” Trish told Hal so upbeat. “This is where it all begins you know.”

“You don’t say.”

“I did say.”

“Tell me how do you stop people from deleting things or adding things that aren’t true?”

“It’s password protected and write protected. We change it daily, Joe and I. I, myself, place every single entry into the computer.”

“Is it just for records then?” Hal asked.

“No, we have a viewing computer too, where you can view history. Sometimes I’ll print it up. We have a book at the library.”

“Could I see the system?”

“Oh sure.”

“Thanks.” Hal grinned and waited. He watched Trish sit back down behind her desk. “What are you doing?”

“Setting you up an appointment.” She pulled out her purple appointment book. “When’s good for you?”

Hal was speechless. “I can’t see it now?”

“Oh, no. Everyone must have an appointment.” Trish flipped open the book. “How’s tomorrow at ten sound?”

“Um . . . good.” Hal watched her write his name down. “Efficient how you run this.”

“People get so perturbed with me because I make them schedule time.”

“I don’t understand why.” Hal was serious. “This is one place you can’t let get out of control. It could if it gets too crowded with people viewing history.”

“Oh thank you. Tell that to the next person that complains.” Trish looked up when the history door reopened. “And speaking of that person, you’re late Danny Hoi. I’m going to have to reschedule.”

Danny laughed at her. “Hey, Hal. Trish, what else do you have to do today?”

“Nothing.”

“Then you’ll meet with me.”

“You are so bossy.” Trish tsked. “Hal, Danny is starting the Beginnings’ Times.”

“No to be confused with dinosaurs,” Danny added. “A newspaper. Trish has to be involved because she is history. It’s a new way to keep track. Hey!” Danny snapped his finger. “Robbie gave me some of your short stories you wrote years ago. Would you be interested in being the Bowman Correspondent for our paper?”

“Really?” Hal was honored.

“Yeah,” Danny answered. “You’ll have to write something every day and you can radio it in to me or Trish. She’s my secretary.”

Trish shook her head. “Don’t ask me how I got roped into that. As if I’m not busy enough all day around here.”

Danny looked at the empty room and at Trish’s desk. The half eaten lunch, the cookies, and the books she was reading were all signs of how busy she was. He flipped open the history appointment book. “Gosh, you make me feel guilty for doing this to you, Trish. Anyway, Hal? Will you?”

“Yes, I’d love that. Not much exciting happens in Bowman.”

“Make it up,” Danny told him. “We won’t know.”

Hal snickered. “How about I just see what I can do.”

“Sounds good.” Danny shrugged. Trish sighed in disgust when the history door opened.

“God, can people stop coming in here?”

Joe gave a stern look to her then to his son. “Hal, can I steal you? There’s a few things I want to talk to you about.”

“Sure Dad.” Hal lifted his hand, waved to Danny and Trish, and left the office with Joe.

“Sorry you were in there with Trish for so long.”

“Trish?” Hal was surprised. “She’s a delightful woman, Dad. Really, you need to come to Bowman and see our women then you’ll truly appreciate what you have here.”

“You don’t say. Well, I don’t think you want me to meet these women of yours.”

“Why is that?” Hal asked.

“Because.” Joe explained. “If they’re like you describe, I won’t be as nice as you.”

On his father’s comment, Hal smiled.

^^^^

“So you see Reverend Bob.” Robbie spoke as he and the Reverend walked around the tiny park center town, no bigger than the first floor of a home. Yet they strolled on the small path like many others did, like it was a huge park. “With my new mom so religious. I wanna make a good impression.”

“I must say, Robbie, this surprises me. I’ve seen you at service twice.”

“Really?” Robbie was shocked. “I’m sure I was there more. You may not have seen me.”

“I doubt that.”

“Anyhow, I’ll be attend . . . attending service regularly. Maybe I can be your grown up altar boy.”

“This is non-denominational Robbie.”

“Oh.” Robbie paused to think. “Assistant.”

Reverend Bob stopped walking. “If you are really serious about this, stop by tonight and we’ll set up Bible meeting times.”

“For what?” Robbie asked.

“To get you to learn the Bible.”

“Oh I know the Bible well,” Robbie lied, “so we can skip over that.”

“No we can’t. No one can read or learn the Bible too much. You agree with that, don’t you?”

“Absolutely.” Robbie nodded, turned, and winced.

“Good.” Reverend Bob grabbed hold of Robbie’s arm. “I can use a ministry assistant. No one really has ever expressed interest in that since Reverend Thomas went bad. With the town growing and this new connection with your brother’s town, it’ll be great to teach you and have you aboard. Thanks, Robbie.”

“Yeah.” Robbie was stunned as Reverend Bob walked away. “Ministry assistant. What the hell is that?” He scratched his head.

^^^^

There was a nice number in containment. Eight with two who were ready to leave, one was in transition, and three who were too new to consider leaving. The last two were what Ellen called residents, off their rocker too much to mingle, yet non-violent. Equivalent to mental patients in the old world.

Ellen sat at her desk doing her daily ‘stupid’ reports, lying to get them done quicker because she just didn’t want to think. She kept dropping her pencil and rubbing her hand that burned, a result of an experiment spillage she and Dean had when they cleaned. She knew she’d have to tell Dean their equivalent to BEN GAY that they were working on, was just was to potent. Ellen swore she could feel it hitting her bone. Waiting for it to subside, hoping it would, she returned to her reports.

“Ellen!” A survivor named Moe burst into her office.

“What’s up.”

“That new guy, Jerry.”

“Jeremy,” Ellen corrected.

“Yeah, him. He’s choking really bad. He’s blue.”

Ellen’s chair flew to the floor as she sprang up from her seat, grabbed her radio, and followed Moe to the dining area right next door.

Jeremy was turning blue. He thrashed about in a panic, stumbling and nearly falling. Handing her radio to Moe, Ellen raced to Jeremy. His tossing arms connected with the side of Ellen’s face. It stung but with all her strength she tried to get behind him.

“Someone hold down his arms!” Ellen cried out, keeping her face close to Jeremy’s back as she wrapped her arms around his front, locking her wrists into his gut.

Two men interjected, grabbing hold of Jeremy.

“Moe, press channel . . .” Ellen brought her hands inward hard. “Two . ‘. that’s Mark out front.” Again, Ellen attempted the Heimlich maneuver. Nothing. “Tell him I need him.” With a grunt Ellen tried again. “What was he eating? Someone tell me.”

“A plum,” a man answered.

Ellen felt Jeremy’s legs weaken and the weight of his body fall into hers. Quickly she moved from behind him, grabbed hold of his arm as he fell to the floor. The force of his weight and fall brought her down with him. “Damn it.” Ellen felt for a pulse. She saw no movement. No signs of breathing.. She straddled over his thighs and placed her locked hand above his belly button. She applied pressure. Nothing again. “Moe, give me the radio.”

As Moe handed it over, Mark, the guard, barreled in.

How long had Dean and Henry been in Joe’s office? They had gone off the track about suspects and onto childhood stories, but they laughed a lot and the laugher stopped when Ellen’s panic call came over the radio.

“Dean. Dean, where are you?”

Dean fumbled with Henry’s radio that set on the desk. “Right here. What’s wrong?”

“I need you at the clinic. Andrea is taking care of an emergency and Jason is too far. I have a chocking victim, Dean. We’re running to the clinic now.”

Dean jumped from his seat. “What’s his condition?” He bolted to the door.

“He’s unconscious, cyanotic, and his pulse is nearly zilch. Shit. We’ve lost him”

There was static over the radio and both Dean and Henry fled from the office.

Jeremy’s body made a crashing sound as Robbie and Mark dropped him on the already waiting Gurney by the clinic door. Melissa stood by. Ellen’s hand stayed on Jeremy’s throat. “Melissa, any luck with Andrea?”

“No.” Melissa helped Ellen and Robbie wheel the cart. “She said a few more minutes.”

“He doesn’t have a few more minutes. Do you have a room prepped?”

“O.R. Two.” Melissa answered as they raced down the hall. “IV, surgical tray, trachea tube.”

“Robbie I need you to tell Dean I am in O.R. Two,” Ellen instructed as the hit the O.R. doors. “Tell him I need him as soon as he gets here.”

“Got it, El. Good luck.”

Ellen and Melissa crashed open the OR doors, pushing the cart toward the center.

“Melissa, we don’t have time for a transfer. Wipe down his neck and drape him. Then hook him up.” Ellen flew to the sink and washed up quickly. She shook the water from her hands and took no time to put on gloves. She grabbed the surgical tray in her run to the cart, sliding to a stop when she reached Jeremy.

“Ellen, there’s no pulse.” Melissa hooked up his heart monitor.

“Prepare for defibrillation and get me one CC of P.C.R.S.” Ellen grabbed the scalpel. “We’re going in.” Ellen’s hands probed Jeremy’s neck. “I can feel the plum pit. It’s lodged in there good.” Taking a deep breath Ellen felt for the criciod and thyroid cartridge and she made small incision below where she knew the pit was lodged. The blood of the incision seeped across her fingers. “Small clamp. I see it.” Ellen blind, laid the scalpel down and reached for another clamp. “Melissa, get the tube ready. This is lodged good.” Sweating some from nervousness, Ellen braced the small pit. “His trachea is swollen, shit.” She bit her bottom lip as she dislodged the pit and tossed it on the tray. Taking the tube from Melissa, Ellen placed it in the airway opening she made in Jeremy’s neck. “Were in. Let’s bring him back.” Ellen looked up to the clock. “Four minutes. Fuck it. Give me the P.C.R.S.” Ellen held out her hand and Melissa laid the readied syringe in it.

Out of breath, Dean raced into the clinic, he saw Robbie. “Which room?”

“O.R. Two.”

“Thanks.” Dean sped in that direction. His hair and coat flapping about, his tennis shoes making that squeak against the floor. Flush both his hands were upon the door as he flung it open, only to be greeted by the looks of Ellen and Melissa as they stood over Jeremy whose heart monitor beeped strongly. Both Melissa and Ellen showed signs of performing surgery neither of them were physically prepared for. Blood covered their clothing and their hands as they wound down the procedure.

Dean moved to the sink and washed up. He dried his hands and placed on gloves. He moved closely to the table, his eyes held a look of astonishment. “Ellen,” he spoke her name softly. “You did a cricothyroidotomy.”

Ellen looked frightened. She swallowed harshly. “I’m sorry, Dean. The pit was lodged. I couldn’t get it out with the Heimlich. I may have panicked but I don’t think I did any damage to his larynx.”

“He was dead, Dean. Dead,” Melissa spoke with some defensiveness to her tone. “Ellen saved him so don’t yell at her. She did good. His throat swelled up and it was really lodged. I saw.”

“No.” Dean closed his eyes and slightly smiled. “No.” He kissed Ellen. “My God, did you do well.”

“I did?”

“She did?”

“Yes.” Dean answered.

Both women looked at each other.

Dean reviewed what Ellen had done and how she finished up Jeremy. “I’m very proud of you. I am.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll just leave you to finish.”

“Dean,” Ellen called to him as he started to leave. “Where are you going?”

“This is your baby. You’re doing really well. Finish it up and start a chart.”

“Will you check him later?” Ellen asked. “What if I screwed up?”

Dean winked at her. “I doubt it, but Andrea or I will review. Find me when you’re done.” Dean opened the O.R. doors. “Ladies, good job.” He took off his gloves, tossed them in the trash, and left.

Ellen let out a loud ‘whew’ when Dean was gone. “I thought he was mad.”

“Me too,” Melissa said. “I mean, you cut into a person without a doctor here.”

“Tell me about it.”

“I wouldn’t have let you take the blame alone, Ellen.”

“Thanks.” Ellen smiled. “O.K., now that the nervousness is over, let’s finish him up. I think I need a drink.”

“You don’t drink anymore.”

“Then you’ll have one for me.”

Melissa nodded. “After this. You bet.”

^^^^

The contract was neatly handwritten. Joe expected no less from his son, Hal. Sitting at his desk, flipping through each anally laid out page of negotiation, Joe would peer up to his son who slumped in the chair across from him. “I cannot believe you wrote up a contract to present to Beginnings.”

“I told you I didn’t want to show that to you.”

Another flip of a page from Joe. “I can’t believe you wrote up a contract for Beginnings.”

“Dad. How was I supposed to know you were running the show?”

“A contract.” Joe closed his mouth and tilted his head. “I see it’s binding for two years and can be renegotiated at either party’s decision.”

“Dad.”

“Hal.” Joe laid down the contract. “Bottom line. You have the manpower and you can come up with the resources to provide and survive. But! You don’t want to expend your energy on it because you feel you should concentrate that energy elsewhere, like . . .” Joe bobbed his head in a nonchalant. “Getting back the country. Cleaning up the mess. Stopping the Society. And basically playing cowboys and Indians in a post-apocalyptic world. Correct?”

“Um . . . yes. With building of the forces to eventually make this country free again.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Joe waved his hand and put on his glasses. “Building your forces how?”

“Like I have been. Defectors, survivors, and we know how to make those Zombie type soldiers semi-normal again. We regiment them and retrain them. It takes about two weeks.”

“We can do that in about thirty seconds. How many you looking at getting?”

“As many as we can. As many as it takes to break the Society and clean up the animals like the savages.”

“In order to build forces like that, you have to feed them, cloth them, house them, etc.”

“I know.” Hal nodded. “I’ve been doing good.”

“But you can’t keep it up.”

“Not if I want to concentrate on my army, no.”

“As you know, Beginnings has the industrialization and farming capabilities to provide for more that can stay behind these walls. Right now we run it at a skeleton staff and it works. Providing for more people means I need more workers.”

“Just let me know.”

“I will,” Joe said. “I won’t take anymore than I need. Some times during the year it will be more than others. If the bulk of your people are sustaining the center line and keeping the Society as minimal over here as possible, then you got our gratitude and our help.”

“Thanks.”

“Now.”

“Uh-oh.”

Joe smiled. “No more father to son talking.”

“That was father to son talking?”

“All right smart ass. Leader to leader right here. Cards on the table.” Joe leaned into his desk. “By joining forces with Beginnings, you are saying you want to become a subsidiary of Beginnings. Correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then you shall be. But . . . just like in the old world, you may govern your little town under local law, but consequently you will have to be under Beginnings law.”

“So what you’re saying is I may run Bowman, but you run me?”

Joe sat back in his chair and smiled. “Or, you know, whoever the leader may be at the time.”

“We expected that,” Hal said. “When we discussed coming to Beginnings, we knew asking for help meant being part of Beginnings. If we didn’t want that, we wouldn’t have come to you. And Dad, you heading this place gives me that much more confidence in joining forces.”

“Thank you. Next.”

“There’s more?”

“Oh yes.” Joe smiled. “Not bad. Here’s an idea I want you to think about. O.K.? Our resident, Mr. ‘Everything’, Danny Hoi, brought something to my attention. Growth. This was before you came to me with this. Beginnings is a safe haven. We now have technology that safe guards us for miles. We spoke of eventually, with growth, of taking advantage of the small towns that are near to Beginnings. When we get too many here, we can fill the smaller towns, expand our tracking system, and link them together so we can protect anyone that resides outside these walls.”

“Little suburbs.”

“Exactly.”

“So . . .”

“So, if you are under Beginnings rule, then officially you are going to be in our best interest. Like those who live here, we will want nothing to happen to you. If Bowman sustains a major Society attack, how are you going to see it coming? Tower guards will work, but not for miles. What if you need an air strike to help you out? Could happen, we had that here. Four hundred soldiers stormed Beginnings a month ago. We took out eighty percent before they even reached within a mile of our gates. If this happens to you, what are you gonna do? You can radio us but by the time we get Robbie and our choppers there, it could be over and a blood bath. Hence a lot of our people, your people, are gone.”

“I know this.”

“Hal.” Joe was firm. “If we work together then we have to look out for each other’s best interest. I cannot do that when you are a hundred miles away.”

“You want us to move base.”

“Can you?”

“We could.” Hal rubbed his chin. “It would be a lot of work.”

“Yes it would,” Joe told him. “Sacrifice fifty men and put them to work on a small town before winter starts. You worry about the training and running your place. We’ll help your fifty men get things going there. Clean up, communication set up, housing, security, electricity, running water, everything. When it’s situated, then you come up. It won’t take long.”

“Can I pick the town?’

“Certainly. The move will be a lot of work, Hal, but it will be worth it. We can transport what you need easily and safely and you’ll be close enough, if need be, to retreat behind these walls.”

Hal nodded. “When I return, I’ll start preparations right away.”

“Good boy.” Joe took off his glasses. “And we don’t need a damn contract either.” He moved the paper back to Hal and extended his hand to his son. “Captain Slagel, Beginnings welcomes you and your people.”

Hal smiled as he firmly shook his father’s hand. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Now before you leave Beginnings, make sure you see Danny Hoi. He has a map of several areas he has already picked out.”

“He sound like he’s on the ball.”

“Oh he drive me insane. He told me his next civilization move is recreating television. Bet me the first show is the Danny Hoi show.” As they laughed about it, there was a light tap on Joe’s door. Joe looked up. “Come in Dean.”

Dean walked in. “Joe can I speak to you a second please?”

“Sure. Is there a problem?”

“You can say that.” Dean answered. “It’s with Ellen.”

Hal began to stand. “I should leave.”

“No.” Dean held out his hand. “It’s all right. Joe, Ellen’s been doing things lately. When the UWA soldier came in, she upped his antibiotic, changing everything. Twice last week she fiddled with batch formulas on specimens. Today she performed a cricothyroidotomy. In other words, we had a choking victim and she made an incision in his throat so he could breath.”

Joe let out a breath and ran his down his face. “Oh boy. She’s over stepping her boundaries. I’ll speak to her.”

“No, you’re getting me wrong, Joe,” Dean said.

Joe looked in surprise. “What?”

“Ellen . . . Ellen deserves more than a nurse’s recognition. We’ve blown her off. We made Andrea a doctor. Why? Because she had experience and knowledge. Well Ellen has it too and she has it in more ways than Andrea could ever have it. Ellen can cure things. Beat things. Work on virus and infection strains like no one I’ve seen. I’m leaving Beginnings, Joe. You know that. I don’t know for how long and if my research is going to be placed in the hands of any doctor while I’m gone, I want it to be the doctor that I know will work on it as well as I can. Ellen.”

Joe looked in such debate. “I hear you, Dean, but let’s look at this. All right. This is Ellen. Is she gonna do those reports? What about containment? I can’t lose her there. She’s the only one that does it that well.”

“Come on, Joe.” Dean spoke with some complaining. “She can still be in charge of containment, but she doesn’t have to be in there six to eight hours every day. How about three and the rest is spent in the lab working on our stuff because we have things that will need constantly attended. We aren’t working on the needs of the immediate. Hell, we are constantly working on the needs of the future plus stupid other chemical shit I have to mix up for this community.”

“O.K.” Joe held up his hands. “I’m not meaning to argue with you, Dean. I’m just bringing up arguments. We have you, Andrea, Jason, and Johnny in training.”

“Johnny is being trained to be an all around. Ellen will be more like me. More on the biological side with a few steady patients.”

“I understand. But what about when you come back?” Joe asked. “What then? Do we need five doctors in a town with not even two hundred people?”

“No,” Hal interjected. “But you no longer have two hundred people Dad. You now have close to seven. Remember? I’m sorry, maybe I’m over stepping my boundaries, but may I make a suggestion?”

Joe held out his hands. “Be my guest.”

“Thanks. We have a doctor in Bowman. One. He never had the schooling but experience and books taught him. We don’t have a research doctor like Dean. We don’t have anyone that can try different things on our people to help them, like antibiotics, anti-infectives. Well, what about with the town eventually moving closer? What about Ellen being the traveler?”

Dean snapped his finger. “Excellent idea. Joe, it’s excellent. Not that I like the idea of Ellen traveling back and forth, but it would be good for her and Bowman. I’m sure they don’t have the technology we have or the medications.”

“We don’t,” Hal said.

“Joe, we can have Ellen set their doctor up. She can teach him about our meds. She can be his link and his answers when he needs them. Because I’m gonna tell you, Joe, if there’s an infection, Andrea and Jason will shoot from the hip, upping the medication until it works. Ellen, she’ll examine it under a microscope, run it through the programs here that she knows, test it and pin point what they need. She can do that.”

Joe leaned back in his chair. “If I do this, when you get back, he has to break from her research with you and dedicate time to helping Bowman no matter where they are. They have more people than us. That will be her job.” He saw Dean nod in his agreement. “If I get agreement from council, she will be a research doctor only with minimal patient contact. She has zero bedside manner with anyone she knows. With strangers, she’s good.” Joe paused in silence. “I’ll get a hold of Andrea and Henry and get Jason to advice on this also. Can you be here in an hour?”

“Absolutely.” Dean smiled. He laid his hand on a sitting Hal’s shoulder. “Thanks for your input.”

“Hey, we need help in Bowman too. I’d like to have some security in the fact that we may not have to send our people here for everything.”

“Dean.” Joe spoke up. “Let me ask you this. You’ve never brought this up before. Ellen did once and you laughed. Why the change?”

“Honestly?” Dean spoke softly. “I’m proud of her, Joe. I looked at her today and I realized how proud I was of her and everything she learned. And I guess another part of me want to be secure in the fact that if this town loses one Dr. Hayes, it certainly will have another Dr. Hayes standing right by.”

Joe took in Dean’s words and to Joe, no more needed to be said.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Beginnings, Montana

Ellen didn’t hear Dean coming. She wouldn’t have. Unless Dean was running in the halls of the clinic, those high top canvas tennis shoes barely made a sound. It was evening. Perhaps Ellen was too engrossed in Jeremy who was still sedated following his surgery. She checked his IV and vitals then turned when she heard the clearing of a throat. “Hey.” She smiled and saw Dean standing in the door way, leaning on it in his usual ‘one hand in the front pocket of his jean’ stance.

“El.” Dean’s hand ran slowly through his hair. “It’s almost seven. You think you might want to come home.”

“I’m sorry. Didn’t Josh tell you. I had work to finish up at containment. In the cryo I started, well, the specimens on . . . you know and, I wanted to check him.”

“He told me.” Dean walked in and up to Ellen. He kissed her on the cheek. “I just came to get you. I thought we’d walk home together.”

“That would be nice.” Ellen grabbed Jeremy’s chart.

“How’s he doing?”

Ellen handed him the chart. “Good I guess. I bet he feels neglected. Me, Patrick and Melissa have been the only ones who have checked on him.”

Dean reviewed the chart. “I see you’ve been in here three times.”

“Yeah. Sorry. I figured with Cindy having the miscarriage complications, Andrea was wrapped up in that. Wasn’t that awful? She really wanted to have that baby.”

“Yeah it was. Tell me why he was given a sedation at one and then at six.”

“Um. Sorry. No one was around and he was agitated with the tube.” Ellen indicated to her own neck. “He kept touching it and seemed uncomfortable. I thought a mild sedation would help instead of having him cause more damage than I already did. Sorry.”

“Not a problem. Ready?” Dean closed the chart.

“Ready.”

Dean carried the chart as they left the room. He laid it at the nurses’ station and walked side by side with Ellen as they left the clinic.

Once outside, Ellen felt Dean’s hand slip into hers. She smiled, thinking how teenage and nice it was. It was a little bit chilly out, but a nice evening walk home.

Dean stopped with Ellen at the front door. He faced her. “How tired are you?”

“Why?”

“Curious.”

“Why?”

“Ellen.”

“Why?”

Dean smiled. “Forget it.” He laid his hand on her cheek and kissed her.

“I knew it.”

“What?”

“It was a sex question thing, wasn’t it? It was your way of . . .”

Dean’s hand covered her mouth and he opened the front door.

Ellen slid her hand from his as she stepped inside. Joe, Robbie, Andrea, Hal, and Henry were there along with all the kids. “What’s going on? What happened?”

Dean closed the door. “You can say a family dinner.”

“Oh.” Ellen giggled. “That’s what you meant outside. Dean that’s OK, My family can be here anytime. If I don’t want them to, I’ll tell them to leave. Hey, Joe.” Ellen walked up to him and kissed him on the cheek. As she went to step back, he grabbed her hand.

“Ellen.” Both of Joe’s hands held her. “I want you to know how proud I am of what you did today.”

“Thanks. What did I do?”

Joe rolled his eyes.

Andrea spoke up. “With the survivor. Saving him and performing the emergency surgery.”

“Oh.” Ellen nodded. “Thanks.”

Joe motioned his head to Hal and Hal stood from the couch.

“El” Hal said, “you know Beginnings is so lucky to have the medical technology it has. Bowman needs that. We have a doctor, but we can use the help. Another doctor, especially with our men that we send here.”

“Dean will be happy to help. Andrea’s great too.”

“Actually.” Hal scratched the bridge of his nose. “I was hoping you would tell me you would be able to make some trips here and there down to Bowman to help out and come down with me when I go home to get us set up with the meds and such.”

“Um.” Ellen shifted her eyes. “I’d be happy to but I’m not a doctor. I can help though. What about Jason? He really doesn’t do much around here except play with his time machine and help occasionally at containment and the clinic.”

“I would like you,” Hal said. “It would be great to have my ‘sister’ visit me.”

“O.K.” Ellen shrugged. “If Joe lets me. I have to warn you, my recent trips beyond the wall have been disastrous, so I may insist Robbie escort me.” She winked at Robbie. “He makes me feel safe. No offense to you, Hal.”

“None taken.”

Ellen went to turn back to Joe to ask if it was all right and was surprised when Dean neared her with a small wrapped box. “What’s this?” She tilted her head in question.

“For you.”

Ellen held it. “Why am I getting a gift? It’s not a anniversary.” She started to shake the tiny box that fit in her hand. “I wonder what . . .”

“Ellen!” Joe yelled. “Open the goddamn gift.”

Immediately Ellen unwrapped it and exposed the small velvet box. “I’ve seen this box before. Where?” She flipped open the lid. “Now I know.” She raised her eyes to Dean. “Your medical insignia pin. Why are you giving it to me?” She held it up. “It’s yours.”

Dean shook his head. “It’s yours. I want you to have it.”

“Like an engagement ring? Oh.” She smiled. “How original.”

Joe’s moan was the loudest. “Ellen, aren’t you getting what we’re saying or implying here.”

“Yes.” Ellen said. “We’re having an engagement party.”

Everyone tossed their hands up.

“Ellen.” Dean laid his hands on her shoulders. “You have been a nurse for a really long time. You have been my research assistant since we’ve got here. Lately over the past two years you have become my research partner. I have worked with doctors with so much education that didn’t know half as much as you.”

“Aw.” Ellen smiled. “That’s sweet. Isn’t he sweet? Thanks, Dean. That’s a hell of a compliment. Thanks. Is that why I got the pin?”

“Yes,” Dean answered. “Because none of us can give you the sheet of paper that says degree in medicine. That is the symbol that you have, in a sense, a Beginnings degree in medicine.”

“What . . .” Ellen was lost and afraid to assume what they meant until she saw Dean with a small name tag.

“When I would be on leave and intern for my father, he had this made up for me because, to him, I wasn’t supposed to be an officer in his clinic. I was supposed to be a doctor. Back then I thought how generic it looked. But now I’m glad it was, because you, Ellen, can wear it . . .well in at least five more days.” The short white name tag with the black letters was placed in Ellen’s hand. Two words were etched on it. ‘Dr. Hayes.’

“Oh my God.” Ellen grinned. “This is so great. You guys are acknowledging me as a doctor now. Oh my God.” She gripped the tag. “Oh wow.”

Though the moment was supposed to be a joyous one, Joe couldn’t let it lay without adding a little bit of Joe to it. “And you have to take this seriously, Ellen. I mean it. Not like that course I dished out four thousand dollars for so you could become an acupuncture specialist.”

Dean looked more shocked than anyone. “What?”

“Yeah, ask her,” Joe said. “She was twenty-three years old. She and Pete were just starting and didn’t have any money. She swore this is what she wanted to do instead of working for Doc Breyer. She cried because she could only get two thousand on a student loan so I forked up the rest. She went to this special school and dropped out after four months. She said it wasn’t what she thought it would be. What the hell did you do with all those needles anyhow, Ellen?”

“I have them.” Ellen stared at the name tag. “They’re put away.”

“Now Missy Jane.” Joe had an instructional tone to his voice. “Bowman is yours. You’ll make frequent trips there to help their doctor out. You’ll be in charge of any Bowman residents that end up here. They are yours. And . . . so is the survivor you saved. He’s your patient.”

“Really?” Ellen smiled. “And the UWA soldier? Does he become my patient too?”

“Yes,” Joe reluctantly answered.

“Oh boy.” Ellen looked at Dean and Andrea. “You do know my patients will think I’m the coolest.” She pinned the name tag on herself. “Look, I’m Dr. Hayes or will be when Dean and I get married. And I promise Joe, unlike the acupuncture, I will take this very serious. Besides, I don’t think Dean will let me not take it serious.”

“No, he won’t,” Joe said, “because if you screw up, it’s on him. He’s the one that brought this whole thing up in the first place.”

In such a shock, Ellen looked at Dean. “Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around him tightly. “Thank you.” She whispered jokingly in his ear, “You’ll just do anything this week to get laid, won’t you.”

“Oh yeah.” Dean kissed her and broke from the embrace. “Let’s eat.”

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

There must have been thirty files stacked upon Frank’s desk. A light burned on the desk top while he read from them with a lit cigarette dangling from his mouth. He knew it was late and he expected the intrusion, but somehow he expected it earlier. Perhaps Lt. Merrick waited until his muscles started to hurt before he came. But he did and he had attitude.

“This is not right.” His voice nearly blasted Frank after his entrance into the office.

Frank only raised his eyes. “I suggest you take that tone and leave this office.”

“From sun up this morning to sundown I have been doing nothing but . . .”

“I suggest.” Frank raised his voice more. “You take that tone and leave this office.”

“You’re not listening.”

Frank sprang up. His huge hands slammed on the desk with a thunderous crash. “And you are not listening. Do not come in here and talk to me like that. Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?”

“Someone that is not doing what they are supposed to be doing.”

Frank’s facial muscles tensed up. “I’m not going to tell you again. Leave the office before I throw you out. And be forewarned, I will not be gentle with you.” As Frank lowered himself into his chair, he watched Lt. Merrick walk to the door. “Another thing, Lieutenant. The UWA soldier interrogations that you have been handling, you aren’t handling them correctly. From now on you are relieved of that duty. I will handle them. No one but me.”

Lt. Merrick turned around. “Yet another thing you’re doing.” He had such anger in his voice. “Aside from running your staff into the ground, I heard what you were saying to the men about training. That is not the way I was told to train them.”

“Perhaps that is the reason these soldiers suck. Make no bones about it, soldier, this is my detail, my battalion and I will run it and train it as I see fit without any questions asked. Is that understood?”

“I’m letting the President know what you are up to.”

“You do that. You go right ahead and do that. Now, that will be all.”

“You don’t think I . . .”

“I said!” Frank blasted. “That will be all!”

The door slammed loudly when Lt. Merrick raged out. Frank calmed himself and picked up the cigarette that was burning away. He stared at the closed door and thought of what Lt. Merrick had said and he realized Lt. Merrick was a problem, one Frank would have to deal with as soon as possible.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

September 16

Binghamton. Alabama

Frank’s lit cigarette twirled as he tossed it while waiting for the guard on the building where the UWA soldiers were held. He walked down the long hallway to the end where they were. It was cold and damp and the darkness of the place seemed to make it worse.

“Keys.” Frank held his hand out to the soldier who guarded the door.

A little nervous, he handed them to Frank. “Sir, you should wait until we have more men here to go in there with you.”

“For what?” Frank asked.

“For your protection, sir.”

Frank nearly laughed. “I need no protection against these prisoners. You just watch the door.” Frank unlocked the door and handed the soldier the keys. He opened it, stepped inside, and pulled the door closed.

Tired, thin and looking bad, Link, Kyle, and Jeff looked up to Frank upon his entrance. Frank just stared at them.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Joe walked with Robbie towards the clinic. They moved at a brisk pace.

“Just make sure you keep track of anything you can find out.” Joe instructed Robbie as the neared the clinic. “No matter how minuscule.”

“I know that. We’re gonna meet every Thursday for a Bible study.”

Joe snickered. “Sorry. Do you need to borrow Andrea’s to brush up.”

“Dad, please, it’s the Bible. How hard can it be?” Robbie opened the clinic doors for his father. “What time is this wedding today?”

“Four. I’ll tell you, it couldn’t come at a worse time no matter how small it’s supposed to be. I move in two days and my house is a disaster. Thank God Jess is helping Andrea cook. I feel bad that it’s their wedding and we have to have the dinner there but . . .”

“They have the biggest house.”

“True. Why are you here at the clinic, Robbie?”

“Helping Ellen out. Dean’s testing her today on her stitching. See, how serious those two are taking it when they’re both working the day of their wedding?”

“It’s nothing new to them,” Joe said. “They’re just making it official for a while.”

“For a while is right.” Robbie stopped in front of the examining room where he was to meet Ellen.

“Well, I’ll leave you. I want to check that new guy. They’re releasing him to containment tomorrow. Have fun and don’t be late. It’s just our family there today and I’d like everyone to be there.”

Robbie gave a thumbs up, watched his father move down the hall, and then he knocked on the closed examining room door. “El.” He opened it. “Hey, baby, I’m all . . .” Robbie slowed his speech when Ellen turned around with a huge syringe. “ . . . yours. Shit.”

^^^^

Quantico Marine Headquarters

Stewart was a bit older then Jeremy, but was a face seen more often in the Society. Now he took Jeremy’s place as George’s right hand man. He stood as he watched George pace around the office, holding onto a phone. He watched George nod, smile, and then hang up.

George laid the phone on the desk. “Jeremy is still out of commission there. He’s being moved back to containment.”

“Even after he gets out, when will he have telephone access?”

George shrugged. “There are community phones. We’ll have to wait and see. If he needs to get a hold of me, he will. That’s why he’s there, to take chances I cannot have my inside person take.”

“Expendable?” Steward asked.

“If he needs to be. Yes and so are you for that matter.” George sat down at his desk. “Wedding goes off today. The switching of leaders is in transition. Concentration is on the joining of the UWA and Beginnings. However Hal leaves and we now know where they are located.”

“Are you thinking a full scale attack?”

George shook his head. “I can’t right now. Not with Ellen going back and forth to there. Anything happens to her all deals are gonna be off with Dean and he has something I don’t want to chance getting. Put it that way. And I want Dean.”

“So you no longer need the UWA prisoners in Binghamton.”

George shook his head. “We can dispose of them. I should be hearing from Frank late this afternoon when Marcus arrives there.”

“Why are you sending Marcus there? I thought you trusted Frank.”

“Marcus is searching for camp and farm sites for us. He was heading out that way anyhow. So I thought when they unload him and his Jeep outside of Binghamton, he could stop in for a few days and see how things are going with Frank.” George leaned back in his chair. “I trust Frank and my doctor. Dr. Morris assured me he has complete amnesia but it never hurts to have a little added insurance, does it? At least until I arrive back there in another week. And thinking about my reasons for hanging out there.” George reached for the phone. “I think I’ll call that reason now.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Henry huddled close to the wall with the phone wedged between his ear and shoulder. Leaning against the file cabinet, whispering, he would occasionally look over his shoulder to an irate Cole. “But Joe . . .”

“Handle it, Henry.”

“But Joe, he’s really . . .”

“Henry. Handle it. Make the decision.”

“Aw.” Henry whined then whined again when he heard Joe hang up.

Cole stood with folded arms, his fingers tapping. “Can’t make a decision on your own, Henry?”

Like he was six, Henry snapped back. “I’m not the real leader yet. So there.”

Cole rolled his eyes. “Can we discuss this?”

“Um . . . yeah. Let me take the leader seat.” Henry walked over to the desk and sat down. “Whoa.” He swiveled the chair. “I’m getting Joe vibes.”

“Henry, I have to . . .”

‘Shh.” Henry smiled. “I feel like Joe. O.K., go on.”

“What is this shit?” Cole slammed down a stack of papers.

“Um . . . looks like reqs.”

“For food.”

“Appears so.” Henry lifted them. “Is there a problem filling them?”

“Yeah.”

“We don’t have enough food to fill them?”

“No. Yes. Do you people even realize the chain of events you are causing with this order?”

Henry turned more serious. “Us people? Since when weren’t you part of us people?”

“Since when did we start feeding people that aren’t ours and people who don’t have to work for it?”

“I can recall last month throwing out a lot of food and dumping some on a savage camp. When did the savages start working for it?”

“You are missing my point.” Angrier, Cole stepped to Henry. “Agriculture doesn’t have the man power to farm what we have as it is. Now we have this order to ship down to Bowman in two days. In two days, I’ll have to pull it from distribution. We have to fill distribution back up, which mean rushing the food from preservation, and rushing more food to them to can. I don’t have the men to do this.”

“In two days, you will. Robbie is returning with about thirty men to start.”

“And I suppose they’ll just waltz right in our gates without going through containment. Without having . . .”

“Cole.” Henry’s voice was firm as he stood up. “About the only problem I want to hear come from your mouth right now is that we don’t have enough in our fields and greenhouses to refurbish preservation and distribution.”

“But what about those divisions? They may not . . .”

“They are not your divisions to worry about, are they?” Henry tilted his head. “Cole, does agriculture have ample growth to refurbish?”

“What about all these men I’ll have under me?”

“Cole!” Henry yelled. “I will ask you one more time. Does Agriculture have ample growth to refurbish?”

“Yes.”

“Then I suggest you prepare for your new men. Those orders for food are for when they arrive to help you collect it.” Henry picked up the requisitions and nearly tossed them at Cole. “Don’t go off on me again about shit you aren’t informed enough to argue about.”

Cole wrinkled the requisitions as he headed to the door. “These thirty new men, they’re bullshit. They get a free walk right through our doors. And I’ll tell you, Henry right now, I won’t treat them like I treat the men of Beginnings.”

“Cole.” Henry called out firmly. “You will treat them like the men of Beginnings because as of five days ago, they became the men of Beginnings. If I hear that you are being any other way to them, I take it as a sign that it’s far too much responsibility for you to handle and I will look for someone else to replace you as head of Agriculture.” Henry stared at Cole who said nothing. A few moments of angry glares exchanged between the two men and then Cole stormed out. On the slam of the door, Henry plopped down in the chair and let out a loud breath of relief. He then smiled and got excited. “Oh. I have to call Joe and tell him.” Giddy, he dialed the phone.

^^^^

In a rare occurrence, Dean was in the clinic lab alone, the blinds drawn, the door locked, and homemade note cards spread about the counter. He mumbled to himself as he read over them and he cursed at the intrusion of his thoughts when his private phone rang. “Damn it.” Dean picked it up. “Yeah.” He reached for his cards.

“Hello Dean.” George sounded cheerful.

Dean fumbled the phone and the cards. “George.”

“Just wanted to congratulate you on today and wish you good luck.”

Dean held tight to the phone. “You said you weren’t calling back until it was time.”

“It’s almost time and I’m almost convinced.”

“I’m not.”

“What?”

“It’s been over a week, George. I think I want proof that Frank’s alive or the deal is off.”

“I have my eye on your children.”

“Yeah and I have my eye on that weapon I made. Right now the only thing that will tip the scales in your favor is the fact that you have Frank. I want proof or I don’t walk from these gates. Understood?”

“Arrogance, Dean.”

“You’re the one who wants it, so deal with it. Proof George.” Dean took slow breaths to hide his nervousness and irritation.

“You’ll get your proof then I want no more threats or demands against me, you hear. Or the deal is off completely and you and I will be heading in to checkmate.” George took on a meaner tone. “A loss hurts a lot more when it hits close to home. Keep in mind no weapon will ever bring back what you can lose.”

The moment Dean heard the click of the line, he leaned to the counter to calm his racing heart. He knew he would have to be careful from now on. Without knowing who the person was working for George, Dean didn’t want to cut it so close that he’d end up cutting his own throat.

^^^^

“Ow El. Come on,” Robbie yelled loudly.

“Quit being such a baby.”

“You’re putting a needle in my skin. How do you want me to be?”

“Quiet. Now come on. It doesn’t hurt.”

“Uh . . . yeah it does. Put more of that numbing stuff on it.”

Ellen shook her head. “You know Frank never . . .”

“I’m not Frank. I don’t feed off of pain. Numb it.”

The door to the examining room opened and Dean walked in. “How’s it going?’

“Dean,” Robbie said his name in relief. “Is she done? Doesn’t she have to get married to you in a couple hours?”

“Yes she does. El, you’d better be going.” Dean walked over to examine Ellen’s work. “I can’t believe Robbie let you practice on him. Good job.”

Ellen looked up and smiled. “Thanks. See I told you I can stitch.”

“Whoa.” Dean peered closer “What happened to your leg, Robbie? How did you cut it?”

Robbie pointed to Ellen.

Dean’s eyes widened. “You cut his leg on purpose?”

“Well I was having trouble getting the real stitch effect.”

Dean looked to Robbie. “And you let her? Why in the world would you let her slice your leg?”

Robbie shrugged. “She promised me a blow job . . . ow.” Robbie jolted when Ellen jabbed him. “Kidding, Dean. I don’t know why. I didn’t think it would hurt this bad, that’s for sure.”

Dean shook his head with a whistle. “I don’t know about you two. El, I’m heading home, O.K.? Be on time for the wedding.”

“I’ll be on time.” She looked up and kissed Dean. “See you there.”

With a ‘hmm’ Dean moved to the door, waved, and left. He stepped in the hall and remembered what he had forgotten to tell them. He turned and walked back in. “Geez, I’m sorry. I knew there was another reason for me coming in here.” Dean closed the door. “George just called me.”

“Ow!” Robbie screamed in pain when Ellen’s hand slipped in surprise.

^^^^

He was communicating with Bowman. The radio broke up a little but Hal figured they would work the bugs out eventually. “So everything is going well?” Hal asked Sgt. Ryder.

“As well as they did yesterday. Getting ready to return?”

“Yes and I’m bringing someone.”

“You didn’t tell me this.”

“It was going to be a surprise. But . . . we have a doctor coming to help Blue set up.”

“Really?” Sgt. Ryder sounded impressed. “With medications and things?”

“Yes.”

“I look forward to meeting him.”

“Her.”

“Excuse me?” Sgt. Ryder asked.

“Her. The doctor is a woman.”

“Shall I alert Grace she will be having a houseguest?”

“No way.” Hal spoke up. “She’s staying with me.”

“With you, Captain?”

“Yeah with me. Seems . . . my father had more than my brother to surprise me with. I’ve known this woman for nearly forever. We were quite close.”

There was a slight snicker of surprise that came from Sgt. Ryder. “You sound as if you like this woman.”

“Oh she’s great. So much different than ours. Elliott, the moment we saw each other, we embraced, a very warm embrace.”

“You’re kidding?”

“No, really I’m not. Wait until you meet her.”

“I . . . I can’t wait.” Sgt. Ryder was stunned. “And wait until I tell the men that the Captain is returning with a woman, one he’s involved with and likes.”

Hal paused in silence before correcting Sgt. Ryder. “Yes, I certainly will be envied, won’t I? Well, I must go. I have a wedding to attend.”

“A wedding.”

“Yes, they have them quite often here, but I’ll tell you all about that when I get home. Keep me posted of anything you hear.”

“I will, sir. See you in a few days.”

“Goodbye, Elliott.” Hal ended the radio call and grinned as he still held on to it. More than the thought of the men being envious of him once they saw that Ellen was nice, he grinned at the thought of Ellen and Grace’s first meeting. And that thought actually made him snicker.

^^^^

It was a summer dress, or at least summer material. It was thin, lose in some places, tight in others. The sleeves were short with just a hint of feminine trim. So old fashioned it looked, so much like the dress Ellen had found at the Anderson Farm, yet Ellen wore it. Jess added the final hem in his bedroom, kneeling at Ellen’s feet, tucking and stitching at the dress that came nearly to Ellen’s ankles. Ellen knew as she stared at her reflection in the mirror, her hair down simply, and the dress looking so nice, that there were two things that told her Trish didn’t make the dress like she claimed to have. One, the general tailoring of the dress and two, the Sears and Roebuck tag in the back.

“I’m too dressed up. Am I too dressed up?” Ellen asked Jess nervously.

“No.” Jess spoke with the needle in his mouth.

“I think I am. You would tell me no just so I won’t talk.”

“Ellen, hold still.”

“I’ll ask Robbie.” Ellen raised her voice. “Robbie!”

“Ellen.” Jess flicked her leg.

“Ow.”

“He’s taking a shower and painfully too. You jabbed him pretty hard today.”

“Well Dean gave me a damn heart attack. He so calmly says George called. You know George said he was calling back when it was time for Dean to leave.”

“So you thought it meant Dean was leaving?” Jess asked.

“Wouldn’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“I’m too dressed up.” Ellen shook her head. “It’s a small ceremony in a field with just my family. Do you think Dean is getting dressed up.”

“He may be.” Jess stitched. “Hold still.”

“He can’t be. Come to think about it, about as dressed up as he gets are those tan pants he has.”

“With a nice shirt and tie, that’s dressed up.”

“You have such a fashion sense. You know your uniform is never wrinkled,” Ellen commented. “I noticed that. I’m too dressed up. I’m putting jeans on . . . ow.” Ellen felt the slight pinch of the needle. “Why did you do that?”

“You are not putting jeans on, damn it. You’re the bride. Now let me finish this hem.”

“O.K., O.K., but I know I’m too dressed up.”

“Ellen. Quiet.”

“All right I . . .” Ellen stopped talking when Robbie walked in the bedroom. He wore a towel around his waist and neck. “Is that how you’re dressing for the wedding?”

Robbie snickered as he rubbed his hair dry. “Better than you. At least I’m not all dressed up.”

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“What the fuck is this shit?” Frank held what looked like a short leather strip. He brought it to his nose and sniffed it, making a curled up face and an outward breath of disgust. He checked the flexibility of the supposedly edible object and it wouldn’t bend. After sniffing it once more, Frank tapped it on the surface of his desk, then he tapped it again. He laughed at the durability of the food and smacked it on the desk as hard as he could. There was a crack and the top piece of the food flew up. Frank lifted the piece he held in his hand then looked down to his desk with a snicker when he saw the small nick in the wood surface. Still laughing in amusement at the damage he did, Frank looked up to the knocking on the door.. “Yeah.”

“Frank, I mean Colonel.” Richie walked in.

“Richie, what the hell is . . .” The food dropped from Frank’s hand when he saw the black man walk in, wearing a grey suit and tie, none-the-less. “Who are you?”

“Marcus Hunter,” he spoke with arrogance as he walked to Frank. “Peace ambassador for the Society. You don’t remember me?”

“Should I? I have amnesia you know.” Frank pointed to his own temple. “What can I do for you Mr. . . .”

“Hunter. I’m told I can rest up here a few days before continuing on my journeys. I’m also going to observe how things are going while I’m here.”

“Observe?” Frank nodded with a closed mouth. “O.K.” He sat down in his chair. He then noticed Marcus staring. “Yes?”

“Are you going to show me to my quarters?”

“Me personally? No. Richie?”

“I’ll take care of it, Colonel.” Richie walked to the door.

“Thanks,” Frank said

“This way, Mr. Hunter.” Richie held the door open for Marcus and followed him out.

Frank rocked back in forth in his chair. He picked the food back up and fiddled with it. “Maybe I should have offered him something to eat.” Frank snickered at his bad joke, rocked in his chair, and went back to amusing himself with that piece of brown food.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“Andrea!” Joe yelled from his cluttered and box filled bedroom. “Where in Christ’s name are my silver cufflinks? I’m flapping like a goddamn bird here with these sleeves!” He flipped open a box and grumbled.

“Blasphemy, Joe. Not in my home.” Andrea scolded as she walked in wearing a bright peach flowered dress and a wide, wide brim sun hat to match.”

“My house and what the hell are you wearing?” Joe stared at her.

“Benjamin from fabrics made this outfit for me.”

“Figures,” Joe grumbled.

“Joe, this is the first opportunity I have had to wear it.” She touched the rim of her hat. “You don’t like?”

“No. Where in the hell are my . . .” Joe saw the saddened look on Andrea’s face. “Christ. You look lovely, Andrea.”

“Thank you.” She smiled.

“Now where in the hell are my cufflinks? Damn wedding. Of all days and my shit is packed.”

“Here.” Andrea pushed him a box. “Dresser stuff. Try there and lose the attitude, mister.” She pointed her finger and walked to the door. “And hurry. We’re waiting. Denny is complaining about his hair. I’m afraid he’ll mess it up.”

Joe only raised his eyes when Andrea walked out. “Probably has the kid’s hair parted like a damn nerd and . . .” Joe moaned again as he rummaged through the box, pulling out a book. “This isn’t dresser stuff. The stupid hat is strangling her brain. Can’t she look inside the box before she writes . . .” Joe stopped when the folded piece of paper fell from the book he held. He wouldn’t have paid any attention to it had it not opened slightly and exposed a name. Looking to the door, then to the tri-folded paper, Joe opened it. It was Beginnings paper, the stuff they started making four years earlier. If possible, Joe’s face became more stern as he read it silently to himself. ‘Andrea, I am not a word person. I never was. I do better when I write what I feel and I just wanted to write you this letter. It’s going to be difficult for me at first to adjust, but know that I will get through as long as we can still remain friends. I commend your commitment to Miguel and wish the both of you all the luck in the world. I wish your decision could have been with me. I will always remember our time together and you will always hold a special place in my heart. Love always . . . George.’

Joe read the letter one more time, closed the flap on the box, folded the letter, placed it in his pocket, and then continued to search out his cufflinks.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Frank stared with no emotion at the phone that was extended down to him courtesy of Marcus. Frank took it, spun his chair, and allowed for Marcus to only stare at his back. “Yeah.”

“Lt. Merrick has disappeared?” George asked with surprise.

Frank fluttered his lips. “How do you like that? I’m not wasting much more man power on searching for him, that’s for sure. He left in the middle of the night, one of my staff said.”

“Yes, as you know, we have problems with defectors.”

“Assholes.”

“So, I see you met Marcus.”

Frank turned his chair, looked at Marcus, then turned away. “Yeah.”

“How is he?”

“An asshole.”

George laughed. “I don’t like him much either. Three things, Frank.”

“Shoot.”

“One, take care of him and issue him three or four guards to accompany him on his camp site search. Two, I need you to do something for me tonight. Got a pen?”

“Yep.” Frank reached and fumbled for one.

“Write down this number. 916-4556.”

Frank wrote it down and stared at it. “Who am I calling?”

“Seems we need to let these people of Beginnings know that they didn’t kill you. A little mind game. I want you to do it this evening. Call that number. When the man answers, you tell him that you just wanted to warn him that you were alive.”

“Sounds stupid,” Frank commented.

“Humor me. Marcus will be there when you call if you run into any problems.”

“What’s the third thing?”

“The UWA soldiers. They no longer are needed. Have them killed. The sooner the better.”

Frank was silent for a moment as he turned his chair once more and looked at Marcus. “I’ll take care of it personally.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Joe looked at his watch as he stood in Robbie’s living room and then looked up the steps. “Ellen, for crying out loud. It’s four ten. Move it!”

With a running thump, Ellen flew down the steps. “Sorry. I was changing.”

Joe looked at the dress she wore. “You had that on when I got here twenty-five minutes ago.”

“Yeah, I changed it and put it back on. Then changed it, tried something . . .”

“Ellen.”

“Yeah.”

“Your wedding?”

“Yes, my wedding,” Ellen said nervously.

Joe opened the door for her. “After you. Good thing I radioed Dean and told him you were running late.”

“Is he mad?”

“Yep.”

“Shit.”

“Go.” Joe pointed to the Jeep and pulled the door closed.

“You look very nice, Joe, cufflinks and everything.”

“Yeah.” Joe looked at the silver cufflinks. “Had quite the informative time looking for them too.”

“Huh?” Ellen was lost.

“Get in the Jeep. And why are you so dressed up anyhow?”

Ellen tossed her hands up as she climbed in.

“Christ.” Joe stopped the Jeep as they hit the spot a mile out in the under developed section. “What the hell is this shit?”

“Joe.” Ellen stepped from the Jeep. It looked as if every person in Beginnings was there. “It was supposed to be just our family.”

“Yeah, well, you know the people in this town. They look for any excuse not to work.”

“Oh my God.” Ellen was breathless. There were so many people standing there she couldn’t see Dean despite the small opening path that divided them.

“You ready?”

“I think. Yes. Shit. This wasn’t supposed to be like this. Now I’m nervous.”

Joe smiled at her and lifted his hand in a signal wave to Robbie.

The words ‘she’s here’ went through Dean and shook his stomach so hard he thought he lost that internal organ. He lifted himself from the seat on the ground he had as Reverend Bob informed him that Ellen had arrived and was ready.

Dean took a deep breath and walked with Rev. Bob. He saw Paul sitting with the guitar where Rev. Bob was going to stand. He wasn’t supposed to be there. None of the massive amounts of people were supposed to be there. Simple, short and quiet. “Rev. Bob.” Dean whispered as he walked. “This wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

Rev. Bob simply smiled and took his place with Dean on his left.

Fixing the grey tie he wore, that Robbie lent him, Dean nervously ran his hand over his crisp white shirt that Jess ironed for him, placed his hands in the pockets of the black pants Danny lent him, and turned around to face where he knew Ellen would walk up.

Paul’s guitar picking of the simple bridal march--his own rendition--made Dean’s stomach flutter but not as much as when he saw Ellen walking up the pathway, holding on to Joe’s arm. Ellen waved with a smile to him and Dean’s heart pounded so strong. He lost his breath momentarily and cleared his throat in his nervousness. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. The cool breeze that swept through the field wisped Ellen’s dress and hair just a little but enough to make the whole entire vision that Dean took in almost dream like. The moment was too good to be true, too long awaited, and Dean hinged in fear of the second he would wake up and it would be gone.

But the music kept playing, Dean kept watching, and Ellen and Joe drew nearer.

Joe laid his hand with a father’s pat onto Ellen’s as it gripped tighter to his white shirt. He leaned his head to her the closer they walked to the front. “It’s Dean. Come on. Calm down.”

“This is real. It didn’t seem real until this moment. I’m marrying Dean.”

“Yep. This is as real as it gets.” Joe stopped walking with Ellen when they reached Dean. He looked to Dean, one eyebrow raised a little and a quirky smile hit him. “First time I really give her away, Dean.” Joe winked. “Don’t make me kick your ass if you do her wrong.”

Dean’s head dropped with a smile.

Before Joe handed Ellen over, he faced her. His left hand laid on her face and Joe pressed his lips firmly to her check. “Love you,” he whispered.

“Love you too.” Ellen touched his hand and Joe stepped back.

Joe took his place next to Andrea, looked at her hat, and stepped a few inches from her.

“Hey.” Ellen smiled at Dean.

“Hey.” He whispered back then motioned his head to everyone behind him. “What is up with this?”

“I don’t know.” Ellen shook her head. “It’s not supposed to be like this.”

“I’m nervous.”

“Me too.”

“Can we begin?” Rev. Bob asked with a snicker to his voice.

“Sorry,” Ellen said with embarrassment.

“Sorry.”

Rev. Bob opened his Bible. “Can I ask our two witnesses to step forward?”

Robbie moved close to Dean’s side and Jenny stepped forward to Ellen’s. At the sound of a small sob, at the same time, Ellen Dean, Robbie and Rev. Bob all looked to Jenny.

“Sorry.” She dabbed her eye. “Sorry. I need a hanky.” She faced the crowd and whispered loudly “Who has a hanky!”

Andrea, holding her hat, did a feminine run to the front, handed Jenny a handkerchief, and stepped back.

Rev. Bob waited until he saw all were situated. “We’ll begin.”

Ellen swallowed and felt Dean search out her hand. They joined fingers and locked them. So tightly his hand held hers. “You look very handsome.”

Dean smiled. “Thanks.”

Rev. Bob peered once at his Bible then looked back up. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude” Rev. Bob smiled at both of them. “We’re gathered here . . .” He paused when Jenny sobbed again. “Are you all right?”

Jenny nodded with a whimper. “That was beautiful.”

“Back to where I was.” He cleared his throat. “We’re gathered here today, amongst God’s green earth, to celebrate the greatest gift God has given us, the gift of love and expression through marriage. I’ve given them an assignment. I asked them to write their own vows today. Ellen?”

“Oh God,” she gasped in nervousness. “Sorry Reverend.” With another deep breath she faced Dean. “Here I go . . . Thank you for this. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. This step that we’re taking is . . .it tells me something. It tells me you have faith in me, which makes me feel good, Dean, because I have this humongous amount of faith in you. I want you to know that I promise, as your wife, to stand by you. I’ll love you and try my hardest with you because you’re worth it. I truly believe that I couldn’t face tomorrow if I didn’t have you there. I know this from our past. And Dean, I’m not letting you go this time.”

Dean kissed Ellen, ran his hands though his hair, and waited for the ‘go ahead’ nod from Reverend Bob. “The road’s been long, El.” He let out a loud breath. “Really long, but we made it and I’m still waiting for someone to jump out and say. ‘Hey, we’re kidding you’.” He paused in his nervousness. “El, I can’t stand here and tell you what my heart feels because I’d be standing here forever. Just know, from this moment on, I will do my best not to let you down. And I’ll stand beside you too . . .” Dean closed his eyes. “I am so grateful to God for this day. You can’t even imagine how grateful I am. I’m . . . grateful for you.”

A soft smile came across Ellen’s face and she kissed Dean. “Thank you.”

“You too.” He winked.

Rev. Bob motioned his head to Jenny then to Robbie. He held out his hand and both of them laid the thin gold bands in his palm. “Ellen, just like I told you.”

Ellen took the larger band and took Dean’s hand. “With this ring, I thee wed.” She slipped it on his finger. “I take you as my husband.”

His steady hands trembled as Dean lifted the band and took Ellen’s hand. “El, with this ring, Dean’s voice cracked a little as he placed the ring on her. “I take you, El, as my wife.” He lifted her hand, ran his thumb over the band, and gently laid his lips to her fingers.

Reverend Bob watched their joined hands. “We have witnessed the vows spoken and the exchanging of rings. Now with the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife . . . You may kiss your bride.”

A quiver took over Dean’s top lip as he leaned down to Ellen, laying his left hand that sported the wedding band upon her cheek. So rapidly, so strongly his heart beat as he kissed her softly, then kissed her again. Pulling away slowly, they embraced.

Reverend Bob extended out his arms as Dean and Ellen ended their hold. He laid his hand on their shoulders and guided them to turn and face the people of Beginnings. “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Ladies and Gentlemen of Beginnings, may I proudly present to you, Mr. and Mrs. . . . Dean Michael Hayes.”

Dean and Ellen blushed some and smiled as they faced those who greeted them with applause, whistles, and cheers. The awaited union had taken place. Finally and for real . . . Dean and Ellen were married.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Binghamton, Alabama

Link, Kyle, and Jeff moved slowly because their feet were in shackles and they were linked together like a chain gang as they moved passed the gate guard and out into the deep wooded area.

“Keep moving,” Frank ordered as he stayed behind them. “Go. Go. Move. That’s it.”

The gate guard watched until he no longer saw Frank and the UWA soldiers. He turned to the soldier who held the post with him. “Are you sure one of us shouldn’t go with the Colonel.”

“Positive,” the other soldier responded.

“He’ll be all right out there with them?”

“They’re chained together. The Colonel will be fine.” At that moment, three shots, all two seconds apart rang out. “See what I mean?”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Dean’s hand intercepted the glass of wine that Robbie poured and passed to Ellen. “Don’t be getting her drunk. I made need to use that tool later.” He quickly kissed Ellen and took the glass of wine elsewhere. He looked around at the massive amount of Slagels and Slagel extensions that were still in his home. It was his wedding night and he couldn’t determine if it was his imagination or if it was taking the Slagels and everyone else too long to leave his house.

The hitting against his leg by Joey, who had way too much sugar, spun Dean in the direction of what he thought might be a solution to one of his problems for the night. Henry. Dean moved to him. “Hey Henry.”

“Dean, did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“I yelled at Cole today, deepened my voice and everything. I sounded so leader like.”

“That’s good, Henry. I’m proud of you. Henry . . . I have this really special evening planned tonight.”

“I would expect as much, Dean.” Henry leaned down to him. “It’s your wedding night.”

“Yeah. But Joe’s house is a disaster and he can’t take the kids. Any chance I can get you to take your son with you tonight?”

“Oh I’d love to . . .”

Dean smiled.

“But I can’t.”

“Henry, he’s your son.”

“You took him, Dean, and . . . I have to be up and in Mechanics by four.”

“Henry, come on. It’s my wedding night.”

“Yeah I know.” Henry grinned. “Excuse me.”

Dean tossed his hand up. He almost felt as if there were some secret plan to hinder any quality wedding night time he and Ellen could get. Joe couldn’t take the kids because of his cluttered home. Jenny was too busy doing something she couldn’t say. Dean’s house was still full as it hit nearly nine. Henry wouldn’t take his own son. Robbie kept insisting on getting Ellen drunk. It was a good thing for Dean that Billy kept yelling at Robbie. There had to be a person that wasn’t against him and there was. Dean walked over to Danny.

“Hey, Dean,” Danny spoke up before Dean could. “I need to know if your chemically superior mind can come up with something I need for a new invention I’m creating.”

“I don’t know. What?”

“Check this out. Your wedding night made me think of this.”

“Oh no.”

“No, no, this is good.” Danny grinned. “Let’s bring back candy panties.”

Dean choked on the surprising laughter that came from him. “Candy panties? Why do we need those?”

“Novelty. Come on, Dean. I’ll name them after you. Of course ‘Dean’s candy panties’ doesn’t sound as cool as ‘Danny’s candy panties’. Does it?”

“No.”

“See.”

“Danny, I have a favor to ask you. What’s the odds of you taking my kids tonight for me?”

“Actual odds or vicinity odds?”

“Any odds,” Dean said.

“Slim to none. Dean that’s five kids.”

“Four. Josh is staying with Denny.”

“Four kids?” Danny whistled. “I don’t know. It’ll cost you.”

“I’ll pay.”

“Here’s the rate. One kid, you sign a small favor slip. Two, a medium one. Three, a big one and all four will cost you a huge favor slip.”

Dean thought about it and considered his worst two. “O.K., I’ll go with the medium favor slip.”

“Dean, Dean, it’s your wedding night. You sure you don’t want to get rid of them all?”

“Positive. I’ll keep the older two.”

“O.K.” Danny shrugged and reached into his back pocket. He pulled out a homemade tablet and pen. He circled the word ‘medium’ and handed the sheet to Dean. “Sign please.”

Dean took the pen, shook his head, and signed the favor slip. “You have this down to a science now don’t you.”

“Hell yeah. If you change your mind, let me know.”

Dean handed the favor slip and pen back. “I won’t. Thanks.” There was a certain amount of relief for Dean knowing that Joey, the hyper child, and Nick, the crying child, would not be an intrusion on his night. He looked over at Ellen who sat on the couch talking to Hal and Robbie. He looked at the two children he knew would be staying home. Alexandra snuggled close to Ellen on the couch and Billy sat on the floor, a book was on the coffee table in front of him. The two calm children. Dean smiled. His wedding night wouldn’t be so bad after all.

^^^^

There were candles lit in Dean and Ellen’s living room, not many, but enough to give that romantic feel. A bottle of wine was open on the table. Two half filled glasses sat next to it. Slow music played softly and Dean held Ellen somewhere between dancing with her and seducing her.

He smiled some as his hand moved across the long sleeved, white button shirt she wore. “This looks much better on you than it did on me.” He spoke softly, fiddling with the collar.

“I thought you’d like it.” Ellen stared at him while they danced.

“Very, very nice.” Dean kissed her. “When you said you wanted to put something comfortable on, I thought you meant jeans.”

“Usually I would have.” Ellen giggled at his teasing kisses.

Dean undid the buttons as he swayed with her. He brought his wine tainted lips to her neck, gliding them up to her ear.

“Daddy!” Alexandra called. “I’m thirsty.”

Dean closed his eyes. “Not again.” He shook his head. “Alex, I left you water on your night stand.”

“Thank you!”

Ellen snickered. “Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m not. Now . . . where were we.”

“You were.” Ellen pointed to her neck. “Right here.”

“Yeah, that’s right.” Dean, with an ornery grin, placed his lips where Ellen pointed. His hands undid a few more buttons and pulled at the collar, opening the shirt. He moaned some as his hands moved to her back, down to her thigh, and strongly up, lifting the edges of the shirt as he felt her. He traveled his lips downward, across her collar, and to the openness of the shirt. He bent his knees just a little and moved his mouth softly and gently across Ellen’s chest.

“What are you doing to my mother?” Billy’s voice called out too close.

With his head still buried in Ellen’s shirt, mouth to her breast, Dean shifted his eyes and saw Billy. He immediately removed his hand that was planted on Ellen’s backside and stood up straight with a heavy breath. “Billy.”

“Dad.”

“Billy, go to bed.”

“I can’t.” The Dean prodigy peered up. “You’re making too much noise.”

Dean blinked several times. “We’re making too much noise?”

Ellen saw it coming on Dean’s face. “Dean.”

“No, El,” he whined. “I’ve been trying to make love to you for nearly an hour and they won’t go to sleep.”

Billy looked confused. “What’s making love?”

“That’s it.” Dean tossed his hands up. “Billy, get your shoes on.”

“Dean?” Ellen questioned as she watched him grab Billy’s hand. “What are you doing?”

“What I should have done an hour ago.” He moved down the hall. “Deal with the devil or not, I’m signing that favor slip.” He poked his head back out into the living room. “I’m gonna consummate this marriage with you yet.”

Billy tugged Dean’s hand. “What’s consummate?”

It was cold out. Danny was smug as he handed Dean the ‘huge’ favor slip to sign. Dean’s big romantic wedding night was not going as planned, but at least he was going to finally have Ellen alone. He cringed when he walked into his house and took off his shoes to see the living room light on. “She fell asleep,” Dean said to himself as he walked toward the bedroom. “She was drinking too much she . . .” He stopped at the bedroom door and saw the candles lit. “She read my mind.”

Ellen finished her wine and set it on the night stand. She laid on the bed, still wearing Dean’s shirt. “Catch your breath. You were running. I heard your tennis shoes.”

Dean inhaled deeply and let it out slowly as he walked into the bedroom. He took off his tee -shirt and tossed it across the room. “The moment I have been waiting for.”

Ellen watched him near the bed. “Dean, we’ve made love before.”

“That’s not what I meant.” From the foot of the bed, Dean started his slow climb to Ellen. “What I mean is . . .” His lips touched upon her bare calf then grazed to her thighs as he crept up to her. Dean ran his hands up the back of her legs to the front, bending her knee as he brought his body to Ellen’s. “For the first time ever, El, in my memory, and in my mind, I’m going to make love to you . . .” He kissed her. “As my wife.” Chuckling with almost a gloat to him, Dean pressed his body firmer to Ellen, bringing her leg around his waist. And before any other circumstance could interrupt them, Dean began to kiss her in what he was hoping would be the short preliminaries to their lovemaking.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

So lost and so annoyed, Frank looked as his finger pressed up and down on the button of the old style black phone. “Nothing,” he said to Marcus as he showed him the receiver. “Dead.”

“It was working an hour ago,” Marcus said. “You have to make that phone call.”

“I know. It’s dead.”

Marcus took the receiver, listened, clicked the button, and hung up. “All right.” He reached into his coat pocket. “You can use this.”

“Thank you.” Frank took it. “Now where in the hell did I put that number?”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

There was something about the way Ellen kissed him when she had too much to drink that Dean just loved. More intense, less any inhibitions, whatever it was, he didn’t want it to stop. With his hand held under her hair and their lips still locked, Dean rolled on to his back, bringing Ellen with him.

Ellen giggled and lifted her hair from her eyes. “I’m hungry.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“Right now. At this moment. You’re hungry?”

“Yes.”

“Right now?”

“Dean.” She snickered. “You keep saying that. I drank too much and if I don’t eat I’ll get sick.”

“But right now? Can’t you wait?”

“Dean. We made love once already. We can’t stay in this bed all night.”

“Yeah we can. It’s our wedding night.”

“So you’ve said. It’s getting old.” Ellen looked serious at his shocked expression. “I’m kidding.” She started to laugh.

“So you don’t want something to eat?”

“No I do. Just a piece of that sandwich wrap Jess made. Please.”

“All right. Stay here.” Dean rolled over and reached down to the floor for his boxer shorts. He swung his legs out of bed, stepping in them, and pulling them up. “Don’t fall asleep.”

“I won’t. I promise.” Ellen laid her head on the pillow.

Dean stopped cold in his walk out when his phone rang. “Shit. I knew I should have shut that thing off.”

“Don’t answer it,” Ellen spoke groggily.

“Look at you. You’re falling asleep.” Dean picked up the phone. “Hello.”

The was a long moment of silence, a heavy breath, then Frank. “I’m alive.”

An excitement shudder shot through Dean and with a huge grin, he gasped a shriek of excitement when he heard Frank’s voice. High pitched and emotional, Dean’s words trembled. “Oh my God.”

“I’m alive and . . .” The was another brief silence. “And . . . Dean.” Frank spoke his name with relief. “Dean, tell everyone I’ll be home as soon as I figure . . .”

The line went dead.

“Frank. Frank!” Dean called into the phone.

Ellen sprang up. “Frank?”

Dean turned around to her showing her the phone. His breaths trembled. “Oh my God.”

“Dean?”

So stunned, yet his face shined with a happiness and relief. He ran his fingers through his hair. “That was Frank. El, that was Frank.” He sat on the bed and grabbed Ellen’s hand.

“Dean, what did he say?”

Dean swayed his head still in shock. “We got cut off. He probably said more than they wanted him to.”

“You don’t think they did something to him, do you?”

“No.” Dean grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. She looked as happy and scared as he felt. “He’s the insurance that they get me . . . El.” He laid his hand on her face and smiled. “Frank sound fine. He sounded just fine.”

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Frank’s eyes shifted from the pieces of the broken cell phone that laid on the floor to the barrel of the revolver that pointed at him,. Sitting in his desk chair, he then followed the gun to Marcus.

“I knew it was an act.” Marcus kept his aim on Frank. “I can’t believe the President bought it.”

“You hit the phone from my ear.”

“I have a gun pointed to your face and you’re bitching about me knocking the phone from you?”

“You think I’m scared that you’ll kill me?” Frank huffed in sarcasm.

“Quiet.”

“You broke the fuckin phone when I was trying to call home.” Frank kept eye contact with Marcus.

“And you added more than you should have. Wait until the President hears about this.”

“The President can blow me.”

A shocking disbelief hit Marcus. “You have a lot of attitude for a man who has a gun pointed at him.”

“And you have a lot of attitude for a man who’s seconds from death.”

Marcus laughed. “How do you figure?”

“Very easily.” In a fast spring from his seat, Frank swiped Marcus’ hand out of the way. He reached into his shoulder harness, pulled out his revolver, extended his hand, and fired a single shot directly into Marcus’ forehead.

The force of the close range shot sent blood and pieces of Marcus’ head spraying out and his dead body dropped to the floor exposing a shocked Richie who stood by the door.

“Frank.”

“Shut up.” Frank shook his head in disgust then bent down for the phone. “Can you believe he broke the only phone that isn’t tapped? Fuck.”

“Frank.” Richie looked at the seeping, growing pool of blood. “You can’t do this anymore, man. Someone is gonna start to notice the higher ups are no longer around.”

Frank looked so perturbed at the busted phone. “Can you believe this?”

“Are you listening to me?” Richie stepped over Marcus’ body. “I’m not cleaning this one up. I cleaned up the Lt. Merrick thing.”

“I’ll take care of it.” Frank slammed the pieces of the phone on the desk. He walked to Marcus. “God, look at the mess.”

“Yeah, well that’s what happens when you shoot someone in the head two feet from you.” Richie watched Frank stand in thought. “I don’t understand. If you hate George that much, why don’t you just shoot him, get it over with and we book?”

“It’s not that easy.” Frank looked at the blood that splattered on the walls. “I wished it was. I have to lay low. I need information. Right now, I can’t take any chances because I haven’t a clue where they have Ellen.” Frank faced Richie. “And until I find out where your sister is, we have to stay right here.”

LEAVING. . .

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

September 18

Binghamton, Alabama

It was so quiet that the only sound in the dark hall was the clinking of the keys as Frank locked the door.

Richie swayed his head. “I always thought there was something demented about you.”

“Yeah.” Frank, like he was back in Beginnings, hooked the keys on his belt. “Ready? I have men to train.”

“Why, can I ask, did you not take them out and toss them in the ditch with the other seven officers?”

“Prisoners of war.” Frank walked fast.

“Prisoners of war?” Richie had to really move to keep up with Frank. “How can that be? Isn’t this their camp?”

Frank stopped walking as soon as they stepped outside. “No Richie, this is my camp now.” With his usual arrogant smirk Frank found the men waiting in the field. “I just have to work on letting them know it.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Joe’s were the only eyes to date, with the exception of Andrea, to see the letter he held in his hand. At the early morning meeting at Robbie’s, before anyone began their day, Joe held the letter, then looked at Robbie, Henry, and Dean. “I laughed. Dean and Robbie, you laughed. I stopped laughing when I found this.” He tossed the letter on the table.

Robbie grabbed it first and with a solemn look passed it to Dean who read it and passed it to Henry who . . . snickered.

Joe raised his eyes to Henry.

“Sorry.” Henry handed it back. “I told you.”

“How the hell did you know, Henry?” Joe put the letter back.

“I didn’t. I made it up. Boy was I right. So what does this mean, Joe?”

“Well, I’m gonna ask her a few questions. Go from there. We’re moving into the house today, so perhaps after that is finished with, her and I will talk.”

“Dad, how do you feel about this?” Robbie asked.

“How am I supposed to feel?”

“Pissed,” Henry said. “Or at the very least, really, really mad.”

Joe looked oddly at Henry. “If Andrea is working for George, then I’ll get pissed. But aside from that, if it was just an affair, it happened before me and her and it’s none of my business, is it? That’s what makes it so delicate.”

Dean peered up from his notes. “So how are you going to approach her with this?”

“That I don’t know,” Joe answered. “But I do know this. The letter is a piece of evidence and it’s evidence that tells me that Andrea, my wife, the church going woman, an original, is now, without any uncertainty, a viable suspect.”

There was an air of sadness that hit that table after Joe’s words. It was a thought no one wanted to have but unless something else appeared evidence-wise, Andrea, one of the most trusted people in Beginnings, jumped to the top of the list.

^^^^

Quantico Marine Headquarters

Stewart always considered himself a lucky man. Jeremy, though he held a high position with George, was not lucky. Jeremy always had the awful luck of delivering bad news to the President. Perhaps that was why Jeremy got shipped out to Beginnings. A prestigious spy? Yes. But also a sitting expendable duck if he was found out.

Bearing good news, Stewart walked into George’s office for their daily morning briefing. “The engine repairs on the ship are working again. It’s looking good. She’ll be sea worthy for the voyage yet.” Stewart saw George smile as he took his seat across from him. “And I just took that call.”

“And?” George asked.

“Went well. No difficulties.”

George let out a long breath. “A small problem off our hands now. Thank God. Any news on the second batch? Will we have to do the same thing?”

Stewart shrugged. “You may want to take a ride to DC and see. I’m getting sketchy answers.”

“I’ll do that. Now . . . preparations.”

“Train is being loaded now.” Steward looked at his notes. “Lab equipment and such, especially the genetic material. Dr. Stevens said we must not run into any problems or we can lose what little we have.”

“I understand that,” George said. “Did he say how the train stops will affect the specimens?”

“As long as the train moves on schedule, we’re good.”

“Then talk to that damn conductor because he tends to play around.”

“I will. May I tell you something, sir?”

“Sure.”

“I think it’s a good thing that you’re staying back here during the beginning of this all.”

“Why is that?” George asked.

“Gut feeling. It has a lot to do with Marcus or our lack of speaking to him in two days.”

“Well we only told Marcus to call in if there was a problem,” George said. “Must not be a problem there.”

“Do you suppose everything is all right in Binghamton?” Stewart questioned.

“I know it is. It’s not in our full control now, yes. I know this. But once our scientists arrive out there and set up along with the other two ambassadors, it’ll be less a military control thing than it is now and more of the full service base that it’s intended to be. We need that. It’s close to the other side of the country.”

“Sgt. Haynes and his men are ready for the move there, sir.”

“That’s next. Let’s let Frank work on that training before we fill his camp up with more men,” George explained. “Then once the scientists arrive and the second half of the force out there, I’ll go. The safety factor is there. I don’t trust Dr. Hayes yet. Who knows what he’ll try with me.”

“I completely agree,” Stewart added. “Completely. Has Dr. Morris said anymore about Frank’s amnesia?”

“As a matter of fact, I spoke to him yesterday. He said that too much time has passed. It doesn’t look good. I wouldn’t believe this amnesia thing if I didn’t trust Dr. Morris so much.”

“That trust worthy?” Stewart asked.

“That and qualified. I’m eventually going to move him from general medicine into teaching once the genetically enhanced are able to learn more. I mean, that’s why Dr. Morris was chosen, to teach. After all, that’s what he did at Harvard Medical most of his life.”

“Impressive.”

“Very.” George leaned back and stared at the Society agenda for the next two weeks. “This is impressive. The ship, the elimination of our error, Binghamton. Yep, barring any screw ups, things just may be finally going our way.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie was in need of a haircut. That was the first thought that hit Joe as he walked to meet Robbie near the back gate. He hoped to get a short talk in with his son as they both headed back into town. He watched Robbie with a group of four security men by the back gate. A clipboard was in Robbie’s hands as he was possibly giving out new perimeter checks while Robbie prepared for his brother’s departure.

Robbie’s blonde hair blew in the fall wind. He must have sensed Joe because before Joe could signal that he was waiting that twenty or so feet away, Robbie looked up, squinted from the sun, and smiled that smile that only Robbie had.

Joe lifted his hand in return and waited for his son, watching him proudly as he filled in better than anticipated for his older brother Frank. Better than Joe would have thought. Robbie following Frank’s footsteps was nothing new to Joe. Robbie always tried to follow Frank’s footsteps, thinking his big brother always did things the best. To Joe, that was great, the connection between his sons as they grew up. They fought like mad but all of them loved each other unconditionally. There was a certain amount of curiosity in Joe to see how the three grown up boys were going to be. There also was a certain amount of fear with that curiosity, because a part of Joe knew it probably would be worse between them.

But Joe really was proud of all of them. And he was with Robbie as he watched his son’s hands move while he explained things to his men, a knowledgeable look upon his young face. He was making decisions that were of extreme importance and Robbie always hated decisions. But he came to his decisions well. Unlike Frank, who never thought and Hal, who tended to think too much, Robbie gave half thought and half gut instincts into everything he decided to do.

“I’m just so confused Dad.”

Joe heard Robbie’s fifteen year old voice in his head. Decision making was what made Joe snap to that memory. And to Joe, that day on the baseball field in the ‘World Series’ of pony league ball, Robbie made his first ever real decision . . .

“I don’t know what to tell you, Robert.” Joe sat next to him on the bench.

“What would Frank do? I should ask Frank, huh?” Robbie sat, looking so down, his white baseball pants clean from his not playing.

Joe turned back and looked into the bleachers to his other three sons. Hal, just out of boot camp, talked to some homely girl, Jimmy read a book, and Frank looked perturbed. Both were on leave and had come home for this game. He faced Robbie again. “Don’t ask Frank. You do this on your own.”

“Is it a hard decision, Dad? Or am I over reacting?”

Joe had to think about it. He looked to the score board. The last inning,. Nothing, nothing. Then he looked out to the field at the teenage boys out there. Robbie’s big decision. The team he played against was filled with boys Robbie had played side by side with all his life and since a division of streets, Robbie was moved to another league. Having to prove himself all over again as a ball player, Robbie spent most of his time on the bench in the new league, but not this game. Luck was with Robbie. Four players were out with illness and the right fielder was beamed with a ball and he too was out. Robbie was in. But luck was against Robbie as well. The pitcher, Robbie’s best friend, was about to set a record and receive an award. Larry was about to pitch his eighth consecutive no hitter. “It’s a tough one, kid.”

“We have two outs. Maybe our guys will strike out, we’ll go into extra innings, and Larry will be done pitching. And I won’t have to hit until next inning.”

“Maybe . . . maybe not.” Joe watched the second batter get hit in the leg with a ball. “You’re gonna have to bat now, Robbie. Get in the batter’s box.” Joe stood up.

Robbie stood too. “Maybe this guy will hit a home run and the game will be over.” Robbie dropped his head.

“Robert, just do what you have to do. OK?” Joe rubbed his son’s head and left the dugout. He walked up to the bleachers, plopping down between Frank and Hal. Joe nudged Hal. “Pay attention. Your brother is gonna be up.”

Hal tuned away from the homely girl. “It’s about time they let him play. What’s he gonna do?”

Joe shrugged.

Frank huffed. “I’m not understanding the problem he has. What? Is he stupid?’

“Christ, Frank.” Joe cringed. “He doesn’t know these guys he’s playing for. He knows the ones he’s playing against. Larry and him are best friends. Robbie can hit Larry every single time. It’s a matter of team loyalty to a team that never let him play, or friendship loyalty to a kid who’s about to get a hell of an achievement award.”

Hal shook his head. “Robbie certainly is sure of himself.”

“He can hit Larry,” Joe told him, “every single time.” He watched Robbie step to the plate.

Jimmy looked up from his novel. “There’s no decision there. Robbie strikes out. He’s the third out. Larry gets his award and it’s extra innings.”

“What, are you fuckin nuts?” Frank scoffed. “Is it any wonder why you picked the Navy? Go back to reading your book. It’s competition, friendship goes out the window. He fuckin knows he can hit the ball,. Step up to the box, nail it, screw Larry, be the hero, and get the trophy.”

Joe rolled his eyes slightly. “It’s a principal, Frank. Your brother is taking this seriously.” He watched Robbie takes his batter’s stance and swing a few times. “I think he’ll make the right choice.”

CRACK!

“Oh yeah!” Frank shouted out.

All four Slagels in the bleachers stood with the rest of the crowd at Robbie’s sailing ball. They watched it fly. Going, going . . . gone.

“Dad? Dad?”

Joe snapped out of his memory.

“Where was your mind at?” Robbie snickered as he stood next to Joe.

“Lindbergh field eighteen years ago,” Joe told him.

“What happened at Lindbergh field eighteen years ago?”

“The championship. You versus Larry.”

“Oh.” Robbie remembered. “Yeah, that’s right. I won the game for our team. I was cool. What made you think of that?”

“Watching you out there. Knowing how you have to make decisions.” Joe started walking with Robbie. “I was just remembering how that was probably the first hard decision you made in your life.”

“Pretty stupid now.” Robbie laughed. “I can’t believe I was in such debate over that.”

“Hey it was trophy or your friendship. You lost a friendship over that.”

“No big deal now. He’s most likely dead.”

“Robert.” Joe shook his head. “Anyhow, I was also thinking. You’re doing this very well, heading security. How are you going to feel when Frank returns?”

“To be honest, Dad, relieved. I can’t wait to get back into mechanics. I miss it.”

“Really?” Joe was shocked. “I had no idea you liked it so much.”

“No, I hate it especially working for the prick. But . . . I could hide and sleep all the time. Dad, when Frank walks back through the gate, the moment that he does, he’s getting his clipboard, his heavy fuckin keys, and I’m telling him take his damn job back and get his lazy ass to work.”

Joe chuckled at Robbie’s comment, laying his hand on Robbie’s back for a moment while they walked. And though Frank probably would nail his little brother if Robbie actually said what he told Joe he would, Joe would enjoy it. No matter what transpired the moment Frank walked in through the gate, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Frank would be walking through the gate.

^^^^

Hal was amazed as he watched the amount of preserved food that was being loaded into the truck that sat in the distance from where he and Henry were. He watched it in so much awe that he stopped paying attention to Henry.

“They have to fill out the forms, Hal. Hal?”

“I’m sorry. What?”

“The men you’re sending. They have to fill out processing forms. Ellen has them.”

“O.K.” Hal folded his arms and watched the truck. “You people have all this food?”

“Yeah and we have more growing. Did Sgt. Ryder tell his men they will be utilized as field workers?”

“They’re aware and have no problem.”

“We’re getting housing ready for them and the other fifty men that are coming to get your town ready but we’re gonna have to put them four in a house.”

“O.K.”

Henry smiled, swaying his head. “This small building here is tracking. This is where we’ll eventually link you up.”

“Been here.”

“Have you? Oh.” Henry reached for the door. “I’m thinking this is where Joe is. It’s on his agenda for today. We’ll grab him and get Ellen.” As Henry opened the door, he heard the high pitch beeping.

“Is that your alarm?” Hal asked.

“Yeah.” Henry bolted in. “Mark, what’s going on?”

“Tracking is screwed up.” Mark tossed his hands up.

“How do you know?” Henry asked.

“Look and listen.” Mark pointed to the radar. “No noise. No signals. Watch the area behind the under developed.”

Henry shook his head. “O.K., nothing.”

“Wait. It’s repetitive. Happens in time. And . . .”

A long alarm beep occurred and a single light blinked on the screen shot across and back, then disappeared.

Henry blinked in amazement. “What the hell was that?”

Mark was sure of himself. “A malfunction.”

Hal leaned closer. “I don’t know about this tracking thing but maybe it’s not a malfunction. Maybe it’s an animal.”

Henry looked in debate. “I don’t know. Could be.”

Another beep, another shooting light.

Mark shook his head. “Malfunction. The signal is weak, too weak. If it is an animal, it’s no bigger than two feet long.”

“Then it could be an animal,” Hal said.

Mark picked up the clipboard with the computer sheet on it. “I’ll say it again. Malfunction. It’s been happening steady for over an hour.” Mark held his ear, cringed, and two seconds later it happened again. He handed Henry the sheet. “I ran it though the computer program.”

Henry read the results. “All right, let’s watch for another hour or so. If it keeps up, we’ll go out and check the tracking back there. Danny’s leaving so I’ll have to do it and I’m busy right now.” He set the clipboard down.

“Henry?” Hal gained his attention. “How can you be so sure it’s a malfunction and not an animal? I’m curious, it just looks like a light to me.”

The blink, flash, and beep happened again.

“Did you see that flash and shooting light?” Henry asked. “Well that’s supposed to be the life signal. Smaller, weaker signal signify a small or weaker intrusion. Animal. And that can’t be an animal darting across that area that fast.”

“That fast?” Hal was confused.

“That fast,” Henry said then lifted the clipboard to show Hal. “That area the light shot across is close to two miles. And going by the speed computer estimates, I know of no such animal, that small, that can move at sixty-four miles per hour.” Henry took the clipboard back. “Malfunction. We’ll check it out later, Mark. Keep me posted.”

Questioning in his mind about Henry’s quick dismissal of the situation, Hal took one more look at the tracking screen and hesitantly followed Henry out.

^^^^

“Mr. Hoi.” Joe called for Danny as he walked up to what would be his new home. Danny added the final touches.

Danny turned around with a grin. “All done Joe. I swear. Just making it look nice for your woman.”

“That’s not why I’m here.”

“Oh?” Danny looked to Joe and Herb, an older gentleman who worked the fields. He stood with Joe. Danny snickered. “Did you guys come to beat me up.”

“Danny.” Joe said his name sternly.

“I’m ready for ya.” Danny raised his fist and laughed. “Kidding. What’s up?”

“Danny,” Joe huffed. “You were supposed to meet me an hour ago then we were all heading to the clinic together.”

“Now see, Joe.” Danny walked from the house to him. “You didn’t tell me why I have to go to a meeting, so I got scared.”

“You?”

“Yeah. Clinic. Dean and Ellen.” Danny shuddered. “They may want to work on my brain. It is highly intelligent.”

“I’m sure. No, no experiments but . . . now you have to rush.” Joe told him.

“Rush?”

“Rush. Go pack.”

“Am I uh . . . leaving?” Danny asked.

“You can say that. You would have known an hour ago, but you blew me off.”

“I was busy, Joe, getting your house ready. Where am I going?”

“To Bowman. I need you to get the power up enough so we can have some telephone communications with them.”

“No shit. I’m going out of town on business.” Danny grinned. “Thanks. That’s cool. You know, they do call me . . .”

“Mr. Telephone Connection Guy?”

Danny laughed. “I wasn’t going to say that, but that’s good. No, Mr. Traveler. O.K., I’ll pack. See you at the clinic.” He quickly grabbed his tool box. “This is great. Not only will I be the man here, but there as well.” Danny began to dart off. He stopped. “Your house is done.” He ran again and came back. “But uh . . . watch that front door. It’s not really connected yet. See ya!” Fast Danny took off.

Herb looked at Joe, a look of pleasure was not on his wrinkled face. “How long did you say I have to be in a closed in vehicle with that guy?”

^^^^

Dean closed the large black case that set on the counter in the clinic lab. “O.K. El, the coolant pack in here should keep the meds good for five hours. The trip won’t be that long.”

“But get it put away as soon as possible.”

“Exactly.”

“What about stuff from the cryo-lab? Am I taking any experimental stuff?”

“Um . . .” Dean scratched his head.. “I don’t know. I was thinking about that.”

“Yes? No?” Ellen asked, enjoying his debating look.

“I’d like to send some down with you, but . . . you know they aren’t fully tested yet . . .on normal people, that is.”

“I can take a couple new drugs down just in case.”

“You know what? Let’s do that. Hal doesn’t have a processing, so who knows what he has. Take the new cold med down but only give it to . . .”

“I know, I know, semi-SUT-equivalents.”

“You got it.” Dean smiled, kissed Ellen quickly then kissed her again. “I’m gonna miss you.”

“No you won’t.”

“You don’t think?” Dean moved the black case to the other counter. “Think about it, El.” He walked to the lab door and closed it. The lock clicked. “How many hours in the day do I not spend with you. Not many.” He closed the blinds.

“What are you doing?”

“Saying goodbye. You leave me in a little over an hour.” Dean walked back to the counter. He placed his hands on Ellen’s waist and lifted her up to the counter.

She giggled. “Look at you impressing me with your strength.”

Dean took off his lab jacket.

“Really, Dean, what are you doing?” She felt her legs part and Dean found a spot between them. He looked so serious. “Dean.”

“El.” He smiled and kissed her.

“Anyone could walk in.”

“Oh no they can’t. It’s locked. No one is gonna get in here unless they are authorized and no one is around.” He pulled at her tee -shirt.

“Stop.”

“Nope.” He kissed her.

“Dean, I’m only going for a couple days.”

“And speaking of that, be careful. We know you’re ‘leaving Beginnings’ reputation.”

“Don’t we though.” Ellen ignored him as he manipulated her.

“Lift your arms.” Dean lifted them and then her shirt. He tossed it. He laid his hand on her cheeks and kissed her.

“You do know, if you want to attempt this counter action thing, you’re gonna need a step stool.”

“Ha, ha, ha.” Dean took off his own shirt. “Watch me.” He moved closer to her and, so softly, he caressed his lips on her neck.

Ellen’s voice soften. “Dean. No. We can’t.”

Dean’s fingers laid on her bra straps, sliding them slowly from her shoulders as he kissed her where the straps once were, then he moved his mouth down to her chest, so softly, barely touching,

“O.K., maybe we can. What the hell.”

Dean lifted his head and grinned. “Music to my ears.” His whole tone changed. He slipped his hand under her hair and despite Ellen’s giggle, he kissed her and backed her down to the counter.

Buzz . . .

Johnny’s laughter rang in the room.

Dean, stunned and still leaning on top of Ellen in his counter position, looked up.

“Dean” Ellen whispered. “You said no one was coming.”

Johnny just walked in as if nothing was going on. “Do you guys think you should be doing that in a clean sterile environment such as the clinic?”

“Christ.” Joe walked in. “I’d like to know that too.”

Dean’s eyes widened. “Can anyone else walk in here?”

And with that, a running Danny Hoi bolted in. “Whoa. Hey. Should I refrain from asking what’s up?”

Joe turned his head to Danny then back to Dean and Ellen. “Do you two mind?”

“Yeah.” Robbie entered the lab. “Unless you were planning on entertaining us.” He grunted painfully when Joe back handed him in the gut.

Dean, shaking his head, lifted himself then pulled Ellen up. “Of all moments to be grand central station.”

“It’s a goddamn clinic, Dean.” Joe scolded. “You have a home.”

“But Dad . . .” Robbie instigated. “They have that reputation of liking the clinic best. Dean, could you put on a shirt? I’m really turned on by you at this moment.” Robbie noticed the overly serious glance Joe gave him. “What? I’m kidding.”

Dean sought out Ellen’s shirt and gave it to her. He bent down and picked up his own. “Sorry El.”

Ellen tossed on her shirt. “No I think it’s pretty funny.” She slid from the counter. “Danny, what are you doing here and also Herb?”

Danny answered. “It’s the big leaving for Bowman meeting. I’m going as her protection, Dean.” Danny winked. “So fear not. No seriously, Joe wants me to hook them up. Not hook them up like Dean was about to well but . . . try to get communications semi . . .” Danny snickered. “Up. Sorry, Dean.”

Dean immediately looked down.. “You’re an ass, Danny.”

“I got you though,” Danny rambled. “Hey Joe, when are we gonna start this meeting? I’m getting excited, not Dean excited, but I want to go.”

Joe rubbed his own eyes harshly. “Danny, Christ. As soon as Henry gets here.”

“What about me.” Henry walked in. “Did I miss anything?”

Robbie looked at Hal and Henry. “Just Dean and Ellen having sex on the counter.”

Dean tossed his hands up. “We weren’t having sex.”

“Not yet,” Johnny corrected. “Had I been a minute later, perhaps.”

Robbie laughed. “Then it would have been over with.”

Hal looked mortified. “Should we be in here? They’re married and perhaps they want some time alone.”

Joe spun on his heels to his son behind him. “Not in a public place they don’t need time alone. Now can we all drop the Dean and Ellen pretending to be kids and get on with this goddamn meeting before I have a stroke?” Joe watched Henry shut the door. “Thank you.” He took in the faces in the lab, all the faces that awaited the finish off meeting before the Bowman trip. Joe knew the short briefing would be far from brief. They never were, when there were more than three people from Beginnings in the same room. He had to wonder how he ever got anything accomplished at any meeting he had. And that thought was reiterated when, in Joe’s small pause of thinking, the group took advantage of that and began chattering about things that had nothing to do with Bowman.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Dressed out of Caceres Society uniform and in shorts, Frank cooled down in his office after taking an unscheduled break from training on what seemed to be an extremely hot day for September. “Fuck.” Frank rubbed his hand over his head as he sat in his office.

Richie snickered. “It’s not that bad.”

“You’ve been in here all day. I ought to make you train with everyone.”

“No, you shouldn’t. Anyhow, go on.”

“Oh yeah.” Frank snapped forward in his chair and grabbed his water. He gasped at the coolness, put down his glass, and looked disgusted. “He’s about four feet tall, I swear.”

“No way.”

“Yep. O.K. Maybe I’m exaggerating, but no bigger than you. Skinny like you too.”

“Yeah but you like me.”

“True. But Dean. Man.” Frank shook his head. “You know just when you think he’s a nice guy, bam, he jerks you off. Not literally.”

“I hate them type of guys, Frank. They make you think you can trust them and they stab you in the back.”

Frank held out his hand. “My point exactly. You’re a little man. But Dean, he’s a little man with attitude.”

“What does my sister see in him?”

“She says he’s well endowed, but I know she says that to bug me.”

“Women always do. So when did this all start?” Richie asked.

“Plague time.”

“O.K., just so we get this right, original plague time or post-time machine plague time.”

“Both. In the original plague, she wanted to have a baby so she asked him to get her pregnant. He knew her and I were close, but no. He had to pester her and bother her to make a relationship and you know your sister.”

“She can’t say no.”

“Exactly,” Frank said. “It was worse when time rippled.” Frank explained with seriousness. “Something happened with her and Pete because of a letter Robbie sent her. I don’t know. He was writing back and forth to her since he got my letter. Or something like that. So . . . Ellen arranges to go to Little Dean’s lecture. He sees how vulnerable she is and as soon as she tells him she’s in a bad marriage, he jumped on that.”

“Like a dog.”

“You know it. That’s when he knocked her up in that history.”

“See now here’s what I don’t understand,” Richie stated. “You and her were always close. She didn’t know this man from Adam, had a fling with him at some lecture . . .”

“After the lecture.”

“Of course. As I was saying, why didn’t you and her just raise the baby together?”

“I tried. She even said I tried in the history I don’t remember, but he made her feel guilty.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” Frank shook his head. “He’s been playing with her ever since. Seven fuckin years I had to share Ellen with this man because he uses the kid thing against her. I can’t tell you how many times he’s taken her from me. That’s what caused the strain in our marriage, you know. He took advantage of her again. She was going through a rough time, he was Mr. Understanding, and they had an affair.”

“This Dean guy, Frank, he sounds like a real asshole.”

“Wait until you meet him. You’ll hate him.”

“I already do.”

“Thanks.” Frank leaned back and rocked in his chair. “You know it’s bad enough that there are no women left and we have to share with someone else, but it should be a three way partnership.”

“This guy won’t let it be, will he?” Richie asked.

“Nope. Takes advantage of the situation every single time. But he does have one thing going for him. He’s smart.”

“Well I’m sorry, Frank, but that’s not everything. You’re smart.”

“I am.” Frank nodded.

“Wait until I see my sister. I’ll talk to her.”

“Please.” Frank ran his hand down his face. “All right.” He looked at his watch. “Breaks over.” He stood up. “Did you do that math yet for me, Richie?”

“Oh yeah. Almost forgot.” Richie pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and read it. “Using your estimate of fifty miles a day, the UWA soldiers that you let go should arrive back at their base in Bowman on October 23rd.”

“What?” Frank was shocked. “It’s only September.”

“Yep.”

“Fuck.” Frank rubbed his head.

“Now that’s barring they don’t run into trouble. They may find horses or bikes. They aren’t gonna find anything motorized. You said that yourself. Gas is not an option. So even finding a horse, I figured it still would take them two weeks because of stopping and letting the animal rest, eat and such. And the bikes, with as much time that has passed, won’t make it. They won’t. The tires will die.”

Frank let out a long breath. “O.K., so we’re looking at minimal three more weeks here. Shit. My father better send down a fuckin helicopter to lift my ass out of here.”

“What about Ellen?”

“We have time. We’ll find where she is. George will be coming back. If I have to, I’ll wait the time out, then lock him in a room and beat the hell out of him until he tells me where she is.”

“That’ll work.”

“Yeah” Frank walked to his office door. “Back to training.”

“Frank?” Richie called out. “Why . . . why are you training Society soldiers?”

Frank just grinned and walked out.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Two trucks, one long and filled with food, the other a pickup, waited, engines running at the back gate. Hal and Ellen would ride in the pickup. Danny would drive Herb in the big truck, the one that would return with half the Bowman men who were going to Beginnings. Robbie was bringing down a truck for Ellen and the other half.

Ellen stood with Henry. He held Nick and they both watched Dean standing with Hal.

“Henry, what do you suppose they are discussing. Dean looks serious.”

“Probably medical stuff, El. You know Dean. He’s always trying to impress someone with it.”

Joe cleared his throat as he approached Ellen and Henry. “O.K., little lady, say your goodbyes. And listen to Hal, you hear me?”

“Yes.” Ellen smiled and embraced Henry and kissed Nick. “Help Dean with the kids, Henry. And watch Bev around him.”

“You mean watch Dean around Bev . . . ow.” Henry rubbed the back of his head. “Ow Joe, why’d you hit me?”

“Why are you starting shit? Go away.” Joe stepped between them, facing Ellen. “Stay low if there’s trouble,. You know how it follows you out there. And make . . .” Joe felt a tap on his shoulder, he looked to Henry behind him. “What Henry?”

“That wasn’t very nice, Joe, stepping between us.”

“Like I care.” Joe returned to Ellen. “As I was saying. Be careful.”

“Yeah, but I’m good. I have a Slagel watching me and you know they are the best protectors.”

“Without a doubt.” Joe laid his hand on her cheek. “Got a favor to ask you.”

“Sure.”

“Check on . . .check on the woman situation there. See if Hal’s right about the way they are. If they really are that way, we may have some problems when we all merge.”

“Got it, but I doubt they are as bad as Hal says. Come on Joe, you know how men get. I mean, all men but you.”

With a grumble, Joe kissed Ellen again, looked at his watch, and then at Hal and Dean. “What the hell are they so engrossed in talking about?”

The expression of seriousness and thinking, along with amazement on Dean’s face was what everyone seemed to notice as they watched him and Hal speaking. Dean looked up to Hal, folding his arms, and nodding his head slowly.

So poignant Hal appeared, explaining to Dean. “And I can assure you that in our community and on the trip, nothing what-so-ever will happen to Ellen. I will stake my life on it.”

“I believe that and I appreciate it.”

“O.K., so getting back to what brought me to that, I guess, Dean, as you can see, I guess it’s a matter of uh . . .”

“Pride? What? I’m lost. What exactly is it that you’re beating around the bush to ask me?”

“All right, well women are few, very few. And well, since Ellen will be staying with me, I’d like to sort of impress my men with a nice woman beside me.”

“O.K.” Dean blinked. “That’s fine. But . . .you want to show Ellen off?” Dean hid his snicker. “Ellen?”

“Dean, please. Ellen is wonderful.”

“O.K.”

“I don’t think you’re quite getting what I’m asking you.”

“Hal, the Slagel is coming out in you. You’re not asking me anything. Ask.”

Hal took a moment to gain his composure. “Think about it. Ellen is staying with me. Staying with me I want . . .”

“You want to sleep with her?”

“Oh my God! No, that’s not where I was going. Dean, I apologize if you thought that. No. I just want to make it, well, seem that way?”

Dean looked over to Ellen. “You want to borrow my wife to impress your men by making it look like you not only have a woman, but one that isn’t like the ones in Bowman.”

“Exactly.”

“Hal, how are you going to explain the fact that she’s married to me?”

“I thought of that. See, once my men understand the understanding and share situations of Beginnings . . .”

Dean nodded. “You’ll say we had an understanding.”

“Does this sound stupid?”

“No, very Slagel like.”

“Can I?” Hal asked.

“Borrow my wife?” Dean shrugged. “Sure go on. Borrow away. But Hal . . .” Since Dean got a typical Slagel request, he wanted to see if he could get that typical Slagel reaction. Laughter. A snicker. Scoffing. So Dean took on a fake serious, bringing himself more on tip toes and looking Hal straight in the eye. “Hal, don’t touch her. I wouldn’t want to beat you up.” Setting himself back down on the soles of his feet, Dean waited.

It didn’t happen.

“I wouldn’t take advantage of your generosity that way, Dean. I would never place you in a position where you’ll have to get violent with me because I did.”

“What?” Dean was shocked.

“Hal!” Joe whistled loud and shrill. “Let’s go! Now!”

“Thanks Dean.” Hal shook a stunned Dean’s hand. “I’ll be in touch.” Hal darted off.

“Uh . . .” Dean tossed his hands up. “I was . . . where . . . God, is he a Slagel?” He scratched his head and walked over to Ellen.

Ellen felt Dean’s arms go around her from behind and his lips touch her neck. “It’s about time, Dean. I was beginning to think you were gonna miss Hal more.”

“I am.”

Ellen turned around face to face with Dean and she smiled. “See you in a couple days.”

“Yep. Be good. El? Did you know Hal wants to make everyone think you and he are well, you know, together?”

Ellen laughed. “That is so typically Slagel. The big leader of his community and now he wants to be the only man with a woman. Make all the men envious until they get to know me.”

“Yeah . . . I mean . . . I . . . you’re wonderful El.”

Ellen closed her eyes with a slight smile and swayed her head. “I have to go.” She kissed him quickly and stepped back. “I love you.”

“Love you too.” Dean winked, grabbed her hand then let it slide from his as she walked away to join Hal by the pickup truck.

Dean stepped closer to Henry and Joe to watch them leave. Hal was back in his uniform, looking so . . . cavalry, as Ellen correctly described, with the exception of the red bandana on his head. They got in the pickup truck. Ellen waved as she slid in then Hal shut the door for her. Dean still was teetering on whether Hal was actually a blood line relative of Frank’s and he stood there feeling a little lost, a little more empty as he watched them pull safely from the gate.

^^^^

“Combination.” Joe stated as he watched over Mark’s shoulder in the tracking room, watching the beep and flash of light. “Rabbits and trouble. You know we’re infested with the rabbits and squirrels in that area. Tracking probably isn’t picking them up completely. Got two or three in that little field and they’re confusing our electronics.”

“You’re probably right,” Mark said.

“We’ll find out soon.” Around Joe’s neck was the headset. He lifted it to his head. “Henry? You there?”

“Yep. Leaving the secure perimeter now.”

“How much longer until you get there?”

“I’m at the end of the road by the cliff.” Henry shut off the Jeep. “I’ll let you know what I see when I climb up there.”

“Check back.” Hating the feel of the headset in his ear, Joe lowered it again and waited.

“Danny’s job,” Henry complained to himself as he walked though the beginning of the woods that lined the cliff behind the underdeveloped section, the only section of Beginnings that had no perimeter fence. The cliff seemed to be nature’s safeguard. “Danny’s job.” Henry kept bitching, walking the fifty yards across the small grassy area and to the tree that he had to climb. “Danny’s job. Probably a wire lose or something.” He stopped at the tree and grabbed the rope ladder. As his foot stepped to the first rope rung, he heard a ripping sound and felt his foot hit the ground. “What?” Henry looked down. The rung was so frayed it broke the second Henry had stepped on it. “Swell. Looks like something chewed on this.” Hoping it was an animal and not poorly made rope, Henry began to climb.

He huffed, caught his breath and braced himself in the ‘V’ of the branch and looked at the tracking dish tightly secured to the tree. “Joe.”

“Yeah, Henry.”

“I’m up here. This is way too high. I can’t breathe.”

“How’s the dish look?”

“Good.” Henry visually examined the wire connection. “It doesn’t look like anything is wrong.”

“I think it’s a programming problem, Henry. The computer tracking is getting confused.”

“I think you may be . . .” Henry stopped talking when he heard a loud rustling sound in the grass below.

“Henry?” Joe called him.

“Wait a second.” Henry heard it again. “Joe, did you just get a beep there?”

“Yeah.”

“Shit.”

“What?”

Henry heard the movement but couldn’t see. Safely he shifted his body to get another view. He looked to his left at the larger field with an abundance of brush and high weeds. He was well above it. “Shit!”

“Christ, Henry, What?”

Henry’s eyes widened. What it was he didn’t know. He watched the grass move, a fast parting zipping across the field. It was if God himself took his huge finger, reached down, and drew a line quickly from one end of the field to the other. But what made the movement, Henry didn’t know. “Joe.” Another line,, then another, it was like watching an Etch-a-Sketch in the grass. “Joe.”

“Henry, what’s going on up there? I’m getting like ten little flashes and beeps.”

“Something is in the grass, Joe.”

“Rabbits? What?”

“I don’t know.” Henry had a frightened tone to him. He watched the grass stop moving. “I’m getting down. I don’t like this.” He fumbled as he reached for the ladder and kept his vision peered to the area. Nearly falling, Henry climbed down, missed a rung and swung on the rope ladder. He didn’t like the feeling he was getting.

“Henry, you O.K.?”

Henry’s feet planted firmly on the ground and as soon as they did his body filled with horror when he heard a long, high-pitched animal squeal in the distance. To him it sounded like a warning cry. His head swayed to it and as it did, the loud rustling of grass and weeds began. Henry could see the tops of the stocks moving and moving toward him. Then Henry took off running. He flew as fast as he could the fifty yards to the Jeep. The moving foliage sound grew closer but Henry focused on his Jeep, his heart racing, pounding hard. He stretched his lanky legs to the limits, leaping over whatever got in his way. Something or some things were following him and he didn’t know what. He dove into the Jeep, not even taking time to toss his tool bag in the passenger’s seat. His shaking hands reached for the keys in the ignition as he heard the noise drawing near. Finally, he started the Jeep.

BANG!

Henry shrieked when he heard the crash against the rear side of the Jeep. He pressed his foot to the peddle, shifted the gears, and screeched off as fast as the Jeep would move on the rough road. He kept on driving through the secure perimeter, ordered it back up and never looked back to see what it was that chased him.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Beginnings, Montana

There was something very red about Joe’s face as he sat in his desk looking up to a very frazzled Henry. But the red disappeared as soon as Joe released the laughter he contained. Loud and roaring it was. Joe slapped his hand hard to the desk, leaned to the side of his chair, laughed harder, and rubbed his eyes.

“It’s not funny, Joe.”

“Sorry.” Joe blurted out more laughter. “You were running from bunnies?”

“Killer bunnies, Joe.”

“They chased you, Henry?”

“Yes, fast too. That’s what’s on the screen, Joe. Killer rabbits.”

“Like Night of the Lepus?”

Henry was so frustrated, he stomped like a child. “Listen to me, Joe.”

“No Henry, listen to yourself. Do you hear how ridiculous you sound? You tell me you were in the tree. You saw the grass move but you couldn’t see what it was. And then you tell me it chased you, or rather they chased you. These rabbits. And you believe yourself. Just like you believed Frank.”

“What?”

“Remember that one Easter he was telling the kids about how Peter Rabbit forgot to take his Prozac and went hay wire Easter Eve attacking Robbie in his bed. You believed him.”

“He sounded believable, Joe. And this is true. I’m not exaggerating here. They squealed.”

“They squealed?” Joe asked with ridicule.

“Squealed like . . . like . . .” Henry slapped himself in the head. “Dean!”

“Dean squeals? Is there something you aren’t telling me, Henry?”

“Huh?” The light bulb went off in Henry’s head. “Oh Joe no.” He shook his head. “When you were in the cryo lab the last time, did you see those six rabbits on the counter, or rather hear them? Danny and I did.”

Joe stopped laughing. He stood up. “Let’s find, Dean.”

^^^^

“Oh Hal, we can have so much fun with this,” Ellen stated as she sat in the truck, riding with Hal.

“You really will do this?” Hal asked.

“Oh sure, I’ll play along. I’ll do it good too.”

“El, I appreciate this. I’m hoping that maybe if the men see how you are, perhaps we can stop fearing any woman we run into.”

“But Hal.” Ellen held up her hand. “You guys are such gentleman compared to our Beginnings men.”

“Really?” Hal was shocked. “They don’t treat you with respect?”

“Some do, but for the most part, they treat us like expectations.”

“You have got to be kidding me.” Hal was offended. “My brothers too?”

“Not Robbie. Frank does. Snaps his finger at me and expects me to run.”

“Do you?”

“Well, yeah. It’s Frank.”

“You’re gonna have to stop that, El.” Hal was disgusted. “And wait until we get my big brother back. I think I’ll sit down and have a word or two with him.”

“Won’t work.”

“It won’t?”

“No, he’s Frank and I’m Ellen. He’ll never change the way he treats me. You can try though.”

“I will,” Hal stated strongly.

“O.K. . . . Hal, this is so much fun, this ride. I want you to know I’m enjoying this immensely.”

“Thank you. Me too.”

“I feel very safe with you and I don’t feel safe with many people.”

Hal smiled. “Thanks again.”

“And . . . that uniform and bandana.” Ellen gave a thumbs up. “Kicks ass for your sex appeal.”

Hal blushed some, but he blushed with arrogance.

“I wonder if Danny and Herb are having this much fun?”

Herb tried to pretend he was sleeping, but that didn’t work, nor did it stop Danny.

“No, no , no Herb. Didn’t you hear me?”

“I’m sleeping.”

“Oh no you aren’t.”

“Danny, I am.”

Danny peered at Herb closely, swerving the truck and causing Herb to scream. “Sorry.”

“Just . . . Just drive.”

“Sing with me.”

“No,” Herb said annoyed.

“Just one song. Sing with me.”

“No.”

“O.K.” Danny tapped his hands on the steering wheel. A bright smile then hit his face. “Hey, I know.” He reached down and grabbed the radio.

^^^^

Dean had just finished checking on Jeremy in his post -release from the clinic exam and then found himself in Ellen’s office, grinning from ear to ear, laughing softly as he listened to the radio. He laughed at what he heard, but most of all he laughed at the thought of Hal’s face, Herb’s face, and just about anyone else that tuned in to listen to the nonstop duet between Danny and Ellen.

Danny’s voice led the song. “Mock . . .”

“Yeah.” Ellen sang.

“Ing.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah.”

“Mocking Bird.” Danny went off singing like he was some sort of super star. “Now everybody have you heard . . .”

“Dean,” Henry called to him.

Dean, who was deep in listening, jolted at the call and shut the radio off. “Joe, Henry. Wasn’t that funny?”

“A killer,” Joe stated, “but we need to talk to you. We need a favor.”

“What’s wrong?” Dean stood up looking at Joe and Henry.

“Nothing really.” Joe pointed to the door. “Feel like taking a walk with us?”

“Sure,” Dean said. “To where?” he asked as he followed.

“Your little cryo -lab.”

Dean stopped walking. “Why?”

“Dean.”

“Joe.” Dean grew firm. “It’s my lab.”

“And it’s my community, Dean.” Joe snapped back. “I’m not demanding here, I’m asking. If this was the old world you wouldn’t get away with one tenth the shit you do here. Now instead of the FDA, animal rights, human rights and any other goddamn organization breathing down your neck, you have me. I barely bother with what you do there. Today there’s something I need to see. Now do you take me or do I just go check it out?”

Dean shook his head as he walked by Joe. “Fine, but let me get in there first. O.K.?”

“That’s fine. If I don’t see what I need then I’ll ask. It’s nothing that you did, Dean. It’s just something I need to see.”

Dean had a sort of pouting storm to his walk. “It isn’t right, Joe. What we do in that lab is really Ellen and mine’s business.”

“Yes it is,” Joe agreed, “until it becomes something that affects the community. Then it’s my business. You are way too defensive about this. Why is that?”

“It’s just . . . it’s my work.” Dean lead the way across the street and to the entrance if the tunnels. During the whole walk, he kept wondering to himself what it was that he was doing that actually effected the community. On that, Dean was baffled.

Joe stared at his watch, then at Henry, and then at the closed cryo-lab door. “What is he doing in there?”

“Hiding evidence.”

“Of the killer bunnies?” Joe asked.

“Joe you shouldn’t joke around like that. Really, what if they are?”

“Henry, for crying out loud,” Joe scolded and the cryo-lab door opened.

Dean ran his fingers through his hair and opened the door wider. He looked frazzled. “All yours.”

Joe’s first step into the lab was slow and with shifting, suspicious eyes. “Dean, what took you so long?”

“I was uh . . . cleaning up.” Dean tried to hide the long breath he let out.

A slight gagging sound came from Henry. He spoke muffled as he pulled his shirt over his nose. “Joe, just ask him so we can leave.”

Joe sniffed outward harshly. “What is that smell, Dean?”

“Smell?”

“You don’t smell it? It smells like rotten flesh.”

“Yes.” Dean said. “It is.”

Henry gagged. “Joe, why does he have rotten flesh down here?”

“I moved it to the back,” Dean explained. “It’s something me and El are working on.”

“Rotten flesh?” Joe questioned. “May I ask whose?”

“Um, yeah. Robbie got it for us. It’s a piece of a deer. We’re trying to work on skin surface infections and we need some big tissue samples. We can’t get any human volunteers.”

“Gee, I wonder why.” Joe looked around. “Is that what you were hiding?”

“No. I mean, yes.” Dean took another breath. “What is it that you wanted to see?”

Before Joe could answer, he heard the bang of the cage. He looked to the counter to the six cages. “Them.”

“My rabbits?” Dean smiled. “Why?”

Joe moved to the cages. “They make noise, do they not?”

“Um . . .” Dean scratched his head. “Yeah. Oddly enough, yeah.”

“Can I ask why?”

“Yeah.” Dean answered. “But I can’t tell you exactly. We’re working on that. We’re kind of working on so much we can only do so much at a time.”

Henry nudged Joe. “Tell him Joe, Tell him.”

“Shh.” Joe silenced Henry. “Dean, are you doing something to these rabbits?”

“Of course,” Dean replied. “That’s why they’re down here.”

“What?” Joe asked.

“Well, these babies . . .”

“Babies?” Joe was shocked. “How much of babies are they?”

“Three weeks.”

“Christ!” Joe exclaimed at the six of the rabbits that looked full grown. “What did you do to them?”

“While their mother carried them, I injected this serum I’ve been working on that speeds up the metabolism. It really doesn’t work well. We have a lot of bugs to work out.”

“And that’s all you’ve done to them? This is how they got this way?” Joe questioned further.

“No.” Dean shook his head. “We created this high protein feed to help their weight, make them bigger. That’s sort of working. That’s what they eat. Is this why you’re here Joe, about my rabbits?”

“Yes. How loud do they get and do they squeal all the time?”

Dean was a bit surprised by Joe’s line of questioning but he didn’t mind answering it. Obviously someone besides him and Ellen found some interest in his ‘special’ work. “They squeal loudly when they are upset. Actually, making noise isn’t new to rabbits. It’s just usually not that loud. Their vocal chords do seem to be larger. That’s what my best guess is on the sounds.” Dean tossed his hands up. “Is that it?”

Again Henry, with his nose still covered by his shirt, nudged Joe. “Go on, Joe.” A bang at the cage startled Henry. “See Joe.”

“Henry!” Joe yelled. “Dean, how big will they get if they’re that big now?”

“Not very,” Dean explained. “They probably won’t live another week.” He saw the shocked expression on Joe’s face. “See, no matter how much we change the serum, the outcome is still the same. Their hearts are huge and they are growing faster than their bodies. I’ll show you what I mean.” Dean walked to a small fridge, opened it, and pulled out a cloth covered tray. He carried it over toward Henry and Joe and set it on the counter. He lifted the cloth.

Henry screamed in disgust when he saw the large rabbit without its fur. The rabbit’s chest was open and spread apart. “Dean, put that away.” Henry began to gag.

Dean snickered as he showed Joe. “See the heart? It’s nearly the same size as his body. It gets too big and eventually it explodes from within. Too much exertion will cause premature cardiac arrest.”

Joe nodded. “I’ve seen enough.”

Dean shrugged, grabbed the cloth, and carried the tray to the fridge. He stopped to show Henry the rabbit before covering it and placing it back.

Joe rubbed his chin, peering up at Dean. “So was the serum that caused the heart condition? What about just the feed?”

“The feed makes them heavy. See, we’re trying to get more meat on the rabbits for better food consumption.”

“I see. Dean, any chance any of that feed got outside this community.”

Dean didn’t answer.

“Dean?” Joe raised his voice along with an eyebrow. “Any chance.”

“Maybe a small chance.”

“A ha!” Henry shouted. “I knew it. I knew it.”

“Knew what?” Dean wondered. “We left a little feed outside. It’s just protein, that’s it.”

“Dean, those rabbits seem awfully strong. They jump pretty high too,” Joe commented.

“Yes they do and they are strong.”

“How fast are they?” Joe asked.

“Not very,” Dean answered.

“But they jump high.”

“Oh yeah.” Dean walked over to the cage and opened it. “They do that when they see someone in the lab. El and I usually let them out to roam. Because . . .” Dean took out the large rabbit. “We can catch them easily. Watch.” Dean set the rabbit on the floor.

Joe jumped back when he watched the rabbit fling himself up higher than any rabbit Joe had ever seen. “Shit.”

“Amazing huh?” Dean smiled. “But then . . .” The rabbit tried to jump again, this time only a little, then he looked as if he rested. The rabbit began to move across the floor, only instead of hopping, he sort of rolled. “See, Joe, They’re too big and too fat. They tire easily and can’t move.”

Joe grumbled in defeat. “So I suppose there isn’t a chance that the rabbits in the wild got a hold of your super feed and now are big and move over sixty miles an hour?”

Dean laughed loudly. “No way. The feed makes them big, yeah, but way too fat to even move a half a mile an hour. What is all this about?” Dean picked up the rabbit and carried him back to his cage.

Henry explained. “Something chased me, Dean. I couldn’t see it in the field but it was up at the under developed section and it squealed like your rabbits.”

Dean hesitated before putting the rabbit away. “You ran from rabbits?”

“No, Dean.” Henry was defensive. “They, or it, was fast. Zipped too. Radar picked it up.”

“Radar?”

Joe nodded. “Clocked whatever it was over sixty miles per hour. We thought it was a malfunction, but when Henry saw something moving in the high grass, we had to question. I’m going back to my theory on the computer was confused because there are so many rabbits in that area it can’t distinguish one small signal from another. It then blurs them together as one fast moving object.”

Dean closed the rabbit cage and looked serious. “How high and thick was the grass Henry?”

“High, about five feet and thick. There was a lot of brush there.”

Dean’s hand ran over his head to his neck. “And . . this was where?”

“Behind the under developed section, up behind the cliff. Sector Thirty-two. You know, where the tracking is. The field beyond that.” Henry told him.

“It chased you.” Dean watched Henry nod. “And it squealed.” Another nod from Henry and Dean shifted his eyes to Joe. “Clocked over sixty miles an hour? And that is the area with no perimeters?”

“What are you thinking, Dean?” Joe asked.

“I’m thinking.” Dean swayed his head. “I’m thinking we’d better talk to Melissa and find out where Marcus was.”

“Marcus.” Joe stated the name of the genetically enhanced child of Beginnings. The child who was thirteen months old but looked six years old. The child, who when younger had to be caged up, but now was given almost as much freedom as the rest of the children, treated like them even though he was so different from them. It being Marcus hadn’t even crossed Joe’s mind, but the mention of his name made Joe’s mind immediately start to race. If it was Marcus out in that field, Joe hoped it was only the rambunctiousness of a child who needed the area to expel his energy and not the surfacing of some genetic instinct that could breed worry in Beginnings.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

Ellen watched, impressed as the men who lined the streets saluted Hal while he drove into the center of the small town. “Hal, this place is wonderful.” She peered out at the charm Bowman projected, it’s small town style buildings, and clean streets. “Oh Hal.”

“I live right on that corner.” Hal pointed to the vacant drug store. “We can unload your things. Are you wanting to rest before I show you to the clinic?”

“No.” Ellen shook her head. “I’ll wait if you’re busy.”

“Not at all. I’m all yours.” Hal grinned. “I had Sgt. Ryder assign men to help put the food away and help Herb set up our own distribution. Danny, well, I figured Sgt. Ryder can take him about seeing Danny and Herb are staying with him.”

“Oh so you and I are alone?”

“Works better that way don’t you think?”

“Yes, we need our privacy.” Ellen giggled as Hal stopped the truck. “Hey!”

“What?”

“I know him. I know him.” Ellen pointed to Sgt. Ryder. “Hal.” Ellen smiled as she reached for the door. “He saved Frank’s life.”

“Sgt. Ryder?”

“Yes.” Ellen excitedly jumped from the truck. “Hey!” She called to Sgt. Ryder. “Remember me?”

Sgt. Ryder grinned and stepped to Ellen. “You’re O.K.?”

“Yes. Thank you.” Shocking Sgt. Ryder, Ellen embraced him tightly, holding her arms around him for a little while. “Thank you for all that you did for me and Frank.”

“I’m sorry about what happened to him.”

“He’ll be fine.” Ellen broke from the embrace. “Did you know that you saved Hal’s brother?”

Sgt. Ryder took a double take. “Frank is your brother?”

“Yes.” Hal smiled as he answered.

“Amazing.” Sgt. Ryder shook his head. “Well, Ellen, welcome to Bowman.”

“Thank you.” Ellen looked around. “This place is very nice. Hal, help me put my things away?”

“Absolutely.” Hal walked to the back of the pickup. He saw Danny and Herb pull up. “Elliott, the young man in that truck is Danny. He’s the one who will get our communications up.” Hal lifted the bags from the truck. “Danny!” Hal called out as Danny stepped to the street. “Sgt. Ryder here will assist you.” He got an agreeing nod from Danny and lugged Ellen’s bag and medical box from the pickup. He led Ellen into his apartment building.

Sgt. Ryder saw the very upbeat Danny Hoi smile and wave to him. He grinned at Danny’s enthusiasm, and waved back. Then the smile fell from Sgt. Ryder’s face when he watched Herb step from the truck. The second Sgt. Ryder saw the frazzled, annoyed and tired looking old man, Sgt. Ryder knew he was in trouble.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

It would take some getting used to for Joe. First having to walk that far to get home, and second, the new home itself. He had lived in the same house since he arrived in Beginning. He checked out the modular home, pale blue in color. It was nice but it had its drawbacks. One of the biggest being the fact that Danny had Ellen and Dean’s home three doors up. Joe loved his grandchildren dearly but the days of peaceful after-work time would be gone. Joe could see it coming. In fact he did see it. He could see his grandchildren utilizing the large underdeveloped field behind the new modular homes as if it were one big backyard.

Stepping to his front door, Joe paused. He took another look. Did he just see Joey floating above the grass? Joe blinked and he saw the reason for it. Flying across the field was Joey but Joey was not alone. He rode on Marcus’s back. Marcus, on his hands and knees, moved at an incredibly high speed. Joe watched the grass bend and move and his mind flashed to what Henry said he saw. Joe whistled loudly to get the attention of the two boys. “Marcus! Slow it down, I don’t need Joey breaking anything.” He heard the grunt and squeal reply and Joe watched the rate of speed slow down. Marcus listened. Good sign.

Joe reached for his door. “Christ.” It teetered on the hinge. “I’m kicking his ass.”

“Whose?” Andrea asked as she unpacked.

“Danny’s.” Joe stepped in the house. “Looks good.”

“Getting there. You could have been here to help.”

“I could have, but I was working. I’m busy, Andrea. And . . . I need to talk to you.”

“Sure. Can we talk while I unpack?”

“Yep.” Joe neared her. He had it on his mind all day. How he would handle it? Would he beat around the bush? Would he be direct? Subtle? Or would he be Joe? Joe reached into his pocket. “While I was looking for my cufflinks the other day, I found this.” Joe laid the note on the table. “I was wondering if we could talk about it.”

Andrea reached for the note and opened it.

Joe watched the expression. He swore if Andrea wasn’t a black woman she would have turned white. “Andrea? Can we talk?”

Andrea folded the note back up, slammed the box she was unpacking shut, and stormed off out of the room.

Joe heard the bedroom door slam. “Maybe not.”

^^^^

Melissa was silent, hesitating before saying anything to Dean. “Why?”

“I just need to know.” Dean questioned as they stood at the nurse’s counter. “Where was he today?”

“Dean, he was in school.”

Dean nodded slowly. “Melissa, I understand the protective instincts of a parent. I do. But . . . Jenny told me . . .”

“O.K.” Melissa held up her hand. “O.K., I couldn’t get him motivated this morning. So I figured since I was on the afternoon shift, I’d keep him home from school. Dean, he played, that’s all he did.”

“Did he leave the house?”

“Yes, but not for long.”

“Melissa.” Dean stayed calm. “What did I tell you? He’s either got to be around others or he stays in. Right?”

“But he wasn’t gone for very long.”

“He runs in excess of sixty-miles an hour which means alone for twenty minutes, Marcus ran from one end of Beginnings to the other.”

“What did he do?” Melissa asked.

“Nothing.” Dean shook his head. “We think he was wandering around the underdeveloped section, maybe a little further than he should.”

“He doesn’t know sometimes, Dean. Yes he’s big but you know mentally he’s still so young. I’ll keep a better eye on him,” Melissa said.

“Better? Melissa, you do fine. O.K.? I worry about him getting hurt. He’s a kid. Just keep him around someone if he wants to play. He tends to act like they do.” Dean began to walk away and stopped. “Which isn’t always good when he and Joey are together.”

“That’s all the time.”

“I know.” Dean smiled. “All right, speaking of Joey, I’m out of here. I’m on call so just reach me at home, I’m bringing stuff with me.” He started walking down the hall, turned, and walked backwards, speaking to Melissa. “Oh and uh I won’t say anything about Marcus running around today. We’ll keep it between us.” Dean spun back around, picking up his pace to his lab. He went over what seemed to be a million things in his mind, Dean hurried into his lab and gathered up the folders he was taking home. As he reached for the one stack he saw a note sitting on top. He briefly skimmed over the message that read, ‘The cat’s away. Does the mouse want to play? Find me. Bev’ . Not paying much attention to it, not thinking, he placed it inside one of his folders, secured the stacks in his arms, and left the lab.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

“Dean has created pretty much everything we have,” Ellen explained to Blue. “There isn’t much that we can’t treat.”

“I appreciate this.” Blue stood by the small open refrigerator.

“Here is a little booklet Dean made up. He’s so anal.” She snickered as she gave it to Blue. “It tells you by symptoms what to use. We gave you basics. Anything else you can get from us. I have reqs for you to have on hand.”

“Reqs?”

“Requisitions,” Ellen explained. “As far as I understand, there will be frequent trips between us until you guys settle closer. Just send the req with whoever is coming up. Once you guys are close, you can have it immediately. Until then, you’ll have to wait so plan ahead.”

“I understand.”

“One thing you’ll have to get used to, everything in Beginnings, with the exception of food, is requisitioned. It helps keep track of things.”

“Like a purchase order.”

Ellen smiled. “Exactly. Any questions?”

“No, but I’m sure I’ll think of some,” Blue said.

“I’m here tomorrow too.”

Hal, who had been quiet in the back, stepped forward. “Get used to working with . . . Dr. Hayes. She’ll be the other doctor here in Bowman or wherever we end up. Of course, she’ll still live in Beginnings, but we get to have her often.”

Blue seemed to like that. “Excellent. I’m so glad to have the help. There’s a lot of people here.”

“We’ll do well together,” Ellen commented. “Hal tells me you have a woman here whose pregnancy is high risk.”

“Yes.” Blue nodded. “She’s at the house now on bed rest.”

“She’s been having contractions. Any dilation?”

“Steady at two for a while. I got her drunk and was able to sustain it.”

Ellen nodded. “I want to see her. I brought some medication that should help her. She’ll have to take it regularly.”

“The Captain can take you there.”

Hal shook his head ‘no’ at Blue. When Ellen turned to him, Hal stopped and smiled. “Sure, I’ll take you. Get your things, El.”

Ellen patted the black medical bag Dean had lent her that used to be his father’s. “Right here.”

“Then let’s get this over with.” Hal laid his hand on Ellen’s back, leading her out. He stopped in the doorway, looked back at Blue, mouthed the word, ‘you’ll pay’ and then he and Ellen left.

Blue stood alone in his clinic, a relieved and happy man. He had better medical supplies and . . . there now was a chance that he no longer had to make any more trips to that house.

She was either highly attractive or an oddity. Ellen was wagering on the latter as the reason for the stares she got while walking down the streets of Bowman with Hal. No matter what they did, the men stopped and watched her as she walked by with him.

They approached the large white house, guarded with two UWA soldiers out front. They both saluted Hal as he and Ellen passed by them.

“Big.” Ellen slowed her pace on the walk and looked up at the house.

“We believe it belonged to the mayor of the town.” Hal told her as they stepped to the porch. “This is going to be an experience for me.”

“You don’t come here?” Ellen asked.

“No, I do when I have to but I’ve never come here with a woman. I’m curious to see the reaction. So . . .” Hal moved Ellen to the door side. He laid his finger on her lips. “Shh.” He knocked on the door. “And the thunder rolls.”

Ellen snickered a silent ‘what’ as the door opened.

“Captain.” Grace said his name with a hint of hatred. “This is an unscheduled visit. You know how I feel about them.”

“My apologies Gr . . . Gr . . . my apologies, but I’m sure Sgt. Ryder told you the doctor from Beginnings is here to check on Monica.”

“Yes, he did.” Grace opened the door wider. “Is he with you?”

Hal looked to his left. “Yeah, the doctor is right here.”

“Then fetch your guards. We don’t know this person and I don’t want one of my girls in the hands of an animal.”

Smiling, Ellen poked her head around. “I’ll try to be gentle.”

Grace gasped. “You’re the Beginnings doctor?”

“Yes.” Ellen held up her bag. “May I come in?”

“Oh yes!” Grace answered the door. “Please, please.”

Hal’s eyes shifted. If he didn’t see it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed it. Grace smiling?

Grace held the screen door open for Ellen, letting her in. “Captain, you’ve done so well with this. Thank you. That will be all.”

Hal had to quick be to stop the front door from closing. “No, that won’t be all. I believe I will wait for her.”

“Oh.” Grace looked at Ellen. “You have other business in town?”

“I’m still helping Dr. Blue at the clinic.”

“Then I’ll show you to Monica.” Grace moved Ellen along, turning and looking back at Hal. “Captain, stay here.”

“I have no intentions of walking any further into this house.” Hal said. He felt that annoying, typical tickle in his nose when he went into that house, and he sneezed loudly. He laughed when he heard Grace’s gasp of disgust at him.

Like she just performed a difficult circus act, Ellen impressed all the resident women to the point of applause as they gathered tightly in Monica’s room. The baby’s heart beat was strong and loud through the Doppler that Ellen held on Monica’s stomach. “Sounds like a girl.”

Monica smiled. “How do you know?”

“Heart rate is relaxed. The faster the heart beat the more it tends to be a boy.”

“Have you any children?” Monica asked.

“Yes.” Ellen answered. “Many.”

“Where are they now?”

“Back in Beginnings.” Ellen put the instrument away, dancing around the words ‘my husband’ so not to ruin Hal’s new reputation. “My father has them.”

“Your father survived the plague?”

“Actually, my father died some years ago before the plague. Joe, Joe has been like my father for over twenty years. Joe is Hal’s biological father.” Ellen saw the lost look on Monica’s face. She turned and looked at the other women in the room. They all looked just as lost. “Hal. The Captain.” The woman all grumbled. Ellen snickered. “That’s funny. His brother has the same effect on women in Beginnings.”

Grace was shocked by this. “The Captain has a father and a brother who survived the plague and are in Beginnings?”

“No.” Ellen shook her head. “The captain has a father and two brothers in Beginnings.” She heard the gasp. “No, really. They’re all gruff but . . . I love them all. I’ve known them forever.”

Grace laid a soothing hand on Ellen’s shoulder. “You poor thing.”

Ellen had to laugh. What other reaction could she have? Grace was just so serious. She set the medication down on the counter. “O.K. Monica, because there is some dilation of the cervix, I want you to take the pills twice a day like clockwork. O.K.? I also see no reason why you can’t walk around, taking it easy with it. You have to get some circulation other than going to the bathroom. You don’t want a blood clot and I noticed your legs are swollen.” Ellen looked to Grace. “Get her up and moving,. O.K.?”

“How will that affect her baby?” Grace asked.

“She hasn’t had contractions in some time, so with the med she should be fine. Hal said she has a history of premature deliveries. Can’t guarantee this baby won’t be born early, but we can try to hold it in there as long as possible.”

Monica grabbed Ellen’s hand. “What if I deliver early?”

“I can tell you this. We have excellent medical care in Beginnings. My youngest son was born seven weeks early. He’s fine. And . . . you’re a hour away, round trip. Any problems, radio communications are up. Danny is here getting some phone service going. You call and Robbie will fly down and get you.”

“Robbie?” Monica asked.

“Hal . . . I mean, the Captain’s brother.” Ellen heard the moans. “Robbie’s the nicest one.” Ellen closed the medical bag. “Well, I’ll leave you. It was very nice meeting all of you.” Ellen felt the strangest thing. Monica was touching her hair.

“Your hair is pretty. And soft.”

“Excuse me?” Ellen asked.

“Your hair is so soft. Grace feel her hair.”

Ellen shuddered when she felt Grace stroke her hair. “Um, we have a great chemist in Beginnings,” She started to get up when she felt another touch her hair and then another woman touch her arm. “Excuse me.”

“So soft.” A woman commented. “How are you so soft? We try.”

“Chemicals. Creams.” Ellen stood up feeling really uncomfortable. “Well, I should go.” She backed up. “You girls have been great.”

Grace physically stopped her. “Doctor, you should exercise extreme caution out there. Please.”

“I will. Hal will protect me personally.” Ellen hurried to the door. “Thank you.”

“Doctor.” Grace called to Ellen. “We’ll expect you not too late.”

“Um O.K.” Ellen opened the door, walked out, and popped her head back in. “Bye.” She shut the door. Ellen paused in the hall before going down, trying to shake the weirdness that still lingered after being in the room with the odd women. How strange they were to Ellen, so curious and treating her like she was a novelty or toy. After shaking a shudder once, Ellen hurried down the staircase and met up happily with Hal who was still waiting on her.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“Oh my God. Frank . . . Frank.”

Frank could hear Ellen’s voice in his mind as if she were in that office with him. The sounds of his last day, his last moment with her were as alive in his memory as he was.

Gun shots . . .

“El . . . Run.”

“I can’t leave you.”

“Run . . . Run.”

The touch of her lips. The rustling of grass. Ellen’s scream . . .

Frank’s eyes closed tightly, his forefinger and thumb pressed tightly to his eyelids as his head flung back in the chair. He swallowed harshly. His mind was with Ellen and his heart filled more with hatred for George.

“Frank.” Richie’s voice invaded Frank’s thoughts.

Frank raised his head up, opened his eyes, and let out a long breath.

“You have to call George.” Richie slid the phone to him. “You’re a half hour late.”

Frank sniffed hard and pulled the phone to him. “I hate calling him.”

“You know what to tell him about his man Marcus, right?”

“No. I’ll wing it.” Frank began to dial the phone.

^^^^

Quantico Marine Headquarters

With one hand on the just hung up phone and the other on his chin, George stared with seriousness after finishing his evening checkin with Frank. Marcus had left Binghamton a day early. Why? Marcus never bothered to call for his check in. Why? Frank had no explanation and that was the only thing that stopped George from being totally suspicious of something going on. Surely if there was something happening in Binghamton, Frank would have had some extreme excuse or made up story to cover up but Frank had nothing. That told George perhaps he was being honest and Marcus was just being facetious. Just in case, to take no chances, George decided he would move the plans along faster, first with the scientists and the two ambassadors. Instead of leaving for Binghamton in two days, they would leave at first light. Once there, George would move ahead with part two . . . Dean.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Bowman, North Dakota

Joe snoring loudly.

That was how Ellen began to tell the tale she told to the group of men who sat with her and Hal on Sgt. Ryder’s long front porch.

Joe snored so loudly, it seemed to ricochet throughout the campsite. It caused her to laugh and Frank to get annoyed with her. They moved their sleeping bag a distance from everyone so they could fool around. They were just sophomores in college.

“El, come on, Knock it off,” Frank whispered.

“I can’t help it..”

A ripping Joe snore and Ellen giggled again.

Frank sealed off Ellen’s mouth with his own, shutting her up. Buried within that sleeping bag, Frank managed to turn things around, getting as serious as he could in the little space he had.

Zip. Zip. Zip.

“Shit.” Frank tried to move his head but it wouldn’t go up very far.

“Frank?”

“Shit. We’re zipped in here.”

“What?”

“Shit. Someone is tapping me on the shoulder.”

“Who?” Ellen asked.

“Hello?” Frank called out

Muffled giggles and coming from right outside the sleeping bag he and Ellen were inside.

“Fuck.” Frank bit his lip. “Hal!”

There was the tiniest unzipping of the bag. It was just enough for Hal to open and speak into. “Um, Frank. Seems we both are in a dilemma. Me, see, I’m fourteen and federal law prohibits me from actually holding down anymore than a paper boy position. There is this really neat bike I want. You, Frank, are stuck in the sleeping bag doing God knows what kind of obscene thing with a girl that dad believes you think of as a sister. Now . . .”

“Hal, I’m kicking your ass when I get out of here.”

“You shouldn’t make threats, Frank. See, I can wake up Dad. What would he think about this?”

“You’re dead.” Frank reached for the zipper.

“I’m in control.”

At that point Frank lost it. He bellowed out and didn’t care whether his father heard him or not, or whether Ellen was right there in that bag with him. “Hal, I swear to God, let go of the zipper or you’ll become a fuckin statistic when they find your long haired skinny ass body half buried in the woods. Let go!”

All eyes on that porch moved to Hal.

Hal tossed his hands up. “What? No. No.” He shook his head. “Don’t look at me. That is not what happened. She is telling it distorted because she was in that bag. Jimmy was the one that stood over that sleeping bag, not me El, remember? Jimmy. I was reading a really good book.”

Danny Hoi spoke into the radio. “Robbie? Did you hear that?”

Robbie’s voice was loud. “Oh my God, Hal! Can you still lie! No that’s not what happened at all. I remember.”

And even though it was over the radio, Robbie’s version came though clear . . .

“Robbie. Robbie.” Hal shook him.

“What?” Robbie woke up.

Hal snickered. “Check this out. I was trying to tape Dad snoring so I could put it on the answering machine and guess what?”

“What?”

“Frank is with Ellen in her sleeping bag.”

“What happened to Frank’s sleeping bag? Ow!” Robbie felt Hal hit him in the head.

“Come on. Let’s go make some money.”

“How?” Robbie asked.

“Frank will want to give it to us. We just have to ask him. Come on.”

Jimmy’s groggy voice emerged from his sleeping bag. “Hal, behave. Go to sleep and leave them alone.”

“Yeah right.” Hal fluttered his lips at Jimmy. “Come on, Robbie.”

“Robbie, don’t. He always gets you in trouble.”

“No, I don’t,” Hal said. “Robbie, come on.”

“Hey.” Robbie covered his eyes when Hal shined the flashlight beam close to his pupils, blinding him. “All right.”

Like they were in an episode of Mission Impossible, Robbie and Hal crawled the distance to the moving sleeping bag. Hal laughed, held up his finger, and zipped the bag closed. Robbie had to admit he thought it was funny. The trapping of Frank and Ellen and . . . the new bike he and Hal eventually got and shared.

“What!” Ellen was so shocked when she heard Robbie say that, she snatched the radio from Danny Hoi’s grip. “Robbie. You guys got the bike?”

“Oh yeah. It took about six months. Dad never did figure out where we got the money. El, Hal used that against Frank forever. Hell, ask him how long he used that against Frank?”

Ellen looked to Hal. “How long?”

Hal shook his head. “Until I got the bike.”

Ellen spoke into the radio, “Is that true, Robbie?”

“No.” Robbie said. “Years and years and years. Ask him where he got the five hundred dollar down payment for the motorcycle? Every single time Hal needed something, he went to Frank. Oh, he was sly too. Frank was the mean brother and Jimmy was the smart one. Me, I was the one always in trouble and Hal . . . Hal was the dick of the family. And he got away with it too. Fooled everyone.” Robbie rambled on. “Man, he would say, ‘Frank, I need fifty bucks’. Frank would tell him no and Hal would be like, ‘So Frank, how often do Kelly and Ellen talk? Just curious’. He used it until Frank found out Hal was having that affair with his CO’s wife.”

Hal snatched up the radio. “Goodnight,Robbie.” He shut it off and lookedatthe faces who hinged on his response.“Please, he was young and he exaggerates. Frank always helped me out of the goodness of his heart And I . . . I never had an affair with my CO’s wife.

Sgt. Ryder nodded slowly. “So why did you shut the radio off, Captain? Seems to me not only is this merger with Beginnings going to be fruitful, but awfully informative as well. And . . . damn it. What is this?”

All eyes went where Sgt. Ryder’s eyes were. Grace, escorted by two guards, neared the porch.

Hal winced. “What does she want?” With a complaining manner, Hal stood up with all the men when Grace approached.

“Doctor.” Grace spoke to Ellen. “We would like to shut the house down now. Let’s go. We’ve waited long enough.”

Ellen shifted her eyes. “Excuse me? Go where?”

“To the house.” Grace told her.

“For what?”

“You should be there.”

“Thanks for the housing offer but I’m staying with Hal.”

Grace was aghast. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I plan on having sex with him, that’s why.”

Hal pulled up a fake blush. “Ellen please, our personal lives are just that.” He tapped her hand.

Grace grew even more angry. “Do not make me come up there and physically bring you to our house.”

Ellen laughed. “Physically bring me to your house? Oh, that’s funny. Thanks but no. Now if you don’t mind, we are talking and reminiscing. Go.”

Grace took in a long breath, stared at Ellen, stomped up to the porch, lifted Ellen’s much smaller body, tossed her over her shoulder like Frank does, and stormed off with her.

Sgt. Ryder looked at a stunned Hal. “Captain?”

Hal looked lost. He looked at Danny who laughed hysterically.

Danny caught his breath. “Man I wish I brought my camera. That was funny. You know what. I’ll get her. I’m not part of this bizarre ritual you guys have going with the women here.” As Danny went to step from the porch, he stopped. “No need.”

Ellen came stomping up the front lawn . . . alone. “Wow, she’s tough.” She let out a loud ‘whew’ and took her seat again on the porch. “Where were we?”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie hit his cigarette loud, pulling it from his mouth with a ‘pop’ noise as he sat in Rev. Bob’s chapel office on the marital couch. “Now . . .” Robbie blew the smoke out and up as he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “Let me see if I got this straight.” He squinted and looked down at the coffee table to the open Bible there.

“Try it.” Rev. Bob waved the smoke from his way.

“O.K. Now Adam and Eve were the first man and woman on earth.”

“Yes.”

“They are the father and mother of all children.”

“Yes.” Rev. Bob nodded.

“This Eve lady gave birth to Cain and Abel.”

Rev. Bob snapped his finger. “You got it.”

“No. It still makes no sense.”

Rev. Bob stayed in religious control. “How can it not?”

“Someone should have edited this better, cause check it out.” Robbie’s finger moved across the page. “Adam and Eve are the parents of all. They had Cain and Abel. Cain offed his brother and went to the next town and married some woman. Who gave birth to Cain’s wife? And who gave birth to all the people that made this place the next town. Eve? No way. There has got to be some other mother someone is forgetting about.”

Rev. Bob shut the Bible. “Well.” He slapped his own knees and stood up. “You brought up some very interesting points.”

“Thanks.”

“I bet you were just the favorite pupil in Bible school.”

“Never went to Bible school. I was Catholic. I went to Catechism when I got kicked out of St. Mary’s.”

“And it shows.” Reverend Bob checked out his watch. “My goodness, look at the time. It’s pushing nine. Let’s save the Book of Genesis for next Thursday. Shall we?”

“Yeah.” Robbie stood up. “So we’re done?”

“Yes.” Rev. Bob ran his fingers though his tousled grey hair and opened the door for Robbie.

“Can we discuss the great flood next?”

“Why yes, Robbie, we can.”

“Excellent.” Robbie stopped in the doorway. “This is great, because I think Noah was actually this really brilliant astronomer and he saw this huge meteor coming and he tracked it to fall in the ocean. Knowing the earth would flood, he built an ark.”

“Goodnight, Robbie.”

“Night.” Robbie took a step and stopped again. “Hey, do you suppose there is any connection between Noah and the dinosaurs? You know, how they say a meteor wiped them out?” He saw only the glare he got from the Reverend. “Just a thought. Goodnight.” Robbie stayed quiet until he heard the door to Rev. Bob’s office close and when he did, he snickered in amusement at his performance for the Reverend.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“So what are you gonna do?” Richie asked Frank late that evening.

“What can I do?” Frank tossed his hands up and looked at the cloudless dark sky. “I send the trucks tomorrow.”

“Frank. Two ambassadors. Eight scientists. Lab equipment . . .”

“Richie, I know.”

“Frank.” Richie looked at him. “You’re gonna have to be careful. It looks like this is turning out to be an actually Society location. I know. I’ve lived in seven of them. This is the way it starts.”

“Why is that?” Frank questioned.

“Because, first the military sets up, then whatever they are establishing the site as. Obviously, this is going to be some sort of research facility. Two months ago I was in the coal mining . . .”

“No, Richie. What are you doing for them? Why is it that you move around with them?”

“I’m a carpenter. I fix the structures. I was in construction, Frank. I’m part of the cleanup crew. We move from site to site, clearing out the overgrowth, fixing the buildings, and getting the basics up and running. Water, power and such.”

“Didn’t you see what they do?” Frank asked.

“No.” Richie shook his head. “I didn’t. A lot of men don’t. They haven’t a clue.”

“And you weren’t suspicious? I’m not coming down on you. I’m just trying to understand why everyone is working for George, working for a killer, and working for a man who will kill anyone who won’t work for him. They are working for the man who ended our world and still wants to take over what’s left.”

“You guys in your little Beginnings world know this and the UWA knows this, but look at the numbers. The total of your two communities is one percent, maybe, of what George has so the majority isn’t aware. We heard ‘rebuild’ and we were there.”

Frank nodded silently.

“And now, Frank, they’re coming here.”

“Yeah but they won’t be for long,” Frank told him. “Once I find out where Ellen is, and once George returns, he’s a dead man and I’m out of here.”

“Beginnings.” Richie said the name with a slight smile.

“Yeah . . . Beginnings.” Frank leaned back against his porches’ step. “Home.”

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

“Really, Ellen.” Dean had a hint of sarcasm to his voice as he spoke to her that night on the radio. “Do you think it’s wise to have the other half of our female population hating you already. You have problems with this half as it is.”

“Dean, I’m serious.” Ellen sat in the police station, her feet up on the counter. Hal was there with her, but he slept in a chair, utilizing the piece of furniture to its fullest. His legs extended as far as they could go, his body leaning, the base of his head resting on the back of the chair.

“O.K., tell Blue to apply ice and that’s about it. Did you see if there was any internal damage”

“She won’t let me look. Blue says no. He doesn’t see any, but Grace says she’s having a hard time hearing.”

“Probably because the inner ear is filled with blood. That could happen when someone punches you in the ear. A rupture of the drum is easily spotted. She’ll have to use ice on the outside and wait it out. If it gets any worse, sorry hon, she’ll have to come up here for us to look at.”

“O.K. thanks.” Ellen paused. “So what are you wearing?”

“Are we having radio sex?”

“No.” Ellen laughed. “I want to get the visual of you as I’m talking to you.”

“Jeans.”

“Shirt, no shirt?”

“El, I’m laying on our bed. I am wearing a shirt.”

“What are you doing, besides talking to me, that is?”

A slight snicker from Dean came over the radio. “All right, I’ll tell you. Actually I’m lying here, thinking of you, and trying to sum up the physical feeling of you being here.” Dean waited for a response. “El?”

“I don’t get it.”

Dean started to laugh. “Never mind. I’m working, actually reading some files. I have some things to discuss with you when you get back. What are you doing?”

“Talking to you and watching Hal sleep in a chair. God, Dean.” Ellen cased him up and down. “I swear if you don’t look at his face, it’s Frank. They are built exactly alike. Everything but the face. Hal’s shorter, but still.”

“Anything else besides the Slagel resemblance?”

Ellen snickered. “Danny found the uplink for the phones. It’s at a town forty miles from here, so he’ll be gone all day tomorrow but Binghamton should have some phone service to speak to us.”

“Good.”

“Dean, quit reading while I’m talking to you. Anyhow . . . I met some of the men who are coming to Beginnings.”

“Did you process them?” Dean asked.

“Yeah, all pretty healthy. Mentally, they are a good bunch, what I’ve met so far. I’ll meet the rest tomorrow. Dean?”

“I’m not reading.”

“I miss you.”

“Thanks, El. I miss you.”

“I’d better go. I just wanted to radio you and hear your voice. Tell the kids I love them. And Dean, I love you.”

“El.” Dean spoke softly. “I want you to know something. I’m really happy with the way things are between us. I am. Just know that. OK? And I love you too.”

It was an intrusion. It was Robbie. “Ah, how sweet. Don’t buy it, El. Dean, you know she’s doing my brother right now.”

“Robbie.” Dean scolded. “I can’t believe you were listening to us.”

“Uh Dean? It’s a radio. How can you not?” Robbie asked.

“Turn the channel,” Dean told him. “It was intimate.”

Robbie laughed. “No, Dean, it wasn’t. Now, what I heard Frank and Ellen do over the radio, that was intimate.”

Ellen shrieked. “Robbie!”

Robbie just laughed.

Dean did not. “Robbie, I swear you are the only person I know who would eavesdrop on a conversation.”

“Um . . . Dean.” Henry’s voice came on. “You know me.”

“Me too,” Mark interjected.

“You know me, Dean.” Dan from security added. “You guys could have added more spice.”

“God!” Dean exclaimed disgusted. “Anyone else care to own up to the fact that they’re listening?”

“Me,” Steve from security said.

“Me,” another added.

“Me too.” And yet another.

“What is it with people in this community? Isn’t there anything better to do.” Dean questioned.

“No,” Robbie answered. “Not really. Hey El, Tell Danny not to stay there too long. Neville competition starts tomorrow.”

“I’ll tell him,” Ellen said.

“El?” Dean called her name. “You’re talking to me.”

“Sorry. We’d better say goodnight. Night, Dean.”

“Night, El,” Dean replied.

“Night, El.” Robbie did too.

“Night, Robbie,” Ellen said.

Robbie snickered loudly. “Hey look, we’re the Walton’s.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie was amused with himself as he meandered around Beginnings after his visit with Reverend Bob. No one was at the social hall. Jess was on shift so he stopped and spoke to him for awhile. To Robbie, there really wasn’t too many left in Beginnings that he could actually hang around with and have a good time.

He reached into his chest pocket for a cigarette and felt the emptiness. “Shit.” He began to pat himself thinking he placed them in another pocket. “Where did I . . .” Robbie remembered he left them at the chapel office. He was so in annoying and challenging Rev. Bob into a Bible frenzy, Robbie forgot them. Looking behind him to distribution and then to his keys, Robbie weighed his options. To get cigarettes, he had to unlock one of two doors, Distribution or Rev. Bob’s office at the chapel. Fearing Joe and not Reverend Bob, Robbie moved toward the chapel.

It was never locked, ever so Robbie walked right in to Beginnings’ house of God, up the small aisle of the quiet place, and to the back office. Unlike Frank, Robbie reached for the key he had tagged for the chapel office and opened the door. He had a strange feeling of excitement as he made his unauthorized entry into the minister’s domain. It was sort of like a long awaited revenge on Fr. O’Shea for making Robbie count un-blessed communion wafers when he busted Robbie eavesdropping on confessions. Though Rev. Bob was not Fr. O’Shea, to Robbie, they all worked for the same boss.

He turned on the light as soon as he opened the office door. He could see his cigarettes, in the Beginnings’ equivalent to a pack, lying on the coffee table. Robbie walked to retrieve them. He picked up the pack, pulled one out, placed it in his mouth, and put the pack in his chest pocket. Moving back to leave, Robbie spotted them and the kid in him had to look, not so much for the pictures but to read what people actually wrote to Rev. Bob in his year books.

They were stacked on the edge of his desk, held up by two bookends. There were ten of them, four years of high school and six years of college. “Cool.” Robbie twirled his index finger. “Eenie, meanie, miny . . . Iowa State. Freshmen year.

Wanting to light his cigarette but afraid the lingering smell would give away his intrusion, Robbie chewed on the butt of it and flipped open the yearbook. “H . . . H . . .” Robbie looked through the freshmen. “Robert Haddon.” Robbie snickered. “Look at you. You have . . . fuck.” Robbie flipped a page, then through some more. “Fuck.” The smiled left Robbie’s face and he closed the yearbook, tucked it under his arm, and left Rev. Bob’s office.

^^^^

Andrea wore a long robe. It was tied tightly across her waist and her arms were folded over her stomach as she walked into the living room of her new home.

Joe, sitting on the couch and peering at work spread out on the coffee table, looked up at her. “She lives.”

“She needs to speak to you.”

“You didn’t want to speak before, Andrea.” Joe turned a page and grabbed his cigarette. “Wasn’t meaning to fight with you.” He kept his eyes glued to his work as he talked. “I overstepped my boundaries.”

“Oh no Joe, no you didn’t.”

“Really?” Over the rim of his glasses, Joe looked at her. “Christ, Andrea, you haven’t spoken to me or looked at me all day.”

“I know,” Andrea said.

“I shouldn’t have held onto that letter. It was wrong.”

“Joe, you’re my husband. I should have showed you that letter.”

“I wasn’t your husband then, so it was none of my business.”

“But you’re my husband now and I’d like to be honest with you about it.”

Opportunity, Joe thought. “So uh . . . why didn’t you then.” Another flip of a page and Joe pretended his work was more important.

Andrea moved next to him and sat down. “I was embarrassed.”

“What?” Joe looked at her finally.

“Embarrassed.” Andrea fiddled with the edges of the robe. “See, when George first came to Ashtonville, he was still, to me, the President and he paid so much attention to me. He and I used to spend some evenings together reading the Good Book, talking about our spouses, our lives, and those we missed. Did you know he had five children, Joe? Five?”

“Yes, I did.”

“And a family, such a large family. Brothers, sisters. None of them survived which bothered him because, well you had two sons that survived. Why couldn’t he? And when Dean released his research that survival was male gene hereditary, he was lost.”

“He started the goddamn plague, Andrea. If his family died, he killed them. He gets no pity from me. None.”

Andrea nodded. “He got it from me because at the time, I didn’t know he released it. And we got close.”

“I see.”

“We shared some intimacies in our grieving while we were in Ashtonville.”

Joe tried not to show his surprise. “I see.”

“I stopped it because I just felt so bad because I didn’t have the feelings a woman should have for a man she was sleeping with. I had started to get close to Miguel. He and I were really starting a base relationship, the way it should have been. The way a man and woman should be.”

“So why did he write that letter well after you and Miguel were married?”

Andrea’s head dropped.

“That’s the reason for the embarrassment?”

Andrea nodded. “I sinned. I committed adultery. It was during the time before we knew that there were more men than women. It was just our little community. There was no excuse for betraying my Miguel. I don’t know why I did. Pressure by George. Sympathy for hurting him. I don’t know. No excuse. Rev. Bob helped . . .”

“Rev. Bob?”

“Yes.” Andrea nodded sadly. “He helped me end it with George, talking to us both. George finally accepted it and that was when he wrote me the letter.”

Joe closed his eyes and laid his hand on Andrea’s.

“Do you hate me, Joe? Do you think less of me?”

“No, not at all.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you. Now, I really need to look at this distribution stuff right . . .” He looked up when there was a knock and his door opened. “Robert.”

“Dad.” Robbie poked his head in the door. He smiled at Andrea. “Mom.”

“Robbie!” Andrea grinned and walked to the door. “Come in, sweetie. Let me fix you something to eat.”

“I can’t. Thanks. Dad?” Robbie pointed outside. “Can you come out here for a second.”

“Sure.” Joe dropped his pencil and stood. “Andrea, I’ll be back.” He followed Robbie outside. “Must be important if you’re pulling me out. What’s up?”

Robbie turned on a flashlight and handed Joe the yearbook. “I left my smokes in Rev. Bob’s office. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular. Just . . .”

“Being nosy.”

“Yep and . . .” Robbie opened the yearbook and shined the flashlight down for Joe to see.

“Christ.” Joe let out a slow breath and looked back at Robbie.

“Surprise. Surprise. Huh Dad?”

“That’s an understatement.” Joe closed the yearbook.

“There’s more.”

“I bet, but this has to be returned. So . . . take this over to Danny Hoi’s. He’s not home but he has that copy machine he is using for the paper. Copy this whole thing if you can.”

“I will.”

Joe handed the yearbook back to Robbie. “And say nothing. Tomorrow I’ll call a meeting. Dean and Henry need to know this.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

September 19

Binghamton, Alabama

On the norm, Frank’s thick black hair was usually cut and cropped so short it plastered closely to his head. But as Frank waited in his office for Richie, his fingers played with his hair in annoyance at the length. It had been too long since he cut his hair and he cringed when his hand ran down the back of his head and felt a curl. It was a tiny one, but a curl none the less. Frank knew if he didn’t cut it or shave it soon, he would have to break down and use a comb.

“You wanted to see me, Frank?” Richie opened up the door.

“Yeah, Richie, come on in.” Frank stood up.

“What’s up?”

“You’re fired.”

“What?” Richie laughed.

“I’m serious. I was thinking last night that I can’t have you working for me.”

“Why?” Richie neared the desk. “Frank, if I don’t work for you, they’ll ship me out.”

“No, you’ll work, but not as my right hand man.”

Richie looked insulted. “I thought I did good.”

“Yeah you did.” Frank leaned on his desk. “But . . . with these ambassadors and scientists coming in a few hours, I can’t take a chance with you. If they find out what I’m up to and find out that you’re involved, they’ll take you out. And I mean take you out.”

“So.”

“No, not ‘so’ Richie. I wanna go home and I’d like to give to the woman I love the news that her brother is alive. A brother she didn’t like, but a brother none-the-less. I don’t want to tell El that you were alive but they found you out and killed you.”

Richie shook his head, looking little mad. “That’s not right. What am I gonna do? Be a worker bee and hang?”

“No. You’ll be in charge of maintenance around here. We have no one to do that. And . . . you’ll also be close to the Society people when they get here.”

The expression on Richie’s face changed. “A spy.”

“Yep.” Frank nodded. “And you’ll pull a John Matoose.”

“Huh? Who?”

“We still have one of George’s people in Beginnings I guess, but he tells us about George now in exchange for his life. We wanted him to pretend that we didn’t know, you know, feed George false information and such, but that didn’t work.”

“It can work in my case.”

“Yep. Feed them false information. Volunteer it. Let it be known that you worked for me and tell them what they want to know . . . sort of. But make sure you let me know what is said. O.K.?”

“Got it.” Richie gave a thumbs up. “When do I start this new position?”

“Immediately. I’m pulling that guy Squirrel in to be my secretary slash right hand man.”

“Squirrel? You mean Scarell?”

Frank snapped his finger, “Yep that’s him. A weasel type. Him.”

“You have to watch him.”

“I know.” Frank nodded. “But that’s O.K. It’ll keep me on my toes and with you and I not working together, we stand a chance of finding out more.”

“I think you may be right. O.K., What do you need me to do now?” Richie asked.

“First is Dr. Morris. Go over to see him. Tell him that since we are getting new people, you’re maintenance around here now and if he needs anything done to let you know.” Frank waited for Richie’s agreement. “Then go see the guys that are preparing the lab. I’ll head there before you to let them know you’ll be in charge. Right now you head to the hospital.”

“I can do that.” Richie walked to the door. “I liked hanging around you again, Frank.”

“Me too, Richie, but we’ll have plenty of time to do that in Beginnings.”

“I can’t wait to see my sister especially since you caught me up on her.”

“I have a lot more to tell you.”

Richie started opening the door. “Frank, on a down note, what are we telling these new ambassadors when they ask about all the missing officers?”

“Same thing we told the men. They are on survival training.”

“Will they buy it?”

“Um . . . probably not. No.” Frank shook his head. “But how are they gonna prove it otherwise?”

“You have two of them locked up at interrogations.”

At first Frank looked serious and then Frank grinned. There was a chuckle that accompanied it.

“Frank? Um . . . that’s supposed to be something that worries you. What are we doing with them? Explaining them? What if they pull an inspection. We can’t kill the officers in the middle of the day.”

Frank kept grinning. “I have an idea. What time am I supposed to call George?”

“An hour.”

“Good. That’ll be perfect.” Frank saw the lost look on Richie’s face and he waved Richie away. “Don’t worry about. I got it under control.”

“All right.” With a shrug, Richie left.

It wasn’t long after the door closed, and Frank stood in his office, that he started to snicker. He’d stop, think and laugh again. He was enjoying a moment of self amusement because it just amazed Frank at times on how brilliant and quick thinking he could actually be.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Sleep wasn’t going to be an option for Jess Bowen when he walked into his and Robbie’s home early in the morning after his shift. Perhaps later he’d sleep. He was off on this Friday. He seemed more puzzled as he turned on the living room light and moved to the kitchen. He was puzzled on how he got himself roped into doing Danny Hoi’s work.

Was Danny that keen sensed or was Jess that dense? He wondered that as he grabbed the coffee pot and began to fill it with water, making a pot of coffee for Robbie. Jess had walked right into it. Bored while walking his living section rounds, he responded to Danny’s four in the morning radio call saying he needed to speak to someone really smart. Anyone would respond to be sarcastic, Jess did, and Danny got him. Before Jess knew it, he had volunteered to do the editing for the first ever Sunday edition of ‘The Beginnings Times’ or at least the parts that were not immediate news. Danny assured him he would handle that portion. They still had two days.

Jess’s finger flicked on the coffee pot switch and he noticed the silence. Where was the thumping about above him from an overslept Robbie who rushed to meet his start time of six am, a normal routine in the Slagel and Bowen home.

Thinking that Robbie got an early start, Jess reached to shut off the coffee pot. He stopped when he realized he would need that coffee and he walked out of the kitchen to head upstairs to shower.

Jess moved his way down the upstairs hall to the bedroom and stopped at Robbie’s door. He saw the corner of the bed. Jess never really thought them useful, with the exception of a place to corner tuck the blankets, but as Jess leaned in Robbie’s doorway with a snicker on his face, he saw that Robbie did make that corner of the bed useful.

Papers sprawled out across Robbie’s floor were the backdrop. Robbie, dressed, teetered face down over the corner of the bed. His stomach was pressed against the bed, his arms and head dangling, and his legs, one straight, the other bent to the floor. “Robbie. Don’t you have to be at work?”

Bang.

Robbie, in a startle, rolled onto the floor and to his papers. “Oh God,” he grumbled.

“What is wrong with you?”

“I haven’t been to bed yet.” Robbie stumbled to his feet and looked at the mess. “Shit. I didn’t finish this. I swore I finished it.”

“What is all this?” Jess walked in the room helping Robbie to pick up the papers.

“I had to copy a yearbook for my Dad. I did one and he calls me to ask me if I could copy three more for our suspect meeting. I didn’t think it would take so long, and I had to get it done so I could return the yearbook before Rev. Bob went to the chapel.”

“I see that you did.”

“Not entirely. I have to put them together. Fuck” Robbie stacked the papers. He looked at his watch. “I’ll have to do it later.”

“Why don’t I do it for you?”

“You have to sleep.”

“Not today.” Jess laid his stack on the bed. “Danny roped me into editing some of the new newspaper today so it’s close to being done when he gets back. I have to meet Trish in two hours at history.”

“Don’t be late. You know how she is.”

Jess grunted. “Tell me about it. But hey, at least Danny convinced her not to wear that visor while she works on the paper.”

“You still have to call her ‘Scoop’ though, don’t you?”

He winced first then Jess laughed. “Unfortunately.” He took the paper stack fanned out in Robbie’s hand and collated them. He then saw one neat pile on Robbie’s bed. “Is that the first copy of the yearbook?”

“Um, yeah.” Robbie looked at it.

“I’ll use that if I need help. Go get ready for work.”

“Jess, are you sure? This is really great of you.” Robbie walked to his door.

Jess smiled. “Robbie, for you, it’s not a problem.”

“Thanks.” Robbie grinned. “I owe you big time.”

“I’ll remember that.” Jess pointed, then after Robbie left, he looked back at all the papers. He scratched his head in bewilderment when the reality of the task set in. “Why do I do this to myself?” He spoke out loud and began to gather all the papers. “I’m too nice.”

^^^^

“Henry!”

Henry stopped in his hurried walk to tracking when he heard the call of his name. He turned around and saw one of the housing team, Luke, running to him. Luke was younger than thirty, but looked forty. He was a worker. He did anything menial, security part time, construction. He, like the other ten designated ‘workers’ were chosen for three things, focusing on work and just work when called for, their size. Though short, Luke was hefty and strong. And the clincher, a birth defect they seemed to all be born with, an inability to balance wits and common sense in everyday situations.

“Yeah Luke.”

“O.K.” Luke took a moment to think. “Have you seen Joe?”

“Have you checked distribution? He’s restocking.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” Henry turned to go back to Tracking.

“Well, since you’re gonna be the leader, can you sign these?” He handed Henry a clipboard and pen.

Henry read and lifted each sheet. “Reqs?”

“Yes.”

“Luke, these are requisitions for people. We don’t requisition people.”

“I thought we did.”

“No.” Henry handed him back the clipboard.

“But . . .” Luke closed his eyes and held his forefinger to his own temple, speaking slowly as if reading and rattling off a mental list. “We have to prep the extra housing for the new arrivals tomorrow. We have to do inventory in the furniture and housing supply warehouse. Do not take the men from plastics, metals, paper, armory, or food. Take them from the fields.” Luke opened his eyes.

Henry stared at him for a moment. “Are these things Joe instructed?”

“Yes.” Luke nodded.

“Then just go to the fields and get the men. You don’t need to requisition them.”

“I thought I did. Cole said no and when I left him, I thought.” Luke snapped his finger. “Gee whiz, no wonder he wouldn’t give me the guys. I didn’t have a req for them. So . . .” He handed Henry back the clipboard. “Could you sign it so I can have them? I really don’t want to be running late today. Neville competition kicks off at noon.”

“Cole won’t give up the men?”

“No.”

“Tell him I said that you are to have the men and you are to have them now. If I have to go down there and get them, there’ll be hell to pay.”

Luke closed his eyes and nodded. “Hell to pay. Got it.” He opened his eyes. “So, will I be like a tattle tale if I do this? I don’t want to come across as a tattle tale.”

“No, you won’t be, I’m not fully the leader yet so it doesn’t count.”

“Thanks, Henry.” Luke tucked his clipboard and hurried off.

Easy enough, Henry thought and walked to Tracking. He didn’t need to ask Mark about it when he walked in. There it was. The flashing, the beeping, the messed up underdeveloped section of Tracking. “Shit.” Henry stomped and stood behind Mark.

“Fucked up, Henry. When’s Danny get back?”

“Tomorrow. Have you tried turning it off and on?”

“Yep. I want to just turn it off but we can’t do that.”

Henry left out a slow huffing breath as he viewed the history notes the night shift has taken. “Well, we see it works even with the glitches.”

“I saw that.” Mark said. “Leroy noted a deer-like signal running across.”

“At a normal speed none-the-less.” Henry set the notes down. “There’s nothing mechanically I can find. There has to be a ton of rabbits up there. A ton.” He tapped Mark on the shoulder. “Let me sit there.”

“What are you doing?” Mark stood up.

“No need in annoying you all day again with this shit. I’m gonna reset the preferences for a higher weight signal. Not much more.” Henry’s fingers clicked as he went into the programming section. “Just enough so it stops picking up the rabbits.”

“But I thought you guys did that originally.”

“We did.” Henry said.

“So it has to be screwy if it’s picking up the rabbits anyhow.”

“Not necessarily. Not if the rabbits are bigger than what we put in.”

Mark laughed in ridicule. “Henry, how big can rabbits be?”

Henry’s eyes shifted and looked to Mark. “Even though Dean says it was only one time, I know he’s probably been feeding our fine furry creatures his new special protein feed so we can have huge rabbits for consumption.”

“Cool.” Mark nodded. “Never is enough meat on them when you roast them.”

Henry made a couple of final clicks. “Done.” He stood up. “All right.” Henry peered at the monitor and waited. Nothing happened. “I think problem solved.”

“Looks that way.” Mark sat down. “Thank God.”

Henry snickered. “No please, even though it’s an honor, Henry will work just fine.”

“Huh?”

Henry shook his head. “Never mind. I’m out of here.”

“Hey Henry?” Mark called him. “What if these aren’t rabbits?”

“What else could they be?”

“Ever see the movie Tremors?” Mark’s tone picked up and grabbed some excitement. “What if like it’s the tentacles coming up out of the ground and snatching up its food. Whoa. And what if like it moves as fast as it did in the movie. We have that cliff. How awesome that would be if this huge creature thing came plowing out of that cliff, diving down into the under . . .”

“Mark?”

“Yeah.”

Henry shook his head ‘no’, waved goodbye, and left.

Mark shrugged. “Just a theory.”

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

Ellen’s nude body laid on Hal’s bed. A small section of the bed sheet draped over her backside exposing her bare back and bare legs. Hal, shirtless, stood at the side of the bed fixing the covers.

“Hold it.” He told her then reached for her hair.

“Like this?” Ellen asked raising her arms.

“Wait, let me look.” Hal hurried from the bedroom and into the living room. He stood there, looked at Ellen, and hurried back in. “Let me fix this.” Hal lifted up her hair, letting it drop more across her face. “Perfect.”

“Perfect?”

“Yes, stay like that. Keep your eyes closed.” Hal looked at his watch. “Now any . . .” There was a knock at his door. “Like clockwork.” He waited for another knock, grabbed his shirt, and walked to his bedroom door. “Thanks for doing this.”

“Oh you’re welcome. Anytime.”

Hal grinned and with his shirt in his hand he walked to his door and opened it. Sgt. Ryder and four other men stood there, Hal’s staff for the everyday meeting.

Sgt. Ryder watched Hal put his shirt on. “Are we early?”

“No.” Hal tied to appear groggy. “I slept in. Come on in.”

“You?” Sgt. Ryder questioned. “You never . . .” He stopped speaking when he saw into Hal’s bedroom.

Hal noticed that not only St. Ryder, but the other men in his living room stared in shock into his bedroom. Hiding his grin, Hal made his way through them. “Excuse me.” He reached forward and brought the door to the bedroom closed. “Let’s go to the table, shall we gentlemen.” Hal held out his hand in a pointing motion. Then, without letting them see his ‘so pleased it worked’ look on his face, Hal led the way to their morning meeting.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

He looked as if he could have been disgusted, but he wasn’t. He just looked that way. That was just Joe. In the clothing stock house, he walked around with a clipboard, barking orders to those who helped count and talked to Henry as he did all that.

“I don’t mind at all, Joe.” Henry took the sheet of paper Joe gave to him.

“Good, because inventory and distribution are big, too big to show you on top of everything else. I’ll handle it from now on, especially with the new people we’re getting. Should something happen to me, you pass this responsibility off to Robbie, He knows it as well as I do.”

“Got it.” Henry moved quickly to keep up with Joe.

“All right. Rough wear is running low. Clothing right now we’ll not be able to stock up fast enough for winter with all the new people. We won’t be able to make the items.”

“OK.” Henry took notes.

“We have to schedule a run. That’ll get us through until we train new people to help in making clothes and spooling cloth. I’ll go through the maps see what we haven’t hit lately.”

“O.K., just clothing. Anything else?”

“Everything else,” Joe stated. “We’re increasing population by ninety percent. Where we are good on food, we have to stockpile everything else again to meet our upcoming needs. Hal said they have items in Bowman. That’s good. We need, sorry, you need to send an inventory team down there to count up before they start to pack up.”

“O.K., when?”

“As soon as possible. Winter wear, I’m gonna assume is good for Bowman’s men, but we can’t take a chance.” Joe moved to the door with Henry and stopped. “Hold on.” He whistled out in the warehouse. “Hey Tony, when you come down from the coats, do me a favor. Get a hold of clothing and fabrics for me. Give them the numbers of what we need and get back to me on how many they estimate they need to run a crew to make the shit. And tell Ben do not exaggerate. We still have to run it skeleton.”

Tony saluted from the rafter. “Got it, Chief.”

“Let’s go, Henry.” Joe led him outside. “Now Bowman is sending us men. We know a lot are going in the fields, but we need them in other divisions as well. We can move them around as soon as the field areas get caught up but set up a meeting with Hal for some men for other divisions. Run it minimally. Tell him they can be temp workers. I’m not seeing him needing full force for the upcoming winter. But . . . who knows what his military strategy is gonna be.”

Henry reviewed his lists. He didn’t realize how much he was writing down of Joe’s rambling. “Joe, if you’re running these divisions, why are you telling me all the stuff?”

“You’re gonna be leader in this community.” Joe handed him another sheet. “It’s up to you to take the information I give you and schedule the runs.”

“Can’t you do it, Joe?”

“I could but it no longer will be part of my job. I’m doing most of the work here, Henry. This really isn’t all that difficult. I’m telling you what we need and where we are getting it from. You just need to schedule it out for me. And . . .” Joe handed him a final sheet. “That’s it for clothing, food distribution, and household.. All the needs. It’ll give you something to start on.” Joe gave him a pat to his back and moved on. “See you at my office in a little bit.”

“Start on, Joe?”

“Start on, Henry. I still have five other warehouses to look at . . .” Joe grinned. “Those sheets are only the beginning. I’ll see you later with the rest..”

Henry blinked harshly as he watched Joe move on to the supply warehouse. He looked at the large stack of ‘run’ reqs in his hands. “The beginning? Shit.” Henry struggled so much as he walked, while clipping the stack of reqs under his own notes on the clipboard, that he just wanted to keep on walking and find a place to hide out from another one of his days of ‘leader in training’.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

The part of the phone you speak into, the part of the phone you are supposed to place your mouth near, was the same part of the phone that Frank pressed his middle finger to while he smirked and spoke to George. “Yeah.” Frank lifted the phone, curled his lip in disgust, and returned to him again. “Yeah . . . Yeah.”

“And then after they have settled in I need you to go to the mess hall and . . .”

“George.”

“Yes.”

“Can I speak?”

George went silent for a second. “Um, sure Frank. What’s up?”

“I have been trying to tell you. We had a slight problem this morning.”

“Problem?”

“Slight.”

“What happened?”

“Well I was out canvassing the outer area for training and I spotted two of those UWA soldiers camping out about three miles from here.”

“What!” George’s voice raised up. “You got to be shitting me? Son of a bitch. What did you do?”

“Brought them in and scared the hell out of them.”

George let out a breath. “Good. Did you get anything from them?”

“Like?”

“Like information, Frank.”

“Um yeah,” Frank said. “They got separated from their group about a month ago and were trying to make it back. I have them at interrogation.”

“Well get rid of them before the ambassadors and scientists arrive. We don’t need any junk left around now. We’re pretty much settled.”

“Get rid of them?”

“Shoot them.”

“O.K. Thanks,” Frank said. “Talk to you next check in.”

Smiling and bobbing his head as if he sung a tune to himself, Frank hung up the phone and happily left his office.

Ten minutes hadn’t passed since his phone call with George, and Frank was leading the two remaining officers off the base. The officers were dressed in UWA uniforms--left over from the soldiers he freed--and they were blindfolded with a wide cloth around their faces. Frank led them out and, per George’s instructions, shot them both.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Even though she promised Danny she wouldn’t, Trish wore that black visor as she sat in History reviewing the articles with Jess that would be placed in the new paper of Beginnings.

“Big first paper,” Trish commented to Jess. “Here you missed a error here. Please be more careful. People will read this you know.”

“Whoops.” Jess snickered. “Sorry. I’m trying. You’re the one typing these up.”

“Hey!” Trish tsked. “I’m very busy. I typed these up in between the competition forms, going to paper and requesting larger sheets of paper for this paper, amongst editing out bad writing in this paper and paper said . . .”

“Trish.” Jess held up his hand. “With all the ‘paper’ references, you’re starting to confuse me.”

“Well get unconfused, Jess. We have work to do. Danny wants to copy these when he gets back tomorrow. Plus . . . he’ll have the Bowman update to be typed and added in. I don’t know where he’s gonna put it all.” Trish looked at the newspaper layout that was all over her desk.

“Danny is so into this, I’m surprised he hasn’t picked up a printing press somewhere.”

“He wanted to but ink was the problem. Henry makes the ink cartridges for the printers around here and that ink works for the copy machine.”

Jess wrote corrections as he talked. “Danny is so much like a business tycoon, starting a paper and delegating the work to others.”

“Are you complaining?”

Shocked, Jess snapped his head up. “Um . . . no. No. Not at all.”

“Good. Because you are gonna have to do two things., work faster, harder, and neater especially since you’ll be handling more of the editing every day. I can’t do it all. I can’t work history and be Mr. Hoi’s secretary and serve on the Neville Committee, which I do.”

“Wait a second.” Jess set his pencil down. “I’m working on the paper today.”

“Yes.”

“Not after.”

“Oh yes.”

“Oh no. Where did you get that from?”

“You volunteered,” Trish told him.

“I did?”

“Danny said you told him you were the smartest man in Beginnings and would love to help him out. You’re almost editor in chief.”

Jess had to laugh. “How do I get myself roped into these things?” He grabbed his pencil again. “Of course, what else do I have to do with my spare time.”

“I don’t know. What?” Trish asked.

“Nothing. I was uh . . . being sarcastic.”

“Why?”

“Forget it.” Jess shook his head with a smile.

“O.K.” Trish shrugged. “Don’t you ever hang out at the social hall?”

“Once and a while I do, but it’s sort of like, how can I describe it, going to a dance alone.” Jess noticed the confused look on Trish’s face. “In the old world, I was never one to go out by myself, to bars or movies or anything. It doesn’t hold the same effect. You just don’t have as much fun as when you pair off with someone and go out. And in this world now, pairing off with someone is difficult.”

“True. There are no women.”

“Yes, all men know this.” Jess nodded. “But in the old world . . . it didn’t even have to be the opposite sex that you went out and had fun with. Do you . . . do you know what I mean?”

“Oh yes.” Trish said. “A special friend.”

“Exactly.” Jess smiled.

“I was married to a man named Clyde in the old world. He died of the plague. Anyhow, Clyde he had a special friendship with this guy. They would go out, go on trips together, and sometimes them two would get so caught up in what they were doing, hell, I didn’t see them till the next day.” Trish snickered at the memory. “Clyde was cute.”

“His friendship with this guy never bothered you?”

“Oh no, why would it? I supposed some wives would be upset with sharing their husbands, but I wasn’t one. It gave me more time to do what I enjoyed, reading, movies, bowling, Tupperware parties. I was smart enough back then to know it’s a guy bonding thing. Some men really need that. You’re one of them huh?”

Jess nodded. “Trish, you seem like a worldly woman around here.”

“I am.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. Wait. Do you need womanly advice or ‘scoop’ advice?”

“Womanly.”

“Well in that case . . .” Trish leaned to her side and bent down behind her desk. She emerged back up without the visor. “Ask away, I love to give advice.”

“I like you, Trish.”

“I like you too. And . . .” Trish winked. “You’re real cute. Ask away.”

“O.K., well as you know, I’m fairly new here in Beginnings. I hang out but don’t know anyone. I’d like to get to know someone. You know, you can have a ton of friends, but I’m one of those men who needs that one on one buddy friendship more.”

“Ahh,” Trish moaned in sadness. “You’re lonely aren’t you? No one really talks to you, do they?”

“No, I’m a talker too. I’ll talk about anything. Anyone you can think of here that can use a friend, a close friend?”

“I thought you were close friends with Robbie.”

“I . . . I am, sort of, but I don’t bother him with it. I’m looking for that type of relationship that I heard Frank and Henry had.”

“I see.”

“Yeah and Robbie is like . . . he’s everybody’s buddy, but no one’s best friend. He’s not the type of guy that needs someone dumping their problems on him just to unload. And he certainly isn’t the type of guy that needs anyone close to him.”

“Oh that is so wrong,” Trish said. “Everyone needs someone close to them. Male, female. You do. My husband Jeff needs me and so does Hap, and . . . uh I’m a special friend to a man named Forrest.” Trish dropped her voice to a whisper. “But there’s no sex there. And well, Tinker in the field division is a special friend to me. And Robbie needs Ellen, just like Dean needs Ellen, and Frank needed Ellen. He doesn’t anymore. He’s dead.” Trish noticed she had amused Jess. “I guess what I’m trying to say is everybody needs someone. Don’t let Robbie fool you. He has that rough Slagel exterior but he has a heart. I know for a fact he would love to have someone he could let down his walls with. Robbie’s lonely, Ellen sees this but . . . what is she gonna do about it. She can’t devote one hundred percent of her time to him.” Suddenly, and frightening Jess, Trish perked up. “Oh! Would you like me to speak to Robbie for you?”

“Really? I feel stupid asking him to be my friend. I mean we live together.”

“He probably assumed you would be friends and is feeling the same way.”

“You think.”

“Oh yes.” Trish waved her hand. “Robbie doesn’t get close to people and he certainly doesn’t latch on to new people. He asked you to move into his house with him. That tells me something. I’ll talk to him. You guys should start hanging out together. Maybe he can stop annoying everyone in this community when he has nothing to do.”

“Thanks.” Jess grinned.

“No problem.” Trish ducked beneath her desk again and came back up with the visor on. “Now . . . we’ve wasted enough time. Back to the press.”

Jess gladly did. He paused before continuing his reading and correcting and looked at Trish. It dawned on him that it was the first time in a very long time he had a personal conversation about himself with anyone. It felt good to have someone listen, to be a friend, even if it was briefly. In the lonely world that it had become for Jess and many men, a little closeness, a little friendship could go a long way for a better day.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie had radio control. Robbie had the attention of everyone in Beginnings and those in Bowman who listened to him. He stood in the training area, wearing his headset radio. He stood before a large group of security men, some field workers, and they all were seated and spread around him. The microphone of his radio was lowered so as not to blast out the diaphragm when he spoke to them.

“Listen up,” Robbie spoke. “At noon, it commences, the start of the first annual Neville Competition. The grand prize for this ongoing event has yet to be determine, but since Danny Hoi is determining the prize, I’m positive it will be worth it. But hey, just the competition is worth it. And . . . Ben from fabrics is making the trophy which is the cool seventies style ruffle shirt that Charlton Heston wore in the movie.” Robbie waited for the silence of the cheers and he gave a thumbs up to Ben from fabrics. “Now, since Neville has become our post apocalyptic God, we all wanna be like him. For the rules . . .” Robbie pulled out the notepad. “The competition is open to anyone who registers. And it’s not just us, gentlemen. Our new brothers in Bowman are competing too. You must be registered to be a part of it. The earlier you register, the better, because from that second on what you do starts counting towards points. You will be scored on the following. Games. We will hold events, like the Olympics, to add to scores. These will be announced later. The following are areas that you can accumulate points on a daily basis . . .” Robbie began to read. “Making it from one are of the community to another in a record speed time. These times are determined by the Neville committee. For example, it’s been decided if you make it from the fields to the utility building in six minutes on foot, you get fifty points. And so forth. A chart will be provided for you. Another scoring factor . . . escaping from dangerous situations. Elimination of viable enemies near the home front and . . . acts of heroism. But . . . in order to get points for any of the daily scoring, you must fill out one of these.” Robbie pulled four sheets from the back of the clipboard. “These are Neville competition applications. Fill them out and turn them into one of the Neville committee. They will meet, determine the level of score, and hand it out accordingly. For example, if you nearly get shot in the head.” Robbie held up a paper. “This is the ‘escaping dangerous situations’ application. Fill it out. As you’ll see, they’ll review, get witness verification, and, at the bottom, they pick a level. A near miss of a bullet in a deadly range is a level three, second highest level. In order to hit a level four, you have to be injured in some way.” Robbie handed out the applications for the men to view. “Pass them around and take a look. History has all applications in stock there. That’s where you pick them up.” Robbie saw Dan’s hand raised. He pointed at him. “Yes, Dan?”

“Who makes up the Neville committee?”

“Good question. For the radio listeners, it was asked who makes up the Neville committee. I’m gonna tell you but you are eliminated from competition if you try to sway the committee. They are as follows. In Beginnings, we have Trish, Jason, and Forrest. In Bowman, it is Elliott Ryder, Dr. Blue, and a woman with a weird name, Gergerace. Anyhow . . .” Robbie shrugged. “They’ll meet bi -weekly, either in person or on the radio. Any more questions?” He saw Dan raise his hand again. “Dan?”

“Will we all get a copy of the rules?”

“No, we won’t all get a copy of the rules. There are too many people here. The rules will be located at History, the social hall, the chapel, and with any committee member. Anyone else?” Robbie waited and looked around. He grinned widely and clapped his hands. “Good luck gentlemen and over the next few weeks let’s have fun with this. May the best man be Neville.” A loud eruption of eventful cheers echoed in the security area. Robbie gave a thumbs up to everyone then looked over his shoulder to his father who had watched.

With rolling eyes, Joe just shook his head.

^^^^

“Shit.” Dean set down his radio and ran his fingers through his growing hair. “Not there.” He paused tapping his fingers on the counter in the lab. “Hell with it.” Hooking his radio on his belt and grabbing his personal cell phone, Dean left his lab and walked down toward Andrea’s office. He knocked the door’s frame. “Hey.”

Andrea looked up from her files. “What’s up?”

“I’m out of here for a while.”

“Where are you off to?”

“Well, I was hoping to find Jason to do it or Johnny, but . . .” Dean tossed his hands up. “To no avail. Anyhow, Forrest needs my help grinding the prescription for Johnny’s glasses. If you see him, tell him I am personally finding him and making him put them on.”

Andrea smiled “I’ll tell him.”

“O.K., well I’ll see you later. I have to talk to Joe so I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

“That’s fine.” Andrea smiled again. “Bye, Dean.”

Andrea lowered her head back down to her work after Dean had waved and left. She listened to his feet hit against the floor and fade away and then Andrea dropped her pencil slowly and looked back up.

Her hand smoothed against the surface of her desk as she stared in thought. After a moment, she stood up, closed the chart she viewed, tucked it under her arm, and left her office.

She could see in her walk down the hall that the lab door was open. Looking around first, up and down the clinic corridor, Andrea turned into Dean’s lab. “Jason.”

Jason, surprised, looked up from the computer he was reaching for. “Andrea.”

“What . . . what are you doing in here?”

^^^^

Like the tiniest of bowling balls rolling across the hard floor was the sound that made Johnny lift his head from his work in the cryo -lab. A rolling sound, soft and faint, but in the room with him, and then it clicked. Johnny looked around. Nothing. He returned to the feeding charts he reviewed as he sat at the counter and then the sound began again. Rolling, rolling, click. “What the fuck?” Johnny got his answer when he heard a giggle. Rolling his eyes, he looked to the door.

Bev stood in the open door. “Busy?”

“Yes.” Johnny wrote something down. “Why aren’t you? Don’t you hold a job during the day or something?”

“I’m on my break and I was hoping to change the bad luck I’ve been having by finding you.”

“Bev.” Johnny dropped his pencil. “Why is it that you keep tracking me down?”

“I like you.”

“Yeah well, you like Dean. Remember?” Johnny raised his eyes. “You have been making it no secret around here that’s who you have your views set on.”

“Dean is smart. So are you.”

“So the flavor of the month is intelligence?” Johnny asked.

“I don’t understand.” Bev took a step into the lab. “You started this whole thing between me and you.”

“By complimenting your legs?”

“Yes.” Bev moved slower in. “Wow, Dean works here.”

“If you’re so infatuated with Dean.” Johnny watched the look on her face. “Why do you keep chasing me?”

“I like you.”

“You shouldn’t be in this lab and you like Dean. Sorry babe, I did the share thing. I was the secondary. I don’t do the secondary. Rather go womanless than play second fiddle again.” Johnny kept his eyes on his work, staying cold and ignoring Bev as she stepped closer.

“Who said you would be second fiddle. I’m a free woman, I’m not with Kevin anymore. It’s not too often a woman in this community chases a man. Why do you insist on making me chase you?”

“Why do you insist on chasing me?” Johnny stood up and started to gather his work.

“I told you. I like you. You’re different. And . . .”

“And you want Dean.”

Bev inched her way to Johnny. “I want Dean for a different reason. I want you, for you.” She stood right next to him and softened her voice. “We can help each other out you know. We’re supposed to.”

Johnny smirked with arrogance. “Help each other out? What in the hell are you talking about?”

“You can help me get what I need and in return, Johnny, I can help you get what you need.”

“And what is that?”

“This.” On Bev’s one word answer she dropped down to the floor before him.

“Shit.” Johnny’s eyes widened when he felt her hands run down across his waist and to his zipper. His tall stance fell to a lean into the counter. He swallowed the lump in his throat and his eyes widened at the sudden sensation that began to sweep up his body. Wondering if he should take a stand with Bev or advantage of the situation, Johnny let his eyes roll slightly as he gripped the counter’s edge.

It never was warm in the lab, yet Johnny felt warm. He took off his lab coat, flinging it across the lab, and then his hands reclaimed their cling to the counter. So surreal the situation felt. So dreamlike until . . . reality set in with the closeness of voices that came into his earshot, a male and female, closer and closer. “Shit.” Johnny opened his eyes. The cryo-lab door was open. He looked down again, then back up and Andrea and Jason were entering the lab. “Stop.” Johnny called out.

Andrea and Jason stopped cold.

Andrea tilted her head in wonder. “Johnny?” She took a step to him. “Are you all right? You look flush.”

“Stop. You can’t . . . you can’t . . . come . . . any further.”

“Why?” Andrea asked.

“Dean will . . . Dean will get pissed.” Johnny closed his eyes tightly then opened them. “He’s got a . . . he has . . . he . . .”

Andrea and Jason both looked oddly at him.

“You have to leave,” Johnny said. “I’m under strict orders not to let anyone . . . in.”

Andrea looked at Jason then to Johnny. “Well, we’re looking for the Beesly file. Dean was supposed to have finished running . . .”

“In!” Johnny’s voice was high pitched. “In the fridge.”

“The fridge?” Jason questioned. “Why is the Beesly file in the fridge?”

“Think cold thoughts. I mean, in the bin next to the fridge. I put it there by . . . by mistake.”

Andrea turned to Jason. “Did you look there?”

“No. I searched the other two bins. That’s why I thought I’d go into the computer. For sure he logged the results.” Jason tossed his hands up. “Let’s go.”

“Thanks, Johnny.” Andrea waved. “Get some rest. You’re acting strange.”

“I will.” Johnny gave a strained smiled. “Can you shut the door?’

Andrea smiled. “Sure, sweetie.” She stepped through the door first and Jason followed her.

Johnny watched as Andrea and Jason seemed to leave in slow motion. He wanted to wonder why they came down the cryo-lab at all, but at that moment all he could do was wait for the door to close and when it did, with a grunt, Johnny plopped forward to the counter.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Frank’s face was stone cold as he stood near the entrance to the base. His insides churned and soured as he watched the two truckloads of Society people roll right in. He stared, letting not one bit of his feelings out but he stared. Frank had no idea when he sent his trucks out to meet the train what he was getting. He did now, as he watched them arrive. He was getting the sense that somehow he just wouldn’t have the control anymore.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie opened Joe’s office door, slid to his stop, cringed, then grunted in disgust when he saw Henry behind Joe’s desk. “Dad.” He looked to his father who sat in the chair. “Come on, you’re still leader.”

“Henry needs to get the feel,” Joe explained. “Humor me.”

“No.” Robbie shut the door. He held on to a large stack of papers. “Where’s Dean?”

Henry decided to answer. “He had to go to Glass and do something. He’s been there for a little bit.”

Robbie sat down in his seat and no sooner was his rear end in the chair that Dean walked in.

“Sorry I’m late.” Dean closed the door. “Joe, I have Johnny’s glasses. He needs them. Have you seen him?”

Before Joe could say anything, Robbie did, very calmly too as he bit his nails. “Last I heard he was at the cryo -lab getting a blow job from Bev.”

There were three things that happened after Robbie’s remark, Henry’s loud sound of disgust, the banging as Dean fumbled and nearly missed his chair as he went to sit, and Joe’s grunt.

Joe winced. “Did we need to hear that?”

“Um . . . .yeah,” Robbie said. “We asked him to get close to her. He did. Well she got close to him or would that mean they were both close.” Robbie shrugged, ignoring the looks he got. “Anyhow, that’s what Johnny told me. Took him by surprise too.” Robbie snickered. “But uh . . . not as much as surprise as when Andrea walked into the cryo -lab in the middle of it.”

“My wife walked in on him?” Joe asked.

Dean was just as shocked. “What was Andrea doing in the cryo -lab? Did Johnny say whether he kept her out or not?”

Again Robbie shrugged. “I’ll guess he kept her out because, well, they never saw Bev.”

Joe was just so confused. “Why in God’s name would Johnny volunteer the details to you?”

Henry knew the answer to that one. “It’s a guy thing, Joe. Really and Johnny still a kid so he brags.”

“No,” Robbie snapped. “God. We asked him to get close to her. He was letting us know how the plan was going. Of course he says now he has to get total control and in order to do that with her, he has to be a . . .” a snicker came from Robbie. “A dick. He’s gonna blow her off.” He saw the silent glares he got from all three. “What?” Still he got stares and then it hit him. “Oh.” And Robbie laughed.

Joe turned away from Robbie and to Henry. “Wanna get this thing moving along?”

“Joe, why don’t . . .”

“Henry.”

“OK.” Henry moved his chair closer to the desk. “I don’t know why Joe called us here. It has something to do with Robbie. So Robbie, do you want to do the honors.”

“Yeah.” Robbie’s hand tapped on the stack of papers he had. He looked so pleased. “Since I have been chosen to become the new Ministry assistant, I attended Bible class with Rev. Bob.” He stopped while everyone got their snicker out of their system. “Anyhow, we talked about some good stuff and I drove him a little crazy about Cain and Abel and the great flood.”

“Robbie,” Henry interjected. “Could you get to the point.”

Without saying what was on his mind to Henry, Robbie continued, “Well, I was smoking a cigarette and when I left, I left them in there. Now I had to go back, right. I could have stolen them from distribution but my dad would have been . . .”

“Robbie.” Again, Henry interrupted. “Please. We all have things to do.”

“Henry,” Robbie growled his name. “Quit being such a prick and get off your high horse, all right? Fuck. I swear the moment you become leader, I’m moving for your impeachment and having people vote me in.”

‘You couldn’t do that,” Henry argued.

“Could too.”

“You could not,” Henry said. “They wouldn’t do it.”

“Ha!” Robbie scoffed. “Bet me. Henry, they voted on you being leader a while ago. If given a choice they’d pick me.”

“No, they wouldn’t. Joe?”

Joe hesitated. “Well, Henry, everyone likes Robbie. They just might.”

“Oh that’s not very nice.” Henry shook his head. “Dean, do you agree?”

“What? What are we talking about?”

“Weren’t you listening?” Henry asked.

“No not really,” Dean answered. “I’m still shuddering in the fact that Johnny had oral sex in my lab.”

Robbie held up his finger. “No, Dean. Technically he received . . .”

“Robert,” Joe scolded.

“But Dad, technically . . .”

“Technically my ass,” Joe growled. “Now can you please just quit with the dramatics and tell these two what you found when you were being noisy in Rev. Bob’s office?”

Robbie let out breath that showed his shock. “I can’t believe you ruined it for me. All right.” Robbie took the first copy of the yearbook from the stack. “This one is mine.” He handed one to Joe, then to Henry and Dean..

Dean was stuck in bewilderment staring at the blank top sheet. “What is this? There’s nothing on the front.”

Robbie grinned. “I did that on purpose so you wouldn’t know until I told you to . . .” Robbie flipped over the first page. “To turn to the next page.”

“Oh!” Henry was so excited. “I love looking at other people’s year books. Is this Rev. Bob’s? Does it have autographs and messages from people. I love . . .”

“Henry!” Joe yelled. “Pipe down. That’s not why were looking at this. This is a secret gentlemen. What we have in our hands cannot be told to anyone outside this room. Clear?” He waited for the agreement. “Yes, this is Rev. Bob’s Iowa State yearbook. Robert, do the honors again.”

“It’s about time.” Robbie chuckled at his father’s displeasure grunt. “Now, this is really, really important that you listen to what I say. Everyone, turn to page twenty-seven. And!” Robbie instructed loudly, “Keep your eyes focused on the left hand corner. Henry don’t peek.”

Henry whined.

Dean’s head bobbed from side to side. “My eyes are peeled Robbie. What?

“O.K.” Robbie gave a ‘shush’ look to his father.“Dean, what is Reverend Bob’s last name?”

“Haddon,” Dean answered.

“Correct.” Robbie nodded. “Now. Everybody scan down to the fourth row and let’s find Rev. Bob’s wonderful freshman picture.” Robbie didn’t have to look for Reverend Bob. He saw the picture the night before and quiet enjoyed seeing the man of the cloth, thin and with dark thick hair. But he didn’t enjoy that pictures as much as the moment when Dean and Henry saw him. Their ‘what’s?’, shocked expressions, and slow raising eyes to Robbie was worth the wait. “Yep.”

Dean took a double take. “No. No way.” His eyes kept blinking over in over in disbelief.

Henry’s mouth was open as well. “Oh my God. It’s George’s picture next to his. He went to the same college as George? Wow. But Iowa State is a big place. Do you think they knew each . . .”

“Henry!” Joe yelled. “Is that the only thing you see?”

Henry responded with a blank look.

“I fuckin knew it,” Robbie grunted. “He had to ruin it didn’t he?”

Joe held out his hand to Robbie to halt his complaining. Calmly, Joe looked at Henry. “Henry, look again.”

Henry looked down to his paper yearbook. “O.K.”

“Look closely, Henry,” Joe instructed.

“Joe, I’m looking, I . . . “ Henry peered up to Joe. “Shit.”

Robbie tossed his hands up. “Finally.”

Joe nodded very slowly in assurance to Dean and Henry. “Looks like my immature and nosey son discovered a pretty big secret about Reverend Bob. Now, my question to all of you is . . . at this point in the game, how long should we wait before we approach our good Reverend Bob Haddon to tell him that we know he is actually the Good Reverend Bob . . . Hadley?”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Washington, D.C.

If George could trophy his proudest accomplishment he would, the White House. So many times he wanted to waste the man power and fix up the white structure that for nearly two terms was his home. He wanted to fix up the entire D.C. area and the monumental structures, symbols of our forefathers who shaped the laws that shaped America into a great nation. Arlington cemetery laid totally overgrown. Thick and dense, in years to come it would end up being a forest instead of a tribute to those who had lost their lives in battle. George considered himself very patriotic. Just because he wanted to rule the world, along with the country, didn’t lessen his patriotism. He worked hard all his life in law school, the courts, small political positions, and all the way up to the Presidency. All he ever wanted to do was make the world a better place . . . plus, run it. But that would have been a given had his plan to cut down earth’s out of control population growth had not gone array.

He ignored the mysterious notes and letters telling him the plan would not work, that the virus was not infallible. He chuckled at the notes that said they came from ‘the future’. The phone calls he refused to take. He dismissed them all as paranoid anonymous warnings from someone in the Society who gained a conscious and just wanted to stop it. And though he did safeguard--just in case--by cryogenically freezing not only more scientist, but others as well, George moved the Society ahead with the plan. It was too perfect not to. They had worked on it too much, too long, for it not to be.

With a total loss of forty to fifty percent, how much easier on the food demand it would have been. And that percentage was based on averages. A twenty-five percent loss in the more industrialized nations, seventy-percent loss in the over populated and third world countries, and total annihilation in the parts of the world that just didn’t have the technology to help themselves. Pandemonium. Chaos. Breakdown of government branches all across the world. The Society would emerge from the ashes, a saving grace to a world gone bad, heroes. But the Society emerged to a dead world.

But not completely.

There still was a whole world out there, a world with people. Civilizations. Unfortunately for George, he only controlled about twenty percent. He was rebuilding. He had to. Even dead, overgrown, and filled with animals he wanted to change, he still loved his country. And with the other eighty percent out there rebuilding as well, George couldn’t take a chance on losing the land he had dedicated his whole life. Because if he was gaining enough technology to soon go over there and stop them, then the chances were, they were regaining the technology as well. As history proved, one man’s land is another man’s projected domain and George wanted to make the other man’s land his domain first. He would do everything in his power to get it.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Maura Wilson. She was young and thin with fragile features that were complemented by her shoulder length blonde hair always was worn neatly pulled back. She had a face that looked even younger than her fourteen years. Seldom, if ever seen walking the streets of Beginnings, since she turned thirteen, she left her home with Gemma only for school, church and Bible instruction

Gemma sheltered the beautiful young woman and with good cause. She didn’t shelter her from the children nor even Denny and Josh who recently were allowed to visit--chaperoned--for an hour in the evening. She sheltered Maura from the men.

Joe knew this and Joe had Gemma’s trust, one of few men in the community who did. But even with Gemma’s full trust, it took a lot for Joe to convince Gemma to let him walk Maura to Bible instruction. Gemma finally gave in.

Joe laid his hand on Maura’s shoulder as they stood outside the chapel. “I’m right out here. I’m waiting for you, but you do not tell Reverend Bob that. Correct??

“Yes, Mr. Slagel.” Maura nodded.

“You tell nobody what I asked you to do. This is very important.”

“Yes. Did Reverend Bob do something wrong?”

“No-no.” Joe shook his head and laughed. “It has to do with the Neville competition. He’s a big threat for taking it, being the religious hero and all and I just want to check on this one rule.” Joe winked. “You let me know what he says and that is that.”

“All right,” she spoke angelically.

“Now you go in there. Rev. Bob is out at the fields. You’re a little early so that gives you time.”

“You’re waiting for me, right? Mother always waits for me.”

“I’m waiting for you. But . . .”

Maura giggled. “You’re playing the game so I can’t tell.”

“Exactly.” Joe held the chapel door open for her. “Thank you.”

^^^^

She felt bad walking into Rev. Bob’s office alone, but she was asked a favor. And since Maura encountered the cheating ways of Denny and Josh in a recent game of Candy Land, she wanted to help out Joe by making sure Rev. Bob played fair.

So once in his office, she did as instructed. She grabbed the yearbook, opened it to page twenty-seven, then sat on the couch and waited.

Reverend Bob walked in. “Maura, you’re early.”

“Yes. I was bored. I was looking at your picture.”

“You were?” Reverend Bob saw what she was looking at. “Maura let me . . .”

“Why is your name different here?” Maura pointed. “Should it be?”

“Do you know that name?”

Maura shook her head. She really didn’t recognize the name.

“Well.” Rev. Bob grabbed the yearbook and closed it. “I changed my name some years ago. Many years ago.”

“Is that allowed?”

“Yes it is. But it takes a lot of money.”

“Why did you change your name?”

Rev. Bob looked at the yearbook and to an innocent Maura. “If I share with you this story, you cannot tell a soul.”

“I won’t.”

Rev. Bob sat on the couch next to her. “I’m going to tell you and I’m going to trust you. You remember, Maura, what the Book of Matthew says about trust, don’t you?”

Maura nodded. “Those who can be trusted will be given more.”

“Exactly. God expects us to be trustworthy. I expect the same from you. We wouldn’t want to disappoint God, now would we?”

The expression on Maura’s face dropped. A nervous lump formed in her throat. She swallowed it and listened to Rev. Bob speak.

^^^^

The ‘Joe’ park in the center of town was busy for midday. It seemed everyone in Beginnings was taking advantage of the extremely warm fall weather by taking a break from their work day and strolling on the winding path that wrapped around like a maze in the so small park. Even Henry took advantage of the break. He sat on the little wall, finally getting a spot after Jenny gave it up. He held Nick in his arms, staring down at his son, a son he didn’t know as much as he should.

Henry knew his reason for getting Nick out of the nursery for a break, Ellen. How much he missed her. How much Nick was a part of her. He stared into the face that seemed like his own and then he stared into the eyes that were Ellen’s. A rarity. Blue eyes. In Henry’s mind, Nick was absolutely perfect.

He remembered the high hopes he had for him and Ellen when the baby was born. And then Henry remembered all the problems that followed thereafter. Problems he started alone. And problems that eventually tore him and Ellen apart. He had his chance and he blew it. The passing of time was what Henry hoped would heal those wounds. But the wounds stayed open and though Henry didn’t want to, he knew it was time to help them along in the healing.

“Henry. God.” Dean’s frantic voice neared.

“Oh hey, Dean.”

“I got scared.” Dean sat next to Henry and immediately took Nick. “Hey you.” Dean spoke to the baby and Nick smiled. “Henry, I went to the nursery and didn’t see Nick. I panicked.”

“I wanted to spend time with him.”

“Oh.” Dean handed the baby back to Henry. “Here. Sorry.”

Henry took Nick. “That’s O.K., Why did you think I took him?”

“I don’t know. I thought something was wrong.” Dean looked at Henry. “Is something wrong?’

“I miss Ellen.”

“Yeah I do too.”

“No Dean I miss her. I really miss her. I let some time go by. I tried to be her friend again. You know.” Henry swayed his head. “Like we were when we first started out. Even though that wasn’t what I wanted. But I tried. I stayed back when you and Frank shared her after Brian died. She lived with me and I stayed back. I stayed a friend.”

“I know this.” Dean was somewhat confused by Henry’s rambling.

“I don’t want to stay back anymore.”

“Oh.”

“I know you’re married to her and all. I’m happy for you. It was a long road coming. But . . . but Dean, I would really like for you and I to sit down and talk about the understand now.”

“Henry?” Dean questioned. “Understanding?”

“Yeah. An understanding.” Henry smiled. “You know the common thing that occur in Beginnings. I’m still dedicated to her Dean.”

“Yes I know. But . . . but.”

“But what?” Henry asked.

“Henry.” Dean lowered his head. “I’m sorry. There’s not gonna be an understanding in this marriage. I’m not doing it. Plus, Ellen has expressed problems with you. She didn’t say what they were, but said she could never trust you fully.”

“I think Ellen and I can get passed them if there is an understanding.”

“Then you’re kidding yourself.” Dean said. “I know Ellen. Besides, no understandings. Not you. Not anyone. I’ve waited forever for this opportunity and I’m not sharing. Not at this time.” Dean started to get up.

Henry stopped him. “Dean. Come on. You can’t be serious. You can’t . . . you can’t in a society like this have her all to yourself. No one does.”

Dean only responded with a closed mouth and raised eyebrows.

“You’re really serious.”

“I have to go.”

“You’re not even going to consider it?”

“Henry.” Dean stood up. “If . . . if I allow an understanding. If Ellen choices to have one. I think, I think in light of all that’s gone on, I’m going to encourage her to let the understanding or secondary relationship go to a Slagel. It should be a Slagel.”

Henry was stunned. But his shock only hesitated him for a second. With Nick in his arms he jumped up and stopped Dean again. “Dean . . .”

“Henry I have to . . .”

“No.” Henry stated strongly. “No.” The wind whipped his hair around and Henry’s face was stern and angry. His voice stayed at a low volume but rasped in his emotions. “Dean this fucked up.”

“Henry, I’m not going to discuss this any further.”

“Yeah you are.” Henry strongly told him. “You are. It’s fucked up Dean.” Henry lowed his face close to Dean’s. “Do you realize that? I shared her with you.” Henry’s neck muscles clenched and every word he spoke was sharp and with angry hurt. “I shared her. I had an understanding with you when you needed her. I gave you so much freedom with her. I nearly lost my best friend over it all. There was never a doubt in my mind what was right. It wasn’t fair to have her all to myself. Don’t you think I wanted that? Huh? I did. But it wasn’t . . . it wasn’t right. This isn’t right.”

“Even if Ellen was all fine and dandy with you. I’m not obligated to share her with you.”

“I know you’re not.”

“So why are you acting as if I owe you.”

“You do.”

“What!?” Dean had a hint of laughter to his tone. “I owe you nothing.”

“Bull shit!” Henry’s voice raised. “You owe me the chance to at least try with her. You owe me the opportunity I gave you. If Ellen doesn’t want me that’s one thing. But you telling her she can’t be with me is a whole other thing. It’s wrong.”

“It’s the way it is.” Before anymore words could be said between them, Dean walked away.

The warm wind picked up some and Henry held Nick close to his chest, covering the baby’s ears as he watched Dean walk away. His heart beat so strong in his anger that he didn’t respond to the tap on his shoulder until he no longer saw Dean. Henry turned to the tap. “Bev.”

“I heard.”

“It’s none of your business.”

“I can make it my business. And you know it.” Her eyes shifted to where Dean was. “I messed it up for you Henry. I did that before I realized that Dean was a bigger asset to have. And guess what?” Bev looked at Henry again. “I’m gonna make it up to you.” She giggled. “I may need your help. But I’m gonna ruin Dean and Ellen.” She winked. “Just you wait and see. Prepare to pick up the pieces Henry.”

Henry said nothing, he stared at her, then Bev grinned, rubbed Nick’s head and walked away.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

“You are gonna have to just stop the whining,” Ellen instructed Grace. “You act like it’s the end of the world.”

“My ear is ten times bigger.”

“Than what?” Ellen leaned into Grace, examining her ear.

“Than it was before.”

“Well, you shouldn’t have carried me.”

“You should not have punched me in my ear.”

“Toughen up.” Ellen stood up straight and took off her gloves. “I’m not whining.”

“Why would you whine?”

Ellen shook her head and rolled her eyes. “I’m dealing with this stuff coming out of your ear. All done. Take the medication I prescribed and wait it out. That’s what Dean says.” Ellen walked over to the other side of the examining room and to Grace’s chart. “I’m leaving tomorrow. If it gets worse, we’ll have to bring you up to Beginnings.”

“Are all the women as crass as you?”

“Nope. I’m the top bitch.” Ellen grinned and grabbed the chart. “You’re done. I’ll check it tomorrow before I leave.”

“Doctor,” Grace called out.

“Yes?”

“Could you retrieve the guards to escort me back.”

Ellen snickered as she walked out. “No. Walk back alone. What is wrong with you?” She stepped out into the other room pulling the door closed. Ellen handed Grace’s chart to Blue. “All done.”

“I’ll call for a guard,” Blue said.

“Why is that?” Ellen asked.

“Why will I call for a guard? Women do not walk the streets alone.”

Ellen snickered “Did you see her? She has the ‘Elephant Man’s’ ear. Who’s gonna get her.”

“You think you’re funny. Laugh again.” Blue instructed and pointed. “Or do you need me to call you a guard?”

Ellen turned around and looked at Craig who stood by waiting. He waved and Ellen turned away again and faced Blue. “Why is he still here?”

“Following you. He wants to talk to you. Do you want a guard?”

Ellen looked over her shoulder back to Craig, then again to Blue. “No, he’s harmless, just annoying. He reminds me of my brother Richie.”

“So you’ve said.”

“Did I tell you my brother owed me two thousand seven hundred and thirty-six dollars? Never paid me a dime back.”

“So you’ve said.”

“I have to leave.” Ellen grabbed her bag. “I have processing to finish.” She facially winced as she stepped to the door.

“Last chance,” Blue called out. “A guard?”

Ellen shook her head and walked by Craig. She stepped out the door and he followed her. “Swell.” She walked a few steps, spun around, and barked at him. “Why do you keep on following me?”

“You do.”

“I do what?”

“Get as upset as him.”

“Who?”

“The Captain.”

Ellen fluttered her lips. “Yeah but there’s one big difference. The Captain won’t kick your ass. I will. Either that or I inject you with something really lethal.” Ellen winked and walked again.

“Hey.” Craig trotted to catch her. “Can I go to Beginnings?”

“No.”

“Come on. I hear we’re a part of it. Can I go?”

“No.”

“Why?” Craig asked.

“Because we don’t let just everyone in. And we won’t let you in.”

“Why?”

“Why?” Ellen said. “I’ll tell you why. You’re lazy.”

“How can you tell?”

“I haven’t seen you do anything remotely related to work around here. You have done nothing but follow me around since the crack of dawn and for no reason.”

“I have reason.”

“What is it?” Ellen neared Hal’s apartment building.

“I want to know about you and the Captain.”

“Why do you want to know about me and the Captain?”

“Curious.” Craig stood waiting for an answer. “Please?”

“If I tell you what you want to know, will you leave me alone?”

“Yes.”

“Ask.”

“Thanks.” Craig looked up and thought. “O.K. tell me why the Captain?”

Ellen huffed out. “Hal is sweet, sensitive, kind, and attentive. O.K.?” Ellen reached for the apartment building door.

“The Captain?”

“Yes. And.” Ellen hesitated before going in, lifted both her hands up, spread them far apart, raised her eyebrows with a smile, and left.

Craig scratched his head and curled his lip in wonder. “The Captain?”

Seldom did men ever get under Ellen’s skin, but there was something about Craig that did. She didn’t know why. He seemed nice enough. She merely chalked it up to the fact that Hal had her brainwashed about Craig before Ellen even stepped foot in Bowman.

Hoping that she got rid of Craig--at least for a little while--Ellen walked into Hal’s apartment, wanting to relax before she had to dart off to processing the men that would return with her and Danny the next day.

She shut the door to the apartment that felt cold. Seeing the reason for it, she moved to the open window and closed it. Ellen laughed to herself when she thought how typically Slagel it was for the apartment to be cold. Frank hated being warm and never did their home exceed the temperature of sixty-five degrees unless Ellen made it that way.

Wiping the chill up and down from her arms she saw what she and Hal were looking at the night before. It sat on the coffee table, the small oak box, still open, still exposing the pictures inside. Ellen moved to the sofa and sat down. She pulled the box closer to her and picked up a handful of pictures. She smiled as she shuffled through the Slagel memories and her smile stopped and fell when she reached a picture of Frank. She hadn’t seen it in there when she and Hal viewed them There were so many pictures. Setting down the stack of photos, Ellen held on to the one picture, leaning back on the sofa, and propping her legs on the coffee table.

Frank.

His eyes stared back in that picture as if he were actually looking at her. Her heart pounded looking at him and an ache filled her throat. “Oh God, Frank.” The emptiness and hurt she tried to keep buried came flooding back to her. Worry. Sadness. Missing.

She breathed slowly out through her slightly parted lips, wanting so badly for the picture she held in her hands to be Frank in her arms. Her life’s best friend was so far away from her, yet a part of her felt him calling her every minute of the day. And there wasn’t a minute of the day that Ellen’s mind didn’t drift to Frank. If wishing him back would do it, Frank would have returned long before. Wishing for him back so badly that she still found herself--though she let no one see her--staring out the window while she worked in the clinic, looking for him, waiting for him to walk over that grade.

She hid her feelings well. She had to. That was the only way to bring him back and she would do anything, no matter what, to help bring him back to her. But the truth was, no matter how much Ellen pretended to move on, acted the part for the big ‘plan’, she would never move on until Frank came home. She would never be the same.

She slowly brought the close up shot to her lips, kissed the picture gently, and stared at it again, letting her mind imagine, letting her mind feel, that somewhere, wherever Frank was, at that exact moment he was thinking and missing her.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Frank’s frustration and hurt carried in his breath vocally from his throat as he snapped forward in his chair, ran his fingers through his hair, and stood up. “Ellen.” He closed his eyes. His face held pain. “I can’t keep doing this.” Harshly he rubbed his hands over his face as if he were trying to rub his thoughts away. His mind had to be elsewhere, focused, but at that moment, it wasn’t. Too many moments were spent with his mind in places it shouldn’t be, searching for Ellen, imagining her, hearing her voice. His inner soul told him that wherever she was, she was fine. Frank believed that. He had to. She was too much a part of him that even the distance of many miles could not hinder him from being able to feel her. And Frank swore he did.

He was so tired of waiting. He just wanted to walk out the door of his office and straight off that base. He could make it home. He knew he could and then he would find Ellen. But his gut told him that his every action, every move with the Society somehow effected Ellen. She and his children were top on his list of priorities, protecting them. Frank now was in a position where he could do his best to help his family. Like John Matoose was for George. Frank was now the unsuspected insider. He could gain the knowledge needed to start bringing down the insurmountable force that everyday seemed to beat against his people, his home, his family. Frank’s family was his top priority. Ellen was a top priority. Frank knew what he had to do. In order to do so correctly, he would use the thoughts of his family to make him stay put, to stay in the control. He had to be. Frank would use those same thoughts of his family to go on and make each day he was away from them, though painful, more tolerable.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

“I’m exhausted.” Sgt. Ryder answered the question Hal posed to him as they stood side by side on a street corner in Bowman, looking up.

“Me too.” Hal said. “Do you suppose it’s him?”

“Most definitely. You saw him at that switch station.”

Hal nodded slightly still peering his views upward. “It doesn’t seem quite fair though. We should have him here. In Bowman.”

“I don’t know about that, but then again, we don’t have anyone like him. Beginnings has a carbon copy.”

“True. But . . . what do you think about training him?” Hal asked.

“If I wish to keep any sanity, I refuse, absolutely refuse to place that eccentric man on a horse with a long, lethal, sharp object.”

“I uh . . . I see your point.” Hal lifted his hand up in a wave. “Danny! How’s it going?”

Danny, strapped to the top of a telephone pole, looked down, grinned, and gave thumbs up to Hal and Sgt. Ryder who watched him.

^^^^

“O.K., what’s going on?” Joe asked out as he walked into a noisy tracking. He saw both Henry and Mark looking at the monitors. “Sector thirty-two again?”

Henry tossed his hands up. “Joe, I’m lost. I can’t figure it out.”

“Yes, you can, Henry,” Joe told him. “Keep trying.” Joe stepped closer to the monitor. “Christ.” He watched the tracking and the flash of light seemingly go crazy. Flashing, beeping and dots of light flew across the screen. “Looks like whatever it is isn’t taking in the whole area.”

Mark shook his head. “Instead of the one mile radius, it’s pretty much stuck to twenty square feet. That’s why it’s going nuts. Too many rabbits.”

“Or one kid.” Joe looked at Mark. “Call you wife and find out where Marcus is. Got it?”

“Joe.” Mark laughed in ridicule. “That is not my son up there. I know he’s the Bam-Bam of Beginnings, but he would definitely show a much larger life signal.”

“You have a point.” Joe patted Mark on the back. “But still, call her. Humor me. Thanks.” Joe shifted his eyes to Henry who watched the tracking signal. There was a look upon Henry’s face that Joe seldom saw, a look of confusion on what to do.

Henry saw Joe staring and he didn’t know why Joe had such a huge grin on his face. “Joe?”

“Huh.” Joe shook his head and removed the smile. He had gotten lost momentarily in the enjoyment of Henry’s confusion.

^^^^

Painfully, with one eye closed, Dean shut off his ear with his finger. “God.” He cringed at the high squeal that came from his daughter as she dove onto Josh while they had a free for all wrestling match in the living room. “Quiet!” Dean commanded as he neared the ringing phone. “Josh! Keep them quiet.”

Was Dean actually in his home? He thought he was. He felt like he was yet not one person heard him. Hoping that the noise would stop, he picked up the phone. “Hello.”

“Hey Dean!” Danny excitedly said.

“Danny?” Dean chuckled.

“Yeah, guess where I’m calling from?”

“Uh . . . Bowman. Hold on . . . .” Dean covered the mouth piece of the phone. “Knock it off!” he yelled to the screaming maniacs. “Now!” Finally silence, less a few agitating giggles from the crew. “Sorry, Danny, go on.”

“Dean, you really shouldn’t do that. Not when I’m like fifty feet from the ground on a telephone pole. You could have startled me down to my death.”

“Why are you on a telephone pole?”

“That’s where the first working phone is. Guess why I called you? Your number was the only one I remembered and I wanted to tell you Ellen’s doing great, aside from that little physical confrontation with Gergerace. I got the phones up and running here, sort of. I’m getting there, but we have a problem. No one knows their telephone numbers.” Danny started to laugh. “I have this great game planned for tonight. Imagine. A silent town. A single phone ringing out.”

“Sounds like the a scene from the Omega man.”

“Oh! Dean!” Danny shrieked with excitement. “You’re the man. Thanks. I bet I get Neville points for that.”

“Under what category?”

“Recreation of Neville moments.”

Dean laughed. “Well you may want to recreate Neville’s coming to the rescue. Call Henry on his phone. Tracking is all out of whack.”

“No way.”

“Yes way.”

“No Dean, I’m not saying that as ‘boy am I surprised’,” Danny said. “I’m saying that because I invented that and there’s no way it’s out of whack.”

“Call them.”

“I will.” Danny paused. “Uh . . . Dean. What’s the number.”

Just as Dean started to tell him he was told by Danny to hold. Dean pulled the phone away at Danny’s loud yell.

“Hey Sarge!” Danny yelled out. “Write this number down! Go on, Dean.”

Dean took a second to snicker in amusement and then gave Danny the number.

^^^^

“It’s gonna have to be done,” Joe told Henry while in tracking.

“No Joe, I can’t.”

“Well, we can’t wait until Danny gets here.”

“Joe please . . .”

“Henry, I’ll send Robbie up there with you. O.K.?” He saw the hesitation on Henry’s face. “They’re rabbits for Christ sake.”

“Killer rabbits, Joe.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Joe heard Henry’s phone ring. “Answer that.”

“It just rang!” Henry pulled out the phone. “Hello.” Henry’s eyes smiled. “Danny.” He looked at Joe. “It’s Danny. Danny, man, am I glad to hear from you. How’s it going? I see you have the phones up.”

“I’m having some problems, Henry but don’t spread that around.” Danny told him. “We can talk about it later. Anyhow, I hear you have problems.”

Henry let out a breath. “Boy, do I ever. Tracking is picking up these killer rabbits that are huge and move really fast in the field. There has to be a lot. You should see this screen Danny. It looks like . . . remember the old, old, old video game space invaders. That’s it.”

“Shit. What’s the computer reading?” Danny asked

“One object. Well now it’s saying ten, each moving at sixty-four miles an hour across a twenty-some square foot radius.”

“That’s absurd.”

“I know,” Henry said and nodded his head, listening to Danny. “I did that. A-ha, did that too. That too. That too. Yeah.” Henry started to laugh. “I can check . . . you think? Danny if this works, I owe you.” There was a cringe on Henry’s face that quickly turned to a thinking smile. “You know what. That might not be a bad idea. Tonight? I’ll speak to Robbie. I’ll get back to you on this first.” Henry hung up the phone.

“Well?” Joe asked. “What did he say?”

“He has a theory.”

“Christ.” Joe rolled his eyes.

“It’s a good one.” Henry looked down at Mark. “Mark, pull a history. Danny thinks there may be something shiny in the field that might be reflecting the sun since it’s only happening at daylight hours. Trees below, the flash of light reflects, hits the tracking. Bam.”

Joe nodded impressed. “Pretty good. That could explain why your adjustment didn’t work from this morning.”

“It could,” Henry said. “But . . . it still doesn’t explain what chased me in that field.”

Joe wanted to bark, yell at Henry, but he didn’t. He just waited for the history results. If Danny’s theory proved plausible, Joe wanted to send two men up that field to solve the problem and he knew definitely one of them would be Henry.

^^^^

Trish always prided herself on someone that kept their word and when she promised to help someone out, she did. So on her walk home, when she saw Robbie, she decided to seize the opportunity. “Robbie,” she called to him, catching up to him as he checked security keypads.

“Hey Trish.” Robbie punched in a code. It buzzed. He opened the door, shut it, and then looked at her. “What’s up? How’s that kid of yours?”

“He’s fine, looking more and more like his dad.”

Robbie snickered.

“Not funny, Anyway, may I speak to you about something?”

“Can you walk while we do?”

“Sure.” Trish followed him to the next building. “It’s about Jess.”

“What about him?”

“Well, he and I were talking this morning and he said something.”

“What?” Robbie began to check the bakery’s keypad.

“He needs a friend, Robbie.”

“I am his friend.”

“Not like what he needs.”

After the buzz and checking, Robbie wrote results and moved on. “What do you mean?”

“He wasn’t much of a crowd guy in the old world. He was a one on one guy. You know, the type that always had that best friend, like Henry and Frank were. He needs that male bonding friendship thing, Robbie. I guess, you know, without any women to turn to, who are you gonna discuss your problems with if you don’t have that one close friend?”

“I see.” Robbie walked to the next building. “Is he having problems?”

“No, but does he need to have a problem to have that friend?” Trish asked. “Someone to go to the social hall with so he doesn’t just become one of the numbers there. Most of the men pair off and you know it. Most men have a best friend. Jeff is Mark’ best friend. Joe always hangs out with Jason. Hap has Forrest.”

“Me and . . . no one. Huh?”

Trish smiled. “Maybe it’s a sign. Maybe it’s time you, Robbie Slagel, started bugging one person in this community when you’re bored instead of all of us at the same time.”

Robbie snickered as he worked. “Maybe you’re right. I like Jess. Maybe I need to start hanging out with him more often. I mean, I hang with the band but . . .”

“But . . .” Trish finished his sentence. “After practice who does Denny hang with? Josh. Paul? He hangs with James. You . . .”

“I bother everyone.” Robbie tucked his clipboard under his arm. “Perhaps I’ll start bothering Jess. I just assumed, you know, since we live together, we were friends.” Robbie shrugged.

“Well you know he’s from Canada.”

Robbie hesitated in his walk. “What does that have to do with it?”

“I don’t know exactly, but I bet it does have something to do with it. Anyway, he would like to assume you guys are friends, but he just didn’t want to cross that line. Robbie, you are an original. All of you originals, whether you mean it or not, project yourselves up here.” Trish raised her hand above her head. “When you’re new here, you guys seem untouchable.”

“Well that may be true in Henry’s case, but not mine. I always am down to earth with all the new people. But just in case you’re right on this, I’ll talk to him. At the very least I want him to see we are friends . . . hold on Trish.” Robbie adjusted his headset radio. “Yea, Dad? Shit. O.K., I’ll be right there.” Robbie looked at Trish. “I got to go. Thanks for letting me know this.”

“No problem.” Trish watched Robbie walk away. “Oh Robbie!” She called him again and waited until he stopped. “If things work out, I want the credit.” She waited for his signal of agreement then, happily and very pleased with herself, Trish moved along and headed home.

^^^^

Kramer, Kansas

Kyle and the two other UWA soldiers plopped down to the ground to rest.

Link couldn’t move. He looked at the bottom of his boots. “What the hell? Walk?”

Kyle shrugged. “He said we can do it.”

“We’re in fuckin Kansas, man. Walk to North Dakota? What the hell were we thinking and what the hell was Mr. Slagel thinking, telling us we can walk?”

“We made it to Kansas.” Ted added.

“Barely to Kansas,” Link said. “We need to find some transportation. We’re gonna die before we reach home. You men know this, don’t you?”

“Yeah.” Kyle stood back up. “But we got to try, now don’t we?”

Link stood up as well. “I guess you’re right. How long do you suppose it will take us?”

Kyle shook his head. “Frank said a few days, a week tops.”

“Man.” Link twitched his head in disbelief. “We must be moving slow. All right, let’s pick up the pace. I can do this for a few more days.”

Onward they trudged again, not taking many breaks until night fall. They walked in the direction they were supposed to and as they walked, they heard Frank tell them it wouldn’t take them long to get home. It was a good thing they didn’t know Frank’s calculations were way off or maybe they wouldn’t have had so much determination.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“Quit being such a baby,” Robbie griped at Henry as they headed out to the sector where the signals originated.

“Me a baby? Why are you driving all the way here? Huh? If you’re not scared then why didn’t you park the Jeep at the end of the road back there?”

“Because I’m lazy and I want to finish my work day.” Robbie brought the Jeep to the end of the field and shut it off. “All right. What exactly are we looking for?”

Henry stepped from the jeep. “Danny says it has to be a piece of metal or glass, probably is no smaller than a fist.”

“Easy enough.” Robbie started to the field. “Let’s find a needle in a hay stack.”

“And killer rabbits.” Henry followed, pulling out his gun.

“There are no killer rabbits, Henry. Hey . . .” Robbie snapped his finger. “Do you suppose we get Neville points for this?”

“I would think. We are taking our lives into our own hands.”

“Where exactly are we supposed to be looking?” Robbie asked.

“This field.”

“Shit.” Robbie looked at the high grass that came to his thigh. “There is no way something buried in this is reflecting the sun.”

“Come to think of it, you’re right.”

“I am. It has to be . . .”

Henry saw Robbie stop walking. “What?”

“Shh.” Robbie held out his hand. “Do you hear that?”

“Robbie, I swear to God if you’re teasing me just to scare me, I’m gonna kill you.”

“No listen.” Robbie looked around. “And smell.”

Henry sniffed. “Smells like Dean’s lab. Aw! I knew it. He is . . . flies?”

“Exactly.” Robbie said. “Lots of them. Look.” He pointed to his left. “Could they be causing it?”

“Holy shit.” Henry exclaimed when he saw what appeared to be a black cloud hovering just above the tips of the grass. “It could if they’re flying in a swarm. I haven’t seen that many flies since . . . shit.”

Robbie looked at Henry. “The plague.” Immediately Robbie took off running toward the flies.

“Robbie!” Henry called out. “Wait, you shouldn’t do this.” Grunting and figuring he didn’t want to be too far from Robbie, Henry took off after him.

Robbie swatted the flies that pelted him in the face. He shut his eyes tightly and opened them again.

“What . . .” Henry stopped, covered his mouth, turned his head, and gagged.

“Something has been feeding up here . . . big time.” Robbie looked down to the grass. A large deer, eaten nearly to the bone, was only one reason for the flies. The other reasons scattered about the grassy field. They appeared to be remains of rabbits, but so little of the furry creatures were left, it was hard to tell. “Well Henry, if these are bunnies, there goes you killer rabbit theory.”

“Unless their cannibals.”

“Rabbits are not carnivorous.”

“Yeah, but Dean’s rabbits may be.”

Robbie swayed his head. “Is he really messing with their genes that bad?”

“I’m telling you he is,” Henry warned. “Let’s head back.

“Yeah, that might not be a bad idea seeing how we haven’t a clue what’s been dining up here.” Robbie turned from the carcasses and walked with Henry. “We’ll tell my Dad something is running around up here.”

“It’s kind of scary,” Henry said. “Can whatever it is, get into Beginnings?”

Robbie paused. “We’re gonna have to bring that up, but that is a scary thought.” Both Robbie and Henry stopped walking when they heard the ruffling of the high grass. Robbie turned his head slowly to look back. His eyes widened when he saw the grass moving and moving fast. It swayed in all different directions.

“Robbie?”

“Henry?”

A pig like squeal echoed out. It sounded as if more than one. High and loud. The ruffling grew louder and closer, sounding like a mini stampede..

“Robbie?”

“Shit.”

“Run?”

“Run!” Robbie took off and Henry followed. The Jeep wasn’t far away and they raced through the grass, hearing the cries, hearing themselves being followed, and never looking back to see what it was until they made it safely to the Jeep.

Robbie turned over the ignition and screeched the Jeep forward. Henry faced backwards, “I saw something.”

“What was it?” Robbie drove.

“Animals. Some sort of bald animals.”

“Pigs?” Robbie asked.

“It looked it,” Henry answered.

“Shit what if Dean gave that stuff to the pigs.”

“Oh my God. Pigs are carnivorous.”

“And now fast too,” Robbie commented and shifted gears. “Henry, I think if we didn’t before, you and I are getting Neville points for this.”

“Yeah.” Henry relaxed, leaned in the passenger’s seat, and grabbed his chest. He caught his breath. “And we should get a lot of points too. We almost could have been dinner for the killer pigs.”

Robbie stopped the jeep. “Henry? Listen to us . . . killer pigs?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Binghamton, Alabama

Frank could hear the eruption of laughter echoing in the darkness of the sector of base where only he used to live. The laughter drew closer as he rounded the bend to his home that evening. He saw them sitting in a group as he walked down the sidewalk. There were eight of them, all men. Frank gave a ‘hello’ glance only as he walked by the group gathered on the lawn.

“Colonel Slagel.” Leonard Mason, a peace ambassador, stood from his lawn chair. “Would you care to join us in a drink this evening?”

Frank stopped walking and turned back to the men. “Thank you very much for the invitation, but revelry is at zero five hundred and I’d like to get to bed. Some other time perhaps.”

“Perhaps,” Leonard said. “I look forward to seeing how things run here tomorrow.”

“I uh . . . look forward to showing you. Goodnight.” Frank nodded once and moved on. He wanted to look back, He felt their stares as he walked away. He knew they watched him because they had stopped talking. The eight new arrivals had spent so much of their time getting situated that what was happening on base was secondary. But Frank knew it wouldn’t be that way for long. For as much as they probably wanted to learn about him, that was how much Frank wanted to find out about them, especially the abundance of lab equipment he saw them move into the one building and the six scientist team that unloaded it. Something was up with that. They were moving too much in too fast for something big not to be happening soon.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Joe gasped in that after-swig of his moonshine and set down the glass, shifting his eyes to Dean. “You got to be shitting me. You believe this shit about killer pigs.”

“Yes.” Dean nodded. “Only they aren’t anything new. Maybe it’s a pack of wild boars. They’re carnivorous. They’re predators and they move fast.”

Joe lofted his hand and looked to Robbie. “There you have it. You guys were semi -right. Now, what’s the chances of them coming in?”

“Down the cliff?” Dean fluttered his lips in sarcasm. “Slim to none. The fall will kill them.”

“Good.” Joe grabbed the bottle and poured another glass. “Can you get me some tranquilizers, Dean?”

“For the gun?” Dean asked. “Sure. I can have it ready in the morning. Are you going after them? They make a good meal.”

“What is it with you and the meat product around here?” Joe questioned. “No. I just want to arm security when they start making rounds up there. I don’t want to kill them. Christ, if we have meat running around up there, we might as well capture it if we see it, right.”

Robbie made a loud buzzing sound. “Wrong. My men won’t go up there.”

“Sure they will,” Joe said. “To be on the safe side, I want morning, noon, and night rounds up there. They can take a Jeep, look at the field, turn around, and come back. They can also shoot a boar if they see one.”

“They’ll never do it,” Robbie disagreed.

“They’ll do it,” Joe said with certainty. “I talked to the Neville committee. You’re gonna end up with volunteers. It’s a ten Neville point bonus for each round made up there.”

“Fuck. I’ll do it myself,” Robbie said.

“See what I mean?” Joe held out his hand. “Volunteers.” He turned his wrist over and checked out his watch. “Where in the hell is Henry?”

Robbie answered, “Getting ready. Tell Dean about Rev. Bob. I uh . . . I see Jess and I want to talk to him.”

Joe snickered. “You go on.”

Dean watched Robbie stop at the end of the bar to get his drink. “What’s going on with Rev. Bob? What did Maura find out.”

“A lot.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, but she isn’t talking. She said the Book of Matthew preaches trust and she can’t break Rev. Bob’s trust.”

“You’re kidding?”

“Nope.” Joe sipped his drink. “She did tell me that Rev. Bob changed his name. He even showed her a legal document.”

“Did he tell her why?” Dean asked.

“Oh sure he did” Joe answered.

“But she’s not talking,” Dean stated.

“Nope. And . . .” Joe watched Robbie move to Jess. “I’m uh gonna go get entertained and eavesdrop. I’ll be right back.”

Dean was confused by Joe’s remark and especially by Joe grabbing his drink, getting up, and walking across the social hall. He quietly and unnoticed sat at the table behind Robbie and Jess. Before Dean could figure out what was up with Joe, through the corner of his eye, Henry walk into the social hall. At first Dean thought the immediate feeling of tension that came in with Henry was his imagination, but he soon realized it wasn’t when he smiled and waved to Henry and Henry just glared, set down the knapsack he carried, and took a seat at a table.

“Hey Jess.” Robbie set down his drink, straddled a chair, and joined Jess, who sat alone.

“Hey, what’s . . .” Jess leaned to his side and peered behind Robbie. “Why is your father sitting alone. Joe!” Jess called him. “Did you wanna join us?”

Joe lifted his hand slightly. “No, no. I’m fine. You boys talk.”

Robbie inched the chair closer to the table. “I wanted to talk to you.”

“About?” Jess asked.

“I spoke to Trish this afternoon. She explained the whole entire thing to me.”

“Oh.” Jess stared down at his drink. “You’re mad.”

“Yeah I’m mad,” Robbie said. “We live together. You should have come to me with this. I assumed that’s the way things would be. I asked you to share my house with me right?”

“Yes, but . . .” Jess’ hand played with the rim of his glass.

“No buts. I’m all for it.” Robbie told him, turned around when he heard his father snicker then refaced Jess.

“Really?” Jess asked. “Well that is . . . that’s great. We’ll even ease our way into it.”

“No need. We’re half way there already. Right?”

“Right.”

“Good.” Robbie picked up his drink and stared into it. “I shouldn’t drink this. Take this from me.” He handed it to Jess.

“Why.”

“I have to fly.”

“Emergency?” Jess asked.

“You could say that.” Robbie looked back at Henry. Dean was pulling a chair out at Henry’s table.

“I wanna talk to you.” Dean sat down across from Henry.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“You seem mad.” Dean asked. “Are you? Are you mad at me?”

Henry contained himself. “Dean, come on. What do you think? You would be mad too.”

“I guess you’re right. But I want you to know something Henry. I will never forget what you did for me when I needed Ellen. I won’t.”

“But you did.”

“How can you say that?”

“I can say that because you have an outlook on a situation that just isn’t right. This afternoon you were wrong.. You were very wrong.”

“Why am I wrong for not wanting to share my wife?” Dean asked.

“Because it’s wrong in this day in age. I did it. I didn’t want to. We all do it. It is all a fact of life.” Henry tried to explain.

“I’m sorry Henry. I don’t want it to be my fact of life.”

“Yeah but it was not a problem when she was with me. Sharing her was not a problem when she was with Frank. No. I’m sorry Dean. I was patient. Things are settled now. I need her back in my life.

“I’m not saying you can’t be her friend.”

“But you are saying if it moves towards more than that, then it would be wrong?” Henry stated nearly in question.

“It . . .it would be cheating.” Dean spoke soft. “And also an impossible dream for you. Think … think back. Ellen ended the friendship with you over something. Something so big that she couldn’t get passed it. Do you think for a second she’d get by it now. Has that much time passed? I don’t think so. Let it go before you get hurt in more ways than one.”

Henry closed his eyes painfully, and stood up.

Robbie poked his head in between the two men “Henry, ready?”

“Yes.” Henry answered.

“Good. It’s getting late. Let me grab Jess, I’m getting him to go.”

“I’ll meet you at the hanger.” Henry reached down for his knapsack and looked once more at Dean and headed to the door.

“Henry.” Dean stopped him. “Where are you going?”

“Danny ran into difficulties. He needs me.” Henry raised his eyebrows. “I’m going to Bowman.”

“Tonight?” Dean quizzed him with edge. “It’s dark out. Danny can’t wait until morning for you?”

“Oh yeah he can.”

“So why are you going to . . .” Dean nodded. “Ellen.”

“Yep.” Henry tossed his bag over his shoulder, looked once more at Dean and walked from the social hall.

“Henry!” Dean ran out after him. “Stop.”

Henry stopped but didn’t turn around.

Dean moved to him. “This isn’t right.” He walked around Henry to face him. “This is wrong. You can not be going after my wife.”

“See!” Henry’s voice raised and though he brought the volume down, the tone remained.. “This is where the problem lies Dean. Right here. Your thinking. I am not going after your wife! I just . . . I just want to be with my friend. And prove to you, we have moved beyond our problem.”

After a moment of silence between them, Henry moved on.

^^^^

“571-8776.” Danny yelled down to Hal, who stood with a clipboard at the foot of the telephone pole.

“Got it.” Hal wrote it down. “Continue.”

Danny waited until he heard no noise. He placed the pen light back in his mouth, looked down at the phone book he held, and dialed the phone.

Ring. Ring,

Danny grinned as he listened to the phone ring in the dead silent town but no one answered. He scratched it out and put an ‘N A’ next to it. He dialed another number. Static. He marked that one out of service and then he dialed again. He listened to the ringing and then finally the call was answered. Danny dropped the pen light into his hand. “What’s your name? Good. Robert, your number is 571-9087. Got that. Good. Hal!” Danny called down. “Robert’s number is 571-9087.”

Sgt. Ryder walked up to Hal. “It’s coming along nicely.”

“Yes it is.” Hal showed Sgt. Ryder the clipboard. “The ones that are working are working fine so far. We just have to be quiet so we can . . .” Hal raised his head to the sky when he heard the helicopter approaching.

“You were saying?” Sgt. Ryder asked.

Hal shook his head with a smile. “Wait it out. That’s what I was saying. Isn’t this great, Elliott? Help is arriving for something so trivial as a phone.”

“But to Beginnings, it’s not trivial,” Sgt. Ryder told him. “And we are now part of them. They only want us to have what they do.”

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Hal asked.

“And not just to have the help or the phones,” Sgt. Ryder said. “It feels good to be a part of Beginnings.”

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Frank closed the file folder and it barely shut. It was stuffed with notes that he took, files that he found, and information he gathered. He rubbed his eyes and stood up from his kitchen table, bringing the folder with him. He stopped in the dining area and stared at the ‘farm’ picture on the wall. How he hated that picture. Setting the folder down, he removed the picture and placed it to the floor. When he did, a square foot piece of wood teetered in the wall. Frank removed that, exposing a hole and in the hole that he and Richie made, he hid his folder and rehung the picture.

How long had he been working in his kitchen? An hour? Two? He made his way into the living room and reached for the lamp. When he did, he saw it on his coffee table. Frank had been so engrossed with his other work, he never saw it when he walked in.

A square homemade envelope lay there, Richie’s handwriting on front. ‘Frank, found this in my stuff.’

Frank missed spending the day with Richie but he knew it was for the best that they didn’t hang around much, or at least when anyone knew. He picked up the note and when he did, a picture fell from it. It landed face down on the coffee table.

The second Frank lifted it and turned it over was the second his heart dropped. “Oh wow.” It was a face he longed to see. It was a picture of Ellen. “Look how blonde.” His long finger ran down her hair. The picture was old, but it was still Ellen. The face, to Frank, never changed or never aged. The smile upon Ellen’s face stared up at him and he smiled back. A warm feeling swept up Frank, lighting his whole face with a grin and causing his emotions to gloss over his eyes.

His lips twitched some in his overwhelming of ‘missing and loving’ her at the moment and a lump formed in his throat. It was difficult, but Frank swallowed, held on to that picture, and never took his eyes off of it as he went upstairs to bed.

Once in his bedroom, Frank laid on his bed, his legs extended, the picture held tightly in his fingers and not too far from his view. He loved the picture and was so grateful to Richie for giving it to him. He needed that picture. Filled with feelings and emotions for Ellen, so over powering, held on to that picture until he fell asleep.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

His hands brought up the blanket over a sleeping Alexandra’s shoulder. Dean bent down, kissing his daughter for what seemed like the hundredth time. He walked from her bedroom and looked at his watch in the hallway’s light. Shaking his head, he moved to the living room. Why hadn’t Ellen called yet? She was supposed to have called nearly an hour before.

He sat down on the couch and picked up his phone. He checked to see if it was working. It was. Again, Dean looked at his watch. He thought about the fact that Danny had some problems. Maybe the phone lines went back down. So with that thought in his mind, he checked the radio. It was working as well. Surely Ellen would have radioed if she couldn’t call. The night before she had him on the radio forever, missing him, telling him how much she loved him, not wanting to hang up. She had radioed him so many times during the day that it hindered on driving Dean insane. But where was her call now?

“No.” Dean spoke out loud, placed the radio down, and shook his head. He picked up one of the many work folders that spread on the couch and coffee table. He told himself that he was making too much out of it. Ellen had a long day. She was tired. She fell asleep. Her not calling didn’t mean that anything was wrong.

He kept feeling his insides twitching in a sort of nervousness. He shifted his eyes from the phone, to his work, to his watch. He nearly jumped from his skin when his front door opened.

Josh kicked off his shoes with a ‘thump’ and shut the door. “Hey Dean.”

“Josh.” Dean, not like he didn’t already know the time, looked at a watch he was tired of looking at. “Where have you been?”

“Um . . .”

“It’s twelve-thirty.”

“It is?”

“Yes.”

“Wow.” Josh scratched his head. “I’m late.”

“Yeah, you are. You’re supposed to be in this house no later than twelve,” Dean told him. “Those are the rules.”

“But I thought that didn’t count if I was at Pap’s.”

“It doesn’t. Were you at Pap’s?” Dean asked.

“Yeah. It was boring walking around, so Denny and me, like, went to his room and hung up these really big paper pictures of guys with guitars and long hair. Uncle Robbie brought them back from the old music store in Miles.”

“Posters.”

“Huh?”

“That’s what they were called. Posters.”

“Did you hang posters on your wall?” Josh asked Dean. “Robbie said he did and my Dad did.”

“I think I did.” Dean laid down the folder. “Yeah, I did.”

“Did you ever hear of the Power Band? That’s the guys that are on the poster.” Josh began to chuckle. “Uncle Robbie said they were from all you guy’s era. He said they were pretty cool. And big. But they looked normal size to me.” Josh snickered again. “Paul said next music run, he’ll find one of their songs.”

Dean was lost. “The Power Band?” He shook his head. “I don’t recall them. My era?”

“Well you’re like way older than Uncle Robbie, so maybe not your era. No, he said some guy name Frank Sinatra was from your era. That’s right.”

Dean rolled his eyes. “I am not that much older than Uncle Robbie and . . . I’m sure if he listened to The Power Band, I would have heard of them. The Power Band.” Dean enjoyed the break from worrying about Ellen. His mind dazzled in trying to remember this band. Had it been that long? Was he that out of it back then? “Will you let me know when Paul finds this song. I’d love to hear it.”

“O.K., I’m going to bed. Night.”

“Night.” Dean bit his bottom lip and slowly leaned back on the couch. “The Power Band. Why am I not remembering a band that was big? The Power . . . Aw!” Dean had to laugh. He shook his head and stood up. “Josh.” He poked his head around the hall.

“Yeah?” Josh hesitated before going into his room.

“Does the poster say, ‘AC/DC’ ?”

“Yeah. The Power Band. Geez, Dean. Night.”

“Night.” Dean watched Josh struggled with opening the door to his room, pushing and pushing and slipping through a small crack. Shaking his head, he returned to the couch. As soon as he sat down, he saw the phone. “Hell with it.”

Reaching for the phone and looking at the number that Danny said would be Hal’s, Dean dialed. He listened to it ring and then instead of a hello, he was greeted with a loud bang and a thump. Then after a few seconds, a very groggy sounding Hal answered.

“Yeah?” Hal spoke.

“Hal, this is Dean. Were you sleeping?”

“Um . . . yeah.” Hal’s voice was raspy.

“I’m sorry to wake you. I really am.”

“No. No, that’s O.K., I don’t hate phones again yet. What’s uh . . .up?”

“Is Ellen all right? She was supposed to call me over an hour ago and she didn’t.”

“She’s fine. Want me to get her?”

“No, don’t wake her,” Dean said.

“No. If I don’t she may get mad. Let me just go tell her you’re on the phone.”

“Thanks.” Dean smiled as he listened to Hal walk heavily. Where he was sleeping Dean didn’t know. He could hear Hal knock on a door and call Ellen’s name out and then he listened to the footsteps get closer.

“Dean.”

“Is she sleeping?”

“You know what? She must not have gotten back from her walk with Henry. I’ll write a note to tell her you called. But don’t worry, they’re fine here in Bowman.”

“I’m uh . . . I’m not worried.” Dean swallowed hoping his ‘gulp’ was not heard over the phone. “Please tell her I called and to call me no matter what time she gets in.”

“O.K.”

“Sorry to wake you. Bye.” Dean hung up the phone then brought it to his lips. He closed his eyes, shook his head and set down the phone. Telling himself he has to be up anyhow to finish his work, Dean looked at his watch one more time and grabbed a folder.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

Ellen giggled leaning into Henry as she slumped down in the red cushion seat in the Belmont Theater in Bowman. “Even the end credits are great, Henry.”

“Everyone is watching them.” Henry looked around behind him and Ellen into the packed movie theater.

“You do know everyone is gonna think you and Danny are the coolest.”

“We are,” Henry whispered.

“This was great. I hated this movie when it was out, but it was so great.”

“Danny wants to . . .” Henry paused when the room filled with applause and the credits ended. “I’d better go shut down up there, huh?”

“Can I go with you?” Ellen asked.

“Yeah.” Henry, on the end seat, slid out into the aisle, and waited for Ellen. The men in Bowman that packed the theater all had positive comments to say as Henry walked by them.

They made it to the projection booth where Danny was. “Hey, Danny.” Henry walked in with Ellen.

“Ellen. Henry! My Man.” Danny grinned. “We are heroes now.”

“And we get Neville points,” Henry stated.

Danny stood by the spinning reels. “So like what do you think it would take to dismantle this place and bring it to Beginnings?”

“There’s a theater in Miles city. Why don’t we take that one apart,” Henry said. “You know, Danny, I could do this for you.

“You sure?” Danny asked. “I mean, you got this up and running.”

“No go on. El and I are just hanging out and talking anyhow.”

“O.K. Thanks.” Danny walked from the projection machine. “Night, El. Night, Henry.”

Ellen smiled. “Night, Danny.” She folded her hands behind her back and moved to Henry as he took over the projector. “This was the best evening I’ve had in a really long time.”

“Really?” Henry smiled at Ellen brightly as he took the movie reel. He wrapped up the end of the film and placed the reel in the large awaiting canister.

“It was so old world like.”

“El, as soon as I saw this place, I wanted to get it running. Sorry it took so long.”

“Are you kidding? You and Danny together were amazing. I was surprised all those men showed up.”

“Yeah it was packed.” Henry shut off the projector. “Ready?”

“Yes.”

Henry held out his hand, motioning to the door. “You lead the way.” He followed Ellen out and from the office to the lobby then out into the street.

“We need to go to a coffee house now, Henry.”

“I wish there was one.”

“There is,” Ellen said, “but they’ve gone out of business.”

Henry smiled as they started walking down the street. “Aren’t we walking the wrong way back to Hal’s?”

“Um . . . yeah. I’m sorry. I wanted to take a walk. You don’t mind do you?”

“No. I’d love it. This place reminds me of Ashtonville.”

“It does. And . . . this walk reminds me of the one that you and I took. Let’s go up this street.” Ellen pointed to a residential street. “I think that’s why I like Bowman.”

“Because of this street?”

“No.” Ellen snickered. “Because it reminds me of Ashtonville so much. I think . . . I think there is nothing more in this world that I would like to do than to go back there.”

“If I could get you back there, I would. Would you want to go?”

“How are you going to get me back to Ashtonville, Henry? It’s too dangerous to drive and we’d never be able to bring enough gas supply anyhow.”

“El . . .” Henry stopped walking . “If I figure out a way to get you there, will you go?”

Ellen spoke near whisper and with so much wanting. “I would love to go to Ashtonville.”

Henry smiled slightly. “Then you will. I’ll figure it out. I’ll get you there. But there’s one condition.”

“What is that?” Ellen asked as she faced him.

“You have to go with me. When I figure out how to do this for you, I want to be the one that does it with you. Deal?”

In such awe, Ellen looked at him.“Oh Henry, if you can get me back to my home, to see my children’s graves, their rooms, their things. Yes.”

“Then I’ll do it, El.” Henry smiled.

“Henry, if anyone else were standing before me telling me this, I’d have a hard time believing it.”

“El.” Henry closed his eyes. “I thought you lost all faith in me

“I did, Henry. I’m trying to forgive and forget. I am. But it keeps coming back.”

“I understand.”

“You’re . . . shit.” Ellen stepped back.

“What’s wrong?”

“I forgot to call Dean. Shit.”

Henry looked at his watch. “I can’t see what time it is.”

“Well I know it’s after eleven that’s for sure.”

“Call him” Henry unhooked his phone from his belt. “Here.”

“You think he’s awake?”

“Doesn’t matter. If he’s expecting you to call, he’ll want to talk to you.”

“Thanks.” Ellen began to dial. The phone barely rang one time and Dean answered,. “Oh! You’re awake.”

“El, what took you so long?” Dean asked.

“Oh Dean, you’re not going to believe this.” Ellen began to ramble. “Henry is here, right? Well he and I were walking the streets of Bowman, which is so much like Ashtonville. Anyhow, we were walking and he saw the old movie theater. Henry immediately found Danny and you know those two, they don’t stop until they get what they’re working on done. They got the movie theater running. Dean! I watched a movie in a theater. Not a very good one, but a movie. How do you like that?”

“Wow.” Dean spoke with little enthusiasm. “So are you back at Hal’s now?”

“No, Henry and I are walking around.”

“So Henry is with you now?” Dean asked.

“Yep right here.” Ellen smiled at Henry. “I’m using his phone. He told me to call you. He said you wouldn’t be sleeping. We’re walking on some dark street off of the main . . .”

“El, put him on.” Dean interrupted.

“What?” Ellen questioned.

“Put him on. Please. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Ellen drew up an odd look. “O.K.” She held the phone out to Henry. “He wants to talk to you.”

Henry had question on his face as he took the phone. “Hey Dean.”

“You made your point,” Dean said so seriously.

“Excuse me?” Henry was confused.

“I’m really pissed at you right now, Henry. I’m so pissed. I can’t believe you of all people are doing this shit.”

“Dean look, the movie, the walk, just know it has nothing to do with what you and I were talking . . .”

“Bullshit.” Dean snapped at him. “That’s bullshit and you know it. You wanna be upset about me not having an understanding with you, that’s one thing, You wanna be mad at me. You do it. But this is a dick move Henry and I’m not gonna forget it. You wanted to take the gloves off. They are off.” Dean hung up.

Henry blinked as he pulled the phone away from his ear.

“What’s wrong?” Ellen asked. “Is he mad that we are walking? I heard you say about . . .”

“No.” Henry shook his head and turned off the phone. “No. I didn’t fix something in the clinic that I was supposed to and you know Dean, he was rambling about how I can fix up a movie theater and not fix what I was supposed to back home.”

“Oh.” Ellen waved her hand. “He’ll get over it.” She started to walk and noticed Henry didn’t. “Henry, come on.”

Henry stared at the phone. “El.” He extended it to her. “Maybe you should call him back.”

“Why?”

“Just . . . . you should call him to say goodnight. I shouldn’t have been the last one he talked to, that’s all. It’s not right.”

“Henry, I’m sure . . .”

“El.” He laid the phone in her hand. “Will you please just call him and tell him you love him.”

“He knows I . . .”

“El.”

“Ok, then can we walk?” Ellen asked.

“Then we can walk.”

“He’s gonna think there’s something wrong with me. I pestered him all day.” Ellen smiled at Henry and dialed the phone. “Hey Dean?” Ellen’s voice was chipper on the phone. “We didn’t say goodnight and I didn’t tell you I loved you.”

Henry stepped back with his hands behind his back and moved a few feet from Ellen to allow her privacy on the phone with Dean.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

September 20

Binghamton, Alabama

The tromping of boots against the asphalt was like the steady beat of a song. Frank paced before the seventy -five men he had running in place. They held rifles in their hands. On one, they raised the rifles above their heads, two, they brought them down, on three, they extend them forward, and four, they brought them back in. So in unison, so synchronized, they were quick and moved in double time to Frank’s steps.

“Squad leaders, count it out!” Frank ordered as he walked before them.

“One.” Tromp-tromp.

“Two.” Tromp-tromp.

“Three!” Tromp-tromp.

“Four.” Tromp-tromp.

Frank smiled. “Keep it going!” He snapped his finger on their every count out.

“One.” Tromp-tromp.

“Two.” Tromp-tromp.

“Three” Tromp-tromp.

“Four.” Tromp-tromp.

“Let me hear it from the ranks!” Frank called out.

And then the men began, together, loudly, and in time . . .

“Ugachuga. Ugachuga. Uga. Uga. Ugachuga!”

“I can’t stop this feeling . . .” Frank talk-sang. “Deep inside of me.” Frank grinned. “Take it back, gentlemen, and with enthusiasm.”

They took two steps back in their formation, snapped to attention and called out loudly. “One, two. Yes we can. Colonel Slagel is the man! Ooh-rah!”

“Dismissed!” Frank bit his bottom lip and hid his smile, turned around, and lost the happy look when he saw Peace Ambassador Leonard standing there.

“Colonel Slagel. A little unconventional, don’t you think?”

“It’s the way I have always trained my men. You work them, break them, show them you’re human. They respect you more and they’re all yours. I did this too many years in the United States Army. How about you?” Frank raised his eyebrow and grabbed a cigarette from his chest pocket as he walked.

“I mean no disrespect to your method of training.” Leonard followed Frank. “However.”

Frank stopped walking. “However?”

“Yes. However.” Leonard held what looked like a stereo assembly manual. “This is the way the Society expects their men to be trained. Have you read this?”

“I’m sure I have. But . . .” Frank pointed to his own temple. “I have amnesia so I’m not really remembering anything post- plague. Sorry.”

“Is that possible?”

“What.” Frank moved on.

“Having selective amnesia like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you said you have.”

“When?”

“Just now.”

“Huh?” Frank puffed his cigarette.

“Never mind.” Leonard held out the book to Frank. “Maybe you would like this.”

“For?”

“For refreshing your memory on our training regimen.”

“Why?”

“Because you forgot.”

“Forgot what?” Frank asked.

“How to train these men.”

Frank stopped walking.

Leonard was a good five feet ahead of Frank before he realized that Frank was no longer with him. “Colonel Slagel?” He saw the glare Frank gave him and though he tried not to show it, Leonard was a bit frightened. “Well, yes, um . . . perhaps not.” He rolled up the manual. “I have something else to discuss with you.”

“What?” Frank started walking again.

“We’re expecting a very important scientist to be joining us here in a week’s time. In fact, he will head up biology for the Society, but will work and live here for a while. I need you to prepare the best housing available.”

Frank laughed and stopped walking again.

“Something wrong?”

“His house is gonna look like your house, my house, and anyone else’s house that lives in a house on base.”

Leonard really wanted to scratch his head. “Uh . . . yes. So you’ll see to it then.”

“Oh yeah.” Frank nodded. “I’ll see to it.”

“Thank you. I’ll let you be.”

“Thanks.” Frank bobbed his head forward as he watched Leonard walk away, and then without Leonard seeing, Frank calmly lifted his middle finger and smirked.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Joe set down his coffee on the counter in the clinic lab, leaning into it next to Dean. “So you’ll get up to Jason’s lab soon.”

“As soon as I can, but I haven’t a clue on how to run a history on his quantum Regressionator.”

“Maybe I can get Henry to go with you.”

Dean grumbled.

Joe looked up in surprise. “Next. Traps.”

“Regis.” Dean said.

“Excuse me?”

“Speak to Regis.” Dean suggested. “He used to hunt.”

“I’ll do that. But I’m going to need ample supply of those tranquilizer pellets.”

“You’ll have them. As soon as El gets back we can . . .”

“Did someone say my name.” Ellen’s voice carried into the lab.

Dean smiled and spun around to see her. “El. You’re early.”

Ellen embraced him. “Yeah, Me, Henry, and Danny, brought the pick up so the others will be along shortly.” She kissed Dean and laid her hand on his face. “How are you.”

“Better now.”

Henry cleared his throat. “Joe, Danny went straight to tracking. He wanted to know if you could meet him up there.”

“What about you?” Joe asked.

“He wanted to talk to you.” Henry shrugged.

“O.K.” Joe gathered up his things. “Dean, I’ll speak to you later.”

“Thanks, Joe.” Dean released Ellen from his embrace as Joe left. “We have so much to catch up on. How busy are you?”

“I have to get the new guys situated when they arrive. The field workers are coming today and those who are going to be setting up the new Bowman are coming in another day or two.”

Dean tilted his head in question. “Why is that?”

Henry stepped forward to answer. “Danny scouted the towns best suited for tracking and we have a lot to get ready, supplies and stuff, since these men are going to be living there. There isn’t any reason to make them come up until we’re ready to put them to work.”

“I see.” Dean nodded. “Who’s going to be in charge of this crew? If I may ask.”

“Construction and rebuilding, Danny is going to oversee, also he and I since it is partly mechanics,” Henry said.

“Thanks.” Dean had no emotions in his voice. “Um Henry, I’d like to talk to Ellen alone. Please.”

“Oh sure.” Henry reached out and laid his hand on Ellen’s shoulder “Thanks for the Bowman tour. I’ll talk to you later.”

“O.K. Henry.” Ellen smiled. “Bye.”

Henry took a step to kiss Ellen on the cheek but stopped. It was something so simple that he did whenever he saw her and had done for a while. Yet, Henry didn’t do it this time. He just smiled and waved and walked to the door. “Dean.”

“Henry.” Dean nodded his head once.

Ellen watched Henry leave then looked to Dean. “What’s going on?”

“Excuse me?” Dean asked.

“With you and Henry. What’s going on?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

“Really?” Ellen folded her arms. “Care to tell me why the temperature dropped when you two looked at each other.”

Dean took a deep breath. “Things are a little strained between me and Henry right now. That’s all.”

“Why?”

“Why?” Dean shrugged “Personal.”

Ellen laughed. “I’m your wife.”

“Yep you are.”

There was a quirk about the look on Ellen’s face as she tilted her head to the right and raised the corner of her mouth. “Am I missing something?”

“No.” Dean shook his head. “Him and I have just been butting heads. It happens in a community this small. We’ll get through it.”

“Good.” Ellen smiled. “Now, can the work just wait a few minutes? I’d like to go see the kids.”

“Can the uh . . . kids wait a few minutes.” Dean stepped to her taking her hands.

“Why would we make the kids wait for work?”

“We’re not.” Holding Ellen’s hand, Dean walked to the back of the lab.

“Dean?”

“El.”

“What are you doing?”

Dean lead her to the room in the back.

Ellen lagged behind and moved hesitantly slow. “Why are we coming back here?” She didn’t get an answer, only a tug into the room. “Oh, I get it. Sorry, I didn’t pick it up. You should have accentuated the words, ‘a few minutes’ I would have known exactly what you were talking about.”

Dean stopped, smiled as he looked at her, kissed her quickly, pulled her further inside, and closed the back room door.

^^^^

Total chaos is what tracking looked like when Joe walked in there. Mark sat in a chair, slumped and rolled out of the way. The monitor table was pulled out from the wall with wires everywhere. Computer disks and Danny Hoi were on the floor.

“Danny.”

“Oh hi, Joe.” Danny looked up at him. “I’m not finding anything.”

“You don’t think Henry did all this already?”

“Um, probably yeah.” Danny answered.

“And?” Joe asked.

“And I’d rather do it myself. It’s my baby, so . . . I’d rather do it myself. Thanks.”

Joe looked over to Mark who lifted his hands in defeat. “Danny, did you stop to think it may be something in the field?”

“Yeah I did.” Danny picked himself up from the ground and brushed off. “But I talked to the guard who did rounds up there and he said he saw nothing. Yet . . . during the time he said he was there, we continued to receive signals which leads me to believe . . . malfunction.”

Mark let out a loud grunt. “Thank you! I have been saying this for days. But no! Henry insists that there are killer rabbits or, what is it now, pigs running around up there.”

Danny snickered. “I believe something may have been up there to help set off the malfunction but it helped exaggerate it, that’s all. No creature God created moves this fast and is this small.”

“Really?” Joe asked. “What about a creature man created.”

Before Danny could say anything, Mark held up his hand. “Unfair! No Joe. Unfair. My kid was home. Ask my wife. And . . . and . . . he hates deer meat. Robbie said that’s what was killed up there. Marcus likes his meat cooked. He hasn’t eaten anything alive since last year.”

“Good to hear.” Joe raised an eyebrow. “Danny, how long you going to be working on this?”

“Just gonna put it back together.” Danny lowered down to the floor. “I’ll go home tonight and really sit there and think about it. Why?”

“Well, you need to get me that game plan you have for the new towns. We have to get things together,” Joe said.

“O.K., I’ll do that. Let me finish up here.”

“Good. See you in a bit.” Joe moved to the door.

“Oh Joe. Before I come up, there’s something I need to discuss with Dean then I’ll be there.”

“Not a problem.” Joe opened the door. “Mark.”

“Joe.” Mark grumbled Joe’s name. “Danny, can you possibly take any longer?”

Danny looked at Mark and grinned. “I could, but seeing how I have things to do, I won’t.” Danny began to reconnect. “So, where was I? Yes. Gergerace. Man, this woman. You have to see her. I want front row seats to her and Joe’s first encounter.”

“Danny, if she’s that bad, maybe all they have to do to her is lock her in the same room with you and Henry.”

“Mark?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m messing with the electrical wiring that is attached to the equipment you’ll be touching. You may not want to insult me.”

“Oh.” Mark looked serious. “Sorry.”

“Kidding.” Danny grinned and returned to his work. “Um ... . maybe not. Where in the hell does this wire go?”

^^^^

Quantico Marine Headquarters

“Preparations are being made now,” Stewart told George as George sat behind his desk. “Research files of our recently deceased scientists are being moved to Binghamton right now. Housing is being set up for him.”

“Good.” George nodded.

“Now you’re sure that all this trouble isn’t for nothing? This Dr. Hayes will not be leaving the Society?”

“I’m positive,” George stated. “Things are well underway in Beginnings to ensuring that he will have what he wants here and. . . he’ll want to stay.”

“Good. Now I spoke to Dr. Garrison. He said that it is possible that seeing this doctor may trigger Frank’s memory.”

George was not surprised by this news. “I appreciate you looking into it, but I have it covered. Dr. Morris told me if it does, it will not only be facially evident on Frank’s face that he recognizes Dr. Hayes, but physically evident as well. His body will sway and topple as if he got hit with a wall of bricks.”

“So Leonard knows these signs to look for?”

“He does.”

Stewart let out a breath. “Good. I’ll just reiterate that to him when I talk to him.”

“You do that.”

The phone in George’s office rang. George looked at it, then at Stewart.

“Sorry.” Stewart quickly picked it up. “President Hadley’s office. Oh, just a minute.” He extended the phone to George. “For you.”

George rolled his eyes. “Of course it is. Who is it.”

“Your favorite person.”

George grinned and snatched up the phone. “Hey.” He spoke into the receiver. “How are things going there? Good. Good.” He shooed Stewart away and leaned back. “Not much longer. I was just talking about how you are getting things ready there . . . yes, we’re getting things ready on this end. Alabama is nearly ready for Dean’s arrival.” George shook his head. “Patience. Patience. Timing is everything. Now when is it that the leadership officially switches hands?” George nodded with an even bigger grin and carried on his conversation.

^^^^

With the Ugachuga song stuck in his head, Richie bounced and sang as he walked. Totally oblivious and in his own world, he moved down the housing section of the base. He looked at the clipboard he carried then to the house totally overgrown with weeds. The same house connected to Frank’s well kept one. He shrugged, took a step forward, and nearly shrieked when he felt a hand cover his mouth and his body lifted from the ground. An arm braced him tightly around the waist and carried him at a top speed directly to the back of the house.

He breathed out heavily when he was set down. Richie spun to see. “Frank.”

“Well.”

“I haven’t been in there yet.”

“Can it be done?”

“I don’t know yet, Frank. I just got your orders to make this the new guy’s house.” Richie tossed his hands up. “And . . . these places have firewalls, Frank. What is this peephole shit you want me to make? Is there something about you I don’t know about?”

“Ha, ha, ha. I need to know exactly what he’s up to. If we can’t do the bugging thing with his house . . .”

“You’re gonna watch him shower.”

“Richie!”

Richie laughed. “Sorry. Let me go see what I can do. O.K.?”

“Thanks and leave me a note or something,” Frank told him. “This guy is supposed to be a big deal. If he’s that big, he knows a lot. If he knows it, I wanna know it.”

“Then we’ll try.” Richie held up his hands, “That’s all I can do. But . . . if he’s that big, I guess you can’t easily get rid of him, huh?”

Frank fluttered his lips. “Are you kidding. Accidents happen, Richie. As soon as we find out what he knows, we’ll take him out. No problem.”

Richie didn’t say anything. He just walked to the house, swaying his head at Frank’s stock response of ‘no problem’. It never was a problem to Frank when he easily eliminated someone that knew too much. But in Richie’s mind, how much longer could an outnumbered Frank get away with it?

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

The last computer to shut down was off and Dean picked up the folders he had ready to take home. He slipped off his lab jacket and carried it to the coat tree.

“Got a second?” Danny Hoi popped his head into Dean’s lab.

“Um sure.” Dean looked at his watch. “Then I’m out of here.”

“Early day?”

“You could say that. I’ll work at home. What’s up?”

Danny grinned and walked over to the counter to meet Dean. “Did you have bills in the old world?”

“Yes. We all did.”

“Good. Then you know how to pay them, right?”

Dean snickered. “Of course I know how to . . . shit.”

“No. No. It’s not that bad.” Danny laid on the table a signed favor slip from Dean. “You signed two of these, both huge if I may add.”

“Unfortunately.” Dean picked it up and saw what Danny wrote. “Danny.” Dean turned serious. “No.” He handed it back. “Anything else but this. No.”

“But Dean . . .”

“Danny, it’s wrong. No.” Dean stayed firm.

“You got it all wrong.” Danny told him and handed the favor slip back.

“You have Ellen’s name written on here. How can I have it all wrong?”

“Because you think I’m asking for sex.”

Dean, who was about to hand the slip back, stopped. “You’re not?”

“No.” Danny shook his head. “Not at all. I’m asking for Ellen.” He snickered. “For a day.”

“A day?”

“Yes. All day. No interruptions from you. Female companionship is what I want. All day.”

“No sex?”

“Only if she wants to put out.” Danny saw that Dean didn’t like his comment. “Kidding, Dean. That’s all I want. I want to watch a movie with her, make and eat dinner with her. Talk. I’m tired of hanging out with men and the women here don’t really go for me. Henry’s ruined them on that.” He leaned to Dean and winked. “Now they think all Asian men are like him. So can I?”

“When?” Dean asked.

“Whenever is good.”

There was a certain amount of relief in Dean’s tone. “I guess. That wouldn’t be a problem. Sure Danny. But . . . really, you have to talk to Ellen. I can’t give her out.”

“O.K.” Danny nodded. “I mentioned it to her already, but I’ll talk again. She thinks it will be fun. Thanks Dean.” Danny moved to the door.

“Danny.” Dean held up the favor slip. “This?”

“Keep it.” Danny waved and moved out.

Dean continued to gather up his things. He smiled, thinking about how he sweated Danny’s ‘huge’ favor. But it dawned on him Danny still had one more. A part of Dean felt like he owed the Mafia money, a part of him feared that return favor.

“Dean.”

Dean looked up as he picked his folders up. Henry stood there. “I’m on my way out.”

“I wanted to talk to you. Can we talk.”

“Henry, no. O.K.” Dean moved to the door.

“Dean this is ridiculous. You know that. We shouldn’t be fighting.”

Dean stopped cold. “You went to Bowman. Early. You went there specifically to be with Ellen. Did you not?”

“I did. But . . .”

“But no buts Henry. That was wrong. She’s my wife. I told you no. So you went another route.”

“See Dean, maybe I did start out going to Bowman for . . .”

“Henry.” Dean silenced him. “Start out. End up. It doesn’t matter. Your intentions to start trouble were there.”

“All right. You’re right.” Henry told him. “That was wrong. I was angry with you. So now can we please just sit down and talk.”

“Sure we can Henry. But not now. I’m busy. And . . .” Dean cleared his throat. “You may want to think twice now about asking for an understanding with me. Things have changed.” Dean handed Henry a slip of paper. “Danny pulled his favor.” With a quick grin, Dean walked out.

Henry’s heart dropped when his eyes moved down to the favor slip and he saw written in the favor slot was the name Ellen. “No.” Henry crumbled the favor slip.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

Hal was getting pretty good at answering his phone quickly and within two rings. “Captain Slagel.” And then there would be nothing. Oddly, he would look at the phone and hang it up., “Sorry Elliott. Where were we?”

“Tower spotted the scouts coming over the hill.” Sgt. Ryder said in Hal’s office.

“Which group?” Hal asked then held up his hand when the phone rang again. “Captain Slagel. Hello? Hello?” Shrugging, he hung up the phone. “Sorry. Which group?”

“We believe . . .”

“Hold that thought.” Hal grabbed the ringing phone. “Captain Slagel speaking . . . hello? Shit.” He placed down the phone. “We should really contact Danny and tell him things are not working.

“Perhaps we should.” Sgt. Ryder hid his snicker. “Now, as I was . . .” He cringed. “Go on.”

Hal picked up the phone. “Captain . . . Craig! You asshole.” Hal slammed down the phone.

“Savage camps.”

“Excuse me.”

“Just thought I’d get that information out of my mouth before you fly out the door to kill him.”

“Savage camps. That’s the scouts?” Hal asked.

“Yes.”

“Thank you. Be right back.” As predicted by Sgt. Ryder, Hal flew out of his office to search out Craig.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie was grateful that Auto World’s lifetime guarantee brakes didn’t deteriorate like the rest of society. Of course Robbie would be more grateful if Frank was around to replace the brakes on the Jeep. Fixing automobiles was never a chore for Frank; it was a hobby. There were others in Beginnings who could easily do it, but since Frank liked it, he made it part of the responsibility of the head of security. Robbie didn’t quite understand why that was. He guessed Frank saw some demented connection between fixing Jeeps and protecting lives. Robbie could hear Frank’s reasoning. Justifying if the Jeep doesn’t work it could die out on a hill, roll down it uncontrollably and into a tree, therefore taking the life of the driver when he was forcefully ejected from the seat. Whatever the reason Frank gave for the privilege of being Beginnings auto mechanic, Robbie was ready to kill him.

Her voice sang out into the garage. “Robbie!”

Robbie’s hands stopped working on the tire. Sarcastically and mimicking Bev’s tone, he called back. “Bev-ee.”

She giggled and stepped to the Jeep. “Robbie, have you seen Johnny?”

“Nope.” Robbie sniffed, rubbed the back of his hand under his nose and worked. “You’re wearing perfume.” He sneezed. “Shit.”

“Are you allergic?” She asked.

“Bev, every Slagel I know is allergic to perfume.” Robbie sneezed again and held out his hand. “Step back near the door and air out.”

“Johnny too?”

“I uh . . .” Robbie rubbed the tickle in his nose. “I guess. Don’t know.”

“Oh, I’ll wash it off then. Have you seen him?”

“I said no.” Robbie dropped the tool. “Fuck. I hate this shit.” He rolled his eyes when he heard her giggle.

“You’re cute.”

“Yeah I am.”

“I have to find Johnny.”

“Then look for him,” Robbie said.

“I have been.”

“Have you tried the cryo -lab? It’s feeding time.”

“I did. Andrea hadn’t seen him.”

“No.” Robbie grunted as he made an adjustment. “The cryo -lab, not the clinic lab.”

Bev tsked and gave attitude. “I did check there. Andrea said he wasn’t there.”

Robbie stopped working. “At the cryo -lab?”

“Yes.”

“Andrea was in there?”

“Yes.”

“Go uh . . . check again. I’m sure that’s where he is.”

“O.K.” Bev shrugged. “If you see him, you’ll tell him I’m looking for him. Right?”

“Yeah sure.” Robbie swayed his head after Bev’s ‘thank you’ and watch her leave. He hesitated before going back to his work, speaking to himself in wonder. “Andrea in the cryo-lab. Andrea isn’t supposed to be at the cryo-lab.”

^^^^

“Fuckin door.” Johnny punched in his code, shook the cryo -lab door and banged it with his foot. “Shit.” It wouldn’t open. “What is going on?”

“You’re just being delayed in your wait for me.”

Bev’s voice startled him and Johnny jumped a foot in the air and back. “What are you doing down here?”

“Looking for you. Having trouble?”

“It won’t take my code, not that it’s any of your business.”

“Johnny,” Bev laid her hand on his back. “Don’t be this way to me. You’re making me feel really bad . . . and used.”

From the keypad, Johnny shifted his eyes to Bev and raised his eyebrows.

“Johnny.” Bev spoke his name softly and slipped between him and the door. Her hands went flush on his chest. “I was really, really nice to you yesterday.” Her hand ran down his chest and to the front of his jeans. “Feel like returning the favor?” She bit her bottom lip.

“I feel like feeding the rabbits.” He stepped away from her and grabbed his radio, ignoring the disappointing glare Bev gave him. Johnny placed his radio on all call. “Dean. Dean you there. Dean come in. Ellen. Dean, anyone. Hello? Dean. Ellen.”

Bev smiled and touched him again.

“Quit that.” Johnny told her. “Dean?” He released the button. Static. “Shit.”

Andrea’s voice came over. “Johnny, Dean’s home. Ellen’s processing the new guys. Try Dean’s phone. He must not have the radio on.”

“Thanks Andrea.” Johnny turned off the radio.

“Why are you looking for Dean?” Bev giggled. “Wanna bring him in too?”

“Yeah right.” Johnny said. “I need his code or the rabbits don’t get fed. And my phone’s above.”

“If I tell you how you can get a working code in less than ten seconds, will you be with me tonight?”

“You know how to get me a code in ten seconds. One that works?” Johnny asked.

“Yep.”

“You want me to call Danny. That’s it.”

“Nope.”

“Henry?” Johnny guessed at the ones he knew had codes.

“Nope.”

“Not Danny or Henry?” Johnny laughed. “There’s no one else.”

Bev gave him a snide look. “Bet me.”

“Ten seconds?”

“Yep,” Bev spoke seductively.

“You’re on. Ten seconds? I’ll do you if I can get a code in ten seconds,” Johnny said snidely.

“Radio Andrea. Use hers.” Bev said like the Miss Know-it-All she acted like.

“Ha!” Johnny scoffed in a make fun manner. “Andrea doesn’t have a code.” Johnny started to walk away. “Sorry babe.”

“No, Johnny, I’m sorry.” Bev walked by him. “If she doesn’t have a code, how else was she in here this afternoon? See you later.” Bev walked backwards, wiggled her fingers, turned around again, and walked away.

Johnny picked up the radio. There was no way Andrea had a code. No way Dean would give her one for the simple fact that he didn’t want Andrea going in the lab without his knowledge and then lecturing him on the sanctity of life. Johnny kept repeating, in his mind, the phrase ‘no way’. Bev had to be wrong. She had to be. Johnny hoped with all his might she was, mostly because he didn’t want to be faced with the possibility of welching on a bet for the first time in his life.

^^^^

Her pouting mouth was closed tightly as Maura folded her arms and tried not to look at Joe who sat in her living room with her.

“Are you listening to me?” Joe asked.

She nodded.

“Maura, it is . . .” Joe stopped when Gemma set down a cup on the coffee table for him. “Thanks Gemma.”

Gemma took a moment, worry crossed her age -filled face as she watched Joe on the couch with her adopted daughter. “Joe, please don’t badger her.”

“Badger her how, Gemma? Christ.”

“Joe!” Gemma scolded. “Do not use that tone around her. Please.”

“All right. All right. I apologize.” Joe looked back at Maura. He began to speak but stopped when he saw Gemma still standing there “Gemma, do you mind?”

“I would prefer to stay,” Gemma said.

“I would prefer you didn’t,” Joe told her.

“I don’t like you alone with her, Joe.”

“Like I’m gonna molest her. Get the hell in the other room and leave us be. Go.” Joe pointed.

Gemma looked offended, but listened. She guessed there was some safety in Joe. “No badgering.” She pointed and walked out.

“Yeah, yeah.” Joe returned to Maura. “Now, where were we?”

“What is molesting?”

“Um . . . it means uh . . . ask your mother what it means.”

“O.K.” Maura spoke so timidly. “I will.”

“You do that.” Joe told her. “Now, back to what we were discussing . . .”

“I can’t tell you. I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.”

“You can. You can. You can.” Joe insisted. “The game is so important. Please?”

“So is trust.”

“I trusted that you would tell me.”

“Reverend Bob trusted that I would keep his secret.”

“And I’m trusting you will tell me.”

Maura didn’t even look in debate. Joe’s beckoning wasn’t making a dent. “I can’t. The Bible says we should be trustworthy. Those who can be trusted will be given more. Book of Matthew.”

Joe huffed. “The Bible.” He stood up. “Well let me give you something to think about little girl. The Bible also states, ‘Those who harbor secrets that ill effect others shall be those who burn in eternal damnation . . . Proverbs.” Joe moved to the door, opening it. “Ponder on that and then talk to me.” He gave a firm, serious nod and walked out, pulling the door closed with him. Perhaps it wasn’t right to lie to Maura, to give a bogus passage, but he needed his information. And if manipulating her fear in the Bible was the way to do it, then it couldn’t have been all that wrong. Maura was young, she would get over it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Beginnings, Montana

The brotherhood of etiquette was breached in Dean’s mind as he walked into Jason’s lab unannounced and uninvited. But yet Dean did go into Jason’s lab as requested by Joe. The first thing he did was put into motion the plan to cover his ass if Jason came into the lab. With him, he brought the Withers folder tucked with in his lab jacket. He looked around Jason’s lab for the familiar stack of folders that he always saw Jason carry about and Dean slipped that folder right in with the rest.

“There.” Dean let out a breath feeling highly uncomfortable. “Now . . .” He rubbed his hands together. “Where the hell do I begin?”

Before he could answer in his mind, the door to Jason’s lab opened and Dean’s heart dropped as he thought how it was just his luck to be busted so soon.

Henry walked in.

“Henry.” Dean ran his hand through his hair. “What . . . what are you doing here?”

“Joe sent me up to help you.”

“I don’t need help.” Dean walked, obviously clueless to the Regressionator.

“Oh really?” Henry moved to him. “You know about pulling up the history?”

“And you do?”

“I know more than you do, Dean.”

Dean scoffed in laughter.

“I know you’re a dick.” Henry stepped into Dean’s way and to the Regressionator.

“A dick?” Dean stopped laughing. “Where do you get off calling me a dick Henry?”

“Where do you get off trying to piss me off.”

“How do you figure?” Dean asked snidely.

“What? You’re gonna deny it?”

“Deny trying to piss you off? Yeah.”

“Then what do you call shoving Danny’s favor slip in my face?”

“I call it, trying to make you feel bad.”

“And you think you’re not a dick.” Henry said and faced the time machine.

“I didn’t say I wasn’t a dick Henry. I just wanted to know where you got off calling me a dick. When you started this whole ball rolling.” Dean’s tone heated.

“I asked for an understanding with Ellen!” Henry argued loudly.

“And I turned you down and you got pissed!”

“I got pissed because of your attitude about it.”

Dean tossed his hands up. “What attitude! You gave me the attitude first and then went down to Bowman to start trouble.”

“The reason I went to Bowman early and what happened when I was there, are two different things.”

“That is such bullshit and you know it. You went there to start trouble and get me worked up.” Dean pointed at Henry as they stood face to face. “You Henry went down there with every intention of being with my wife.”

“She’s my friend!”

“And you want more!” Dean’s face and loudness of his voice began to match Henry’s. “And because you can’t have more, you stomp like a child and decide you’re just going to take it!”

“I never went down there with any intentions of taking her from you! I went down there to be with her.”

“Be with her!?” Dean moved dramatically as he argued. “And you can stand here and tell me you went there without intentions of starting trouble. I told you Henry. I told you no! I have my reasons. She is my wife! If I don’t want to share her, I don’t have to. Not you. Not anyone, can make me do it. And out of respect for our marriage, you should not push the issue! But you did.”

“You wanna know what your problem is Dean?”

“Yeah, Henry tell me what my problem is.”

“I’ll tell you.”

“Tell me.”

“You have it in your little man mind . . .”

Dean’s laugh interrupted Henry. “Look at you trying to be Frank. Talk like him. Act like him. Have Ellen like him.”

“Shut up and let me finish.” Henry’s pointing finger came awfully close to Dean who had stepped closer to him. “You’re afraid!”

“Afraid of what?”

“Afraid of doing the same things you did before that caused Ellen to turn to someone else. And you know what Dean. You will. You’ll repeat your mistakes, because you’re too selfish not too.”

“Fuck you Henry.”

“Fuck you Dean.”

“And I am not here to fight with you.” Dean turned to the computer of the time machine. “I’m here to find out information and leave. So why don’t you go.”

“No, Dean. Why don’t you go. You’re way out of your league.”

“Me!” Dean reached for the keyboard. “Who’s the scientist?”

“Who’s the one that sets up everything for your scientist ass?” Henry moved into the keyboard. “Now step aside. I’ll do this.”

“I’ll do it.”

“Quit letting your pride get in the way. Let me do it. I know what I’m doing.” Henry placed his hands on the keyboard.

“And I don’t?”

“No.”

“Move Henry.” Dean moved Henry’s hands and laid his on the keyboard.

“No you move Dean.” Henry nudged Dean slightly.

“You move.” Dean stepped into Henry and laid his hand on the keys pushing Henry’s away.

“Dean.”

“Henry.”

“Move.” Henry grabbed Dean’s hands. Dean quickly retracted his hands from Henry and moved them to the keyboards again, when Henry reached for his hands, Dean smacked Henry’s.

Henry gasped and smacked Dean’s hands back, within seconds the struggle over who would get to the keyboard became a game of hostile Patty Cake between the two grown men.

It was the one word Joe always used to bring about order. Unfortunately, it wasn’t Joe who spoke it in the quantum lab. “Boys.” Jason stepped inside.

So startled Dean and Henry were, that they spun around, faced Jason, placed their hands behind their backs, and looked as guilty as two ten year old boys who were busted reading a dirty magazine in a drugstore.

Jason took a step further in, clearing his throat. “What’s going on? Why are you guys in my lab?”

Moving an inch away from Henry, Dean spoke up. “I came up to look for the Withers file.”

“You did?” Jason nodded. “Why didn’t you ask me where it was when I saw you twenty minutes ago?”

“I saw you twenty minutes ago?” Dean nudged Henry when he heard Henry tsk. “You know what? It didn’t dawn on me until I needed it which was ten minutes ago.”

Jason looked at Henry. “Henry, why are you in my lab?”

“Helping Dean.”

“Helping Dean?” Jason question. “Helping Dean look for a file?”

Dean let out one single snicker. “Good one, Henry.”

“Like you did any better.” Henry whispered.

Jason ran his fingers over his thin mustache and spoke calmly. “Now that you two proceeded to lie badly, what is going on?” He didn’t receive an answer. “How about I take a wild guess?” He walked to his main computer of the time machine. “You are trying to get in here? Why?” Still no response. “Wanna take a trip? I thought you boys learned?”

While Jason was speaking, Dean and Henry both let their minds work separately and both of them thinking they had an explanation, started talking only it was at the same time as the other.

Jason closed one eye in a wince at the meshed together voices. “Hold it.” He held up his hand. “Using logical deduction, obviously you don’t want to dismantle or vandalize my Regressionator because Henry knows this computer is not the link to do that. And Dean, you obviously aren’t looking for a file seeing how my files are over there.” Jason indicated to the stack. “Now, what is in this computer that you two want to get to. A bet? No.” Jason shook his head. “I think it’s something in here. Now seeing you aren’t planning any trips, I’m gonna gather it’s information on one of two things contained in this computer. You either wanna see the programming or you wanna see the history. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll give you one. I’ve got nothing to hide. You tell me, history or programming. Which is it that I give you?”

Henry and Dean looked at each other and then to Jason, speaking at the same time. “History.”

“Here.” Jason laid, a homemade book down in front of a sitting Henry and Dean. “This is the log. It coincides with everything in that print up, and even though you know the history is only printed up until the safeguarding of the time machine, my notes do go further.”

The long table Dean and Henry sat at was covered with papers. Dean pulled the log book to him. “These are all you time trip notes.?”

“Yes and some that Forrest logged as well. It’s stuff I don’t put into the computer.”

“Thanks.” Dean put the log book between him and Henry as they reviewed. Test trips, real trips, trips Dean and Henry didn’t know about.

“Thank you for this,” Henry said.

“I have nothing to hide. You have any questions, just ask away,” Jason told them.

Dean raised his eyes to Jason. “You do know we can’t tell you why we need this information. We can only hope you won’t say anything to anyone.”

“I haven’t yet,” Jason stated.

Henry looked at him in wonder. “What do you mean, you haven’t yet? We’ve only been here a half hour.”

“I haven’t said anything about my thoughts which I think are the same as yours. That’s why you’re wanting to view it. I have to say, I thought Joe would be the one to finally come up here.”

“What are you talking about?” Dean asked.

“The possibility that there is someone working on the inside for the Society.” Jason said. He noticed the immediate pale expressions. “What? You don’t think that crossed my mind. It did. What makes me think it is the way that one trip back in time went. The one on March 6th, where I went as the constant. I got shot. Frank, Robbie, and Greg were chased. It was so much like a set up, I got curious.”

“And why didn’t you say anything?” Henry asked.

“Because I know the fingers would point at me,” Jason explained. “Just like now. I was frozen with the Society scientists, however, if any of you would stop to think. That trip I joined, if I was with the Society, why didn’t I just return alone, look frazzled, and act as if all went wrong?. No one would be the wiser. No one. It was after that trip that I thought someone set us up. Someone used the time machine.”

“Did they?” Dean asked. “You don’t have any trips logged.”

“See.” Jason leaned over Dean’s shoulder. “The computer history that tells of the trips is a manual history. That is what I put in. This . . .” Jason picked up a stack. “This history just shows the usage of power in the Regressionator. See.” Jason pointed to the date in the log book. “Time trip, but if you look on the power history, you have a power usage.”

Dean nodded and flipped a page. “Wait. Right here is the March 6th time trip.” He moved to the log book. “The power history shows a power usage on March 4th. But you have nothing logged.”

“That’s because I didn’t make a time trip on March 4th.”

“But the power usage says it happened,” Henry said.

“No.” Jason shook his head. “The history showed a power usage consistent with a time trip. We also get the same reading whenever there is a storm and we lose power momentarily. You can see in the history how often we have power usages and how often they don’t coincide with a trip.”

Henry checked it out. “I have to see if there was a storm March 4th. We keep track of the weather history.”

“There wasn’t,” Jason interjected. “I already checked. My opinion. Someone came in here and used the Regressionator. This same someone warned George and we got set up. I originally made the machine user friendly in the event something happened to me. Instructions were handwritten so anyone, even Josephine, could come up here and take a trip. Unfortunately I did not password protect until I discovered this particular incident and now the password is obsolete. Safeguard is there.”

“Did this suspicion play into your safeguard design?” Henry asked.

“Oh most definitely,” Jason answered. “I didn’t want to dismantle it completely, but I didn’t want us to abuse time travel.” Jason shrugged. “So with this person in mind, I decided just to make the process, as you know, extremely difficult. A crew would have to man the time machine and so forth in the present. Before, one person could come in here, set up the machine, go and come back without notice.”

Henry nodded in understanding. “Now, if they go back in time . . . one, you can’t do it alone, and two, if you go back in time and spend an hour there, you’re missing here for an hour as well. Wise move. But why didn’t you bring this particular suspicion to Joe’s attention?”

“Why would I?” Jason answered. “There isn’t any proof someone used the machine. The only proof there is, is this, the power usage. But how good of proof is that when we get the same reading every time the lights go out?” Jason shrugged. “Not very and going to Joe is bringing accusations against someone, anyone in the community. I don’t like to accuse. I just figured it wouldn’t be long before Joe started questioning the presence of someone else working for George.”

Dean teetered between listening to Jason and reading. “Wait. What is this. There are biweekly trips here. Logged.” Dean read from the power history, to the manual history, to the log. “It says on all of these, ‘J’ and ‘J’ Camel run. What is that?”

Jason snickered. “I kind of took the time machine for a little spin for cigarettes.”

Henry gasped, “How abusive. Oh my God! Wait . . . wait until I tell Joe.” He gasped again and looked at the log. “Jason?”

“Yes?” Jason replied.

“It states here the inclusions on your trip.” Henry kept his eyes on the log.

“Yes, Henry,” Jason explained. “It tells what the trip was and the inclusions are what we took through the machine.”

“I understand what inclusions meant but . . .” Henry read. “It states. “Money, bikes, history disk, letter?”

“Oh.” Jason nodded. “Yes.” He closed his eyes. “Blackmail.”

Both Dean and Henry looked at him. “Blackmail.”

“Yes and don’t tell Joe. He doesn’t know. Andrea busted the time trips. She was smart enough to figure out that we just kept having too many packs of Camel filters. Knowing that Joe would just blow her off and I would be a tad frightened, she blackmailed me.” Jason snickered. “It actually is kind of funny. All she wanted was to mail a letter to Jake, her husband. I thought it was nice. A little note saying that she loved him. No more. That’s all. She put nothing in it that she was from the future.”

“So you read it?” Dean asked.

“Them,” Jason corrected.

“More than one time?” Dean questioned again.

“Twice and no I didn’t read them. It was Andrea. She is one of the most honest women I know. I trust her. Why would she lie?”

Upon Jason’s answer Henry and Dean looked at each other.

After reviewing until they couldn’t review anymore, Henry and Dean left Jason’s lab, together.

“Dean? What do you think?” Henry asked as they headed to Dean’s Jeep.

“What do you mean?”

“About all that Jason said.”

“Hard to say. On one hand, he handed us everything. He was open and volunteered any information we wanted.”

“Like he had nothing to hide.”

“Exactly.” Dean climbed into the Jeep and waited for Henry. “But . . . on the other hand, he could have done that and just lied really well.”

“You mean about the letters? That’s what is sticking to me. The letters. That could have actually been a means of informing the Society of our actions,” Henry said.

“Could have been. And he could have used Andrea as a cover up story.”

“But . . .” Henry paused to think as they started to drive. “But if he had to cover up for the letters, why list them as inclusions at all. We’d be none the wiser.”

“Valid point.”

“It’s so hard to tell, Dean. He could be lying but why pick Andrea of all people, right? Andrea. I mean, don’t you think his picking Andrea is a little ironic considering she is our number one suspect right now.”

“Too ironic, but there is one thing that stops me from believing him fully.”

“What is that?” Henry asked.

“It was something Jason said. Did you pick up on it? I did.”

“And it was?”

“When he was explaining why he didn’t come to Joe with his proof. He said, ‘I just figured it wouldn’t be long before Joe started questioning the presence of someone else working for George.’ Someone else, Henry. He used the words ‘someone else’.”

“As in more than one.”

“Exactly.” Dean nodded as he drove. “And what bothers me is how is Jason supposed to know there is someone else working for George, when as far as we know, like everyone else in the community, he doesn’t even know about John Matoose.”

Henry let out a slow breath, then stared forward in silent thought as they drove.

^^^^

Danny Hoi didn’t know what made him start thinking about the old singing duo of Sonny and Cher. He guessed perhaps it had to do with Cindy and Marv. Cindy was so tall and Marv was so little. But Danny found himself singing old songs that he hated whenever he used to hear them.

In the cryo -lab tunnels, he finished reprogramming a new code into the main door. Since he gave Johnny his code for access to get into to feed the rabbits, Danny felt better having his own. That way Danny, and himself alone, could be pegged for being in there when that code as used.

He buzzed himself in and flicked on the lights. He smelt a little of that foul smell that Henry always bitched about but he ignored it. Science fascinated him and so did those huge rabbits Dean harbored in his lab. Waving to them, Danny stepped to the cage as five out of six pounced against the metal that held them in.

“Wanna get out?” Danny snickered and brought his finger closer to the cage in a swirling point. “Ha, ha, you can’t,” he tormented the furry beasts. Quickly he pulled back his finger and jumped when he heard the snarl and saw the rabbit reach it’s pink nose and wide mouth between the cage and snap for his finger. “Holy shit.” Then Danny laughed again. He stared to the back and stopped, looking at the last rabbit who did nothing but lay there and stare. “Bored with your life?.” He asked it and took a closer look. “Oh.” Danny shrugged. “Dead. I’ll have to tell Dean.” Makin a courtesy notation in his notes, he moved to the back lab. The private lab. Danny loved going there. It was, to him, so sci -fi. He always expected legendary Vincent Price to leap from around the bed and scare the hell out of him then drop him in a vat of wax.

Laughing at his own horror classic thoughts, Danny punched in his code and walked into the secret lab. He moved to the case and pulled it from the wall. He turned on his neat little pen flashlight and placed it in his mouth as he squatted behind the freezer case. “Temperature normal.” Danny initialed the clipboard attached to the case then made his own back up notation on his clipboard. Just as he did, he saw a spider crawl up the back of the freezer. It was huge and furry. It startled Danny and he shrieked, plopping on to his rear and dropping his pen light. “Shit.” He snickered and saw the beam of the light as it came from under the case. Going all the way flush with the floor, Danny extended his arm under the freezer, grunting and feeling. As his shoulder met the case, Danny stopped reaching when he saw it on the back of the gauge.

Forgoing his penlight, Danny sat up some and bent the temperature gauge out from his stand. On the back it was there, a magnet, tiny, black, and adhered.. “Shit.” Danny took it from the back and watched the needle fluctuate up and down from the release of the magnetic pull. The gauge stopped in normal range and Danny looked at the magnet he held in his hand.

He pushed the case out further, retrieved his pen light, straightened the metal stand of the gauge and returned the case to its normal position. Upon standing up, he checked the lock. The freezer was secure.

Tucking the clipboard under his arm, he started to leave that back room, still looking at the magnet. He was relieved to see the temperature was still normal, but puzzled at his discovery. Obviously it was placed in the back of the gauge to hinder any knowledge of fluctuation in temperature when the case was opened or closed. He made a comment in his notes and left the back lab. Danny dismissed the first question that came to his mind. The question of who all had access to the code to the back lab. In Beginnings, no code was ever secure. Someone always gives their code away, no matter how many times they had been told they shouldn’t. Danny was a culprit. After all, he gave Johnny his code that afternoon. But two questions did pop into Danny’s mind. Two questions he really wanted to know the answers to. One, how long had the magnet been in place impairing a true temperature reading. And the second, who in Beginnings would have the mechanical knowledge to know that not only placing a magnet on the gauge would stop it, but know that it only worked on certain types of gauges.

With this question on his mind, the magnet in his hand, Danny waved to the rabbits--even the dead one--and left Dean’s cryo-lab.

^^^^

Quitting time. Leaving the leadership in progress, Joe still had to do the cleanup. His desk looked straight. Files were put away and he readied to leave and go home. Or so he thought.

“Got a minute?” Danny popped his head into Joe’s office.

“Just that. What’s up?” Joe asked.

“This.” Danny laid in Joe’s hand the magnet.

“O.K.”

“I found that.”

“Good for you.” Joe gave it back.

“No, Joe. I found that on the back of the temperature gauge on the freezer in the clinic.” Danny saw Joe didn’t quite understand. “Joe, that magnet stopped a valid reading from occurring. It made the needle stick and not move. Also, Dean has a dead rabbit in his lab so if you could break the news to him, I’d appreciate it. Man are those rabbits getting so fat I . . .”

“Danny. Stop.” Joe halted him. “Halt the temperature gauge?”

“Yeah. Makes the needle stick. What do you suppose Dean is up to making those rabbits so . . .”

“Danny.” Johnny stopped his again. “Is the case working.”

“Oh yeah. Temp is good, but if it did go bad, we don’t know.”

“Do you think someone got into that case?”

“Um . . .” Danny looked in thought. “Couldn’t say. Only Dean could say by opening it up, but . . . we wouldn’t know, see, because they could have that case opened forever. The temp could drop and we wouldn’t have known because of that magnet.”

“I’ll have Dean check right away.”

“Thanks, Joe.” Danny moved to the door. “Could we possibly put some alarm contacts on that case. That’ll be just between you and me.”

“I’ll get Henry on it right away.”

“Joe, between you and me. O.K.?”

Joe looked oddly at Danny. “Why would you not want Henry involved.”

“I don’t want anyone but us involved. No one is to know that case is armed. Someone with some knowledge rigged that gauge for a reason and if you want to find out who it is, then the best way to find out is to keep the knowledge of the alarm system to a minimal.”

“I understand. Let me give that some thought.”

“Thanks, Joe.” Danny waved and opened the door. As he did, Henry and Dean stood there. Danny snickered. “Sonny and Cher.” He laughed again and walked out.

Henry gave a weird look to Danny “I hope he’s not calling me Sonny.”

“Henry,” Dean snapped at him. “I think he was making me, Sonny. I’m the shorter one.”

‘Then he’s saying I’m a woman.” Henry walked into Joe’s office.

“You have that long black hair like Cher,” Dean said.

“I don’t want to be the woman. You should be the woman. Even thought I didn’t like Sonny, it was a shame how he ran into that tree, wasn’t it,. But . . .”

Joe had enough. “Henry! Dean! I’m leaving. Is this important because I really don’t want to stand around hearing you two debate on which one of you is Sonny and which one of you is Cher.”

Henry sat down. “We got information at the quantum lab today.”

First Joe was going to get annoyed because Henry and Dean just sat and made themselves comfortable, but when he heard that bit of information, he perked up. “What did you find out?”

Dean wanted to have his say first so he spoke before the words came out of Henry’s open mouth. “Jason gave us the history print up and his . . .”

“Wait.” Joe held up his hand. “Jason gave you? Why is Jason giving you anything? You were supposed to sneak the information.”

“Dean!” Henry pointed. “He started fighting with me.”

“Me?” Dean laughed “No Henry you called me a dick. You started it first.”

“You could have let it go. I was making a mere observation.”

“I was going to let the fact that you called me a dick, go? Right.”

“Grow up Dean.”

“You grow up.”

“Boys!” Joe yelled. “Why are you two bickering so badly.”

“Him!” Henry pointed again. “He’s a . . . a . . .”

“Dick Henry?” Dean questioned. “Go on say it. It’s your favorite word for me.”

“Dick.”

“Asshole.”

“Boys!” Again, Joe yelled loudly. “Knock it off and get to the point, Jason gave you the . . .”

“Joe.” Henry held out his hand. “Dean got physical with me. Look he sprained my finger when he smacked me.”

Joe raised an eyebrow to Dean. “You smacked Henry’s hand?”

“He pushed me.”

“I see.” Joe nodded. “And then did you both stomp your feet and begin a flicking match?”

So accusing Henry sounded. “He would have Joe, he’s so immature.”

“Oh I’m immature?” Dean turned in his chair. “Who’s the one starting trouble because I won’t share Ellen?”

“I’m not starting trouble Dean. You’re just over reacting.”

“Over reacting.”

Joe cleared his throat loudly. “I’m going to leave if I have to listen to this shit for one more second.”

“He won’t share Joe.” Henry said. “And I even gave him his sight back.”

Dean’s hand slammed on the arm of the chair. “I knew it. I knew one day you would throw that in my face. That is so like you. When you had that huge nasty cold sore on your face, I helped you get rid of that. You don’t hear me throwing that back at you.”

“Ha!” Henry ridiculed. “I hardly see a comparison Dean. I gave you back your sight. I’d rather have a cold sore then be blind.”

“Oh yeah! Obviously then you didn’t see how bad you looked.”

Slam!

The loud shutting of Joe’s office door made Dean and Henry turn around and it alerted them to the fact Joe had left.

“See Dean.” Henry stood up. “You made Joe leave.” He hurried to the door. “I’m gonna catch him and tell him the news first.”

“Don’t Henry.” Dean warned. “We decided to do this together.”

“Too bad. I changed my mind. Ha!” With that as his final word, Henry flung open Joe’s office door and bolted out. Not wanting Henry to beat him to the punch, Dean quickly ensued behind.

^^^^

One main thought ran through Robbie’s mind as he made final evening rounds in the community . . . George better get his ass in gear and call Dean so they could get a move on bringing Frank back home. Robbie was really getting tired of being head of security especially when he had to do rounds like he was stuck doing at that moment. He worked all day. He didn’t want to work nights too, making sure all buildings, front and back were secure. Besides mind-bitching about Frank and George--and Henry, just because--Robbie bitched about Dan. He was supposed to be doing these rounds. He volunteered to do them when Steve called off for the knee problem Robbie thought was borderline ridiculous. There was no reason Dan couldn’t do the rounds. Just because he got hit with a sudden case of intestinal flu didn’t mean he couldn’t work. There wasn’t a bathroom anywhere in center town that would be too far for Dan to run to.

Making his final sweep was when Robbie saw it. The back door to the chapel was open. It was odd because the back door of the chapel was never used. No lighting back there made it unsafe--walking wise. It was ajar and, according to Robbie’s schedule of time, no one was to be in there. Thinking ‘finally a problem to perk things up’, Robbie walked in though the door. He passed Rev. Bob’s office. The light was on and the door was open to there as well. He peeked his head in and as he retraced it outward he noticed on the desk that the yearbooks were no longer there. ‘Bonus’ kept racing though Robbie’s mind, anticipating telling his father of the guilty move of the yearbooks. But first, Robbie had to do his job. Stepping toward the main part of the chapel, Robbie heard the voices. He would have gone further in but instead he moved back.

“I should be leaving now.” Andrea said. “I’ll go back out the back.”

“There really isn’t any need, Andrea, but let me walk you. I’ll leave that way too.” Rev. Bob told her.

“Thank you.”

‘Shit!’ Robbie heard them coming and quickly darted back into Rev. Bob’s office.

“Remember, Bob,” Andrea spoke as they passed his office, “some secrets are best kept hidden.”

“Thank you for telling me that, Andrea.” Rev. Bob blindly reached into his office, flicked off the light and pulled the door closed. He checked the lock.

In the dark office, Robbie stood cringing at what he heard. There could be a hundred explanations for what conversation transpired between Reverend Bob and Andrea and Robbie promised himself he would keep that in mind. But first he would finish his rounds and find his father to inform him of what had just transpired.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

Hal’s elbows rested on his desk and his fingers massaged his temples as he stared down at the marked maps before him. “Two.” He raised his eyes to the scout that stood before him. “This one here. Wyoming is too small but, this one in Calgary, Canada bothers me.”

“Too close to Beginnings,” The scout stated.

“That’s why they keep getting hit. How many did you say there were?” Hal pulled the scout’s notes closer and squinted his eyes, blocking out the tension headache that built.

“Too many to count. It looked like an Indian reservation. Tents. Fires. Animal hides drying out.”

“And what made you and the other scout draw the conclusion that this was a savage camp?”

“Sir?”

“Sorry. Wildcats.” Hal studied the information.

“They had found a man, sir and . . . besides the look we know well, the fact that this man was cooked on a fire like a pig gave it way. He was still partially clothed.”

Hal swallowed. “The whole town?”

“What was left of it. As you can see in our report . . .” The scout pointed. “They had pretty much wiped out the buildings outside of Calgary and set up camp.”

“Why there?” Hal thought out loud. “Why there?”

“Mountainous range. Safety. Well hidden. We wouldn’t have found them had we not followed a pack of four back there. They . . . they speak their own language, sir. All the details are in my notes.”

“And they didn’t appear to be moving?” Hal questioned.

“No sir.”

“O.K.” Hal handed the scout his notes back. “I head to Beginnings in three days. I need you to work on a very detailed report of both camps. The Calgary one and the smaller one you discovered by accident. I need your observation, approximate head counts, what you saw as weapons, and lifestyles. You hid for two days. You know this, so report as much as you can come up with. I will give you better maps to draw what you and Tom saw as well.”

“Yes sir.” The scout took his notes and nodded. “I will give you what I have daily and should you have any questions, just ask. That way I can have the completed report ready for when you leave.”

“Thank you.”

Giving Hal a departure salute, the scout left the office.

Hal looked at the map that remained in front of him. Hal was aware of Savage camps and he knew Beginnings was aware of them also, but Hal was willing to wager, like him, Beginnings had no idea of the organization and size of camp so close to the border of the state they call home.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

He remembered the melody well, but the words were a little lost. In Frank’ mind, as he lay on his bed still awake, he replaced those words. He would do anything at that moment to make the visual in his mind more real. Him and Ellen.

He held her in his arms, a memory that had happened years before. They danced slowly to a song that everyone griped was on the jukebox. A song Frank thought was annoying at first, until he started to pay attention to the words and then the song became special.

Though a tad different in his head, the words still meant the same and the memory frustrated Frank even more. He flung the covers from him and slipped out of bed, adjusting his boxer shorts. He moved across the dark room and turned on the light. Rubbing his eyes then scratching his head, Frank walked over to his dresser. He caught a glimpse of his reflection and his hair that was tossed about. “Fuckin’ hair.” As he patted it, his eyes shifted down. He saw what he wanted resting against the mirror. With the song so strong in his head Frank lifted the photograph that he sought out, needing to see. He pulled it closer to his view. His eyes closed only briefly and he let out a long heavy sigh, staring at it. “I miss you El. I miss you so much.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Ellen’s head sprang up and then her body slowly rose from her seat on the couch. How odd. She was just thinking of that song and now she heard it? Or was it her imagination? Ignoring Dean and Henry’s call of her name, in a trance-like state Ellen followed the music. It took her from the living room into the hall and to Josh’s room. She did hear it. Josh was playing that song. How did he get it?

Her hand gripped on to the archway outside of Josh’s room as she drifted into the slow song that played. Without realizing it, while thinking of Frank, her head leaned into the door frame. She closed her eyes. Thoughts of Frank hit her as she got lost in the music. The feeling of missing him was so strong at that moment her chest actually ached.

Ellen was entranced. She never heard the music stop playing or Dean and Henry call that it was ‘her turn’ in Monopoly. She never heard the bedroom door. If she had, perhaps Josh’s shriek of surprise when he saw her wouldn’t have started Ellen into screaming just as loudly as him.

“Mom.” Josh grabbed his chest. “What are you doing?”

“Sorry.” Ellen tried to calm her racing heart. “Josh, where did you get that song from?”

“Dad’s things. Why?”

“No reason. I just . . .” Ellen’s eyes widened in horror. “Oh my God, Josh, look at that room.”

Quickly, Josh stepped into the hall and slammed the door. “What about it?”

“Josh it’s horrible. I want that cleaned.”

“O.K.” Josh shrugged. “I’ll do it now.”

“Thank you and I’d better get back to the game.” Ellen pointed. “Clean that room before Dean sees it.”

“Yep.” Josh nodded, waited until Ellen disappeared into the living room, and went back into his room, totally forgetting about the glass of water he left his domain for in the first place.

Henry watched as Ellen took her seat on the couch and reached for the dice, rolling them. “You don’t get a double turn, El.”

“I know.” Ellen moved her piece. “I won’t last too much longer anyhow. I only have forty-six dollars left.”

Dean readied to take his turn. “That’s because Henry cheats.”

Henry was appalled. “How do you figure that?”

“You bought up all the property right way,” Dean said.

“It within the rules, Dean.” Henry scoffed. “Read them and you owe me forty dollars rent.”

“See.” Dean tossed him the money. “You bought everything you landed on. Now no one can build houses but you , because neither me or El has a grouping.”

Henry snidely took the money. He took his turn, pleasingly landing on his own property.“Too bad. If you weren’t so cheap you would have bought some property the first time around.”

“I ended up in jail,” Dean argued. He watched Ellen take her turn. “El, you OK?”

“Yeah.” Ellen rolled. “Shit. How much, Henry?”

“Only twelve, El.” Henry held out his hand happily.

“Look at you,” Dean said with disgust.

“What?” Henry responded.

“Why are you still here?” Dean questioned.

“I’m visiting, El.”

Dean rolled and moved his piece. “Ha! No Henry rent. You’ve been here since dinner. Go home.”

Henry gasped. “Oh my God, are you rude. Tell him, El. He’s rude.”

“You’re rude, Dean.”

“Don’t listen to him, El.”

“Listen to me, El.” Henry told her. “He isn’t very nice.”

“Ellen take your turn.”

“Don’t yell at me.” Ellen slowly took her turn.

Dean tossed up his hands, bewildered.

“See how you are, Dean.” Henry pointed. “That green monster called jealous is making you really mean.”

“I am not jealous, Henry. Who am I jealous of?” Dean asked.

“Me.” Henry rolled then moved his piece.

Dean laughed.

“Seriously, Dean,” Henry stated. “Next thing you know, I’m gonna have to start calling you Cindy.”

Dean hesitated in his turn. “What?”

“Cindy.” Henry said with fact. “You know instead of Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. You’ll run around going . . . . Henry, Henry, Henry.”

Dean couldn’t help it. He laughed harder. “That wasn’t Cindy who said that. It was Jan.”

“It was not,” Henry argued. “It was Cindy. She was the baby of the family and was jealous of her older sister.”

“Henry, learn your Brady Bunch. It was Jan. She had the middle child syndrome. You can relate to that. You had it.”

“I hope you aren’t insulting me, Dean. I can’t help it if I am a middle child.”

“I’m correcting you. It was Jan.”

“Cindy.”

“Jan.” Dean raised his voice.

“Cindy.” Henry saw Ellen stand up. “El, who was it.”

“Laurie.” Ellen spoke softly and walked into the kitchen.

Henry scratched his head. “Laurie?” He looked at Dean. “Was she a Brady?”

“Wasn’t she the cousin that came to live with them?”

“No that was Oliver.” Henry said. “Laurie?” Like a light lit above his head, Henry shined. “Oh no, El.” He saw he return with her coffee mug. “You’re thinking of the Partridges,. Laurie Partridge. I don’t think she even knew Marcia.” Henry finally took his turn again. “I never liked that show. You Dean?”

“No. Reuben got on my nerves.”

“Oh my God, that is so true. El isn’t that . . . El, are you sure you’re all right?” Henry asked her.

Ellen smiled. “I’m fine. I wanna quit though. My head hurts. You guys finish.” She picked her pile of money and handed what was left to Dean. “You can have this.”

Aghast, Henry’s mouth dropped open when he watched Dean take it. “Now see, that’s cheating.”

“No it isn’t, Henry.” Dean combined Ellen’s money with his. “We’re married. Read the rules. When playing with your spouse and your spouse leaves the game you can take over everything they have. Community property.”

Henry immediately grabbed the box lid.

Ellen’s mind was elsewhere and she knew exactly where that was. Not on a board game, but on Frank. Wanting to be alone with her thoughts, she leaned down to Dean on the floor to kiss him. She paused when she heard the knock. “I’ll get it.” She walked over to the front door. Upon opening it, she saw Robbie and Joe. “Hey.”

Joe stepped in and kissed Ellen on the cheek. “You look tired.”

“I am. I’m going to bed. Why are you guys here?”

Joe pointed to Dean and Henry. “I need to speak to them.”

“Good luck.” Ellen said. “They’re stuck in the seventies.” She smiled at Robbie, knelt down and kissed Dean, said goodnight to Henry, who didn’t hear her, and walked slowly off to bed.

Robbie shut the door. “Kids in bed?” He moved to the couch and sat down.

Dean looked up. “Yeah. What’s going on?”

Joe explained. “We have something to discuss with you. Henry. Henry? Henry!”

Henry looked up from his box lid. “I’m not finding that rule, Dean, anywhere. Oh hey, Joe. When did you get here?”

Joe grunted, reached out, took the box lid, and tossed it aside. He held out his finger to Henry before he could whine. “Seems we’ve had very informative night in Beginning, gentlemen. We had the Jason information. We had the revelation of the rigged temperature gauge and now . . . we have what Robbie is going to tell us. Robbie.”

Robbie usually grinned when he knew something no one else did. This time he didn’t. He looked so serious and a little sad. “Seems like the investigation may be taking more of a turn than we thought it would. Unfortunately it’s in a direction none of us want.” With solemness to his demeanor, Robbie began to inform all of his newest revelation.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

September 23

Beginnings, Montana

In the little Beginnings cemetery, Dean and Ellen sat on the grass at the foot of the tiny grave of Brian. The sun was bright and it warmed them some whenever the fall wind wouldn’t kick up.

Ellen released the strands of grass from her hand as she faced Dean. “Do you realize that it was one year ago today that Frank found out you and I had slept together?”

Dean looked shocked to hear this. “You’re kidding, right?”

Ellen shook her head. “Nope. One year.”

“Whoa.” Dean looked at the grave. “A lot has happened in that one year.”

“Yeah it has.”

“El, do you remember when you wanted to get pregnant with Brian?”

“Very well. Dean, you were so appalled that I came to you and asked you. You were funny now that I think about it.”

“No.” Dean grinned. “What is funny is how I actually agreed to it.”

“We wouldn’t have had the time with Brian if you didn’t.”

“Yeah.” The smile fell from Dean’s face. “I have to tell you, El. It was one of the hardest things I did. You know, pretending he wasn’t mine especially when we knew he was.”

“But you got to know him as your son and we didn’t even think that would happen.”

“Who would have known Frank would have let me..”

“Frank.” Ellen’s head dropped.

“I know you’ve been missing him.” Dean reached out and took her hand. “I miss him.”

Ellen raised her eyes. “You do?”

“Hell, yeah. You don’t think I miss fighting with him?”

“Is that why you fight with Henry now?”

Dean’s mouth opened some. “You uh . . . you could say that. El, since we moved to the Frank subject, I need to talk to you.”

“Sounds serious.”

“It is.” Dean nodded once and moved closer to her. “I feel . . . I feel it won’t be long before George places that call.” He watched her expression totally change. “We have to face it. I will be leaving Beginnings soon.”

Ellen closed her eyes. “I hate the thought of that. I hate the thought of you going out there. Trusting your life to him. How do we know.”

“We know because Frank called that one day. Frank’s alive out there, El. They have him and me going is the only way to get him back. You know it.”

“I know,” she spoke sadly.

“And even though I know it’s gonna be another war between the two of us over you, I really can’t wait to see him.”

“You do know I owe you for doing this.” Ellen looked deeply at him.

“You don’t owe me anything. I’m not just doing it for you. I’m doing it for the kids, for Joe, Robbie, and though I’m not allowed to tell Frank about him, Hal.”

“He’s going to be surprised,” Ellen said.

“Yeah he is.” Dean smiled. “Especially with Hal being at the breakin to the Society camp. Hal can be so dramatic.”

“Look at his uniforms. But they are cool.”

After a moment of silence, Dean spoke again. “There’s something else I need to talk to you about.”

“I don’t like the tone.”

“It’s important.” Dean’s fingers played around with Ellen’s hand. “Even though you and Robbie and Joe know why I am leaving Beginnings, the people in the community do not. They cannot. They cannot even suspect that I am up to something.”

“I know this.”

“Good. I’m glad you do because here’s what you need to do for me.” Dean’s voice softened. “You are to act like everyone thinks. You are to turn your back on my memory because you think I went to the Society.”

“Dean I can’t do . . .”

“El, no arguments, OK? Listen to me. The people in this town, they’re tough. They are not going to trust a single thing I have worked on since I am gone. If you stay dedicated to me, they won’t trust you either and . . .” Dean moved his face close to hers. “We worked too hard on what we have to let it go to waste to not be trusted. Now maybe some of the stuff . . .” He snickered. “But for the most part, our work is for the good and you have to continue it. You have to act as if you do not want my name spoken around you. Dean who? Hurt? Not Ellen. Not you.” Dean swayed his head. “You have to get cold. You have to act cold. Do you understand?”

Ellen slowly nodded in agreement.

“You have to move on quickly as if you are saying. ‘I’ll show him’.”

“Dean, come on that is pushing it. You’ll be back.”

“I know.” He kissed her. “I will and this whole thing will be over when I am. Frank will be back, the community will know why I left, and we’ll pick up where we left off. Until then . . . you’re disowning my memory. You disowning me and moving on is the only way to secure people’s trust. They have to continue to trust you, El, in order to trust our work. You may have trouble gaining trust. You may have trouble at first, but I know you’ll show them.” He winked. “I know you won’t let it bother you.”

“Fuck them if they don’t like me.”

Dean laughed. “See, that’s sort of the attitude I need you to take but only against me. As far as Beginnings is concerned, I betrayed them I don’t want people looking at you and thinking, ‘ok, Dean did it so when is Ellen going to turn?’ Understand.”

“Yes.” She spoke in a low whisper. “You have put so much thought into this.”

“How could I not? I’m leaving my home, my children, the woman I love all for . . .”

Ellen had to interrupt the serious moment with a snicker. “All for a man you’ve done nothing but fight with for seven years.”

The corner of Dean’s mouth raised and so did his eyebrow. “Hey, you’re right. What the hell am I doing this for?” he joked, scooted closer to Ellen, and pulled her to him.

“For normalcy again.”

Dean stared out to Brian’s grave. “With all that’s gone on, that could never happen but we can try. We can try.”

Ellen rested her head on Dean’s shoulder. They stayed there for a little bit more before returning back to their work.

^^^^

“Now see. That just don’t seem fair.” Marv, the part time security guard, drove the Jeep in toward sector thirty-two, the area located on the cliff behind the under developed section. “How can Ben from fabric have gotten Neville points?”

“I’m telling you,” Dan radioed him back. “He pricked his finger trying to free Todd’s shirt from the sewing machine and he got points for acts of heroism and getting injured.”

“Oh that is so lame,” Marv bitched.

“Why are you griping? You’re getting points for going out there. You got pulled in the lottery.”

“True. But still, Ben is right up there near Robbie and you. I’m telling you he bribes Trish.”

“No way.”

“Yes way. Did you see that new shirt she wore? It was ruffled like Neville’s. She said she made it.”

“How do you know she didn’t?” Dan asked.

“Please,” Marv scoffed. “You’ve seen Jeff’s uniform when she sewed the button on his cover. They were crooked when he fastened it up.”

“True.”

“And I’m here.” Marv turned off the Jeep. “Be back in ten.”

“Hey, when you head into that field, watch out for the killer pigs.”

Marv laughed. “Uh!” He screamed. “Joking.” He turned off his radio and hooked it onto his belt. “Here piggy, piggy.” He amused himself, heading into the field, his short body lost in the high grass “Oink. Oink.” He snorted a few times. “This little piggy went to market.” He slapped his own leg in such hysterics. “Wait, here’s one. Little pigs, little pigs let me come . . .” Marv stopped walking, stopped talking when he heard the shuffling of grass. One quick movement of the weeds and he jolted his body to the sound. “Hello?” Another sound and Marv saw the top of the grass sway. He lifted the tranquilizer rifle, turned slowly, and walked backwards to the Jeep. He hadn’t taken two or three steps when he watched the grass in the field move as if a wind picked up and touched only the brush. Faster he moved backwards reaching for his radio. The moment he reached to press in the button and bring it to his mouth was the moment he heard the squeal. “Shit. There are pigs up here. Son of a . . .”

A swishing of the grass. A single high cry squeal. Marv turned to run and then he . . . disappeared with a painful scream into the high thick grass.

^^^^

With a wide grin and a cigarette clenched between his teeth, Joe warmly shook Hal’s hand and gripped his son’s arm upon Hal’s approach to the utility buildings. “Goddamn, I hope I never lose this feeling when I see you.”

“Hey Dad.” Hal leaned down and kissed Joe on the cheek. “How’s the last day going?”

“Smooth. No problems. Let’s go into my office.” Joe pointed the way. “Did you bring those men?”

“You know it. Danny all ready?”

“He’s getting things together.” Joe opened his office door. “Supplies and such. He’s gonna set up mini tracking but it’s not going to be linked to us yet. At least they’ll see trouble coming ahead of time and they can give us a call.” Joe walked behind his desk. “Sit down.”

“Thanks.” Hal smiled and took a seat.

“Jess told me to ask you about those Bowman updates for our newspaper.”

“I have them.” Hal patted his chest. “So what is this ‘Beginnings Day’ event I was asked if I was attending?”

“Sort of like our community Thanksgiving. It’s a big party, first Monday in October.”

“And they’re all getting ready now?”

“What can I say? They’re party morons. They have nothing better to do.” Joe leaned back. “So how long am I graced with my son’s presence?”

“I’m leaving in the morning. I don’t want to uh . . . use up any reasons that I’ll need to be here for when we start prepping for the Frank rescue.”

“Valid point. So are you staying at the Comfort Inn tonight.”

“Yep. Dean and Ellen’s house. What time is the party?”

“What party?” Joe asked.

“Your retirement party?”

“Hell.” Joe waved his hand. “I’m not having a party.”

“Dad, you mean you’re going out quietly?”

“Pausing quietly. I’ll be back, trust me. I’m not allowing anyone to throw me a party. Christ, I hated in the old world when you would take a guy out to lunch for his last day, everyone pitches in gets him a gift, and he changes his mind. Nope, rather just be quiet until I come back.”

“How do you think Henry will handle the leadership position?”

“He’ll be fine,” Joe said. “I’m around and when I am not, Robbie is. It should be smooth. Now . . . enough catching up. Business. What do you have for me about the savages?”

“You aren’t gonna like it.”

‘Try me.”

“The maps and reports are with my things, but in a nutshell,” Hal began to explain, “there are two bigger ones. One in Wyoming, housing about a hundred savages. The other is about three hundred miles north west of here in Canada. It’d really big, Dad.”

“How big?”

“Three hundred maybe. My scouts said they go in and out of there so much it was hard to keep count.”

“Any signs of movement?” Joe asked Hal.

“None, but . . . how long till the warm weather sets in . . .”

“And they migrate.”

“Exactly.” Hal pointed. “Question. Will they make Beginnings their destination or Wyoming?”

“The Wyoming camp could be their scout party moving ahead on a planned trail to somewhere.” Joe shrugged.

“Are they that smart?”

Joe nodded. “Smart enough to take out our tracking. If they’re smart enough to do that, my main concern lies with then breaking through the tracking and making it to our perimeters. I can very easily see four of them dying at the beams while the others race through.”

“Is your man power is good to take them out?”

“Our man power is very good. We’ll keep an eye on them through surveillance and start watching for movement.”

“Excellent.” Hal looked at his watch. “Well I better get going to meet Danny. We’re supposed to take the men and supplies down to Miles City.”

Joe stood up. “You’ll be by for dinner, right?”

Hal grinned and his eyes closed slightly.

“What?” Joe looked at him oddly.

“Just hearing you say that makes me remember how many times you would say that to me when I was a teenager or in the service and stationed close to home. You’d say it every time you’d see me. God, you used to make me feel guilty for thinking about turning you down.”

“Do I still?”

“Hell, yeah.” Hal moved to the door. “And I will be by for dinner. Thanks, Dad.”

Joe walked around his desk, leaned on it and, with a look of pride on his face, he watched Hal leave. Momentarily Joe pondered why he felt so good when he saw Hal and why he liked his son so much. Hal was doing well. He built a strong community. Hal was strong and had qualities that Joe admired. Joe decided he was going to enjoy the feel of basking in his son’s achievements because he realized that, in time, the ‘feel good’ would fade. ‘Captain Slagel’ or not, Hal was definitely one of his sons and it wouldn’t be long until Hal annoyed Joe just as much as the other two sons he saw all the time.

^^^^

“Survival training?” There was so much doubt in Leonard’s voice as he asked Frank.

“Yeah. Survival training.” Frank rocked back in his chair.

“For this long?”

Frank laughed. “Well, you can’t call it surviving if you go out there for an afternoon.”

“Where did they go?”

Holding up a finger Frank leaned into the desk. “I gave them minimal supplies and took them uh . . . about seventy-five miles south.”

“Lt. Merrick agreed to this?” Leonard asked.

“Asked for it. He loved the idea.” Frank closed his eyes and twitched his head to the right. “Gosh, I miss him.”

“It doesn’t worry you that they haven’t returned?”

“Um . . . no. I sent a secret scout after them. They’re fine.”

“Can I speak to this scout.”

“Secret scout.”

“Yes. Can I speak to him?” Leonard questioned.

“No.”

“Why?”

“He’s the secret scout. Sorry.” Frank cupped his hands behind his head and leaned back. “You know if they aren’t back in a week, I’ll go get them.”

“And what of . . .” Leonard reviewed his papers. “Lieutenant Harris.”

“What about him?”

“Is he on survival training?”

“Absolutely.”

“Lt. Harris went on this seventy-five mile survival training mission?”

“No man is immune to it,” Frank stated with fact.

“And they must survive in the wilderness then walking back?”

“Yes.”

“What if they run into trouble?”

“Survival training.” Frank had all the answers.

“You expect Lt. Harris to keep up?”

“If he wants to be an officer he will.”

Leonard seemed a bit disturbed. “Colonel Slagel, Lieutenant Harris was given the ranking for his brains, obviously not his skills considering he has a prostheses for a right leg.”

Maybe Frank’s lip shuddered a little, but he was certain Leonard didn’t see his shock or hiding of laughter. “Lt. Harris insisted on going.”

“I see. When does the next batch of survival trainees go out?”

Frank raised one eyebrow, looking at Leonard, and imagining him in the large hole he and Richie dug for those ‘survival trainees’ . “Um soon.”

“Well hold off on them until the regiment of CME’s arrive. The president is sending a hundred, maybe two, to serve as camp guards while you train the other men for strategical purposes.” Leonard began to leave.

“Wait,” Frank called out. “I have this amnesia thing. CME’s?”

Leonard hesitated in his walk out. “Cyborg mechanically enhanced soldiers.”

“Oh!” Frank closed his eyes, snapped his fingers and smiled. “That’s right! That’s what they’re called. Whoa. Over a hundred SUT . . . such . . . . such . . . a wonderful plan.” Frank grinned again.

“Glad you agree. Good day, Colonel.” Leonard didn’t return the smile. He just left the office.

Frank snarled as Leonard left. “Asshole.” He brought his fingers to his lips and began to bite his nails. “Shit. That many SUTs?” He spit out a nail bit, rocked some more in his desk chair, and submerged himself into a ‘Frank’ thinking mode.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Shaking his head, Jess rolled the tires up the small grade to the level section. “This is ridiculous,” he complained out loud. He hoisted them up because rolling them wouldn’t be an option through the bush and crate filled wall Robbie created first instead of last. He emerged into the new clearing that a day earlier was made free of high weeds, trees, and anything that made the area remotely look like one day it could be a forest.

The clearing wasn’t that big, half the length of a football field. Located on the hill used for the security training area, the new clearing lay beyond the wooded area that lined the area behind the barrack style housing. It was quite the trip to be carrying items, but Robbie assured Jess they were there to stay. After the Neville competition was over, he was sure they would incorporate the new obstacle course into part of their security regimen.

Jess somehow didn’t buy it. Robbie was creating a nature meets plague ravished and looted street appearance. Jess couldn’t figure out how the three cars that Robbie broke the windows out and brought in off the highways could be at all useful to Frank when he returned.

Jess spotted him, actually Jess heard Robbie first. The metal banging carried up the hillside as Robbie’s foot slammed over and over into an open car door seemingly trying to free it from its hinges. He chuckled at Robbie’s determination and vain attempt to do something nearly impossible. Then Jess stopped walking when the door flew off. “Shit.”

“Hey.” Robbie ran the back of his hand over his forehead. “Man, is that all you can carry?”

“Um, yeah, Robbie. You made me carry them nearly a half a mile up a hill. You are gonna hurt yourself.”

“Nah.” Robbie shook his head and took the tires. “This is looking pretty good, huh?”

“Yeah.” Jess watched Robbie lay the tires down in that part of the obstacle course. “Robbie.”

Robbie brushed off his hands as he stacked the last two tires. “Yeah?” He moved to Jess. “Ready to head back?”

Jess walked with Robbie to the crate and bush wall. “The whole point of running through the tires is to trip you up a little but not a lot. Why are some of them stacked three high?”

Robbie shrugged. “Have to add to the challenge.”

“Not all men in this community are over six feet.”

Robbie grinned. “Yep. I know.” Robbie slipped his tall body through his homemade wall.

“What if Dean was competing? He’d never be able to do it.”

“Yeah, he is little.” Robbie snickered. “I’m surprised we actually have jeans that fit him.”

“We don’t,” Jess commented. “Any of the jeans he wears that aren’t really old are huge on him and baggy in the butt.”

“Whoa.” Robbie joked as he walked side by side with Jess. “Noticing Dean’s butt are we.”

Jess smiled. “Hey, how can I not.”

“I’m telling ya, Jess, Ben from fabrics will kick your ass if you go after his dream man.”

“Ben?” Jess spoke in such a upbeat, kidding manner. “Ben has nothing on me. Please.”

Robbie slowed down in his walk when he saw a Jeep pull up to the security training area. “Hey look, speak of the devil, it’s Dean.”

“What’s he doing up here?”

Robbie shrugged. “Don’t know. But . . .” He nudged his shoulder into Jess’ as they walked. “Now’s your chance. He has that cute butt.”

“Nah.” Jess nudged back. “I’d rather save myself for you.”

Robbie laughed and walked ahead of Jess. “Hey Dean.” He trotted up to him. “Joining the elite force?”

Dean had a snicker on his face as he walked up to Robbie, his hand in the front pocket of his baggy jeans. “Is Robbie training 101 any better than Frank training 101.”

“Hell yeah. I’m the man.” Robbie smacked himself in his own chest. “What’s up?”

“I need to talk to you,” Dean said. “I was looking for you at the same time as Joe. He needs to speak to you and when Henry said you were here, I. . .”

“Aw!” Robbie whined loudly. “Henry is such a snitch. I swear.”

“Well, we won’t discuss Henry, but . . .” Dean held up his hand. “I’d like to discuss something else so I told Joe I’d come up here to get you. I thought maybe I’d ride with you to Joe and we could talk.”

“Sure.” Robbie nodded. “Jess, the keys are in the other Jeep.”

“What Jeep?” Jess asked.

“The one I drove up,” Robbie stated.

“You drove up? I thought you walked. I walked.”

“Then you’re a glutton.” Robbie laughed. “It’s parked behind the barracks.”

Jess tossed his hands up. “Thanks, Robbie.”

“Ha.” Robbie grinned. “Let’s go, Dean.” He stepped to the Jeep with Dean, stopped, and took a step back to Jess, winking. “Don’t be jealous. I know you want him.”

Jess, with a smirk, flipped Robbie off. He stood there shaking his head with a chuckle, as Robbie and Dean pulled away. Grateful that he at least didn’t have to walk back down to Beginnings, Jess got a second wind and energetically trotted behind the barracks. He stopped cold. “Shit.” He tossed back his head. “That shit.” Jess shook his head. Robbie had lied. There was no Jeep.

^^^^^

There were several things that ran through Robbie’s mind as he rode with Dean back to the line of utility buildings. One, what Dean had to tell him must be serious. Dean had that look on his face and he was silent as if he was getting it together in his mind. Two, did Robbie do something wrong? And three, Dean had to be the slowest driver Robbie ever rode with in Beginnings.

“Dean?”

“Yeah.”

“Are we pretending we’re teenagers and cruising for chicks because we just aren’t finding them up here.”

Dean laughed but a nervousness came through. He slowed the Jeep down to a stop.

“Uh-oh..”

“What?”

“You aren’t gonna hit on me are you.”

“No, I’m . . .” The shock of what Robbie asked Dean hit him. Dean swayed his head to Robbie.

Robbie raised his eyebrows a few times.

“Robbie, stop that.”

“Kidding you. What’s up.”

“I need to talk to you very, very seriously for a minute. I need you to be serious.”

“O.K.” Robbie turned in his seat to face Dean. “Go on.”

“This conversation has to be had because I just don’t know when I am going to leave. It could be today, tomorrow, or even next week. I need to have this settled.”

“Dean, you need reassurance that I can come up with a plan that will get you back. Don’t worry. I’ll stake my life I can sneak a team in there and get you and my brother out.”

“Thank you.” Dean gave Robbie a closed mouth look. “I need reassurance, but not about that. I need reassurance about Ellen.”

“You don’t want me to touch her.”

“No! Touch her. I mean, no, I mean.”

“Huh?”

Dean grunted in frustration of himself. “Two things I need from you. I am coming to you because I think, no I know, you’re the only one to do this.”

“I’m lost.” Robbie tossed up his hands.

“When I go, things may get bad for Ellen. They may get really bad. When it gets around that I left Beginnings for the Society, the people in this community aren’t gonna take to well to that. They may not trust her. They may look at her differently. Treat her differently and not want anything to do with her as a doctor or scientist. All those meds we made, all that work, may not be taken. But even more than the work, I worry about her and my kids. You know. And . . .” Dean’s fingers tapped on the wheel in antsyness. “You are such a strong figure in this community, Robbie. Whether you believe it or not, people love you. They trust you. They really, really like you.”

“You want me to make sure people know Ellen is not part of the Society and help them to realize they can trust her. It’ll be easy, Dean. I’ll convince them she didn’t know. Jenny won’t turn her back on Ellen and that is a key to the women here. Don’t worry.”

Dean smiled slightly. “With you telling me that, I just may not worry. Now . . .”

“There’s more?”

“Yes.” Dean took a deep breath. “I told Ellen today I want her to act as if she hates me when I leave, act just as shocked as everyone else. Be convincing. Disown me. Move on.”

“Good idea.”

“Glad you think that way. I need you to do the same.”

“Be convincing? Hate you? Disown you?” Robbie fluttered his lips. “Piece of cake, I already do.” He nudged Dean’s leg. “Lighten up. I’m joking. Of course I’ll play the part.”

“And help her move on?”

“Of course. To where?”

“To you.”

Silence. Dead silence.

Robbie cleared his throat. He took a long shuddering breath in. “To uh . . . to me?”

“Can you play that part as well, Robbie?”

“Act like her new lover?” Robbie’s corner of his mouth raised in a partial grin. “Dean . . .”

“I’m serious. This has nothing to do with being lovers. This has everything to do with taking care of her while I’m gone. You can’t just pretend to be there. You have to be there. Will you be there for her?”

“Dean, you didn’t even need to ask that. I mean, I had every intention of watching out for Ellen and your family.”

“Every day.”

“Yes.” Robbie nodded. “Every day. I’ll fill in, but tell me why you are coming to me? Any other man in this community could play the part. Why me?”

Den leaned back slowly in the driver’s seat. He stared out at first then swayed his head to Robbie. “Because in the event that I don’t return or Frank doesn’t return, I want to know that Ellen is in strong hands,” Dean closed his eyes. “That someone capable is taking care of her and my family. That someone that truly cares for her will be there. Also . . .” Dean opened his eyes. “You’re a Slagel. You are part of her heritage. And even though you have no child bathing skills, and you have this weird way of showing kids how to make food fun, you’re the only man I know that can raise Frank’s and my kids the way they should be raised. If Frank and I aren’t here, you are the only man I want raising my kids.”

Robbie didn’t know what to say. He really didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t any idea Dean thought that highly of him and it shocked Robbie to the point that no words came out of his mouth when he opened it.

“Robbie? You’ll do this for me.”

Robbie only nodded.

He sighed out a breath and then Dean reached for the gears. “Whew, that’s over with.”

“Dean, just know I will give my all and do my best to protect and watch over your family.”

“Thank you.”

“But only until you and my brother return.” Robbie paused and smiled. “Then you two can go back to fighting over them.”

An emotional chuckle came from Dean after his serious talk. He shook his head, shifted the Jeep in gear, and drove toward the utility buildings, this time a little faster.

^^^^

“Here he is,” Joe said of Robbie when he walked into Joe’s office with Dean.

“What’s going on?” Robbie asked as he shut the door. His eyes shifted to his father then to Dan who stood there nervously. “What?”

Joe raised his eyebrows and spoke seriously. “Tell him.”

Dan bounced a little. “Robbie . . . you know how Marv won the opportunity to earn Neville points.”

“Yeah.” Robbie placed his hands on his hips and nodded.

Dean took a double take. He watched Robbie listening to Dan. The stance, the facial expression. If he had a goatee and dark hair he’d be his brother.

Dan swallowed so harshly it was evident. “Well . . .” He cleared his throat.

“Go on.” Robbie motioned his head again. “Didn’t he make the rounds?”

Dan looked at Joe then back to Robbie. “Marv . . . Marv didn’t come back, Robbie. We lost radio contact with him.”

“You checked the community?” Robbie asked.

“I’ve been checking since he failed to radio me back.” Dan said.

“Which was when?” Robbie inquired.

“Three hours ago.”

From looking down to Dan who was five inches shorter than he, Robbie lifted his head slowly. He had a stone cold expression on his face as he moved his eyes to his father and back to Dan. Then Robbie, without saying anything, took the keys that were still in Dean’s hand and barreled out of Joe’s office.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Still clenching his pain filled hands, Richie look side-eyed at Frank. “What?”

“Salicain.” Frank stated sitting with Richie in a wooded area off base. “You have to get into that lab and find a vial marked Salicain.”

“I have to seek medical attention for my hands, Frank. Look.” He showed Frank the huge blisters on his palm.

“Oh quit being a baby. Think about how all those calluses that you’ll get will protect them the next time.”

“A fire wall, Frank. I broke seven drill bits making your peep holes in this scientist’s home.”

“And the secret door?”

Richie huffed. “That was the easy part. I still don’t think your big body will fit through it.”

“Then you will.”

Richie closed his eyes. “Now what is this Salicain and why do I have to get it.”

“Salicain is this drug that paralyzes you.”

“How do you know this?” Richie asked.

“Because George used it on my father and they did it at a really bad time in my life, right after I found out Ellen and Dean had the affair.”

“Man, must have been a rough time for you.”

“Yeah, and you know Dean didn’t help matters. He moved her right into his house.”

“The man’s an asshole, Frank. I don’t even want to meet him.”

“It’ll be painful.”

“Like my hands.”

“Oh knock it off.” Frank slapped his hands down on Richie’s palms that were showed to him.

“Ow Frank. You ass.” Richie retracted his hands to protect them. “So what are we gonna do with this Salicain?”

“Get that Leonard guy under control. I can’t just shoot him.”

“Geez, Frank,. Why not?” Richie said sarcastically.

“Oh no, Richie, I can’t. I’d like to, but I can’t. Too risky.”

“And hitting him with this drug isn’t?”

“Fuck no.” Frank shook his head. “They’ll think he had a stroke. That’s what it makes it look like. You get it and I hit him with it. Easy.”

“For you to say. Do you realize what you’ve been doing? Shooting Society leaders. Officers. Freeing soldiers to make them walk seventeen hundred miles on foot.” Richie paused in amazement at Frank’s scoff. “A big scientist is supposed to be coming here and you have me drilling peep holes and making secret passages in his home. Now you have me sneaking into a lab to get a drug called Salicain.”

“Yeah.” Frank nodded. “You got it.”

“Oh, we are gonna be so busted one of these days. We’re gonna end up with a bullet hole in our heads like Lt. Merrick and everyone else that has fallen victim to the Frank rampage. Busted, Frank. We’re gonna get busted.”

“Nah, Richie.” Frank stood up from the ground. “You’ll be busted. I’m too smart.”

“That’s what you think.” Richie stood also, following a laughing Frank. “Then whose idea was it to come out here and cover up this mass grave thing you have happening?” He looked back at the mound of dirt that was covered with bushes and such.

“Mine.”

“No it wasn’t . . . Frank.”

“Mine.”

“Frank . . .” Richie huffed out and hurried to catch up to him, speaking softly under his breath as he followed Frank. “I wonder if Beginnings even wants him back. Frank!”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie knew it as soon as he reached the area that Marv was supposed to be checking. The Jeep was still parked where he had left it. That was all the proof Robbie needed.

Stopping his own Jeep, Robbie grabbed the shot gun from the back and held it braced between his hands. He ignored his father’s call, only once responding to it with a very soft ‘Shh’ as Robbie headed into the field.

He wanted silence, both in his headset and around him. If something got Marv then Robbie didn’t want it to hear him. Trying his hardest not to make a sound, Robbie moved through the high grass toward the black cloud of files that he saw ahead. His heart prayed that it was the carcass of an animal and not what his gut was telling him the flies were feasting on.

His soft tromping foots steps and the buzzing of flies were the only things heard. Robbie would take a step and stop. There was a slight echo to his walk as if someone or something was moving at the same rate as him. Step. Stop. Robbie heard it again, a slight rustling of the weeds. Hearing that and moving to the flies, Robbie pumped the chamber of the shot gun, holding it ready.

Closer and closer he drew, his heart pounding the whole way. He could smell something, a rotten smell, the smell of iron predominant. Robbie let every sense he could kick in as he moved, causing a disturbance amongst the insects. His senses did kick in when he felt a slight change in the ground under his boot. Stopping cold, so close to where the flies were, he slowly lifted his boot to see what his foot had landed on. When he looked down, Robbie felt the throbbing in his throat. What appeared to be an eye, veins and muscles still attached, lay on the ground. His left hand reached out, fingers extended, and grabbed on to the high grass, separating it.

Squawk. Flap. Nailed!

Robbie was as startled as that vulture he frightened. It flew at him, pecking at his cheek in a offensive move before squawking once more and flying off.

Shaking his head, Robbie brought the back of his hand to under his eye but before he could wipe away the blood that flowed, his hand stopped. Robbie stared cold, emotionless into the field to what he saw laying there . . . Marv.

^^^^

Miles City, Montana

There was no way, Hal thought, that the town of Miles City was going to look like what he had accomplished in Bowman. No way. He looked around at the broken store fronts and the concrete in the streets that nearly disappeared beneath the weeds that poked through it. A dead town with no life and Hal cringed in thinking that he was going to be living there.

In the midst of serious thought, as he watched the Beginnings truck unload not only his men but supplies they would need as well, Hal smiled. He knew if he pondered long enough, the powers that be would send him a sign that this move was a good one, and they did.

Hal grinned.

Looking absolutely miserable as he carried gear was Craig. If nothing else, Hal and Bowman would now be Craig-free, at least for a couple months.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

There were too many questions surrounding Robbie’s hurried return back to Beginnings and race into town. Robbie spoke no words and no emotion graced his face. He had a look of determination and that was the report that Joe got from everyone that tried to stop him. He didn’t respond to radio calls. He said nothing.

Joe was not going to be one of the numbers waiting for Robbie to speak. His gut told him something when he got word Robbie was leaving town again and Joe, following his instinct, headed up to the perimeter exit by the underdeveloped section. And Joe was right. Robbie pulled up in a Jeep. e stopped it and stepped out.

“Down the U.D,” Robbie stated into his headset.

Joe didn’t see it at first and then he did. “Robbie.” He approached his son. “What is going on?”

“Dad, get Henry and meet me right here in ten minutes.”

“Marv?” Joe questioned. “How bad is it?”

Robbie held up the black plastic. “I have a body bag, Dad. I probably would be better off with about twenty lunch sacks. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll go with you,” Joe called out as Robbie moved through the final perimeter.

“No!” Robbie held his hand to his father. “Just get Henry and stay . . . stay right here.”

“Be careful.”

Robbie gave a single nod to Joe and walked at a quick pace, rifle in one hand, body bag in the other, through the final perimeter.

^^^^

Hillside, Nebraska

It was a late afternoon nap and one well deserved for Kyle, Link, and Ted. Not much was left of their shoes or their bodies as they found a soft place to lay and break for longer than they usually did.

Link had some trouble sleeping. Fear of what could get them kept him awake, Ted’s snoring didn’t help either. And just as he slipped into that in between world, he heard the confusing sound of it and he sprang up. Was it real? Or was the sound like one of those voices that slip into your brain and say your name just as you fall asleep.

He rolled on to his knees and scurried himself up listening. “Shit. It is.” Half out of it and exhausted, he mustered every bit of his strength to race after the horse sound. It had to be one of two things, Wildcats or . . .Link dropped to his knees. It was the later, UWA scouts.

“Hey!” Link called out waving out his hands. “Hey!”

The four horses stopped and turned around. When Link saw that he was recognized, his head and arms dropped to the ground in complete and utter gratefulness.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

The body bag made a weird sound as Robbie laid it in the back of the Jeep with Joe’s help. It didn’t plop like a dead body. It sounded more as if it were a half -filled sack of potatoes.

Joe watched as the bag conformed to the small back area of the Jeep. “Jesus Christ.” He looked at a horrified Henry.

Robbie reached for the zipper, his hands still stained with blood. “You can say that again, Dad. Have a peek.” He unzipped the bag some, not much.

Joe’s jaws clenched and twitched. His eyes widened and his face lost all expression.

Henry stumbled back covering his mouth. He spun frantically and faced the other way in his vomit frenzy.

Robbie closed the bag. “Get Dr. And Dr. Hayes out of their Ozzie and Harriet World, Dad, and get them to the morgue. Those two are handling this. I have a feeling they’re gonna know exactly what did this and if not, they’re the only two in this entire community sick enough to not let it faze them.”

Joe raised his eyes to Robbie. He didn’t say anything. He only reached for his radio to call of Dean and Ellen. Not much ever shocked Joe, but this certainly did.

^^^^

Their pace was fast and there was also something upbeat about Dean and Ellen’s walk from their home to the clinic as well.

“El, you have to stop looking so excited.”

“I know.” Ellen kept her arms close to her. “But you have room to talk.”

“You’re right. I can’t help it.”

“Me either. This is the first real autopsy on a person in so long that you and I get to perform together.”

“It must be good if Joe is calling us in. He sounded . . . weird.”

“Yeah,” Ellen agreed as they approached the clinic. She stopped as Dean held the door open for her. “He said it wasn’t pretty.”

Dean grinned. “Yeah.”

“Dean, the smile.”

Dean bit his bottom lip, thought horrid thoughts, and walked into the clinic with Ellen. Joe, Robbie, and Henry waited. “What’s going on?” Dean asked.

Joe was about to speak when his eyes shifted to Ellen. “Why do you look so happy Missy Jane?”

Ellen quickly folded her arms and widened her eyes. “Who me? Not me. I’m not happy.”

“Yeah-yeah. Robbie, tell them.”

“I took the body down to the morgue and got him on the table,” Robbie said. “It’s all is set up for you, Dean.”

“I want a complete report or . . . a complete report is needed.” Joe pointed. “As conclusive as you can get.”

“What happened to him?” Dean asked.

Joe lifted his shoulders and let them drop. “That’s what you’re gonna tell me.”

Ellen leaned into Dean. “Look how pale Henry is. It’s bad.”

Dean cleared his throat. “We’ll uh . . . get on it right away. El?” He took her arm and led her away.

Joe watched them. He saw their enthusiasm. They were terrible at hiding it. “Morons.” He shook his head. “Henry, you have to see what you can do about setting up another fence somewhere to cover the open perimeter. My God, we can’t take a chance of whatever got him getting in here.”

“Joe, we would have done that years ago, but you know how hard that is,” Henry explained,. “The perimeter is attached to the top of the cliff on both sides. The only area not covered is that cliff. They’d have to rope down or roll. Whatever animal it is would die if it rolled down.”

“I guess you’re right,” Joe said.

“And we have to be careful putting fences in the U.D. The kids play out there. The only time we could safely run a perimeter beam in that area would be at night.”

Joe let out a slow breath. “I guess we should just wait and see what Dean and Ellen say then we can inform everyone the details of Marv’s death. We also will know what kind of animal we’re dealing with and what we have to hunt down.” Joe looked down at his watch. “And . . .” He clapped his hands together. “I have one more thing to say. Henry . . .” Joe laid his hand on Henry’s shoulder. “It is officially your problem now. I’m retired. Later gentlemen.”

“Joe!” Henry called as Joe walked away. “Joe, you can’t just . . .” Henry looked at Robbie. “He left. There has to be a rule or something stating you have to deal with problems arising while you’re leader. I don’t want to deal with this.”

“Tough Henry.” Robbie raised his eyebrows. “It’s your, Mister . . . . Community Leader.” Repeating his father’s actions, Robbie laid his hand on Henry’s shoulder. “Good to have you aboard, Chief.” Like his father again, Robbie turned and left.

^^^^

“So official like.” Ellen fixed the headset that was attached to a recorder onto Dean’s head. “Look at you.”

“You too.” Dean nodded to Ellen, both of them in hospital scrubs.

Ellen stepped closer to the table and peered at the blue sheet. “Want the honors?”

“You can have them.” Dean motioned his hands out.

“Thanks.” Ellen moved closer. “Something looks odd about this.” She reached for the blue sheet, hesitating when she noticed at the bottom of the table there was a small bin covered as well. “This doesn’t look right. Does it?”

“Let’s just take a look.”

“O.K.” Ellen pulled away the sheet. “Oh wow!”

“Oh shit!”

Their shocked and excited ‘ohs’ went back in forth in an overly dramatic call in repeat manner as they both stepped away from the long table. What Ellen exposed was not the body of Marv as they remembered. What looked more like a side of beef butchered one too many times lay on that table. It was wide and stretched. The only recognizable remains that linked the body to a human, were the left side of Marv’s face, his right forearm and hand, and both feet. Bones were exposed and flesh was shredded and hanging out. The torso cavity looked as if something had exploded from within it.

Ellen let out a weak sounding whistle. “Well.”

“Well.” Dean walked to the table with her.

“This doesn’t look like your usual animal attack now does it?”,

“Could be a lion.”

“Or tiger.”

Dean snickered. “Or bear.”

“Oh my.” Ellen held in her laugh. “We should do this.”

“We should. Let’s get serious.”

“O.K.” Ellen looked at Marv. “Dean, should we be feeling really bad at this moment?”

“Um . . .” Dean cleared his throat. “As citizens of Beginnings, we should be in mourning. But as scientists, there isn’t any room for emotions.”

“You are so right. And I have to tell you, as a citizen of Beginnings, I’m gonna have a hard time mourning. I never liked him much.”

“Me either. Weird guy.”

“Bad hair.” Ellen touched with the tip of her fingers the section of hair right above the exposed brain. “He reminded me of that guy. You know . . . bad singer slash mayor.”

“Sonny Bono.” Dean peered closer to Marv. “Yeah, he did.”

“Look at his face, Dean.” Ellen folded her hands behind her back. “Kind of smashed. I wonder if Sonny had that look after his tragic accident.” She snapped her finger. “Oh! How coincidental. Sonny died in the woods and so did Marv.”

With a thinking ‘hmm’, Dean stopped looking at Marv’s face. He shook his head and snapped back to medical thoughts. “We should be getting to work.”

“Yes we should. Let’s be professionals now.” She handed Dean a pair of gloves then placed a pair on herself. “Your recorder set?”

“Hold on.” Dean pressed in the button. “Ready. What’s in the bin, El?”

“Let’s see, shall we?” She walked to it, reaching for the cloth and lifting it. “Oh. Body parts.”

Dean peeked. “Yep.”

“Who am I, Dean?”

“Ellen.” Dean looked at the body.

“No Dean, look at me . . . Dean who . . . Dean look at me, Dean. Look . . . . Dean. Dean.”

“El. All right. Go on.”

Ellen cleared her throat and lifted the cloth from the bin again. Drastically she gasped and swallowed, twitching her head to the right and closing her eyes. “The uh . . . “ She cleared her throat again. “The victim appears . . . who am I, Dean?”

“I give up.”

“Geez, Dean.” She dropped the cloth. “I’m Richard Dreyfus in the movie JAWS.” She giggled. “I feel just like him. Watch. Or how about this scene?” She grabbed Marv’s right arm and bent it up. “Remember that scene? The beach?”

“Ellen, cut it out.”

Ellen made her voice high -pitched. “Hi, Dean.” She waved the hand.

“Ellen, we have to be serious. O.K.?”

“O.K.. Let’s do this . . . Dean?”

Dean slowed in his exam. He looked at Ellen. “What?”

“This is the exact spot where you laid when you died. I can still see how pale and blue you . . .”

“El.”

“Yes?”

“No.” He shook his head. “I really don’t want to discuss my death right now.”

“O.K., just flashing back in this creepy place. Go on.”

“Thank you.” Slowly Dean let out a breath as he began to examine Marv, speaking into his recorder. “September 23rd autopsy on Marv Davidson. We have a thirty-two year old male, height five foot nine, weight, approximately 150 . . .”

“Probably close to ninety now.”

“El,” Dean silenced her. “Victim appears to be . . .”

“Richard.”

“El.” Dean reached for a pair of tweezers as his eyes zoomed in.

“What do you see?”

“Get me some specimen trays. Saliva is found predominantly across the thoracic region . . . .” Dean reached down his other hand and shut off his tape recorder. “El, look at this.”

“It’s not something I need to be the bionic woman for does it?”

“No, come here. Hit that light.”

Ellen set down the specimen trays and turned the spotlight on. “What am I looking for.”

“Look at these bite marks.” Dean pointed to the sternum.

“Straight through the bone.”

“Yeah. Jagged too.”

“Definitely an animal.”

“Looks that way. From what I’m seeing, and I’m not really giving it my all, it looks like several bite marks, several different bite marks. We should really get some shots of this,” Dean commented. “That way we can actually work for a while on it.”

“Want me to run and get the camera?” Ellen asked.

“Yeah, but first, tell me what is in that bin.”

Ellen lifted the sheet. “Looks like a large portion of the stomach, definitely the spleen, uh . . . . a portion of the small intestines, an eye, an ear and. . .” Her hand reached in, feeling. “I think this is a really, really tiny piece of the heart.” She pulled it out.

“Yeah it is,” Dean told her. “What do you notice about Marv?”

“Aside that he looks thinner and . . .” Ellen saw Dean’s scolding face. “All the fleshy areas are gone.”

“Exactly.” Dean said. “He wasn’t just torn to shreds and killed . . .”

“He was eaten.”

“Go get that camera so we can get some shots before we start removing the parts that are left.”

“Right away.” Ellen backed up and removed her gloves.

“And more specimen trays as well.” He heard Ellen say something as she left, but Dean was too engrossed in the breastbone, or what remained of it. Dean moved the shattered bone some, lifting it to peer into the empty cavity behind it. He could see the spine as well. Looking around at the gutted and cleaned out torso, Dean’s eyes saw the slight difference in shading and he stopped. He adjusted the light above his head. “What do we have here?” Without looking, he reached up for his tweezers and brought them, and his hand, into Marv’s body cavity. He pulled the item from its lodging in the third thoracic vertebrae. It was small, very small, but if Dean’s knowledge served him right, he knew exactly what he found, a piece of . . . a tooth. It wasn’t a very strong tooth or sturdy and it didn’t look as if it were a piece to a large tooth. But what baffled Dean at that moment wasn’t the tooth, but how something that possessed it could have done as much damage as it did, unless what did the damage wasn’t the teeth, but the being itself. Perhaps it torn apart with paws or hands. But seeing how Frank wasn’t in Beginnings, the theory of someone torn to shreds by hands was eliminated

Dean paused in his postmortem exam to laugh at his Frank thought. He set the piece of tooth in the specimen tray and decided, before going any further, he’d wait for Ellen to return. He wanted that camera present and he wanted to tell her about his amusing thought. So, alone in the room with a torn apart Marv, Dean waited.

^^^^

“Hey, Uncle Robbie.” Johnny was pouring a drink at the social hall when Robbie, seeming so down, walked in. “You O.K.?”

“Um . . . yeah..” Robbie blinked several times as if his eyes were hurting. He looked at how quickly Johnny downed his drink. “Easy.”

Johnny thought it odd for Robbie to tell him that. “O.K. easy. Any news on Marv?”

“Nothing yet.” Robbie spoke the line he had told everyone. How horrible it was that Marv had died. How much worse it was the way Marv had lost his life. Figuring he’d wait until Dean and Ellen told him more, confirming or denying what killed him.

“I stopped by the morgue,” Johnny told him, “before I came here.”

“Really? And?”

“They wouldn’t let me in.”

“Not at all?” Robbie asked.

“Nope. I hung outside the door . . . Uncle Robbie, they seemed like they were having a good time in there.”

“They love their work.”

“Hanging tonight? Wanna shoot some pool?”

“Um . . . .” Robbie’s hand slid down his face. “No, just grabbing a drink and heading home.”

“O.K.”

Robbie motioned his head behind Johnny. “Looks like you have company anyhow.”

Johnny looked over his shoulder. “God, she won’t leave me alone.”

“You’re supposed to be getting close to her anyhow. John. You told us you would.”

“Yeah I know. It just makes me feel really creepy thinking about being with her.”

“Why?” Robbie questioned.

“Um . . . um. Don’t know.” Johnny finished his drink. “Just thinking about it being her I guess.” He poured another. “Maybe I’ll go torture her.”

“Yeah, you do that. I’m just gonna sit here.” Robbie watched his nephew draw up an egotistical look and waltz over to his table with a semi -ignore Bev attitude. Pouring himself a drink, Robbie slid on the stool. He looked once over his shoulder to Johnny and Bev. How trivial Johnny must think he and Joe for having him find out what’s going on with Bev over the Dean and Ellen situation. How trivial it sounded to Robbie, but he had to keep reminding himself that the ‘Dean and Ellen’ reason was only the front story. The real reason being to hopefully eliminate or point a finger at her when it came to George.

“That’s it.” Johnny slammed down his drink. “Bev, if you are going to continue to stare at me, I’m leaving. You’re undressing me with your eyes. I feel so violated.”

“You owe me.”

“Owe you what?”

Bev raised her eyebrows a few times. “For the other day.”

“Oh really.” Johnny stood up and readied to leave. “Well see, that’s the problem with you.”

“Wait. What’s the problem with me . . .” Bev scooted from her chair, hurrying her way to a leaving Johnny. “Johnny.” She caught up to him. “Johnny.”

“I’m leaving.” He walked by Robbie, laying his hand on Robbie’s back. “See ya, Uncle Robbie.”

“John.” Robbie swam in his drink.

Johnny smiling and not letting Bev see, left the social hall.

“Johnny.” She ran to catch him. “Wait.”

“What?” Johnny stopped walking.

“What did you mean, that’s the problem with me?”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

“No, I don’t.”

“You don’t. Did you just tell me in there that I owe you?”

“Yes.” Bev stood before him.

“Well, that’s not the way things are run with me. I say what goes on. Who owes who. Get it?”

“But I . . .”

“No buts.” Johnny stayed firm. “I call the shots. I say what gets done. I tell you what you do, not you tell me. If you’re up to anything, I’d better damn well know ahead of time what it is and why you’re doing it.”

“But Johnny.”

“And as far as sex goes, if I want to sleep with you, I will. No deals, and trust me babe, when I want it, I’ll find you and you’ll deliver, no problem.”

Bev folded her arms. “Really? Well I don’t think I like your attitude.”

“Oh well.” Johnny tossed his hands up.

“And you are so wrong,” she spoke snidely.

“I’m wrong? Who are you to tell me I’m wrong?”

“I will tell you you’re wrong. The only way this will work is if you own me? Let me tell you something Johnny, no one owns me.”

Johnny just watched her, nodding arrogantly.

“I say who I sleep with and when, not you or anyone!” She poked him in the chest. “I don’t even know why I chased after you in the first place. You’re cold, mean, and a complete waste of my time. I wouldn’t sleep with you now if you got on your hands and knees and begged me.”

“Baby.” Johnny placed his face close to hers. “You want me so bad, it wouldn’t take anything to get you to sleep with me anytime and anywhere.”

“You think?”

“I know.”

“Right.” Bev huffed.

“Watch.” Johnny grabbed her face and pulled Bev with a slight force up and into him. Wide and sexual, he placed his mouth over hers, pressing it hard and deeply to hers. E moved his mouth and kissed in a sweeping motions over and over, holding on to her face as he stepped her backwards.

Against everything she told him. Bev responded.

Further and further into the dark alley between the social hall and the next building, Johnny led her. Moving her and moving her until he backed her up against the social hall wall. His mouth released from her as he grabbed onto the collar of her shirt and he leaned his body in a bent manner directly against hers. “What were you saying?”

Bev’s mouth reached for Johnny’s lips, but he kept pulling back from her.

“How bad do you want it, Bev?” Johnny’s waist moved into her and his hand glided with a firmness up her leg. “How bad?”

“Bad.” She breathed heavily, trying to kiss him.

Almost biting, Johnny laid his lips to under her ear, running them down hard to the nape of her neck. “How bad do you want me?”

“I want you, Johnny.”

“And what will you do for me?” he asked deeply, moistening her neck with his mouth, breathing hard into her ear.

“Anything.”

On her words, Johnny’s hands slid down both of her legs then back up, lifting the skirt she wore. He began to kiss her again, one hand secured under her skirt and the other undoing his own jeans. Bev’s hands went to his hair and to his neck. The moment she held his head and locked him in that kiss, was the moment Johnny braced his hands behind her thighs, lifted Bev up, drew her legs around his waist and slammed her with a sexual drive into the aluminum side of the social hall,.

It was Tuesday so the social hall was nearly empty and quiet. Not even the juke box played for the men who just were there to relax. Perhaps that was why Robbie heard it, lifting his views from his drink and up to the noise. Actually Robbie heard it at the same time as the other seven men in the hall. All of them looked around at the steady dull metal banging that they heard.

Like a metronome, only picking up speed with each few seconds that passed. Bang-bang-bang-bang.

“What the hell?” Robbie stood up from his stool. Everyone had stopped what they were doing. “What is that?”

Cole set down his pool stick. “Sounds like it’s coming from outside. Maybe it’s Denny and Josh playing around.”

Robbie looked at his watch. “Probably. This is their hanging out hour.” He returned to his stool, picked up his drink, and shook his head at the increasing rate of the banging. “They think they’re funny. Ignore them.”

With Robbie’s reassurance that nothing was wrong, everyone went back to what they were doing. And to even show the annoying teenage boys, someone turned on the jukebox.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

September 24

Beginnings, Montana

“Sacrilegious,” Ellen stated as she set down both metal boxes on the cryo -lab counter.

“No way.” Dean shook his head, setting down two boxes as well.

“I’m telling you, Dean. That is what Joe’s word would be. Sacrilegious.”

“It’s science, El.”

“Yeah, but I don’t think he’d take to kindly to us keeping parts of Marv.”

“Ongoing investigation. In the old world, it sometimes took months to get autopsy results,” Dean justified. “However, Joe won’t say anything. He’s stepping back for a while remember? Henry’s leader.”

“I can handle Henry.” Ellen said. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Hmm.”

“And as far as Joe is concerned, bet me he still takes charge of us because we know the truth.”

“You may have a point. Let’s get these boxes unloaded into the spare freezer until the man of the hour shows up.”

“I know someone is talking about me.” Danny Hoi walked through the open cryo -lab door.

Dean motioned his hand to Danny. “Man of the hour.”

Ellen smiled. “Hi Danny. You are so punctual and quick showing up so soon after our request.”

Danny stood taller. “Want to make the best impression my first day as Head of Mechanics.”

“And you are,” Ellen said.

“So, what did you guys need?” Danny asked.

“Help.” Dean stated. “Care to follow us? We have to put these boxes away.”

“Sure.” Danny shrugged and trailed them. “What’s in the boxes?”

Dean looked back at him. “Body parts.”

Danny laughed. “You guys are funny.” He saw how serious they were as they walked into the freezer room. “You guys are joking, right? Right?”

Dean opened the freezer case. “Um, yeah, sure Danny.” He set his box inside and took the ones Ellen handed to him. “El, we’ll unpack these later.”

“O.K.”

Danny couldn’t take his eyes off the boxes Dean put away. “So uh . . . what kind of mechanical favor do you need?”

Dean closed the freezer lid. “Here, I’ll show you.” He pointed to the door in the smaller of the two back rooms. “This closet.”

Danny looked so serious as he raised one eyebrow and deepened his voice. “Is it giving you problems, Dean? I know how closets can be.”

Dean snickered as he opened the closet door. “See, it’s big.”

Danny peeked. “Yes it is.”

Shaking his head with a smile, Dean raised his eyes to Danny. “No, I want to know how cold you can make this closet for me.”

“Excuse me.” Danny looked into the empty closet. “How cold? Did you say how cold?”

“Yep.”

“Whoa.” Danny checked it out. “You mean like air-conditioning cold or freezer cold?”

“Freezer cold, refrigeration,” Dean explained.

Danny started to laugh then stopped. “You’re serious. Why would you two need walk -in refrigeration in this . . . never mind.” He whistled. “It could take some work. We’d have to seal it, add a new door, a lot of things including a separate compressor and coolant unit.”

“So you can’t do it?” Dean asked.

“No, no.” Danny held up his finger. “The word ‘never’ crossed my lips. Tell me exactly what you see for this closet.”

Shop talk was something Ellen didn’t want to be privileged to. She’d rather deal with the five remaining rabbits. “Dean, Danny, I’m just going to leave you two to this. I’ll be in the other room.” Getting a nod from Dean, Ellen walked from that room into the main cryo -lab. She stopped when she entered and spoke in such awe. “Oh wow.”

Henry was there and she couldn’t even recall the last time she saw him looking so handsome. He wasn’t in his usual blue work pants and white shirt uniform he typically wore during the work day. He wore a black tee shirt tucked into his baggy, but tailored, jeans. A wider black belt was around his waist, and to top it off, Henry was having a good hair day.

“Henry.” Ellen stepped further into the lab. “Look how good you look.”

Henry grinned with a tilted head. “Thanks, El. Joe said as Leader I should always look nice. I’m not one to wear those button down shirts, you know.”

“I like this much better.” She stepped closer to Henry. “Where did you get the pants?”

“Danny got them,” Henry stated. “Small favor slip. I asked him if he saw anything in Miles City that could be leader clothes to grab them and he did.”

“You can just tell Danny had the fashion sense in the old world.”

“Oh you know it. He has that hair thing happening.”

Ellen reached up and touched Henry’s hair. “And so do you today.”

Henry enjoyed the compliments. “But . . . do I look official.”

“Very much so.”

“Good, because I’m here on business. Where’s Dean?”

“In the closet with Danny. Don’t ask.”

With a grin Henry looked to the back. “Oh yeah? All right, we’ll do this without him. Autopsy. How’s it going?”

“Great. I mean . . . sad. I mean, going.”

“Anything conclusive?”

“Nope.” Ellen shook her head. “Not yet. Soon though.”

“I thought for sure you had results. You gave us the body back to bury.”

“We don’t need the body. We took what we need.”

“You what?” Henry asked shocked.

“I mean we took the test . . . . ran the tests we needed to run. Sometimes they take a long time to be final.”

“O.K. You’ll let me know when everything is done?”

“As soon as I know, you’ll know.”

“Good.” Henry said.

“Are we done with business?”

“Yes.”

Ellen heard Danny and Dean’s voice come into the lab. She looked over her shoulder. “Hey Dean, look who came to see me. Henry. Doesn’t he look handsome today.”

Dean gave a look as if to tell Ellen, ‘you actually want me to answer that?’. “So Henry, what brings you down here?”

“Ellen.” Henry answered.

“Figures.” Dean said. “Thought maybe you were here on official business considering it’s your first day and all.”

Henry smiled a little. “No way. I came to see El. Hey El, I’ve been working since five. You wanna take a break with me?”

“Oh sure Henry. I’d love to take a break with you. Can we walk around the community?”

“Yeah.”

“Bye Dean.” Ellen moved to Henry. “Be back.

“El, our work?” Dean asked.

“Of course it is Dean.” Ellen giggled and left the cryo lab with Henry.

“And she exits.” Dean’s hand raised and dropped.

Danny, who was being quiet--a rarity--snuck up behind Dean and whispered. “When I was in high school I used to date this girl. She dumped for this geek the moment he became class president.”

“Danny.”

“Nope.” Danny stepped back. “I’m seeing some similarities here Dean. If you need to talk.”

“Sorry, but I fail to see the similarities. This is hardly high school and she’s hardly my girlfriend Danny, she’s my wife.”

“True.” Danny grinned. “But this is Beginnings. The place that makes Payton Place look like an episode of Leave it to Beaver.”

Dean just grumbled a response and walked back to the smaller back room.

Danny snickered and followed Dean fully intending on irritating him more.

^^^^

“I woke up. I showered,” Joe explained as he walked with Hal towards distribution. “I had my coffee and cigarette and I even read that damn newspaper, which I have to admit, I’m liking. I looked at my watch and remembered, hey, you’re in distribution today. That opens two hours later.”

Hal smiled. “Forgot huh? So what did you do? Go back to bed?”

“Nope. I opened my front door when someone started to knock and I let Henry in my house. Christ, he was there asking me if he was dressed all right, was he having a good enough hair day, would people like him, and how should he act.”

“Don’t you worry about him?”

“Nah,” Joe shook his head. “Henry will be fine. Trust me.”

“I have to, Dad, because until you emerge from retirement . . . ” Hal let out a worried breath. “He’s our leader as well.”

Joe had a sneakiness to his chuckle as he laid a hand on Hal’s back and led him into distribution. There was an extra bright spot that made retirement worthwhile on this day. Joe didn’t have leader responsibilities to deal with and because of that, he got to spend that time with his son before Hal headed back down to Bowman.

^^^^

Robbie held the unscheduled security meeting at the training area. Solace and sadness was the air of demeanor with everyone as they sat around Robbie while he talked.

“Some sort of wild animal,” Robbie explained, “is what Dean told me this morning. As of yet, they are still trying to pin point it and . . . . if there is more than one of them. If that’s the case, we are gonna have to begin a hunt. We can’t take a chance of whatever that got Marv, getting in here. Now . . .” Robbie flipped a page of his notes. “Marv died in the line of duty. Marv also died while gathering points for . . . for the Neville competition. The Neville Committee approached me this morning and wanted me to present you with these suggestions. Either we give Marv an honorary Neville win or we make him Neville and the competition continues, handling it like the former Miss America pageant where the winner takes it from Marv. Feedback?” Robbie saw Dan’s hand raised. “Yes, Dan?”

“So he would be the first official Neville?”

“Yes,” Robbie answered.

“Hmm.” Dan swayed his head. “O.K., not like I’m being a dick or anything but . . . but, Marv was a nice guy in all, but he was no Neville. I don’t think it would be fair to you or me or anyone else who is up there in Neville points to make him a winner just because he died.”

“True,” Robbie stated. “However, wouldn’t it be the kind and brotherhood thing to do?”

Dan fluttered his lips. “Kind is one thing. Brotherhood is another. Robbie, this is competition. Come on. Do you want to go down in History as someone that was the second Neville competition winner? Or someone that lost to Marv?”

Robbie knew the answer. He knew what he wanted to say. “O.K., let’s put it to a vote. Fair is fair and it is Marv’s memory we’re talking about. O.K., all in favor of letting Marv be Neville or the reigning Neville, give me a yeah.” Robbie listened to the grumbles and clearing of throats. He watched his men lower their heads, shift their eyes, and pretend they were ashamed. “All right. All against, give me a big ‘ooh-rah’.” Robbie cringed and his ear rang when the intrusion of voices shouted out at him what they wanted. Even though they were all fond of Marv, they were more fond of being Neville. “O.K.” Robbie tossed up his hands. “Neville competition continues and, we’ll . . . we’ll uh mention Marv’s name at the ceremony. Gentlemen, you can return to work. Anyone wanting special detail to deal with this animal see me.”

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

With visions flowing through his mind of his own decaying body lying in the woods somewhere, a portion of his head missing, Richie held tightly to his tool box and hesitantly walked through the laboratory door. They wore white lab coats, worked on placing together lab equipment and the new scientist all spun on their swivel chairs to look at Richie when he entered.

Did he look like their next subject? Richie wondered staring back at the faces. “I uh . . . I got a work order for a cooler.” He didn’t receive any answer. “O.K., I’ll just uh . . . figure it out. Thanks.” No one pointed him in the right direction and no one said a word. They returned to their work as Richie waltzed through. Richie had to give it to Frank. He argued with Frank telling him that the bogus work order would be a major slip up. These were highly intelligent men. They would realize they didn’t request one. But Frank insisted that even though they would wonder about the order, they were all too pompous to question it. How embarrassing it would be for scientist ‘A’ to ask Richie in front of the others and have scientist ‘B’ stand up, humiliating him by saying there is a problem with a cooler.

As obscure as Frank’s thinking was, it got Richie through the main lab and to the back where all coolers were. The large room was filled with them and Richie cringed. How was he going to find this vial with all those long freezers? Stepping to the first one, he noticed the small glass window by the other door. Through it, he saw another lab.

“Look for a mini fridge.” Frank’s instructions repeated in Richie’s mind. “Chances are that’s where a vial is kept. The large batches may be in the long freezers.”

On the counter in the empty lab, Richie saw the short silver refrigerator, a biohazard sign on the front. No one was in that back room lit only by a dull table fluorescent lamp. So Richie peeked out the door he walked though, checked on the busy scientists in the main lab, and walked through the cooler room to the other lab. The lab smelled of newness and disinfectant and looked as if were never used. With that scenario in his mind, Richie guessed the fridge would be empty but it was worth a chance. Even if he didn’t discover the Salicain in there, he discovered something else, a lab he knew nothing about. And if that was there, how many others were too?

He set down his tool box next to the silver counter fridge. He reached for the handle, hopping it wasn’t locked. When he pulled, he found out it wasn’t.

Richie felt the cold air hit against his stomach and breeze through his tee -shirt and he bent down, peering his face through the crack. Vials upon vials were lined up in the fridge. No sooner did Richie’s eyes graze across the middle shelf and see to the left, the vial marked ‘Salicain’, the fridge door closed. Richie’s views looked up to the hand on the door. A scientist stood there.

“This isn’t the one.” Richie smiled. “She’s uh . . . . working fine.” He crinkled his nose as he grabbed his tool box and walked backwards, pointing to the cooler room with his thumb. “I’ll start on the big ones in uh . . . in there.” Richie spun around and allowed his back to face the large male scientist that busted him. He deeply the anxiety as he let out in his breathing and tried to calm his racing heart as he moved to the cooler room. Nothing helped. His hands shook, his heart pounded. And even though he found the vial of Salicain, Richie couldn’t clear his mind of the thoughts, that if he kept on listening to Frank, he really would end up a dead man.

^^^^

Quantico Marine Headquarters

“Truck is in secondary position.” Stewart laid a folder in front of George on his desk. “They’ll move into position as soon as the final surveillance flight is made.”

“Good.” George flipped open the folder. “The train is ready for the trip as well?”

“Yes sir,” Stewart answered. “We estimate five hours by truck to the train and another seven to Binghamton.”

“And is everything in Binghamton prepared?”

“Yes.” Stewart nodded. “Construction and remodeling was completed on the home.”

“CME’s?”

“Prepped and ready for your orders. Sgt. Landers says they are ready to move out.”

“Excellent, excellent. Let’s let the new arrival get settled in Binghamton first. Tell Sgt. Landers to look at a move date of September 27th or 28th.”

“President Hadley, genetics sent a note. It’s in there.”

“Where?” George adjusted his glasses then saw the yellow Post-It. “God, is he still using these?” George un-stuck it, lifted it, and read. After, he looked back to Stewart. “Tell the labs to keep a close eye out. I may not know much about this, but it seems to be too early. Contact me in another week or so, otherwise don’t bother me.”

“I think he wants Dr. Hayes’ opinion on . . .”

“Dr. Hayes has adjusting of his own to do first and then he will get to work on the virology and genetic material. Until then, tell the labs they have to wait.”

“Yes sir.” Stewart took the Post-It note from George. It stuck to his thumb and then fingers as he switched it. Finally, he gave up and wrinkled it up. He stood there waiting to engage in more conversation with his leader and when Stewart realized he was being ignored, he took that as his clue and left.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“Dean?” Ellen called out into the cryo-lab as she walked in. “Dean?” Ellen set down the folders she carried and walked to the coat tree, grabbing her lab jacket. She put in on.

“Back here, El. I’ll be right out.”

“O.K.!” Ellen moved across the lab. She flicked on a microscope as she passed it in her walk to the smaller back room with the spare freezer. She hummed some song that she hadn’t a clue where it was from.

Dean pulled the door and secured the buzzing lock of the ‘secret’ lab. “El?” He stepped into the main lab.

“Here.” She came out holding a small specimen tray.

“Hey.” Dean moved to her. “I thought you were at containment.”

“I was. Jason is there being the leader, so I checked on Jeremy and came back here before heading up to the clinic.”

“How is Jeremy?”

“Doing well. He’s eating more food with consistency and it sounds as if his voice is coming back.”

Ellen set down the tray she handled while she talked. She uncovered it and grasped a pair of tweezers.

“And his spirits?”

“Checking up on me, doctor, or are you curious?”

“El, I’m sorry I’m not wanting to . . .”

“Kidding.” She smiled at him. “His spirits are fine.”

“You had me.” Dean kissed her on the cheek.

“So were you checking the case?”

“Yes. All is fine.”

“Good.”

“So, what uh . . . . brings you back down here?” Dean looked over her shoulder.

“This was bothering me.”

“That section of Marv’s brain?”

“No.” Ellen lifted up an even smaller piece. “This section of Marv’s brain.”

“What about it?”

“I didn’t get to look at it closely, but I think it’s regurgitated.”

“You think or you know?” Dean asked.

“Pretty sure.” Ellen brought the red object held by tweezers closer to her nostril and sniffed. “I can smell the stomach acid on it. You?”

Dean brought his nose closer. “Yeah I can. I think you’re right. Check it out under the scope and note it.”

“Planned on it.”

“I find that interesting. Why were some parts ingested and others weren’t.”

“And others tossed back out,” Ellen said. “On purpose or do you think whatever did this involuntarily rejected it?”

“Hard to say. We still don’t know what we’re dealing with.”

Ellen stopped in her look to the microscope. “Dean.”

“El.” He held up his hand. “We don’t know.”

“We think.”

“We aren’t sure.” Dean nodded then pointed. “Keep it that way until we are conclusive. Understand?”

“Is it right?”

“It’s wrong if we let it out before we know. Trust me. Remember, people can be cruel.”

Ellen agreed with a trace of sadness.

“And, El, whenever I leave, if the results are not finished, you have to work hard to prove, without a doubt, what it was that got Marv. O.K.?”

Ellen nodded slowly.

“Good. I know you have enough work as it is. I’m positive with Jeremy in containment and your UWA guy heading back home today, once I’m gone, Henry will move you full time to research. I know you don’t want that but it has to be that way.”

“I know.” Ellen’s hand touched the microscope, hesitating to do her work. “And I know it won’t be long before you come back.”

“Let’s hope.” Dean kissed her again. “But . . . .deal with everything as if I am not. Got it. You follow the priority list. Which is?”

“Are you testing me?” Ellen asked.

“Yep. Go over it one more time.”

“O.K.,.” Ellen took a breath and faced Dean. “As of this date, if you leave . . .” Another breath. “Freezer case in the special lab is always top priority. Bi -hourly checks.” She watched Dean nod. “In between, two hours a day, Marv stuff. Two hours clinic lab work. An hour patient work, unless there’s an emergency, the rest biological, genetic and viral work, including meds.”

“Good.” Dean kissed her. “I made a complete daily schedule for you. It can help you get into a routine.”

“You didn’t include bathroom breaks, did you?”

Dean paused,. “Um . . . no, El.”

“You did.” She laughed. “So anal.” She turned to go back to the microscope.

Dean grabbed her arm. “I’m just preparing. That’s all. We work too hard. You know what you can give Johnny to help on and you know what you can’t.”

“I know.” Ellen leaned into him, kissing him softly, “But can we just not talk about this anymore? Please. I just don’t want to talk about you leaving.”

“All right.” Dean spoke softly and stood side by side with her. “Hey, maybe Frank escaped and that’s why we haven’t heard from George.”

“Maybe.” Ellen smiled at that thought. “And then all this planning will be obsolete.” She held up crossed fingers. “Let’s hope.”

Dean gripped those fingers, squeezed gently then lowered them, holding on. He stared at her making deep eye contact. “Let’s hope. As for now . . .” He released her fingers and placed them on the microscope. “Let’s work on regurgitated brains. Shall we?”

Ellen giggled, shifted her eyes to Dean and then they both--not less the sarcastic intelligent jokes--began to work on Marv’s brain.

^^^^

It was just Henry and Joe in Joe’s office. Or Henry’s office now. But Joe sat in his usual behind the desk position and Henry sat across, a chair pulled close to the desk as they reviewed things together.

Joe only raised his eyes from his reading. “Henry.” He spoke his name in a scolding but soft manner.

“O.K., O.K.” Henry held up his hand. “But Joe you have to admit.”

“Admit what? Henry, it is not be a ‘GQ’ leader. It’s be a good leader.”

“My hair looks good then, huh?’

“Henry.”

“Joe, shouldn’t I be sitting in that seat.”

“Henry.”

“O.K.” Henry tapped his fingers and lifted a sheet of paper. “How often will I get a John Matoose report to review?”

“Once or twice a week,” Joe answered.

“Who will give them to me?”

“I will.”

“So you follow John?”

Joe made a snarling face. “When in Christ’s name do I have time to followed John?”

“Now, you’re retired.”

‘But the reports have been coming in for some time. No. It’s not me,” Joe said, annoyed.

“Robbie?”

“No.”

“Ellen.”

“No.”

“Dean.”

“Henry!” Joe slammed his hand. “I will not divulge my secret spies. Got that?”

“But, Joe, I’m leader and I should . . .” Henry saw Joe was not amused. “I should not know who they are. Definitely.”

“Henry.” Joe flipped a page of the computer printout he reviewed. “I’m looking and I don’t see it.”

“See what?”

“Any history past the time when the Regressionator safeguard was placed in.”

“Joe, it was safeguarded.”

“Still.” Joe reviewed. “Just in case, it should be here.”

“Nothing’s there.” Henry shook his head. “Dean and I reviewed and figured why waste the paper. If anything happened, it happened prior to the safeguard.”

Joe nodded. “I see. And gut instincts on Jason?”

“He’s weird, Joe.”

“No,” Joe huffed. “That’s not what I meant. You heard him speak. You were there. What are your gut instincts about him?”

“I told you, I think . . .”

“Henry.” Joe held up his hand. “If you say he’s weird, I’m gonna reach across the goddamn table and hit you. I’m talking about him being a suspect.”

“Oh.” Henry let out a breath. “Well, you know what he said when he slipped up to me and Dean.”

Joe shook his head. “You can’t say it’s a slip up. How do we know he doesn’t know about John and he may have been referring to Rev. Thomas too.” Joe picked up a pen and closed the Regressionator history. “I’ll review this later.”

“Did you say anything to Andrea about those letters she mailed?”

“No, not yet. I will. Before I do, I want to set it up that I have the house alone and do a complete search of her things.”

“Oh good idea. Robbie is searching Rev. Bob. You’re searching Andrea. Hey . . .” Henry scratched his head. “What am I gonna do?”

Joe slid a paper to him. “You’ll file this John Matoose report. You’ll need the silver key, Henry. That drawer is locked.”

“O.K.” Henry grabbed the report and walked to the two filing cabinets by the door. He moved to the second and bent down to the last drawer. As he unlocked it, there was a knock at the office door.

Instinctively Joe called out as he was standing. “Come in.”

The door opened slowly and Maura walked in. “Mr. Slagel, are you alone?”

Joe shifted his eyes to Henry. “Um yeah, Maura, what can I do for you?”

Henry, without shutting the cabinet, moved to the side of it and slouched down, staying concealed.

Maura seemed nervous, wringing her hands and peering outside to her mother who waited.

“Did you want to shut the door?” Joe asked.

“Oh, no, mother said she needs to see me.”

Joe flashed a fake smile to Gemma while grumbling then smiled at Maura. “What’s up?”

“I’ve been, I’ve been thinking about what you said. You know about Rev. Bob.”

“And?”

“And he trusts me Mr. Slagel. But . . . but . . .” She sort of stomped her foot. “I could not find that passage anywhere in Proverbs.”

“Oh.” Joe nodded. “That’s because I’m Catholic and it’s in our Bible. I’ll show you.”

Maura innocently held up her hand. “No need. I thought about it and figured I’ll tell you what I can, but you have to promise me you won’t tell him I told you.”

“O.K.,” Joe said.

“Promise me, Mr. Slagel. My mother said you’re a man of your word. Promise me.”

“Yeah, yeah. You didn’t tell your mom, did you?”

“Oh no. That would be awful. I just told her it had to do with the Neville competition.”

“Good.” Joe waved his hand to her to hurry Maura. “You were saying?”

“Rev. Bob had one last name for a really long time. His whole life. Then a family member, a cousin I think, dragged him into something years and years before the plague. He didn’t know he was being drug in and he fought with his cousin.” Maura explained with passion. “He said he felt shame being associated with the name and he changed it a few years before the plague. I saw the legal document.”

“Did he tell you who his cousin was?”

“No.” She shook her head. “But he showed me the document.”

“Did he tell you why he kept the document?”

“Yes. In case anyone needed to see it. I didn’t tell him you wanted to know. He’s playing fair and square, Mr. Slagel.”

“Yes he is,” Joe said, pacifying. “Thank you, Maura. I appreciate this.”

“Whew.” She looked relived. “You’re welcome. I just didn’t want to burn in hell like that Catholic passage said I would. O.K., that’s it. Bye .” She hurried out of Joe’s office ,pulling the door closed quickly.

Moaning in pain, Henry emerged from behind the file cabinet. “Ow, my knees.” He walked sort of hunched, his knees were still bent.

Joe flicked a wave to Henry with a grunt. He lifted the history stack. “Well, I’m out of here. I’ve things to do at distribution. Henry, get back to me about those runs.” Joe walked to the office door.

“Joe.” Henry moved slowly like a crippled old man. “Wait.”

“Christ, Henry.” Tucking the stack under his arm, Joe moved behind Henry and straightened him up quickly. Henry screamed. Joe laughed and swatted him on the back. “See ya.”

“Joe. Did you really tell that little girl she would burn in hell if she didn’t tell you the truth?”

Joe chuckled as he opened the door. “Nah Henry.”

Henry let out a long relief sigh. “Thank God.”

“No.” Joe stepped out, pulled the door closed, opened it and popped his head back in with a grin. “I believe my exact words to her were, ‘burn in eternal damnation’.” Flashing another grin, Joe waved, and left.

Henry’s hand met his forehead with a slap at the same time the door closed. He firmly ran his hand down across the bridge of his nose then his mouth, and eventually dragging his bottom lip a little. Oddly, Henry pulled his hand away and stared at his palm. “I just ran my hand down my face. Joe does that all the time. I don’t think I’ve ever done that.” Again, he looked at his hand only this time looking a bit horrified. “The first official day as leader. . . . Oh my God. I’m turning into Joe.”

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“Leonard has had a stroke.” Dr. Morris spoke to Frank and Richie as they stood at Leonard’s bedside.

“My God,” Frank gasped dramatically while he covered his mouth and stared at a still Leonard who laid on his back, arms to his side, eyes wide open and shifting. “A man so young. So virile, so . . .emf.” Frank felt the nudge of Richie. “Poor thing.”

“Yes.” Dr. Morris swayed his head. “Only forty-two.”

“He is forty?” Frank whistled. “Wouldn’t know it.”

“No. I’m surprised he survive this stroke.”

“His stress level must have been high,” Richie suggested.

“Oh yes.” Dr. Morris said. “A man in his leadership position has very high stress.”

Frank closed his mouth tightly and shook his head. “Well, I’ll have to do everything I can to help out now. I . . .” Frank’s voice cracked. “Excuse me. I’m . . .” Frank grabbed hold of his own throat. “I’m a bit choked up. We were getting rather close.”

“I see.” Dr. Morris said. “I’ll leave you to visit. Make sure you talk to him and encourage him to fight his way out of this.”

“Oh, I will. Thank you.” Frank watched Dr. Morris leave. He smiled at Richie then moved closer to the bed, leaning down to Leonard and surprising even Richie by is singing--pretty good too--a Bruce Springsteen Song. “Cause I’m Trapped. Ooh yeah, yeah, yeah. Trapped! Ooh yeah, yeah-ah.!” Frank grinned.

“Colonel Slagel,” Leonard spoke his name with a jolting edge bringing Frank out of the day dream he had slipped into during their meeting. “Colonel Slagel.”

Frank snapped forward in his chair. The huge grin was still plastered across his face. “Huh?”

“Why are you smiling at me?”

“I’m smiling?”

“Yes and staring.”

“I’m staring too?”

“Yes!”

“I was uh . . . .” Frank folded his hands and leaned into his desk. He cleared his throat loudly and drew up a serious expression. “Has anyone ever told you how attractive of a man you are.” Frank raised one eyebrow.

“Ex . . . . excuse me?” Shocked and taken aback was written all over Leonard’s face.

“That’s why I was smiling. I’m taken by you.” Frank stated. “Very taken by your . . .” He watched Leonard stand up. “Hey, where you going?”

“I think I should be leaving.” Leonard spoke nervously as he hurried to the door. “I uh . . . I have things and preparations to uh do. Good day, Colonel.”

“Yeah but I’m not done complimenting . . . .” Frank’s door shut and Frank leaned back in his chair, smiling. He cupped his hands behind his head and rocked back and forth in confidence. He knew now if the Salicain plan didn’t pan out, he knew of another way to get Leonard to stay away from him.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“I bet you’re more than ready to go home,” Ellen stated to the UWA soldier who was sitting on his hospital bed.

“Yes.” The soldier smiled and looked at Dean and Rev. Bob who was also in the room. “Not that you don’t treat me well.”

“You must finish the final wave of medication,” Ellen instructed. “I’m informing Blue that I gave it to Hal.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

Rev. Bob spoke up. “And you’ll tell the preacher in your community that I look forward to our meeting up with him?”

“Fr. Bryce. Yes.” The soldier nodded. “He’s a Catholic priest. I’m sure he’ll love to meet you as well.”

Dean snickered. “Wait until Joe hears.” He looked at his watch. “I let you guys finish up. El, I’m uh heading to see the kids for a lunch. O.K.?”

Ellen looked up from the chart. “Kiss them for me.”

“Bye.” Dean walked to the door.

“Oh Dean?” Ellen called him.

“Yes.” He slid to a stop in the doorway.

“Tell Andrea I think she needed you to do something, I’m not sure. She had said something earlier.”

“Got it.” With another hurried wave, Dean walked away from the room and down the hall. He turned the bend to the main entrance hall and approached his lab. The door was open and Andrea, Jason, and Johnny were seated inside. “Andrea? Did you need me for anything.”

Andrea looked up from what appeared to be a fun conversation instead of business. She smiled. “Not anymore, Dean. Thanks.”

“O.K., I’ll be back. I’m heading to the school to have lunch with the kids.” He waved to Andrea, Jason, and Johnny and moved down the hall to the main door. Again, Dean waved, but this time to Henry as he pushed open the glass door. “Hey Henry, I thought you were the big leader now.” Dean looked down at the tool box. “Why are you fixing this hinge again?”

“I feel useless not fixing something so I thought I’d tighten this up again. Robbie seems to have taken Frank’s place. Where you headed?”

“Having lunch my kids. I promised Alexandra I would. I’ve been so busy.”

“Have fun.”

Dean nearly trotted in an upbeat manner to the school. He didn’t know why his spirits were up, but if Dean realized his good day was close to going sour, he would have basked in the good mood he carried to the school with him.

^^^^

Bowman, ND

“Waverley and Brimson?” Sgt. Ryder asked Blue.

“Yes.” Blue reviewed his notes and nodded.

“I understand what Waverley did, but Brimson?”

“The horse incident,” Blue explained. “Hawk was tossed. His foot got caught and Brimson ran in, stopping the horse and freeing Hawk. He also broke his pinky finger.”

“O.K.” Sgt. Ryder signed the paper. “The witnesses attested to that? Brimson tends to exaggerate.”

‘They attested.”

“All right. Give this to Gr . . . Gr . . .”

“Grace.”

“Yes and then we’ll ship them up to Beginnings next run up.”

“Got it.” As Blue gathered his Neville documents and stood up, the door to Hal’s office opened and a private rushed in. Blue turned his head to Sgt. Ryder. “Elliot, you can certainly tell they know Captain Slagel is away.”

Sgt, Ryder stood up. “Private, is this an emergency?”

“Yes sir.” The private was out of breath. “The . . . the Nebraska scouts have returned.”

“Already?” Sgt. Ryder questioned as he walked around the desk. “They aren’t due back till next week. What’s wrong?”

“No sir.” The private smiled. “You should ask what’s right. They brought with them three of our five missing soldiers from the Anderson farm.”

The private’s words were barely finished and Sgt. Ryder rushed by him and Blue and was out the door.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Alexandra giggled as she played with her father’s bangs, sitting on his lap at the park. “Daddy, you need a haircut.” She held them back off his forehead and kissed Dean.

“You sound like Mommy.”

“Can I put your hair in a ponytail?”

“No.” Dean shook his head as her little hands laid on his cheeks. “My hair isn’t that long.”

“On top it is.”

“Alex.” Dean spoke then heard his phone ring. “Hold on, sweetie.” He unhooked his phone from his belt. “Yeah?”

“The time has come.”

Dean’s heart dropped and his eyes closed. He lifted Alexandra from him.

“You’re not speaking.”

“What do you want me to say?” Dean asked.

“I guess nothing. I’ll speak and you’ll listen to me carefully. The perimeters go down for a daily check. You are to be at the back gate at 12:47 a.m. That is when that perimeter goes down. It’ll be down for three minutes,” George explained. “You will walk out. Be there, Dean. I have people waiting.”

The lump in Dean’s throat was so large he could barely speak. “Tonight?”

“Tonight. Bring with you what you need and leave a note for your wife to show around. You left for the Society. Make it good and make sure no one follows you. No one, or say goodbye to that cozy little house and all its occupants tonight. Fires can be deadly. Trust me, I’ll know if someone is following you. I have that covered. Or . . . how else did I know you were having lunch with your children right now.”

“I’ll be there. Will I be going to see . . .”

“Frank? Yes. Goodbye, Dean. I look forward to having you aboard. I won’t be there to greet you. My people will but I’ll be along shortly.” George hung up.

Dean was so deep in thought. Slowly, Dean brought the phone away from his ear and stared at it, hanging up. He was so engrossed that the hand that laid on his back caused him to jump a foot in the air and fumble his phone. Dean bent down, quickly catching it before it crashed to the ground.

“Dean?” Joe looked at him.

Dean was breathing heavily. His face was pale and he looked confused.

“Dean, are you all right?”

“No. No Joe.” Dean blinked several times. “Could . . . could you see the kids back to school.” Running his fingers through his hair, he backed up.

“Dean?”

“I . . .. I have to find El.” He spoke in a near daze. “I have to find El.”

“Dean.” Joe grabbed a hold of Dean’s shoulder and turned him around. “What’s wrong?”

Dean held up the phone slowly. “It . . . . it was George.” Dean’s voice quivered with emotions. “I . . . I . . .” Dean swallowed and glanced his views to his happy and playing children. “I leave tonight. I leave tonight.” Without saying anything else, Dean turned back around and headed to the clinic.

“Dear God.” Joe whispered and ran his hand over his face slowly as he watched Dean. Pummeled by news he did not expect, Joe pulled himself together, placed on a ‘Pap—Pap’ smile and turned around from watching Dean and walked over to join his grandchildren.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Bowman, North Dakota

“Elliott, you missed me.” Hal grinned and joked as he stepped from his truck, spreading his arms wide to a very happy looking Sgt. Ryder. “Look, you’re glowing.”

Sgt. Ryder swatted Hal’s reach away. “I’m happy, but not about you.”

“I’m crushed.”

“I take it the trip to Beginnings was successful and fun.”

“Yes.”

“How is the new leader working out?”

Hal laughed. “We’ll have to talk about that. How were things here?”

“Great.”

“Great?” Hal questioned.

“Great. Follow me.” Sgt. Ryder led the way.

“Oh my God.” Hal spoke in awe and near whisper after peeking into the hospital room where Link, Kyle, and Ted were. “Our scouts stumbled upon them?”

“Yes.”

“Amazing.” Hal peeked back in. “They look bad.”

“Well, the Society beat them, starved them, and they walked a lot. Otherwise, Blue said they’ll be just fine.”

“What did they tell you? Where were they?” Hal questioned.

“Maybe you should hear it from them.” Sgt. Ryder pointed into the room. “You need to hear what they have to say.”

“Thank you.” Hal knocked on the archway and stepped in the room. “Gentlemen, welcome home.” Nodding his head to all three of their thank yous, Hal pulled up a chair. “I know you already told Sgt. Ryder, but . . . but can you tell me. What happened?”

Link spoke up first. “We were fighting the Society when they over took us. We didn’t even know that our man got away with the woman from Beginnings until Sgt, Ryder informed us. They took us from one camp to the final one.”

Kyle continued the story. “They wanted to know about us and our camp. They beat us in interrogations every day. Finally we lied to them and sent them on a wild goose chase. Unfortunately . . .”

Hal nodded. “Not without the risk of one of your lives. William or Jeff?”

“Jeff.” Ted answered. “William died at Anderson Farm.”

“I see. How did you escape?” Hal questioned.

“The Beginnings man freed us.”

“Frank?” Hal smiled “You saw Frank? How is he?”

“He’s fine,” Kyle said.

“I must tell you Frank is my . . .”

“Man!” Link complained loudly, not hearing Hal. “The man is an asshole, telling us we can walk home. Him and his bad ass attitude. Like he’s all that. What the hell was up with that shit?”

“Yeah.” Ted agreed. “Did he give us food? No. He took our uniforms and gave us weird clothes to wear.”

“Funky clothes,” Kyle stated. “And bad shoes. We couldn’t even keep our boots. What were you saying about him, Captain?”

“Um . . .” Hal smiled just slightly. “Um . . . I heard about him up in Beginnings.”

Link fluttered his lips loudly. “Bet they don’t like him either. The man freed us but he could have helped us.”

Hal nodded slowly as he stood up. “Well.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll let you men get some rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.” Falsely, Hal stayed chipper and left the room. He pulled the door closed as he stepped into the hall and to an awaiting and smirking Sgt. Ryder. “You knew what they were going to say, didn’t you?”

“No. No. So, why didn’t you tell them Frank was your brother?”

“Are you nuts?” Hal started walking with him. “They hate him. I need my respect. And right now for as badly as they feel about him, I don’t want that rubbing off on me.”

“Has Frank always been like that?”

“Yes.” Hal said strongly. “Always. His entire life. I should have expected no less. After all, he was the big trouble maker and instigator in the family.”

“You don’t say,” Sgt. Ryder commented with a shadow of doubt to his tone. But since he didn’t know any better, he took Hal’s word for it and continued to listen to Hal gripe about Frank for the next thirty minutes.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Although Frank knew something could have gone wrong, he felt strongly that it didn’t, so he waited outside the building where the labs were. Hanging in the darkness like some sort of criminal, he watched the lights finally go out in the building--for the second time. When they went out the first time he was certain it was safe to send Richie inside. But no sooner had he done that, the scientist returned. How was Frank to know they only took a break for a late dinner.

Knowing it was getting late and the chances were good that it was an all clear, Frank walked into the lab building.

He made it to the main lab, unlocking the door with his own keys. “Richie.” He called out in a whisper. “Richie.” Frank saw nothing.

Remembering what Richie told him about the back lab being located off of the cooler room, he headed back there. “Richie,” he continued to call in the darkness and then Frank heard it. A light banging. It seemed to come from that lab Richie had told him about.

“Look at this shit.” Frank placed his hands on his hips and looked around. “Is this decked out or what? This has to be for the bigwig. A desk . . .” He stopped when he heard the banging again. “What is that?” Scratching his head, Frank listened in to locate it when he saw the silver fridge sitting on the counter. “Oh, the Salicain.” His hand reached for the handle when again, he heard the banging. It was close to him, under him, and Frank squatted down. There was a cabinet under there with a large door. Frank placed his ear near there, hearing the light bang. Seeing the latch on the cabinet, Frank undid it and pulled on the door. The second it opened was the second Richie rolled out of the cabinet and on to the floor.

“Frank.” Richie stood up.

“What the hell are you doing in there?”

“I was stuck.”

“How did that happen?” Frank asked.

“They came back, Frank, like two minutes after you sent me in here. I had to hide. They latched it when I was in there.”

“Did they see you?”

“No.” Richie shook his head.

“Good.” Frank patted him on the back. “Did you get the Salicain.”

“No, they came in too fast.”

“Not a problem.” Frank pointed to the fridge and pulled on the handle. Locked. “Fuck.”

“Sorry, Frank.”

“No. That’s O.K.” Frank ran his hand over the top of his head and through his hair. “If we can’t get it, I think I have a back up for getting nosey fuckin Leo off my back.”

“Well I got news for you Frank. You better set whatever that plan is in motion and set it in motion fast.”

“Oh . . .uh . . . why is that?”

“Because I overheard them talking.” Richie said frantic. “Things are gonna get tight. That big shot all the hoopla is about. He arrives tomorrow.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“Thank you.” Joe hung up the call and turned to face those who gathered in Robbie’s living room. Robbie sat slumped on one end of the couch, Jess in the chair, and Dean and Ellen huddled so close, holding hands and leaning forward, they nearly shared a cushion. “O.K.” Joe spoke to them. “So we may not have to depend on Danny’s tracking anyhow. We’ll use it for Dean but we now know where Frank is.”

The gloom disappeared and all of them looked up at Joe.

“Binghamton, Alabama. A reserve base there.” Joe walked over and sat on the chair.

“How do you know where Frank is?” Robbie asked.

“Three of the UWA soldiers that helped him and Ellen were taken with him.” Joe explained. “He helped them escape.”

Robbie was curious. “Helped them escape. What about himself?”

Joe held up his hands. “They don’t know why he wouldn’t go. They asked him and he said nothing. Hal said they complained about him. Nothing new.” Joe reached into his pocket, grabbing a cigarette. “Dean leaves in four hours. They are going to go home and so am I. Jess and Robbie, you two head down to the social hall, mingle, do whatever. At 12:20 I want you two to leave, go the long way around to the living section, and watch the house for anyone. Got that.”

“Dad.” Robbie spoke up. “Why can’t I just follow Dean? Let me follow him to the gate. He can go but maybe I can see who will be tailing him. See George’s guy.”

“No,” Dean spoke up, clenching tightly to Ellen’s hand and looking as if he were dying inside. “I won’t take even the slightest chance with my family. Not the slightest, Robbie. It goes as planned. You and Jess watch my house while I leave.” He brought Ellen’s hand to his mouth, keeping it there, running his lips over it as he rocked back and forth.

“This is ridiculous.” Robbie stood up. “I can’t believe we’re just letting him walk out our gates. We’re handing Dean over.” Robbie’s voice was high and filled with emotion. “I know why we’re doing it, but Frank can take care of himself. We’ll watch the kids and Ellen. We’ll guard them with our lives. Let’s just send Jess to Binghamton, scout out the area, and get Frank.”

“And what?” Joe questioned. “Chance Dean not going out to that gate? Chance them shooting Frank on the spot down there? He’s the bargaining tool or one of them. If Dean doesn’t go, there are no guarantees for Frank, or worse, Ellen and the kids. Guard them, Robbie? From who?” Joe questioned. “Do you know? Do I know? No. We don’t even know who or where it would come from. Guarding blind is not smart. I don’t want Dean to walk out into George’s hands anymore than you do, but we all know he has too.” Joe stood up and paced. “We have him covered. The tracking device is hooked up to the communications room map. The bug is attached to Dean’s jeans. We’re good. We wait until the signal stops and we drop Jess near there. He scouts, takes pictures, and then we go back and get him. In a matter of a week, we have Dean and Frank back.” Joe sounded so certain. “Dean, we’ll have you back. I promise you with my life. Trust me. Just . . . trust me.”

“I do, Joe.” Dean closed his eyes briefly and held Ellen’s hand he stood up. “But right now I’d like to spend these last couple hours alone with my wife and kids.”

“I understand.” Slowly Joe nodded his head once. He laid his hand on Dean’s shoulder “We are with you out there. We’re watching you. You are not alone.” He placed his face close to Dean’s. “You are not alone.” Joe dropped his voice. “Take care of yourself for us.” As Dean passed him, Joe laid his hand on Ellen’s cheek and kissed her.

Robbie walked before Dean and extended his hand. “Be careful. I mean it,” he said with more seriousness than Dean had ever seen.

Dean shook his hand firmly. “I will. Watch my family.”

“With my life, Dean.” Robbie stepped back and out of the way.

Dean gave one more closed mouth and silent nod to everyone, then sadly he led Ellen from Robbie’s home.

^^^^

Quantico Marine Headquarters

No sooner had George placed on his favorite pair of blue checkered pajamas and turned off his bedroom light, than his phone rang. George stared at the receiver as it set on the night stand, calming himself before he picked it back up. He wanted to lash out, scream at Leonard for calling him, but seeing how it could have been important, George waited until his anger subsided.

He lifted the receiver to his ear. “Just for the record, Leonard, it’s midnight on this side of the country.”

“Yes, I know, but this is . . . is important,” Leonard told him. “It’s uh . . . . about Colonel Slagel. This Frank guy.”

“What about him.”

“Sir.” There was hesitation. “Sir, he . . .”

“Spit it out.”

“He frightens me, sir.”

“Yeah, so.”

“So he uh . . . . he uh . . . he . . .”

“Leonard!”

“He’s gay, sir.”

George rubbed his eyes. “He’s not gay.”

“Sir, he um . . . complimented my appearance.”

George hid his snicker. “It’s not a gay thing, Leonard, it’s a sexual necessity. Obviously though, with the amnesia, it must be something he had in him way before he and Henry had their thing. Now tell me how this is a risk to the Society?”

“It isn’t.” Leonard said.

“So where’s the problem?”

“I think he’s attracted to me.”

“Turn him down for crying out loud. He is not the first gay man you have run into. It’s common.”

“But uh . . . he uh is the first one that is as large as he is. What if he wants me?”

“Keep your distance. O.K. Now I’d like to hit the hay, Leonard. Don’t bother me anymore for this stupid shit. The only reason I don’t have your ass fired for this is because it amused me.”

“Yes, sir.”

George prepared to hang up but stopped. “And if it’s any consolation, I wouldn’t want him behind me either.” Leaving that as his last words, George hung up, enjoyed a moment of laughter, then finally crawled into bed.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Ellen’s eyes stayed focused on Dean’s shaking hands as he placed a photo of her and the kids into his duffel bag. She held the sheet close to her nude body, sitting in bed, her heart pounding as she watched him. The expression on his face was so sad. His head stayed down, his growing hair falling forward. Packing slowly as if he just hesitated a moment longer, his leaving may not have to occur.

“Dean.” The ‘zip’ of the duffel bag went straight through Ellen from her stomach to her heart.

Quietly he lifted the bag and placed it on the floor by the foot of the bed. He reached for his shirt, grabbed it, and walked up to Ellen. “I have to be going soon.”

“Not yet. We still have time.”

An emotional single laugh came from Dean. “Still have time,” he spoke softly and sat on the bed.

“We still have time.” Her hand ran up his bare chest, moved to his neck, and pulled him to her. “Spend just a few more moments with me, please. I need to be close to you again.”

Dean closed his eyes and softly grazed his lips against hers. “If I crawl back in this bed with you, I won’t wanna leave.”

“You don’t wanna leave anyhow.” Ellen pulled at him. “Just one more moment.” Her lips parted his as she laid back.

Following Ellen’s lead, Dean brought his knee up to the bed and his body down to hers. Softly he kissed her. His bare chest met hers and he wrapped his arms tightly around her. It was the first time in Dean’s entire life that he could actually recall his heart hurting as he made love to Ellen. An ache filled him with each kiss, each move of his body. He made love to Ellen slowly and as if it would be his last time, holding her tight and trying to consume her in, as if he could take a piece of her with him. He needed so badly to steal something at that moment that would last, that he could carry with him and give him the strength to do what he had to do. Dean was so frightened, scared of what was going to happen to him. And he buried that, hiding it deep within him. Dean wanted nothing to ruin their final, tender goodbye.

^^^^

“Anything?” Jess asked Robbie as they sat deep in the underdeveloped section watching Dean’s house.

“Nope.” Robbie handed the infrared binoculars to Jess. “See if you can see anything.”

“I know what you’re thinking.” Jess lifted the binoculars to his eye level. “You’re thinking no one is watching Dean’s house, so no one will see me follow Dean.”

Robbie was silent.

“Robbie?”

“I have to do it.”

“You have to stay put.”

“What if . . . what if . . I follow Dean. I can do this. What if I see who it is working for George and take him or her out. Then the threat against Dean’s family is over and we go after Frank.”

“And what about what your father said?” Jess asked. “Huh? What about Frank?”

“Frank can take care of himself.”

“Not if they have a gun to his head right now waiting for the news that Dean is secure.” Jess lowered the binoculars. “This is the only way, Robbie.”

“No it’s not.” Robbie stood up.

“Sit down, Robbie,” Jess ordered.

“I have to do this.” Robbie started to walk.

“Robbie.” Jess stood up. “I am under orders from your father.”

“For what?” Robbie said with sarcasm as he moved. He stopped when he heard the clicking of a gun’s chamber. He slowly turned around to see Jess pointing a gun with a silencer on it at him. “What the hell, Jess?”

“I am under orders from your father to watch you and incapacitate you if you interfere.”

“You wouldn’t.”

Jess held the gun steady in an aim at Robbie’s leg. “Robbie, you’re my friend. I care about you. But if you come close to jeopardizing the lives of those kids in that house, I will do what I have to do to protect them first.”

“You’re fucked. You know that.”

“Yeah well, the world’s fucked. The whole situation is fucked. But that doesn’t mean we can take matters into our own hands, especially when innocent lives are at stake. Sit down, Robbie, and watch the house with me.”

Robbie closed his eyes. “Jess.”

“Sit down, Robbie.”

Letting out a long huff, Robbie tossed his hands up and moved back to where he was. “I won’t forget this, pulling a fuckin gun on me.”

Jess put the gun away into his harness. He sat down at the same time as Robbie did. He handed Robbie the binoculars.

Robbie snatched them from his hand. He was angry, he was bitter, but he would do exactly what he was supposed to do, especially after realizing Jess was dead serious. But then so was the situation that was about to go down.

^^^^

Billy was the last kid Dean kissed. His lips stayed upon Billy’s cheek for the longest of time, smelling his son, whispering to the sleeping child how much he loved him and would miss him. Dean’s heart was breaking.

Painfully Ellen watched him. She held her arms tightly to her body trying so desperately to stop herself from shaking. Her body quivered from top to bottom. She felt so cold and her heart beat strongly. Her breath escaped her when Dean laid his hand on her cheek, picked up his duffle bag outside of Billy’s bedroom then walked without saying anything to the living room.

“Dean!” Ellen raced after him. He was reaching for the door. “Oh God.” She flew forward, slamming it shut with her body. “What are you doing?”

“Ellen.” He closed his eyes. “Please. I can’t say goodbye. Please just let me walk out.”

“Don’t you leave without saying goodbye to me. Don’t you do it. Look at me.”

Dean lowered his head.

“Dean.” She reached her shaking hand for his chin. “I love you,” she spoke softly and with passion. “Don’t think a minute or second of the day isn’t going to go by without me thinking of you. My heart’s breaking. Don’t leave without looking at me and saying goodbye.” There was silence. “Please.” It was so quiet their breathing was actually heard. “Please.”

Dean swallowed. Feeling her breath and hearing her words, he dropped the duffel bag with a thump to the floor, and Dean grabbed hold of Ellen. With such force, he pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her, exhaling an aching moan as her body touched his and his face pressed to hers. “El, I love you. I love you so much.”

A single sob came from Ellen as her fists clenched his shirt wanting to hold him there forever.

“I have to go.” He laid his lips to her cheek. “I have to go.” Dean stepped back, running his hand across her face, feeling her tear that fell across his hand.

Ellen shivered, sniffling hard as she watched Dean pick up his bag, toss it over his shoulder and reach for the door handle. “Dean. I love you.”

Dean opened the door and took one long look at Ellen. He paused before leaving, reached out his hand, clenched behind her neck, and pulled her back to him. He pressed his lips hard to hers. He kissed her long and with emotion, putting everything his heart felt into that one single goodbye kiss. Softly he released her, sliding his fingers across her cheek. “I love you. Goodbye, El.” While his strength to do it was up, Dean turned away from her and walked out the door, pulling it closed behind him.

“Dean.” The second the door closed, Ellen dropped into it. Filled with so much hurt, she laid her forehead to it and pounded her fist once against the wood. “Goodbye.”

^^^^

Quantico Marine Headquarters

George had set his alarm so as to be awake when the call came. Sitting on the edge of his bed, the light on, he jumped from his skin with excitement when the phone rang. “Yes,” he spoke rapidly. “Yes, he’s on his way to the gate?” George closed his eyes in gratefulness. “You stay back, you hear. You don’t let a soul see you at all. No, it’s too risky, trust me . . . No.” George shook his head. “I don’t care if it’s clear. You take top priority with me. I told you this before. I love you. You know that. With you, I take no chances.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Timed perfectly as instructed, Dean stood by the unlocked back gate. It set some up on a hill and he turned around, taking one more long last look at the home he was about to leave. The buzzing of the perimeter shutting down for the nightly check jolted Dean as if he touched the electricity of it. When the buzzing finished, he pushed on the gate, stepping through and closing it. So strongly his heart beat and Dean could not breath.

He stood alone. He heard nothing. He saw nothing.

Just as he began to think that something had gone wrong, plans had suddenly changed, he heard a quick shuffle of leaves behind him. Before Dean could turn around, he heard a popping sound and felt a strong painful pinch hit to the back of his neck. A burning made him cringe and an unbearable pain filled his head as he felt the hot liquid move through the veins of his neck. The dark back gate area spun around him and grew even darker. Out of focus and blurry, Dean’s eyes felt heavy, his legs felt weak. The duffle bag slipped from Dean’s shoulder and fell to the ground. Within seconds of that . . . so did Dean.

HEROES . . .

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

September 25

Beginnings, Montana

With a gasping breath, Ellen sat straight up on the couch, suddenly awoken from her sleep. She looked at her watched and sadly moaned, closing her eyes as if the time caused her pain.

“You’re up?” Robbie walked from the hall into the living room. His hair was wet. He was dressed neatly and ready for work. “Why don’t you lay back down?”

“I can’t.” Ellen stood up from the couch. “I didn’t even mean to fall asleep. I didn’t want to, not last night.”

“I made coffee. You want some?” Robbie asked, watched Ellen nod, and moved toward the kitchen. His stride slowed when he saw the note, Dean’s note, on the breakfast counter. “When are you showing this to Henry?”

Ellen ran her fingers through her hair, walked to the breakfast counter, and sat on a stool. “Do I have to?”

“El.” Robbie poured her a cup of coffee, laying it in front of her.

“I know. I know. This morning. I’m calling him to come over.” She lifted her coffee. “What time did Jess leave last night? I fell asleep.”

Robbie snickered. “So did I. Remember I went to bed while you guys were watching that old movie.”

“How are you going to explain his leaving?” Ellen asked.

“Everyone in Beginnings knows about his family and how most of them survived. He already filed papers with my Dad asking for permission to visit a small town in Canada where other family members lived.”

“Robbie, that’s really dumb. Who’s gonna buy it?”

“Who cares.” Robbie brought the ‘traveling’ tin cup, as he called it, to his lips. “I’d better get to work. I have to start working on a security team to go with my Dad on the run.” Robbie walked from the kitchen and kissed Ellen on the forehead. “I’ll check in with you all day. O.K.?”

“O.K.” She grabbed his hand as he stepped back. “You’re bringing some things over tonight, right?”

“Yep. El,” Robbie lowered his voice. “Dean is fine.”

“I’ll feel better when I get his phone call. I know it.”

“Just don’t change the demeanor too much. And get mad.” Robbie made a growling face which caused Ellen to laugh. “Got to go. Call Henry.” He pointed as he walked to the door. “And take a shower or something. Today you seek out a new man.”

Ellen closed her eyes, swaying her head as Robbie left. Though down, she enjoyed the little smile Robbie brought to her face, but that smile soon left her when she picked up her coffee mug and, for what seemed the hundredth time, reread Dean’s letter.

^^^^

Quantico Marine Headquarters

As if he were walking in a department store of soldiers, George paced himself slowly, hands behind his back as he moved through the lines and lines of motionless, standing, and staring soldiers. They could have been statues. They did not blink or seem to breath. Nodding his head with almost an approval, George approached Sgt. Landers who stood at the front of the gymnasium style building.

“Sergeant.”

“Mr. President.” Sgt. Landers saluted him.

“You can go ahead and move these men to programming. I want them shipped down to Binghamton day after tomorrow.”

“Yes sir.”

Nothing more was said by George. He walked slowly from the CME showcase and out of the building. Dean was on his way. Binghamton was well on its way to being one of the top five sites. That’s what they had planned, the military, the technology. There would be reluctance at first. George expected that, but he was also certain that would change. As soon as Dean saw what the Society was trying to accomplish and he realized his family would be with him by Christmas, Dean’s whole outlook would change. Because Dean was a man who stayed where his priorities laid, and it wouldn’t be long by George’s time frame, that Dean’s priorities--his family--would be right alongside with him.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Frank wanted to think that it amazed him when actually it amused him as he watched the men training in a field before him. He could see Leonard engaged in conversation with another ambassador and a Society sergeant. Leonard, who the day before was breathing so hard down Frank’s neck that moisture formed there, now was no closer than ten feet from Frank. He didn’t think his face showed his amusement. Obviously it did.

“What’s so funny?” Richie placed a clipboard in front of Frank. “Look like your signing this.”

“What is it?”

“Just sign it.”

“No. I shouldn’t sign anything.”

“Frank, it’s orders for me to be on guard patrol at the new scientist’s home.”

“Oh.” Frank lifted the pen and signed the form. “Did I order these? Just so I know.” Frank looked at Richie.

“Yes.”

“Good thinking.”

“Thanks.” Richie tucked the clipboard under his arm. “Me being the guard will enable me to stop by your house afterwards. That way no one is suspicious why I’m in the area. I’d better give these to the security Sergeant standing with Leonard. See ya, Frank.”

“You do that. Tell Leo I said hi.” Frank laughed.

Richie shook his head, carrying the clipboard, and made an apprehensive approach to Leonard, the other ambassador, and the Sergeant. “Excuse me, Sergeant. Colonel Slagel said to give you these orders. He wants me placed on the house detail list for the new arrival.”

Leonard intercepted the orders and looked at them. “Mr. Martin, the Sergeant here was just informing me that you were Colonel Slagel’s private assistant prior to my arrival. Is that true?”

“Um . . .” Richie shifted his eyes to the sergeant. “Yes.”

“He said you two were close.”

Richie swallowed. “Yes. See, we go back before the plague sir. President Hadley is aware of . . .”

“Why are you not his assistant now. Is it because of me?” Leonard asked.

“I think. I think with me being what I am . . . . you know . . . he didn’t want that to get in the middle of any relationship you two may have.”

“I see.” Leonard looked at the Sergeant and the ambassador. “Excuse us.” He placed a firm hand on Richie’s arm, leading him back to Frank.

“Shit. What did I do?” Richie asked him.

Leonard walked up behind Frank and tapped him on the shoulder with the clipboard. “Colonel Slagel.”

Frank turned around and smiled. “Leonard.”

Leonard handed Frank the clipboard. “You’re a busy man. I think perhaps it’s best that you reinstate Private Martin here as your assistant. You two were close before. Perhaps that is the best working relationship there can be. Think about it.” Leonard didn’t wait for a response. He walked away.

“Wow.” Richie grinned. “Frank, he like just handed me over to you. Wonder why he did that? He doesn’t even care that were close. He want us to be together.”

“I guess my plan to keep him away from me worked.”

“Sure did.” Richie smiled. “What was the plan? What did you do?”

“Made him think I was gay.”

Richie’s eyes widened as he watched Frank turn back around to supervise the training men. He didn’t know what to say, but he did know now why Leonard, the sergeant, and the other ambassadors were giving him them funny looks.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Dear Ellen,

You are probably wondering right now if I am at the clinic. If you go there, you’ll see I’m not. In fact ,by the time you get this note, I will be long gone from Beginnings. I didn’t want to leave you or the kids, but my work calls for me to be where it is needed most and I could do more with it. I was made an offer by the Society and I found myself in a position that I didn’t want to turn down. That’s where I will work now. That’s where I will live. I hope that one day, both sides can see eye to eye and then maybe, you and I can live together as a family, once again. I love you always. Dean.

Henry looked as if his heart were broken as he raised his eyes from Dean’s letter. The sensitivity he was feeling for Ellen reflected in his eyes as they glossed some in sadness. He looked so upset as he sat at the breakfast counter that Ellen couldn’t look at him. She just couldn’t face him and she turned her back.

“El.” Henry’s voice cracked. “El, I am so, so sorry.”

“Henry, I just don’t want to talk . . .”

“I wondered when you called me, why you sounded so down, and why you needed me here. Does anyone else know?”

Ellen shook her head. “I came to you first. The community is going to wonder. You’re the leader, Henry.”

“I’m your friend, El. I’m your friend.”

Ellen swallowed and turned to face him. Her insides shook staring at Henry.

“El, There has to be a mistake. O.K.” Henry held the note up. “I don’t believe Dean would do this.”

Follow the plan? Lie to Henry? Ellen tried to do it but the words failed to come from her mouth. Quickly she searched her mind for truthful words that would not give it all away. “No, Henry. He left for the Society. I know it.”

“How?”

“He was talking to George yesterday.”

Horrified, Henry turned instantly pale. “El, you have to . . .”

“I can’t talk anymore. Not now. O.K.? Not now.” Biting her bottom lip, Ellen hurried from the kitchen, pausing to look at Henry as she raced out of the room.

Like Ellen did earlier, only from a leader’s stand point, Henry read Dean’s letter.

^^^^

Poplar Bluff, Missouri

It had to be the jerk of the movement that caused Dean to finally open his eyes. He was lying on his side, yet his feet were on the floor. His hand rested against a velvety softness, and moving his eyes some, Dean saw the grey color. His senses began to kick in as he awakened more. The moving had a bit of shift to it. He heard the sound of an engine, but not a motor vehicle, but nothing gave it away to Dean more than the long loud whistle that blew.

“A train?” Dean said out loud and sat straight up. When he did he get glimpse of the small private compartment he was in, he was alone. He looked out the window to see the outdoors moving quickly by him. “I’m on a train?”

His stomach flipped and his head spun. So much nausea filled Dean at that moment that his mouth salivated and it took everything he had to keep from up heaving onto the floor. He felt as if he were feeling the effects of anesthesia. When that thought hit him, he remembered the pinch and he reached his hand behind his neck. His fingers felt the dried bump of blood and how tender the area was. He had been drugged and that was the injection site. He didn’t see it coming and by the time he heard it, it was over. Dean physically felt bad at that moment, wanting only to lay back down and go to sleep again. And if his stomach wasn’t sick enough, it became ten times worse when Dean looked at his watch and saw he had been away from home for eight and a half hours. How far away from them was he? He knew for sure it was further than he ever had been or ever wanted. And he would only get further away, because that train kept moving and it was moving fast.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“Damn it.” John Matoose reached for his belt as he and Jenny sat in the ‘Joe’ park. “I forgot my radio.”

“How can you forget your radio, John? You wear it.”

“Yeah, but I was under the counter in the communications room with Danny, fixing the connections, and I took it off.”

“Just go get it after our little breakfast break.” Jenny handed John a muffin

“I really should get it now. Do you mind?” John asked.

“Hurry up. Forrest only teaches art for a half hour.” Jenny told him

“Be right back.” John kissed Jenny on the cheek and darted away.

Joe, Robbie, and Jess watched Dean’s tracking signal move steadily in the communications room.

Joe, staring at the wall map with one arm folded across his waist, spoke up. “He definitely is going that way. Hal.”

Hal’s voice came over the speaker. “So he looks like he’s heading to Frank.”

“Looks that way,” Joe stated.

“Then, really, preparation time for Jess’ trip should be minimal. I can get as much detail as possible from my men when it comes to location,” Hal said.

“That might not be a bad idea. Get what you can, but we still won’t know anything until that signal stops steady. Right now, the most we have seen it at a standstill is ten minutes.” Joe stepped back some and stared at the wall speaker.

“Steady, still signal then send Jess out to scout. Good idea. But here’s the problem I see, Dad,” Hal spoke. “ . . . Jess.”

Immediately Robbie looked at Jess then to the speaker on the wall as if he were going to be speaking to his brother. “What the fuck ,Hal?”

“No, Robbie, not what the fuck.” Hal came back. “He’s one man, Robbie. You think it’s wise to send one man alone out there to scout this reserve base? I don’t. I think it’s foolish and I have never sent a man out alone. Ever.”

Joe swayed his head to Robbie.

Robbie, whose arms were folded, lifted a hand. “What do you want me to do? I’d go but I can’t. I have security here to run.”

“Is there someone else you can trust?” Hal asked. “If not, let me send one of my men with Jess. They are actually quite proficient in scouting Society camps. It’s only a matter of making their minds snap back to the old world and adapt to your more technical surveillance ways.”

Robbie rolled his eyes at his brother’s words. “God, are you dramatic?”

“Excuse me?” Hal came back.

“Why couldn’t you just say, ‘my guys know how to scout Society camps. One should go with Jess.”

“Because there is more to it,” Hal defended.

“Like what?” Robbie asked. “They don’t remember how to use a camera? A camera, Hal, not a technical surveillance way.”

Hal remained big-brother calm. “Robbie, you’re irritated. You’re probably tired. I’m going to forget this tone you’re handing me, but make no bones about it, if I was there, I’d nail you.”

Robbie laughed. “With or without your sword, Hal?”

“Robert!” Joe yelled. “What the hell is with you? Huh.”

“Oh no.” Robbie held out his hand to Joe. “You can’t ask me that when you gave Jess orders to shoot me in the leg if I went against the plan and tried to follow Dean?”

“Obviously you tried to go against the plan or you wouldn’t have known this.”

“Uh Dad?” Hal interrupted. “You gave someone orders to shoot your own son?”

“Hell yeah,” Joe stated. “When innocent lives are at stake, son or no son, he is not immune. And don’t think for one second I wouldn’t have you shot either for the same thing. But enough of this shit. Tension is high, I understand that. Robbie, are you going to close the attitude so we can discuss this?”

“Yeah.” Robbie nodded, stepped back, and leaned against the far wall by the open door. “I’m sorry. Hal. I’m worried about Dean, worried about Frank, and now you have me worried about Jess.”

Jess gave a closed mouth look at Robbie. “Just show up to get me when you’re supposed to and I’ll be fine. I really can do this alone.”

Joe looked at him. “But should you? Hal has a valid point.” Joe’s eyebrow raised when he heard this little voice, high tone, whiney, and murmuring, ‘Hal has a valid point’. Joe turned his head over his shoulder to look back. “Robbie! Knock it off! Christ.” Joe returned to the speaker. “O.K. Hal, pick out a man. I’ll send the chopper down there for . . .”

“No need, Joe.” The new voice entered in the room.

Joe spun from his speaker view to see a very sweaty and nervous looking John Matoose. “Shit.”

John took a step. “No need to bring someone in Joe.”

“Dad?” Hal called out. “Is everything O.K.?”

“Let me get back to you, Hal.” Joe told Hal. Then not removing his eyes from John, Joe disconnected the call. “What did you hear John.”

“I . . . was I was coming back for . . . for . . .”

“What did you hear!” Joe blasted. His hand slammed hard on the counter.

John grew even more jittery. “I . . . I heard Dean left to . . . to help . . .Frank. You’re sending Jess to scout, alone and . . .” There was a vocal shudder of fear that came from John when he felt the cold metal of a revolver barrel pressing to his temple. “Oh God.” John tried to shift his eyes.

Robbie held the gun firmly against John’s skin. He stepped closer to him. He spoke so closely his breath was hot against John. “You know too much.” He clicked back the hammer on the revolver.

“No,” John cried out.

Jess sprang forward. “Robbie no!”

“Robert,” Joe spoke calmly.

“What am I supposed to do?” Robbie asked emotionally. “Let him get away? We let him get away with too much. This piece of shit wanders freely around our community while my brother is taken by the Society. Dean had to give up his family for the Society.” He pressed the gun harder.

“Joe.” John’s body shook, his lips trembled, and beads of sweat formed like a mustache on him. “Joe, please. Please, I just want to help. I did this community wrong. Let me go with Jess. Let me go scout with him. I swear on my wife, Joe, I need to do this. I need to do this.”

Joe walked toward John Matoose. “I can’t trust you.”

“I know.” John breathed heavily. “Let me try to get that back. I have come to you with everything I know. Let me gain something back before I’m kicked out or killed. If I can help to get Frank back, or Dean, let me. Joe . . . didn’t I tell you Frank was alive. I know how George works. I told you he would contact you. I’m begging you, Joe. Begging you. Lock me up until it’s time to leave, but let me leave and do this.”

Joe ran his hand slowly down his face and took a step back. He stared at his son, so coldly holding the gun to John. “Robert.” Joe motioned his head downward. “Let him go.”

“Dad.”

“Let him go. John will hang with Jess until evening and then we’ll tell Jenny he’s on special detail to go with Jess. He’ll get locked in holding without any communication until sun up.”

Robbie did not want to put down the gun. “Dad, don’t do this.”

“Robert, put down the gun. If I was gonna let you shoot him, you think I would let you shoot him in here. Christ no. Put down the gun.”

Jess watched Robbie apprehensively lower his weapon. “You shouldn’t shoot him anyhow.” He saw the surprised looks he got from Joe and Robbie. “I mean, why would you take even the slightest chance shooting him without proving to the community he was involved with George? Hell, I’d just tell everyone he’s up doing rounds at sector thirty-two. Tie him to a tree and leave him there. Let whatever got Marv dine on him.”

Robbie grinned at Jess’ suggestion. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”

“Thanks, Robbie.”

Joe turned slightly and grumbled. “Oh boy.” He faced Jess. “Take John and brief him.. Brief, Jess, O.K.?”

“Yes.” Jess took John’s arm. “Let’s go, John.”

John resisted so to speak to Joe. “Joe, thank you for this. I won’t let you down. I promise.”

“Yeah-yeah.” Joe nodded as Jess led John out.

“Dad.” Robbie rushed to him. “How could you do this? How can you just let John be a part of the most vital plan we have going now?”

“Don’t question it, Robbie.”

“But Dad.”

“Robbie, don’t question it.” Joe stayed firm. “If John is serious about trying to make amends, let’s get everything we can out of him. If he’s not, it’ll be easy to tell out there. John is not a smart man. If that’s the case, Jess will see it and . . . John won’t be coming back to Beginnings.”

^^^^

The physical therapy room was hardly ever used. In fact it was utilized twice in Ellen’s recollection. Once for Joe when he first came out of the Salicain and the second time was what Ellen witnessed as she peered into the room. The Society soldier, Tom Collins, who was shot in the back defecting, walked using the help of bars and Melissa as a guide. Ellen applauded him when he made it to the end. “Excellent.”

Tom smiled and so did Melissa. Not a week earlier, Tom was ninety-percent wheel chair dependant. Ellen supposed it was that crush he had on Melissa that gave him motivation because by what Ellen learned by his charts, Tom made the best progress when Melissa worked with him. Ellen thought Tom was kinda of cute in a barely pubescent militia sort-of-way and she actually encouraged Melissa to show some interest back to Tom as well. One, it would help him, hating when she told her ‘get Tom back on his feet’. And two, telling Melissa that Mark was a bore and Gene was old, at the very least, with Tom not even twenty, it could prove sexually interesting for her. One task Ellen visually learned through a medical procedure was that Tom was physically capable of performing. But Melissa laughed at her, thinking Ellen was funny when she was dead serious. But to Ellen, that secret sisterhood telekinetic-message-thing told her Melissa had the suggestion in the back of her mind. Why else would she be doing that, wide grin, flip of the hair, flirting thing all women do?

Ellen was snapped out of watching Tom and Melissa when she felt the gentle hand lay on her shoulder. She looked back. “Andrea.”

“How are you?” Andrea asked with compassion.

“Fine,” Ellen stated. “Just watching. He’s doing well.”

“Yes, he is. Melissa does wonders for him.”

Ellen snickered. “I’m heading to the lab. Wanna walk with me?”

“Yes.” Andrea began to walk with Ellen. “I didn’t get a chance to speak to you this morning. Seems you’ve been avoiding me.”

“I’ve pretty much been avoiding everyone.”

“Why is that?” Andrea asked.

Ellen just gazed at her.

“Talk about town toward you is not negative.” Andrea walked into the lab with Ellen.

“I didn’t want to take a chance of finding that out.”

“Robbie told me there was some fear of that. Trust me, no one is looking at you as a traitor, just a victim.

Ellen closed her eyes as the word ‘victim’ raced through her mind. “Andrea, I really don’t want to talk about this. I’m very . . .” Ellen paused.

“Angry? Bitter?”

“Yes.” Ellen was relieved Andrea answered her. All of her life lying was to Ellen until she really had to lie about something she didn’t want to. Lying about her husband, making him out to be a bad guy, when he actually was a hero, killed Ellen.

“You should be angry and bitter. And . . .” Andrea looked serious to Ellen. “Right now we have to talk. You and I.”

“About?”

“Dean and his leaving for the Society.” Andrea walked over to the lab door and closed it. “Now . . .”

“Ellen.” The lab door burst open and Jenny ran in. “Oh Ellen.” She sounded so distraught. “You surfaced.”

Ellen shifted her eyes from Andrea to Jenny. “I surfaced?”

“You’ve been hiding all day.”

“Jenny, Andrea and I . . .”

“Ellen,” Andrea interrupted her. “You and I will speak later, dear. O.K.? Talk to Jenny.” Andrea stepped to Ellen, kissing her on the cheek. “All will be fine. I promise you.” She gave a slight smile to Ellen and Jenny and left.

Jenny watched Andrea. “Weird,” she told Ellen after Andrea departed. “Anyway . . .”

“Jenny, I’m not wanting to talk.”

“O.K.” Jenny pulled up a stool. “But you have to listen.” She sat down. “I have been giving lots of thought to this. Lots.”

“Jenny . . .”

“No, Ellen listen. Dean didn’t leave. I mean he left, but he didn’t just leave. I read the note. Sorry. Robbie showed it to me. Henry wouldn’t. He was being a dick and said it was none of my business.”

Ellen blinked. Jenny was rambling so fast. “What are you talking about?”

“Dean’s letter. The Society made him an offer and he was in a position where he didn’t want to turn it down. Blackmail. Ellen! They blackmailed him into leaving. Threatened him with you and the kids somehow. He left to protect you, if, if, they didn’t take him. No one is gonna tell me someone isn’t in Beginnings working for George. How else does he get one step ahead of us so much? No and I’m starting a campaign to search for him. Ellen.” Jenny reached over and grabbed Ellen’s hand. “Dean is too good. There is no way he would do this. No way.”

“Jenny.” Ellen was hesitant. “Where did you get this all from?”

“The note.”

“I read the note too.”

“Yeah, but I bet you didn’t read between the lines, did you? Read between the lines, Ellen, and read it again. Not once did he mention in there he wanted to be a part of the Society. Not once.”

“Shit.” Ellen raced to the door. “Thank you, Jenny.”

“Oh sure. No problem. We’ll start right away.”

Jenny was pleased. She had gotten through to Ellen and she knew it wouldn’t be long before she got through to everyone else as well. Ellen knew that and that was why she raced out of the clinic. What had Dean done? It wasn’t intentional but somehow Dean failed to make that note believable. Knowing where Jenny’s thinking was and the power of persuasion Jenny had with everyone, it was very conceivable that the whole plan could go awry and deadly if the people of Beginnings failed to think that Dean abandoned them. Ellen had to find Robbie and they had to do something quickly before everyone started thinking that way and pushed for Jenny’s ‘let’s save Dean’ campaign.

^^^^

Andrea was at the clinic and the kids were in school. The house was perfectly empty when Joe walked in and went straight to his bedroom. In the back of the closet was Andrea’s ‘treasure box’, her private personal things that detailed her life. She let no one see it and Joe never had the urge to until now. Pulling the locked box from the closet, he set it on the bed and began to pick the lock. It wasn’t right what he was doing, this was his wife, and Joe knew it. But it also was an investigation and under circumstances like that, it was no holds bar.

Joe undid the small lock and lifted lid. An over abundance of perfume fragrance whipped at him and Joe sneezed. Despite what seemed like an allergic booby trap for Joe, he began to rummage. Looking through, with one hand and covering his nose with the other, Joe halted. Nasal and stuffy and through his sneezes, he smiled and spoke out loud to himself. “Well, well, well. What do we have here.”

^^^^

“A smear campaign?” Robbie seemed shocked that Ellen would suggest the idea to him. “El.”

“No Robbie, Jenny is right. I memorized that note. He subconsciously refused to admit he turned against us. We have to start a smear campaign.”

“Well Henry is not helping.” Robbie stated, his hand tapping on the counter of the clinic lab.

“What do you mean?” Ellen asked.

“He refuses to talk about it to anyone. The men are saying when they question him, he’s telling them there is a misunderstanding. El . . . . people just don’t want to turn their back on Dean. I’m trying.”

“I know you are.” Ellen tapped him on the cheek. “I appreciate it. All right.” She took a deep breath. “Think. We can’t take a chance of Dean or Frank being endangered because of this community’s loyalty to my husband.”

Robbie laughed.

“What?” Ellen asked.

“It has to make you feel good though, the fact that no one wants to believe it.”

Ellen smiled. “Yeah it does. Anyway . . .” She looked at her watch. “I’d better be going. I have to meet Danny in the cryo -lab in half hour and I want to stop by the school first.”

“Yeah, I have to go too. I have to meet my dad. He just radioed me.”

“See you later?”

“You bet.” Robbie kissed her on her cheek and as Ellen walked out, Johnny walked in. “Hey John.” Robbie started to leave.

“Uncle Robbie,” Johnny called out. “Can I speak to you?”

“Um . . . sure.”

Johnny peered out the door to make sure Ellen was gone. “O.K., can I stop?”

“Stop what?”

“Stop seeing Bev. Dean’s gone so there’s no threat to El. Can I stop? I had to have sex with her three times last night.”

Robbie’s mouth dropped open. “And you want to stop?”

Johnny shuddered. “She gives me the creeps. I keep thinking in a month she’s gonna tell me she’s having my kid.” Johnny shuddered dramatically again. “Please?”

“I guess now it’s O.K. I’ll talk to Pap about it for you. I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks.” Johnny grinned as Robbie walked out. “Wait a sec.” He scratched his head in confusion, speaking to himself. “That’s not fair. If I don’t want to be with her anymore, I shouldn’t have to ask my Pap.”

High and pleasantly, his name was sung out.“Johnny.”

Johnny spun around and looked. “Shit.”

Bev walked in and closed the door. She snickered and wiggled her fingers.

Johnny whined.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

That button on his Levi’s was so shiny that Dean wondered if anyone even noticed. The bright autumn sun seemed to reflect off of it as he sat in the back of the huge truck. He had just finished checking his duffle bag during the half hour trip and everything was in there. Now all that was on Dean’s mind was that button and tracking device that Danny incorporated into it. The truck slowed down to a stop. Dean prayed at that moment that the tracking device worked, because even though the ‘Binghamton Reserve Base’ sign was faded, it was clear to Dean he had reached his destination.

He had finished his personal training so Frank took his break in the office he had cooled down to nearly sixty degrees. Away from the Society workers, soldiers, and away from Leonard, Frank wanted to be alone and he wanted to hide out because he had just received word that the scientist had just arrived and Frank wanted to stay as far away from him as possible.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“One out of three.” Joe told Robbie as he handed him a Beginnings envelope. “If Andrea had sent all three of those letters to Jake, why did she only keep one of them?”

Robbie checked out the post mark. “This date coincides with the history log. And you only found one.”

“Only one.”

“Which could very easily mean your wife mailed one to back up her story and the other two letters . . .”

“Her warning to her lover George, perhaps?” Joe raised his eyebrow.

“Perhaps.”

Joe took the letter back. “However, it’s still not conclusive enough. I got my secret spies now trailing Rev. Bob. You keep up on him. Be his buddy.”

“I’m on it.” Robbie started to walk with his father. “But I wish this investigation would wind down soon, Dad. It’s getting on my nerves. I feel like I’m sitting in the movie ‘Titanic’ all over again.”

“Stuck in a situation that doesn’t want to end?” Joe snickered. “I’m with ya. But . . .” He laid his hand on Robbie’s back. “My gut tells me this is gonna be over soon. Real soon. And before long, we’ll know exactly what person or persons are Georgie Porgy’s helpful hands.”

^^^^

The temperature gauge to the case was bent outward at an angle for easier access. The freezer, Dean’s freezer, in the special lab was pulled out a few inches from the wall. The only light in the dark lab was the thin beam of the penlight that shined upon the numeric dial of the thermostat. Hands worked quickly and precise on the temperature gauge, replacing the back piece of it. When it was finished and put back together, the needle bobbed back and forth and then it went steady at a perfect temperature. After the gauge was straightened back up, the freezer was rolled to its normal position. The penlight went out and Henry smiled, stuck that miniature flashlight in his pocket and walked from the special lab, securing the door behind him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Beginnings, Montana

Though his morning reports dictated that the guard who walked perimeter thirty-two saw nothing, Robbie insisted he do the afternoon rounds. Foregoing all possible Neville points, he stopped by tracking, getting a confirmation from Mark that activity was sporadic, still rapid, and the signal growing. Yet Robbie spotted nothing as he gazed into the large field. There was a certain smell up there that seemed to linger. An odd smell that Robbie couldn’t put his finger on, but knew. And though he didn’t see anything, Robbie felt something. He felt as if he were being watched, that feeling of being stared through, sensed, and observed. He stood there for a while, waiting, and hoping something would jump out at him. His rifle was aimed high and his concentration solid, but part of Robbie knew nothing would happen or go after him. It was not out of the animal’s fear of him, but the animal’s knowledge of him. A good hunter never judges rashly, never jumps the gun, and that was why whatever it was would not attack Robbie. Because whatever it was, was actually the hunter and Robbie was the prey.

^^^^

What was that purple spot? It was tiny and perfectly round, scar -like, right behind Bev’s ear. Johnny stared wildly at it in wonder, knowing he had seen that same mark somewhere else but he just could not put his finger on it. He never noticed it before, but then again he never looked that closely at Bev. He was towering over her as she leaned on the counter in distribution, her head tilted allowing the visibility of that mark. Was it part of what Ellen did to her? Johnny kept on staring. He just knew it would bother him. He knew it.

“Johnny?” Bev snapped her finger.

“Huh?”

“You’re staring.”

“Yeah I am. What is this gross mark right here?” Johnny pointed to her neck.

Bev tsked and stood up right letting her shorter hair cover it. “It’s not a gross mar. It’s a birth mark.”

“It’s gross looking.”

Bev rolled her eyes slightly with a gasp. “So is this how you’re doing it? Insulting me to give into this break up?”

“It’s not a break up Bev. It’s a cessation of sexual activity with you.”

“Why? I like you, Johnny.”

“You bore me, Bev, and you give me the creeps, especially now since I seen this . . .” He reached his finger for the fascinating scar but she swiped his hand away.

“Johnny, look, I’ll learn new things. We have to be together.”

“We have to not. Now I have to get out of here.” He let out a long sigh. “Wow, I feel good. Take it easy, Bev.”

“What am I supposed to do now?”

“Um . . .” Johnny snapped his finger. “Go after Henry. He’s leader now. Lots of prestige.” He turned around to leave distribution, and turned around to see Henry. “Oh hey, Henry.”

“Thanks, Johnny,” Henry grumbled.

“No problem,. Thought I’d help you out.” Johnny grinned and walked out.

Henry thought he saw Bev stepping to him but he didn’t know if it was his imagination or not, so he hurried to the back of distribution. “Joe?”

“Come on back, Henry. Just getting the afternoon distribution ready.”

Henry stepped into the back room. “You wanted to see me, Joe?”

“Yeah, Henry.” Joe was hunched over a box. He stood up, reached in his back pocket, and pulled out the envelope he stole from his wife. “Wanted to let you know, Jason was telling the truth. Here.”

“You found them.” Henry stared at the letter. “It’s to Jake.”

“I found one letter. The others aren’t there.”

“Maybe we should check George’s things in storage. You know, all the stuff we took from his house.”

“We did,” Joe said.

“No.” Henry handed the letter back. “We checked for information about the Society. Not once did we look for a letter from the future to him.”

“Henry, that is an excellent suggestion. No, we didn’t, did we?” Joe smiled brightly. “I’ll get on that tonight.”

“O.K., let me know what you find.” Henry laid his hand on Joe’s shoulder. “I’d better get going. I’m behind.” Henry backed up. “Joe, I hope you find something that can clear Andrea.”

Joe watched Henry leave. He looked at the letter he held.“I do too, Henry.”

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Carrying his own duffle bag, Dean was escorted into Leonard’s office. It was located in the same building as the labs. Dean stepped in the room and looked at the two gentlemen standing there. Dr. Morris was one of them.

“Dr. Hayes.” Leonard extended his hand.

Dean did not take it. “When do I see Frank?”

Awkwardly, Leonard withdrew his handshake. “I’m sure we’ll get to be on friendly terms.”

“I doubt it. When do I see Frank?”

Leonard cleared his throat. “This is Dr. Morris he . . .”

“When do I see Frank?” Dean asked again. “Are you listening?”

“We have labs for . . . .”

“Hello!” Dean raised his voice. “I’ll speak slowly. O.K.? When . . . do . . . I . . . see . . .Frank? A deal is a deal. Are you aware of the deal?”

“Yes, I am,” Leonard said.

“Then you are aware that I get to see Frank, then I call my wife for your safeguard as well as mine. Now when . . .”

“Do you see Frank, yes.” Leonard looked at Dr. Morris. “Would you like to?”

“Yes,” Dr. Morris answered. “Dr. Hayes, before you ask the annoying question again, let me explain something to you as a doctor. Mr. Slagel was injured when he came in here. He lost a lot of blood. He was shot, had pneumonia and so forth.”

“O.K.,” Dean said, wanting the doctor just to hurry along.

“O.K.,” Dr. Morris continued. “Now, you can check him for surgery marks and I’ll even authorize a scan of his brain to show you he has not been made into a CME.”

“O.K.” Again, Dean had attitude.

“O.K. I’m telling you this just so you are prepared,” Dr. Morris explained. “He’s a different man. He may not recognize you at all or speak to you with any knowledge of you.”

“Why is that?” Dean asked.

“Unless he knew you prior to the plague, you’ll fall into his amnesiac category.”

“O.K.”

“Mr. Slagel has amnesia.”

Dean nodded his head once. “Frank has amnesia.” Dean placed his bag over his shoulder. “O.K., now . . . when do I see Frank?”

Leonard tossed his hands up. “Right now.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

With a sneaky grin, Danny held up a gold key. “El? You’re not listening to me are you?”

“Um . . .” Ellen turned from her microscope. “Sorry. I’m engrossed. Is this mine?” She reached for it and Danny pulled it away. “Hey.”

“No, not hey. Listen to me.”

“O.K.” Ellen’s head turned slowly back to the microscope.

Danny grabbed her chin and made her look his way. “El, this will take a second. O.K.?”

“All right. Shoot.”

Danny opened her hand and laid the key in it. “This is the key to the freezer. I have the other one in case you lose this one.”

“Danny, I have a key to the freezer.”

“That’s not good anymore. I picked the lock and changed it for you.” He saw the look on Ellen’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“Did you look in the case?”

“No.”

Ellen grabbed her chest. “Whew. Why were you picking the lock?”

“I had to install two wire contacts on the ends of the seal. I merely lifted the case an inch, that’s it. I taped the wires once the case was closed. It was open a matter of seconds.”

Ellen smiled. “Thanks. Contacts, why?”

“Dean knew, but Dean’s gone. It’s your alarm system on that case.”

“Oh!” Ellen was excited.

“Ellen, you, me, and Joe are the only ones who know about this. Swear to God you won’t tell a soul. You can’t.”

Ellen held up her hand. “I promise. So if someone picks the lock and opens the case, the alarm will go off?”

“Yes, really loud too. Your key disarms the system so don’t lose it. There’s a surcharge for a replacement.”

Ellen giggled and grabbed her key chain. “Look, Danny, I’m putting it on now. Maybe we can find out who is trying to get in the case.”

“That’s the point.” Danny smiled. “Any questions?”

“Nope.”

“Good. I’ll let you get back to your . . .” Before Danny could finish his sentence, Ellen had turned back to her microscope. “Never mind. I’ll see you later.” He moved a few steps. “El, what exactly is in that case that you don’t want anyone to see?”

Ellen raised her eyes from the microscope. She peered over her shoulder to Danny. “You can say it’s my and Dean’s life’s work.”

Danny shuddered. “Knowing you two, don’t get into details.” Enjoying the snicker he got from Ellen, Danny left the cryo-lab.

“Oh.” Ellen raised her head. “Oh.” She bit her bottom lip, checked to see if she was alone, and picked up the clipboard. “Where does Dean have that tooth mentioned?” She flipped through a page. “Shit.” She read what he wrote and looked into the microscope. “This can’t be . . .” Ellen smiled. “One way to find out.” Looking at the time and figuring it was safe to leave everything the way it was, she grabbed the phlebotomy tray that was always out and ready, and left the cryo-lab.

^^^^

“Preparing early?” Joe asked Jess as he and Robbie approached him and John in the empty social hall.

Jess looked up from his map. “Just in case I want to learn the region.”

Joe nodded and looked to Robbie. “Tell him.”

“The signal stopped,” Robbie said. “Get things together, Jess. We want to fly you out as planned, first light.”

“To?” Jess asked.

Robbie’s hand came down and landed on the map. “Binghamton Alabama.”

^^^^

Like a little girl with her pet, Ellen sat with Marcus on the floor of Melissa’s home. He sat beside her, nuzzling his head in a playful manner to Ellen’s hair. He made a happy grunt, smiling, and showing his filed down teeth.

“You’re a good little boy, Marcus.” Ellen told him, rubbing his head and laughing as Marcus’s foot thumped like a dog’s on the carpet. “Aren’t you.”

Marcus squealed in delight.

Ellen looked up to Melissa who sat on the couch. “I appreciate you letting me do this.”

“Whatever I need to do, I’ll do.”

Ellen smiled. “Thanks and right now I’m taking you up on that. Right now, I need you to hold down your son.” Ellen reached into the phlebotomy tray and pulled out a syringe with a long thick needle attached. As soon as Marcus saw it, he squealed louder and began to race around the living room, jumping, leaping, and darting so quickly, Ellen and Melissa had a hard time catching him.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Frank’s office wasn’t so far down the main corridor of the building that he couldn’t hear the double glass doors open and close. He snarled and cringed when he heard the footsteps near. He knew what it meant. He heard the truck. He avoided going and looking out. It was a matter of seconds until he was going to meet that dreaded bigwig. Already, without a face attached, Frank was determining ways to get rid of him. “Shit.” Frank looked up when there was a knock on his door. “Yeah!”

Leonard opened the office door. “I’d like you to meet the new top scientist.”

“I’m busy,” Frank griped.

Leonard just walked in.

“Hey.” Frank snapped. He saw Dr. Morris enter second. “I said . . .” And then Frank felt like his heart literally dropped from his chest when Dean walked into his office. “I’m busy.” Frank lowered his head to his papers again, trying to hide the smile.

There was silence as Leonard and Dr. Morris both watched Frank, watched him for signs of his memory coming back.

Leonard looked for an answer from Dr. Morris and got one when Dr. Morris winked. Figuring there was no memory jarred, Leonard stepped to Frank’s desk. “Colonel Slagel, I would like you to meet Dr. Dean Hayes.”

Frank laid down his pencil and stood up. He walked around his desk and extended his hand to Dean. “Nice to meet you.”

Dean just stared at Frank. “Yes. Same here.”

Leonard walked closer to Dean, speaking in a low voice. “I’ll let you see for yourself, Dr. Hayes.” He brought his voice to a normal level. “Dr. Morris and I will be back shortly. Colonel, will you give Dr. Hayes the general synopsis of our base.”

“Yes, sir. My pleasure.” Frank walked back to his desk and sat down. He watched the door and watched Leonard and Dr. Morris as they walked out. He shifted his eyes to Dean who had set down his duffle bag. Seeing Dean’s mouth open to speak, Frank held up a finger to silence him. He listened to the foots steps and then stood up again, walking to his small window. Trying to look cool and calm, yet appearing sneaky, Frank took one quick stride passed the window, glancing out as he did. Catching the needed glimpse of Leonard and Dr. Morris as they conversed outside the building, then, shocking even Dean, Frank let out a deep, chesty, enthusiastic bellow as he charged to Dean. Wide grinned and with excitement, Frank threw his arms around Dean, lifting him up off his feet, and screaming again. “Oh my God!”

Dean laughed. He couldn’t help it as Frank set him to his feet. He too was just as excited to see Frank, so much they both had matching wide grins painted on their faces.

“Dean. Dean!” Frank ran his fingers through his own hair. “Oh my God! I never thought I’d be so happy to see you.”

Dean laid his hands on Frank’s arms. “And I never thought I’d be so happy to see you either. It’s good to see you, Frank. It is so good to see you alive.”

“Man, I’m happy.” Frank bit his bottom lip. “I could kiss you.”

“Frank, let’s not . . .”

“Fuck it.” Frank’s huge hands grabbed hold of Dean’s cheeks. He yanked him forward and kissed him quickly and with a loud ‘smack’ as he released Dean and stepped back “Man, am I glad to see you.”

“Yeah.” Dean touched his just kissed lips, snickered, and shook his head. “We miss you so much at home, Frank. God, do we miss you.”

“Really?” Frank moved back and sat on the edge of his desk.

“Really. It’s not the same there. And what is with this amnesia?”

“Selective amnesia.” Frank pointed to his temple.

“Selective amnesia?”

“Yeah, can’t remember anything past the plague.”

Dean laughed. “And they bought it?”

Frank fluttered his lips. “Hook, line, and fucking sinker. George too. I should win an academy award for this shit. I still can’t believe this. Man, my heart.” Frank grabbed his chest. “I thought for sure they’d see the shock on my face . . . and, hating to admit it, happiness when you walked in this office.”

“You were good. You had me worried for a second. Just a second.” Dean, with a smile still on his face, stared at Frank.

“So Dean.” Frank held out his hand. “What the fuck are you doing . . .” Frank’s office door opened. “Pivotal and strategically placed. Easy access for our troops that are working the country side. We’re right now . . . Oh, Leonard, I was just giving Dr. Hayes the basic concept of our community.”

“You’ll have to fill him in later,” Leonard said. “Dr. Hayes and I have business to conclude first and then I take him to his lab.”

Dean was surprised by this. “But he was just . . .”

“Later this evening.” Leonard stopped Dean. “Come, Dr. Hayes.”

Dean picked up his duffle bag, took a step to the door, stopped, and faced Frank. “Thank you for the talk. We’ll speak later. It was . . .” Dean held out his hand. “Nice meeting you.”

Frank grabbed his hand, shaking it. “Same.”

There was something strong and reassuring about the grip Dean felt Frank deliver in that handshake. It made him feel good and safe. As Dean left with Leonard, he knew all those bad feelings, all the hurt he went through the night before when he left his home and family, was all worth it. He had done the right thing. His heart told him everything was going to go as planned and work out, just as Joe promised. And love or hate, worst enemy or best friend, whatever Frank meant or was to him, nothing was ever going to touch that moment, that ‘feel good’ emotion, that rushed through Dean the moment that he saw Frank.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

She was scratched from the corner of her left eye to the corner of her mouth. One long thin scratch that barely bled, but Ellen was happy because she had obtained the blood cultures she needed from Marcus. She smeared them and had them running through the analysis program in the cryo -lab. She waited impatiently, very impatiently. Actually, Ellen grew annoyed when the phone rang and it drew her attention away from watching the indicator that told her the percentage on analysis ran. Leaning on the counter, injured face point blank at the computer screen, Ellen turned on the phone. “Lab, Dr. Hayes speaking.”

“I love you,” Dean spoke softly.

Ellen shrieked, nearly dropped the phone, and spun around so much in surprise, her back was now against the counter. “Oh my God.” Ellen embraced the phone as if she were embracing Dean. “You’re all right.”

“I’m fine. I arrived safely.”

“Are you sure, Dean? Tell me they aren’t holding a gun to your head or something.”

“No El. They aren’t.”

There was something about Dean’s voice, no fear, calm, soothing, and with a tint of happiness, that told Ellen he was honest. “Oh Dean, I’m so glad you called.”

“I thought for sure you’d ask right away. You didn’t ask.”

“Because I know you’ll tell me.”

“Frank’s fine, El. He’s alive and strong.”

Ellen closed her eyes tightly. Her face tensed up as a tear ran down her face. She tried to hold back the tears of hearing the news.

“He needs a haircut. God I don’t recall seeing Frank with this much hair on his head in years.”

Ellen laughed. “It gets curly.” She sniffed. “Will you tell him I said hi?”

“You know I will.”

“Will you tell him something else?”

“Anything.”

“Are you sure?” Ellen asked.

“El, anything. Anything.”

It was soft, but heard, a small sob and then Ellen sniffled again. “Will you tell him that I miss him and that I love him?”

“You know it.”

“Dean. I am so proud of you for doing this. I love you so much. You don’t know how proudly I claim the name Hayes right now.”

Dean was quiet and emotional at first. “El, thank you for saying . . .” He stopped talking when he heard the warning siren. “What are you analyzing?”

“Oh.” Ellen wiped her eyes. “Um, you know how we were connecting the structure of that tooth you found in Marv.”

“Yes.”

“Well . . .” Ellen turned and looked at the screen and the results. Her mouth dropped open and the phone slid away from her lips.

“El? Talk to me. Is something wrong? Can I help?”

“Oh Dean,” Ellen spoke softly. “We have a problem.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Bowman, North Dakota

Hal felt like singing the song, ‘oh what a beautiful morning’ as he walked out of the mess hall after dinner. He had plenty to eat, no indigestion . . . no Craig. It was a wise decision on his part to make Craig one of the building crew. It gave him responsibility and got him out of his hair, but the happy thought of being ‘pain in the ass’ free had to be replace with more serious ones. It was time for major decisions on Hal’s part. He had talked to his father just prior to dinner and found out he was to be back in Beginnings in two days and would be gone for what could end up being a week. Now Hal had to pass out the authority in Bowman, not to just Sgt. Ryder, but to someone else as well because during that conversation with his father, Hal found out Sgt. Ryder was going to be a part of the plan as well. Hal prepared every one of his top men to be able to take the authoritarian position in Bowman. His decision would be difficult, not because he had no one qualified enough, but because he didn’t want to slight any of the men he had handpicked and trained himself. Unlike Beginnings, the deciding factor on who would lead Bowman was not placed on a popularity vote. Hal saw enough of that in the old world and Hal was seeing it in Beginnings. Not that he didn’t like Henry, he did, everyone did, but Henry was too nice and not quite the leader material Joe was or even Robbie for that matter. Hal didn’t want all his hard work and building of a strong community to go to waste in the event something happened to him. Though Hal was confident the rescue mission to get Dean and Frank would go off without a problem, there was still that chance and because of that chance, he had to give even more thought into who he placed in the leadership line. With that heavy on his mind, along with the latest Neville Stats, Hal walked home to do some serious thinking.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie grabbed a few more items, tossing them into a duffel bag. They were things he needed if he was going to be staying over Ellen’s. Just as he reached for his front door, it opened and Jess walked in.

“Robbie.”

“Hey, Jess. You get John all situated at holding?”

“Yeah.” Jess stepped into the house, slowly running his hands through his hair. “Are you leaving for El’s.”

“Yep. See ya in the morning . . .” Robbie took a step to the door and stopped. He looked back at Jess who had wandered, almost sadly, to the table. “You O.K.?”

“Yeah.” Jess waved his hand at Robbie. “Go on.”

“You sure?”

Jess looked up from his stare at the table. “Actually, I hate to admit this, I’m a little . . .”

‘Nervous about tomorrow.”

Jess only gave a closed mouth smile.

“Need to talk?” Robbie asked.

“No, that’s O.K., Go on over to El’s.”

“Jess, come on. We’re friends. If you need to talk about this, I’ll hang and talk.”

“Really?” Jess asked. “I just need to get over this anxiousness. The pressure. Not that I can’t handle it, but . . . you know what I mean?”

“Yeah I do. I can remember in the old world when I was in the Army, anytime I was getting shipped out, no matter how confident, I got that knot in my stomach.”

“Same here.”

“Hey. Why don’t I take my bag over El’s, tell her I’ll be by later and you and I can have a drink and hang.”

“Take my mind off of it?”

“Hell, we’ll have fun.” Robbie moved through the door. “I’ll be back.”

“Thanks, Robbie.”

“No problem. You’re helping my brother, Jess.” Robbie turned serious. “For that I am very grateful. Be right back.” Robbie nodded with a smile to Jess, stepped backwards out the door, and closed it.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Debating on whether it was actually food they stuffed in his cupboards, or old unpackaged M.R.E.’s, Dean walked out of his kitchen leaving food to be an option for when he was so hungry that he didn’t have a choice. He checked out his watch again. Where was Frank? They had let him call home, talk to El about her test results, and then when he was finished with his very monitored call, he was rushed away to a lab. They placed folder upon folder in front of him. Did they actually expect he would willingly begin solving their problems? Dean knew they were smarter than that, but smart enough to figure if he wasn’t going to help them, he would still be locked in that lab until they came for him. When they did, they brought him to his house. Dean’s mind swarmed with thoughts that they had shipped Frank out and it was a onetime visit thing and no more. Seeing that it was early evening, Dean would wait a little more before making any final deductions.

He picked up his duffle bag and decided to take his things upstairs and find the bedroom that he would sleep in. No sooner did his foot hit the second from top step that Dean heard a banging and shuffling. It jarred him some and made him wonder if he should race back down the steps or investigate. Figuring what did he have to lose, he followed the noise to his bedroom.

It came from his closet. Hangers were moving and he heard grunting. As Dean set down the duffle bag, the closet door opened. Dean laughed. Frank walked into his bedroom. “You couldn’t use the front door?”

“Fuck no. Can’t let them see us talk.” Frank looked back at the closet. “Fuckin secret passage is built for someone your size.”

“Thanks. Good to see you again.”

“Yeah, I heard they had you in the lab.”

“Locked in the lab. I didn’t hear from you. I didn’t know if we’d see each other again. Frank? Why is there a secret passage in my closet?”

“Oh.” Frank smiled. “I thought you were going to be some bigwig Society scientist. Thought I’d snoop, you know. But you’re you, and . . . Dean, what are you doing here?”

“I’m here for you, Frank.”

Frank laughed. “You’re my rescue?”

“Asshole, no. It was part of a deal. George called me and offered a trade. Me for you. I join the Society, you go home.”

“Dumb.” Frank scoffed at him. “You think I’m stuck here?”

“Well, uh, yeah, Frank, since you failed to come home.”

“How can I come home, Dean?” Frank asked. “I have to find El first. As soon as I do, I’m out of here.”

Dean laughed.

“What?”

“Frank, Ellen’s home. She’s fine. The UWA rescued her and brought her home.”

Frank’s eyes widened. “You’re shitting me? Fuck this. Let’s go.” He reached for Dean’s bag.

“What are you doing?”

“We’re getting out of here.”

“We can’t go anywhere, Frank.” Dean grabbed for his bag, struggling with Frank over it.

“Yeah we can, Dean.” Frank tugged. “I’m not staying. I didn’t leave before because I was afraid for El. She’s home. Let’s go.”

“No. We can’t.” Dean pulled in a losing bag battle. “You should still be afraid for El and our kids, Frank.”

“What?” Frank stopped fighting and let go of the bag. “What do you mean?”

“George has someone else besides John Matoose working for him in Beginnings. This person lets him know everything. You’re not the only reason I came, Frank. El and the kids are. If I backed out, he said he’d kill them.”

“I’m killing him when he gets back here.”

“Well, you’re gonna have to wait until the rescue takes place. That way El and the kids are placed under protective custody. Until we synchronized it, we don’t know who it is, where it will come from, or when so we hang tight.”

“Fuck. He blackmailed you into coming?”

“Yep. With their lives and yours.”

Frank walked closer to Dean, nodding his head. “He must want you bad.”

“Yeah, he does. I think his technology has stalled. I don’t know. But he thinks the combination of my leaving, you being dead, and Joe’s retirement, Beginnings will weaken.”

“My Dad retired?”

“As a cover up.”

“Don’t even tell me fuckin Henry is leader.”

“Yep.”

“Uh!” Frank hit himself in the face. “No wonder George is confident. Fuck. When they coming?”

“A few days.”

“And they think I’m dead back home?” Frank asked.

“Convinced of it. We had to convinced them. We had a really nice funeral for you. Trish taped it.”

“Oh yeah?” Frank nodded. “Is that how you convinced them.”

“That and Ellen.”

“She grieved huh. Big time,” Frank grinned. “Was she emotionally distraught? I know she had to act, because she wouldn’t think I was dead.”

“You’re right. She didn’t think for a second you were dead. But, she grieved and . . . and for the final convincing straw, she . . . brace yourself Frank.”

“What.”

“She.”

“What!”

“She got married to someone.”

Frank lost his balance, but only for a second. “O.K.,” He held up his hand. “I can handle it. It was a plan to make the community think I was dead. She moved on. I’m the love of her life.”

Dean rolled his eyes.

“I know it’s not Henry. Robbie. She married my brother. I always said . . .” Frank saw Dean shaking his head. “No? Who?”

Dean held up his left hand.

Frank waved back. “Who?”

“Frank.” Dean stepped closer nearly shoving his hand in Frank’s face.

“Who?” As Frank lowered Dean’s hand, he saw the band. “No.”

“Yep.” Dean smiled. “Mr. and Mrs. Dean Hayes.”

“Fuck.”

“Yep.”

“O.K.” Frank held up his hands. “It was a cover up. Right.”

“Um. . . . sure Frank.”

“The plan was she gets married, and when I get back, she gets annulled from whoever she married.”

“That was the plan.”

Frank cringed. “You have no intentions what-so-ever of getting annulled. Do you?”

“Nope.”

“Fuck.”

“Married Frank.”

“Dean.” Frank pointed at him. “Don’t.”

“Mr. and Mrs. . .”

“Dean!” Frank blasted.

Dean laughed. “Had to rub it in. But uh . . . don’t worry, Frank.” Dean swatted him on his arm. “I know you guys. El says hi and she loves you and misses you. Being the swell guy I am, and knowing this, when you get back, I’m gonna give you your happy little reunion.”

“Thank you.”

“For an hour and then . . .”

“Dean.” Frank stated his name like he always had. “Shit. I want out of here. We should just say screw the plan, you and me grab a Jeep, and take off late tonight. We’ll be home by dawn, protect El and the kids before they even know we’re missing.”

With his arms folded, Dean raised an eyebrow to Frank. “How in the world do you think we’re making it home by dawn?”

“Driving.” Frank placed his hands on his hips.

“Yes, you said that. To Beginnings?”

“Yep.”

“In a few hours.”

“Yep.” Frank looked certain.

“Frank, last I heard, the speed of light has yet to be achieved by motor vehicle. How do you suppose we make it to Montana from Alabama in a few hours?”

“We’re in Alabama? No we aren’t.” Frank tossed his hand at Dean.

“Yes Frank. We are.”

“I thought we were in Colorado.”

“Binghamton, Frank.” Dean said.

“Yeah. Binghamton, Colorado.”

“No! Binghamton, Alabama.”

“Oh my God! I’m in Alabama?”

“I cannot believe you didn’t know this.”

“Shit.” Frank walked in small circles. “Oh man and I sent them UWA soldiers walking seventeen hundred miles.” Frank snickered. “And here I thought Richie was just really bad at math” Frank continued to laugh.

“Who’s uh . . . Richie?”

“Me.” Richie stepped out from the closet.

Dean’s eyes shifted and he gave a weird look to Frank then to the stranger who mysteriously appeared in his room. Dean walked behind Richie, peering into the closet then back to Frank. “Anyone else you’re expecting, Frank, or am I safe in closing this?”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“Oh my God.” Ellen exclaimed with such disgust in her voice when she saw Josh’s room as she passed it on the way to the living room. “Did Dean or did Dean not tell you to pick up this room?”

Josh peeked from behind the door. “Huh?”

“Clean your room.”

“O.K.” Josh closed the door.

Ellen grunted and walked to the living room. “Sorry, Henry.”

“No problem.” Henry sat on the couch. “You want to have dessert now or later when Robbie gets here?”

“Let’s wait a little bit and see if he shows soon. I don’t want him to miss your Beginnings first recreation of Jell-O.”

“He’s seems like the Jell-O type of guy.”

“Actually Dean is the Jell-O guy. He told me when he was in college, he lived off cherry Jell-O.”

“Oh El, you can’t live off of Jell-O. It hasn’t any real nutritional value. I think he was lying to you.”

“Henry.” Ellen sat on the couch. “It was figuratively speaking.”

“Oh.”

“So, how was your day as leader?”

“Tough. I must have been asked a thousand times about Dean.” Henry shook his head. “El, I can’t figure out who is telling people. I wanted to keep it a secret until we figured it out . . .”

“Henry.”

“No, El. Something is not right. It just isn’t a Dean thing to do.”

“Henry.” Ellen laid her hand on his knee.

“And as leader of the community, I’m pushing to look into this. Jenny brought the content of that letter to my attention and she made valid points. And that was coming from Jenny.”

Ellen closed her eyes. “Listen . . .”

“El, I’m getting together search parties. I’m calling Hal tomorrow. He and I are sitting down. His men scout Society camps. We are going to find Dean. He’s in trouble, El. He’s there against his will. I feel it and we’re going to go get him. He wouldn’t leave us, his home, his kids, and he wouldn’t leave you.”

“Henry.” Ellen stood up. “You can’t do that. O.K.?”

“Look, I know you’re hurt.” Henry stood up. “I also know you’re probably in denial over this but . . .” He reached out and turned Ellen to face him.. “As the leader of this community and as your friend. I cannot let this go until I feel satisfied that Dean joined the Society on his own accord.”

Ellen’s head lowered. “Please don’t do this, Henry.”

“Why El?”

Ellen looked up at Henry. She saw the concern in his eyes as he stared at her. “Henry,” she said his name painfully.

“Why, El? Why don’t you want this done.”

“Because Dean didn’t join the Society on his own accord. He went there in a blackmail trade to save my life and to bring Frank home.”

Henry’s hands slid in surprise off of Ellen and he stepped back.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Dean’s finger swayed and pointed as he looked at Richie. “I know you. Don’t I?”

Frank answered. “Nope.”

Dean shook his head. “Yeah I do. What is your name?”

Richie saw no problem telling Dean. “Richie Mar . . .”

“Mar!” Frank interrupted abruptly. “Mar-ja-ho-its.”

Dean looked up to the ceiling with a thinking look. “Richie Marjahowitz doesn’t ring a bell, but you look so familiar to me. Really. I mean, you look really, really familiar.”

Richie smiled. “That’s because I look exactly like . . .”

“Everybody else.” Frank finished Richie’s sentence. “Doesn’t he, Dean?” Frank grasped Richie’s chin. “Doesn’t he have one of those faces everyone has. A nose, eyes, lips . . .”

“Frank,” Dean said his name. “What is wrong with you? God.”

The smile fell from Richie’s face. “Dean? Is this the Dean from Beginnings. You said someone was here from Beginnings but you failed to mention it was . . . Dean.”

Dean snapped back a little in shock at how bitter Richie said his name. “Frank, what did you tell . . .”

“Check this out, Richie,” Frank said. “Dean married Ellen.”

“Oh my God,” Richie said with disgust. “You married Ellen?” He gasped his displeasure. “How could you? Now that means you’re my . . .”

“Hero,” Frank interjected. “You’re his hero, Dean. Richie was saying any man that gets married is his hero.”

Richie never boasted himself to be the brightest of men, but he was certain after the third interruption there was a reason that Frank didn’t want that Dean guy to know he was Ellen’s brother. Richie smiled, Maybe Frank was going to use him to help break Dean and Ellen up. “So you’re Dean,” Richie said.

“Yes.”

“Dean the dick?”

Dean was shocked. “What?” He couldn’t believe this coming from someone he just met. “Who told you I was a . . . Frank.”

“What?” Frank acted clueless.

“Did you tell him I was a dick?”

“I think asshole was more the word I used.”

“What!” Dean snapped. “You told him I was an asshole. Who’s the asshole in Beginnings, Frank?”

“You.”

“Right. No, Frank. You.” Dean pointed.

Richie was offended. “Dean, how can you call Frank an asshole, when you’re the one who stole his woman?”

“Yeah,” Frank commented.

“I what?” Dean stepped back. “I stole Ellen from you? Is this what you told this man?” Dean snickered in disbelief. “Richie, he stole Ellen from me. We were married. We had children. He pushed and he pushed and he used their past to get her to do what he wanted until I left her. Isn’t that right, Frank?”

“No.”

“Uh,” Dean’s gasped out. “You’re lying! No wait, you aren’t lying because I really think in that ‘pea size, Neanderthal, one way, my way, Frank-BIG-man-attitude’ brain, you believe I stole her from you.”

“Yeah.”

Dean grunted loudly. “I cannot believe you brainwashed this man into probably hating me before he met me when whose fault is it that you’re here? Huh Frank? Whose? I’ll tell you.” Dean steadily became more emotional. “Yours because you decided to kidnap Ellen from Beginnings.”

“Oh I did not.”

“You duct taped her and tied her up, drugged her ,and took her out without permission. That is kidnapping.”

“It was a grieving vacation.”

Richie moved away from the two men, watching them like a ping pong game.

Dean started to speak but the shock of the words that came from Frank’s mouth made him speechless. He had to twitch his head and jolt back into his brain to remember who he was talking to. “Frank! Things were worked out. We had an arrangement between us. There was no reason for you to take her out of her home and away from her children to grieve.”

“In my mind there was.” Frank placed his face close to Dean’s.

“You broke our arrangement.” Dean kept his stare on Frank.

“Like I care.”

“You know, I’m glad this came up because I am still really pissed at you.”

Frank snickered and looked away.

“Go ahead, laugh,” Dean warned. “But let me tell you something. The whole reason I did this, the whole reason I came here was to bring you home and kill you.”

“Kill me?”

“Kill you.”

“Like dead?”

“What other way is there, Frank?”

“Ha!” Frank laughed hard. “You don’t have big enough balls.”

“According to Ellen, I believe you’re the one without the big enough balls.”

“Oh no, little man.” Frank shook his head. “Don’t even go there. Back to killing me. You think you can do it? How?”

“Naturally.”

“Like you’re a born killer?”

“No, Frank, you moron. Like making it look like it’s not an accident or deliberate.”

Frank bobbed his head almost like he approved. “So you’re gonna chase me around Beginnings and try to kill me?” He stepped back from Dean. “You know, this could be interesting.”

“I’m serious, Frank. I have a list.”

“Good.” Frank snapped his finger. “Don’t warn me anymore though, Dean,. O.K., I think this will be really cool.” Frank nodded. “Yeah, but wait till we’re home so I have a lot less things on my mind. O.K.?”

Dean tossed his hands up. “You wanna make it into a game, don’t you?”

“Yeah, can we?”

Dean’s hands fell to his legs with a slap. “Sure. Why not?”

“Excellent.”

“But don’t think you get Neville points for cheating death with me. O.K.? I’ll talk to the Neville committee first. You’ll already be the favorite once you get home.”

Frank was lost. “Neville Committee? Neville points?”

The whole entire expression changed on Dean’s face. “That’s right. You don’t know.”

“Know what?”

“Frank, there is a really neat game going on. You’ll love it. In fact . . .” Dean stepped closer to Frank, speaking up beat. “It’s custom made for you.”

Richie’s head spun. It literally spun. What happened to the fight? What happened to the hatred? One second they were arguing, the next rambling on about some post apocalyptic game of heroism like they were best buddies. Richie gave up waiting for the argument to continue. He just moved closer and listened more to the conversation, trying to figure out how he could get involved in it also when he arrived in Beginnings.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Henry’s bangs stood nearly on edge from his hand holding them back. He whined in a Henry manner, both vocally and physically. “Aw El, I can’t believe you kept this from me. Frank’s alive.”

“Yes Henry. Dean said he’s fine.”

“I’m community leader, I should have known this.”

“Oh but Henry we couldn’t tell you. We all wanted to. We were going to. Please don’t be mad and please don’t let on that you know. I’ll be in so much trouble.”

“They don’t trust me do they, El? That’s why no one told me, huh?” Henry questioned.

“I trust you, Henry.” Ellen laid her hand on his shoulder. “That’s why I told you now. So you see why you can’t start a campaign looking for Dean?”

“Yeah. And you know what El? I’ll help. O.K.? I’ll bash him.” Henry nodded. “I’ll talk real bad about him. O.K.?”

“Oh Henry, that’s a good idea. Oh! Make me cry tomorrow in front of people.”

“I can do that.”

“Yeah.” Ellen smiled. “Make it bad about Dean. Really go off.”

“Really make people hate him. Yeah. It’ll be fun.” Henry grinned. “Wow, and Frank’s alive. Wow.”

“He’ll be home soon, Henry.”

“I can’t wait, El. We’ll have a big party.”

“With lots of food.”

“We’ll show the funeral tape.”

“We can do it like we do the walkins.” Ellen spoke excitedly. “And speaking of food, where is Robbie?”

“You think he forgot?” Henry asked.

“No, him being here is part of the plan.” Ellen looked at her watch. “He’s supposed to show up when people are still walking around.”

“Wanna go get him? I’ll stay with the kids.”

“O.K. Let’s practice your Dean bashing on him tonight.”

“I’ll think of some juicy things right now, El.”

“O.K.” Ellen was perky and headed to the door. “I’ll be right back.”

After she had left, Henry placed on a serious thinking face and sat on the couch. “Dean Bashing. Dean bashing. . . . Oh!” Henry snapped his finger. “I’d better write this down.” He stood up, went into the kitchen and got some paper and a pen. He went back to the living room, sat on the couch, and leaned on the coffee table writing his thoughts down. Henry snickered like a school girl as he did so, seemingly so pleased with himself.

^^^^

“Dinner was really good Jess. Man.” Robbie rubbed his stomach as they walked from the dining room to the living room. “I didn’t expect you to cook.”

“Cooking takes my mind off of things.” Jess carried two drinks with him. “This mission is on my mind.”

“How can it not be? But . . . everything will go fine. I’ll drop you off. You guys march in there, get what you need, and meet back at the pickup point. Do you worry about running into trouble you can’t handle?”

“Nah. Not me.” Jess set down the drinks. “Robbie.”

Robbie hesitated in his sitting down. “Yeah?”

“I really appreciate this.” Jess took a step to him, so serious. “You spending this evening with me means so much.”

“I know you have a lot on your mind. I just want to be there for you. Look at what you’re doing for us.”

“I don’t want that to be the reason you’re here.”

Robbie shook his head with a slight grin. “No way. We’re friends. That’s the main reason.”

Jess took a deep breath. “Remember how we had that talk at the social hall.”

“Um . . .” Robbie moved his eyes up to think. “Um . . . yeah.”

Jess smiled. “Remember how we talked about being close friends and I suggested we take it slow and you said, what the hell, we live together.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I think right now. I need to say, what the hell. Right?”

“Right.”

“What the hell. I need you.” Jess took a step to Robbie grabbing him, one hand on Robbie’s cheek, the other on his shoulder. Jess, with slight force, pulled Robbie to him and passionately planted his lips on Robbie’s.

It barreled Robbie over, taking him so much by surprise, he nearly lost his balance. Robbie was sent into total confusion at that moment. Everything spun around him. His body jolted in shock, not only from the sudden feel of Jess’ parted lips touching his, but also from the unexpected sound of Ellen’s voice that rang in the room at the exact moment Jess kissed him.

“Whoops. Sorry.”

Hearing Ellen and then the door close, Robbie pulled from Jess, stumbled over the table, and grabbed the arm of the couch to stop from hitting the floor. “Oh my God.” Robbie trembled, looked at Jess, then to the door. “Oh my God. El.” Robbie leaped on then over the back of the sofa and charged to the door. He stopped as he opened it, looking at Jess. “I’ll . . . I’ll be . . .Shit.” He took off calling Ellen’s name as he did.

Ellen walked fast. She heard Robbie calling her. How she would react when she looked at him was the reason she kept moving.

“El. Please.” Robbie sounded desperate, running to catch up to her. He reached her at the last row of houses. “El.” He grabbed a hold of her.

“Robbie, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Ellen moved away from him and walked to her house.

“Ellen. Please.” Robbie jumped ahead of her. “I need to explain.”

“It’s none of my business, Robbie. Really. it’s none of my . . .” Ellen stopped moving. “You know what? Yeah it is, come to think of it. It is my business. Don’t you think I have the right to know you’re involved with a man. I think I should have been made aware of the relationship.” Ellen raised her eyebrow in question.

“Oh God.” Robbie looked absolutely distraught. Terror lined his red, sweaty face. His hands shook as they covered his eyes. “Oh God, help me. You’re my friend. What am I supposed to do about this?”

“I’d keep it quiet if you want to stay head of security.”

“No!” Robbie squinted his eyes painfully and took hold of her shoulders. “He’s my friend, El. I had no idea he was gonna kiss me.”

“What?” Ellen looked confused.

Robbie breathed heavily. “That has never happened to me ever. I don’t know how to handle this now. I don’t know how to handle him. Help me. Tell me what to do. How do I face him again?’

“Oh man, Robbie.” Ellen spoke with compassion, laying her hand on his cheek. “This has you really upset. Wow. I never seen you thrown through a loop before.”

Robbie closed his eyes. “I didn’t even see it coming.”

Joe’s voice, distant but outside with them, carried shockingly over. “How in Christ’s name didn’t you see it coming?”

“Dad?” Robbie turned to see Joe walking off his front porch.

“Joe!” Ellen scolded. “You are so nosey.”

“Christ, you two are talking about this outside. How can I not hear you? I was sitting on my porch.” He moved closer to Ellen and Robbie. “Robert, what did you expect? You led him on.”

“What?”

“You led him on.” Joe told him. “What was that today? You told him that, no wonder you liked him.”

“Dad, that wasn’t what I meant. I had no idea he was gay.”

“That’s because you were clueless.”

“And you knew?” Robbie asked.

“Yeah, I knew,” Joe said.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Honestly?” Joe shrugged. “I really enjoyed watching you play innocently into it. I figured if you were so brainless about it, I wasn’t gonna tell you.” Joe looked at Ellen when she gasped. “Take a hike, Missy Jane. I wanna speak to my son.”

“Joe, I want to . . .”

“Go.” Joe pointed to her house. “Now!”

Ellen widened her eyes and folded her arms. “I’m going, but . . . Robbie, we’ll talk tonight.”

Robbie nodded fast and nervous.

“Night.” Ellen stepped on her porch. “Oh wait until I tell Henry you had a homosexual moment.”

“El.” Robbie reached for her hand. “I’m begging you, please don’t.”

“I’m kidding. See you tonight.” She smiled at Robbie, opened the door, and gave a mean face to Joe. “Night . . . Joe.”

Joe waved her off then faced his son. “You have a problem.”

“This doesn’t make me gay, does it?”

Joe lifted his shoulder. “Don’t know. You know your uncle Jerry came out of the closet at your age. Remember, he left his wife for that fella.”

“Uncle Jerry was gay?” Robbie asked with so much surprise. “I didn’t know. I thought he was just really good friends with his . . . roommate.”

Joe raised his eyebrows.

“Oh God.”

“Robert. Calm down.”

‘I can’t. I can’t.” I can’t.” He paced around. “What am I gonna do about this, Dad?”

“What do you wanna do about it?”

“Huh? Robbie stopped walking.

“The way I see it you have two choices. You can go back to the house, beat the hell out of him for hitting on you, kick him out of your house, and end the friendship entirely. Or . . . you go back to the house, you sit down with him and you talk to him. You set him straight . . . well, you know what I mean . . .tell him the way you are. Clear the air and forget the situation. Handle it like that time when we first got to Beginnings and you were so plastered you kissed Jenny Matoose.”

Robbie cringed in the painful memory.

“Yeah. All was forgotten. It’s up to you what choice you make. It all hinges on whether you still want him as your friend or not. He’ll find someone else to do that sort of thing with. There are plenty of men in Beginnings who are willing. But if you want to stay friends with him, you’d better damn well make it clear, you’re not one of those men, unless there’s something about you I don’t know.”

“Dad.” Robbie shook his head. “I like Jess . . . . not that way, but I like him. I want to be friends with him.”

“Then you know what to do.”

“Yeah. Thanks, Dad.” Robbie gave a smile to his father and started to walk away. He stopped and faced Joe. “Wait a second. Why am I thanking you? You could have stopped this whole thing from ever getting to this point.”

“And ruin seeing you in this state.” Joe snickered. “Never.”

Grunting like his father, Robbie waved his hand once and walked away toward his house.

^^^^

Jess stood up from the sofa the moment Robbie walked back into the house. “Everything O.K. with El?”

“Um . . . yeah.” Robbie closed the door.

“How was she with it?”

“Jess . . .”

“We should have told her. It was only right knowing the history between you two. Maybe I should be the one to talk to her tomorrow. What do you think?” Jess held Robbie’s drink to him.

“I think I need that moonshine.” Robbie took the drink and brought it to his lips, taking a long drink. “Jess. Sit down.” Robbie motioned to the couch.

“She was mad, wasn’t she?” Jess sat down at the same time as Robbie. “I’m so sorry. I’ll explain it to her.”

‘There’s no need. I did already.” Robbie set down his drink. “We have to talk.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I think . . . I think there’s been a bit of mis-communication between us.” Robbie grabbed his drink and finished it. “I like you, Jess.”

“I like you too.”

“No.” Robbie held up his hand. “I like you as a friend but not in any other way.”

Shock took over Jess’ face. “But I thought . . .”

“I know what you thought and I’m sorry you thought that way.”

“See.” Jess shook his head. “You came to me after Trish told you everything.”

“Trish left out some very important details. Some very important details.”

“Oh God.” Jess stood up. “I’ll pack up and leave. I’m sorry. I am really sorry.”

“Jess.” Robbie stood from the couch.

“I thought we were close. I thought you needed that extra closeness as much as me.”

Robbie hid his cringing. “I . . . really.” Robbie closed one eye looking at him. “I really get that extra closeness when I need it, trust me, but I can always use a good friend.”

“I have to leave this house, Robbie. There is no way we can stay friends now.”

“You don’t want to be friends with me?”

“Oh I want to, but do you know how hard it is to be friends with some you’re . . . you’re in love with.” Jess walked to the steps

Bam. Robbie didn’t expect to hear that. “Yeah, I do Jess. Yeah I do. I know exactly what it’s like to see the person you love every single day, to want them, to want to be with them, but to have to stay behind a friendship wall, because that is the way it has to be. I’m there. O.K.”

Jess nodded. “Same boats, different situations?”

“Yes,” Robbie said. “But you stay friends and the one with more feelings deals with it. You deal with it if the friendship is that important.”

“But I kissed you. Do you know how embarrassed I feel at this moment for putting you in that position?”

“Get over it,” Robbie told him. “I will and it will be forgotten.”

“Can you forget?”

Robbie fluttered his lips. “Yeah . . .” He snickered. “If Ellen lets me. Look, if you want to move out and stop being friends there’s nothing I can do to stop you. But if you wanna stay, stay. We can be friends still.. I like being your friend.”

Jess walked away from the steps. “Only if we kill Trish tomorrow.”

Robbie laughed. “Oh most definitely. We will kill Trish tomorrow.”

^^^^

Quantico Marine Headquarters

The night air was filled with only one sound. George didn’t need to see it to know what it was. The firm sound of boots marching in unison. The voice of Sgt. Landers carried in synchronization with them. George smiled as he stepped away from his window and released the curtain he held back. Things were going well. Dean was in Binghamton. Frank didn’t get his memory back. And his new brigade of CME troops were now on their way there as well.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“Robbie.” Ellen spoke seriously, laying on her side, in bed, her back to Robbie who was reading. “I let you sleep in here because Henry is camping in the living room. Shut out the light please.”

“Thanks for the book, El.”

“Shut out the light.”

“El.” Robbie set the book down. “Can we talk?”

“We talked.”

“Please.”

Ellen rolled on to her back. “Is this another Robbie paranoia calming session.”

“Yes.” Robbie moved to his side to face her. “What if . . . what if I’m gay and I don’t know it.”

“God, Robbie.”

“Seriously, El. My Uncle Jerry turned gay at my age.”

“I remember when Uncle Jerry moved out on his wife. I knew he was gay before that. Everybody did. You are not gay.”

“O.K. But right now, I’m scared.”

“Are you having feelings for Jess.”

“No.”

“A twinge of excitement when you think of the kiss?”

“El, no. Stop.”

Ellen snickered. “Sorry. I can’t help it. You’re just being paranoid again. Let it go. You’re fine. You’re just a very attractive man that’s all.”

“Still the best looking man in Beginnings in your eyes?”

“Still the best.” Ellen leaned into him and kissed him softly. “Goodnight.”

“El, do that again.”

“What?”

“Kiss me.”

“Robbie.”

“Please?” Robbie moved to her. “Just kiss me and make me get to . . . well, the point that I know women still turn me on. Please.”

“You want me to kiss you until you’re aroused?” Ellen asked.

“Yes.”

“Well, seeing how you’re a Slagel, this should take three whole seconds.” Ellen moved to him pressing her lips softly to his.

Robbie laid his hand on her cheek, keeping the kisses soft, yet intense. He kissed her and kept kissing her. Then he grunted, pulled away and in frustration laid on his back. “Nothing.”

“Robbie.” Ellen held back her laugh.

“No, this is terrible. Nothing.”

“Maybe it’s me.”

“No, you’ve always done it before. It’s me. I’m gay.”

“Robbie.” Ellen moved to him. “Come here.” She took hold of his shoulder, rolling him her way. She moved her body, nearly touching his. She kissed his neck and grazed her fingers tips oh-so-lightly up his thigh, tickling across is boxer shorts, and to his chest. Her hand laid flush against his chest hair as her lips moved to his and began to part his with intensity. A few seconds into the kiss, she felt his lips tense up, and widen into a grin. Ellen pulled away slightly. “Feel better?”

Robbie bit his bottom lip with an ornery smile. “Yeah. Thanks, El.”

“No problem. Goodnight.” She inched away from him, rolled on her side, and pulled the blanket up. “Shut out the light now.”

Robbie reached for the lamp and turned it off. He adjusted the covers and grew comfortable in bed. “Hey El . . .”

“Night, Robbie.”

“But you know what? Now could be the perfect opportunity . . .”

“Goodnight Robbie.”

Robbie smiled, slid down further and closed his eyes. “Night, El. Thanks.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

September 26

Beginnings, Montana

There was a certain amount of awkwardness between Jess and Robbie as they lifted off, just before dawn, for their scouting mission. Robbie talked. Jess was quiet, which totally surprised John Matoose, because he had it pegged as Robbie not saying anything, especially after what Jenny told him when she came to say goodbye. How she heard Robbie chasing Ellen up the street, and how, because she was bored, she followed and eavesdropped. John Matoose found himself listening to the conversation, trying to find the hidden messages they sent to each other regarding the lovers’ quarrel. The sordid affair that Ellen busted. Actually John Matoose wanted to hear anything at that moment that didn’t have to do with the scouting mission, because hearing anything at that moment would make him less nervous. And John Matoose was nervous.

^^^^

It was early and Joe wasn’t due in Distribution just yet. Not wanting to alert anyone to his checking out George’s things in warehouse ‘A’, Joe decided to wait until daybreak to do so, instead of at night when the lights would be seen. The streets of Beginnings only had those who worked early and headed to their shift, mainly security and field workers. Joe reviewed the checklist in his mind as he made his way to the warehouse. First thing was look through George’s things. Second was to locate Henry and find out what the hell he had been doing as leader because Joe had to assign security positions while Robbie was making the flight. That was a task Henry told Dan he’d prefer not to handle and to speak to Joe.

Just about at the entrance to warehouse ‘A’, Joe heard his name being called, not seemingly for anything, more so a good morning hello. Joe, holding out his keys, turned to see Jason.

“Early start?” Jason asked.

“Yeah. You too, I see.”

“Josephine had heart palpitations all night. I stayed there till I sent her home.”

“Is she all right?” Joe asked.

“Nothing serious. She’s fine. I think, my professional opinion, she has a bit of withdrawal. She tried to quit drinking,” Jason explained. “And, well, you and I know she can be quite the lush.”

“What made Josephine decided to give up the bottle? Her health?”

“A man.”

Joe nearly choked on the laughter that blurted out. “A man made her quit?”

“Actually she’s trying to impress him. Forrest.”

“And what was your doctor advice to her?”

“I told her to drink again. Forrest drinks as much as she does and I told her, at eighty-some years old, why quit now.”

Joe was a little surprised by Jason’s unconventional advice. Had it been Dean, Dean would have had her in his new detox program. “Awfully unorthodox advice for a doctor.”

“Yeah well, her heart won’t take the withdrawal symptoms, Joe, so let her go. Hell, her liver is still in great shape. She may still be skipping around here twenty years from now. Anyway I’m off. Wanted to say hi.”

“Where you heading, Jason?” Joe asked, taking in that Jason had approached him behind all the town’s buildings. “Odd that you’re back here.”

“Nah, I cut through this way to get to Mechanics. It’s easier. I have a req to turn in..” He started walking away then he stopped. “Oh Joe.” Jason turned back. “I wanted to ask you something. You can tell me it’s none of my business, but how’s the search for the Society insider going? I figured that’s what you were doing by asking for the history of the time machine.”

“It’s going.” Joe held up a finger slowly. “Let me ask you a question, Jason.”

“Shoot.”

“You said something to Dean and Henry. You said ‘another person’ working for George. As if you knew of one.”

“I do,. Well, I think. I’m not sure, but I’m pretty certain of it.”

“Who?” Joe asked.

“John Matoose.”

Joe tried not to let his shock be seen. “What makes you say John Matoose?”

“History. I gave it thought when things were going against us, especially when we went back March 6th and it seemed so much like a set up. I figured John had to know about this place when he met up with you guys. He was with the President. I think John knew more than he should and George used that against him. John’s whole demeanor changed when George left. It was consistent with someone who has a lot of pressure. That’s why I think George used John’s knowledge to get John to do things, held it over his head. He snapped easily and so forth but the clincher came after the new plague. John all of the sudden was removed from any security work except for flights. Straight Mechanics and you have someone tailing him.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because I work odd hours and hardly ever sleep. John doesn’t see it. I do.”

“If it is true and he is followed, you won’t . . .”

“Say a word?” Jason held up his hand. “No. I figured the only reason John isn’t headless or out of here is because you’re probably using him for all you can get. I’d do the same thing. When the well is dry, fill it in.”

“You’ve given this a lot of thought, haven’t you?” Joe asked.

“Yes I have.”

“As much thought to whoever else you think it is in Beginnings?”

“Person or persons. I have several theories. I’ve been wanting to share them with you but a few are half baked.”

“Well,” Joe bounced from heel to toe. “Let me tell you, they can’t be as half baked as some of the ones we’re dealing with.”

“Then we’ll sit over a drink and talk about them,” Jason said. “Today, I’m gonna try to work in my lab. With Dean’s so-called disappearance, I’m pretty busy at the clinic. Maybe tonight or tomorrow.”

“I’d like that.” Joe nodded once.

“Good.” Jason stepped and stopped. “Joe, one thing. I know you’re looking at me as a insider for the Society. I don’t mind. I would too. But, with all honesty, I would like to tell you something.”

“Sure.”

“I may be guilty of some things in Beginnings, but working for George is not one of them.” Jason smiled partially and walked away.

Joe watched Jason, wondering what he had mean by the last statement, and he figured he’d find out later. But at that moment, getting into the warehouse and looking through George’s things was top priority.

Joe sat on the floor of the warehouse for maybe an hour, going through George’s things. He knew for certain his legs were going to kill him when he finally got out of the crouched down position. He looked differently than he had done before, because he looked with different knowledge. When he went through George’s books, he realized that was where he went wrong before. Like Henry had said, they were only looking for things to do with the Society. When they fine-tooth combed his things before, they were actually using a thick-tooth comb, because they merely skimmed over anything that was related to Beginnings. That was their major mistake.

The book marks called to him, scrap paper, Beginnings made, placed neatly in the parts of the books where George left off. An avid reader and a man who read more than one book at a time, it wasn’t surprising to Joe that George used a marker. Joe even remembered him and Henry reading where George had left off in the books. They had glanced at the book marks but didn’t think anything of them. They were Beginnings paper, How much were they gonna tell them? How wrong Joe and Henry were.

It was there, triple-folded long ways on page one hundred twenty-two of the book, ‘Poseidon Adventure’, with George’s handwriting on the smooth side saying ‘bookmark’ and a George drawing of a daisy. But when Joe unfolded it, he realized what it was. It was evidence they needed, but not evidence they wanted to admit. Someone from Beginnings really did try to warn George and Joe read the proof he held in his hand. A note dated from the future to George in the past. ‘This is a warning. Do not continue on with the Society’s plan. I urge you. The virus is not infallible. I know this because I write you from a future that has gone bad. Signed, a friend.’

Perhaps George kept the note as a reminder of his mistake for possibly scoffing at it all those years ago. There was only one problem. The note was not handwritten; it was typed. With no signature there wasn’t any way to know who wrote it. Or was there? Joe glanced down at the note again, looking at it instead of reading it and that’s when he noticed. All the capital letters were faded and cut off some at the top. A hint of blue ink, only a hint, could be seen. A typewriter fault? A Henry-made typewriter ribbon error? Whatever caused it, Joe quickly ran through his mind how many typewriters there were in Beginnings and who all had them. That was where Joe was going to start. Placing the note in his chest pocket, Joe closed the ‘Poseidon Adventure’ and began to pack up George’s things. He had a new direction, one he would get started on as soon as he could. It was a little clue, but a clue none-the-less.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Frank kept watching, throughout his training and whenever he was in his office, for those six scientist to leave so he could go find Dean. When they finally appeared to be taking a morning break, Frank took advantage of it. He sneaked out of his building, stayed close to the walls, edged his way to the next, darted in and out of bushes, and tried, as if someone his size could easily be concealed.

It dawned on Frank as he was making his mad dash to the doors of the lab building. Why was he hiding? He was C.O. of the base. Realizing this, he slowed down, stood straight, and walked in. He made his way to the main lab. The door was locked and he opened it with a key that Lt. Merrick had marked for him.

Frank readied himself to scold Dean for not stopping by during the course of the morning to say ‘hi’. But he figured, like he was addicted to smoking, Dean was addicted to lab equipment or something.

Frank didn’t see him when he walked into the lab, but that didn’t mean Frank didn’t know where Dean was. He remembered the special lab off of the freezer room. Frank deducted that was where they kept Dean, hidden away like a deformed child or something. And Frank was right. Walking into the freezer room, he could see Dean in the lab

. . . on the phone?

Frank opened the door, hearing Dean laugh.

Dean’s back was to Frank and he was reclining in the chair. “O.K., just keep that in mind . . . I’ll try to call you later if I can get near a phone . . . I miss you too. I love you. Bye.”

“No!” Frank cried out, running into the lab as Dean set down the receiver.

Dean jumped at Frank’s scream. “God, Frank.”

“That . . . that was El.” Frank pointed to the phone. “Wasn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“Dean, you asshole! You can call Ellen?”

“Yes.” Dean stood up. “It was part of the arrangement.”

“Fuck.” Frank rushed to the phone and reached for it. “Where is she? I wanna talk to her.”

“No, Frank.” Dean laid his hand on the receiver.

“Dean.”

“Frank.”

“Get your hand off the phone. I’m calling El.”

“And tell her what?” Dean asked.

“Tell her I love her and miss her.”

“And divulge that you have your memory.”

“No!” Frank snapped. “I won’t say anything about that.”

“Frank, you idiot. What the hell do you think telling her you love her would be doing? The lines are tapped.”

“Oh.” Frank thought about it. “Why is George letting you call home?”

“Because he thinks El is the only who know about it and it was part of my bargain. I have to have constant checkins with her. If she doesn’t hear from me, I told George she would go to Joe and they would drop a weapon she and I worked on that would wipe out everyone on the east coast, except me. I’m immune.”

“Is that true? Do you have a weapon like that?”

“Um . . . uh . . . no. What are you doing here, Frank?”

“Bored I guess.” He sat on the edge of Dean’s desk. “You know, Dean, I heard the end of your conversation. In all seriousness, don’t get your hopes up on keeping this marriage thing once I get home.”

Dean laughed, stopped laughing, looked at Frank, and laughed again.

“What?”

“You think you’re gonna steal her from me?”

“Yes.”

“You think?”

“I know.”

Dean laughed.

“Don’t . . .” Frank imitated Dean’s laughing. “Wanna bet on it?”

“I’ll bet you. What do you wanna bet.”

“That I can’t steal her off of you and break up the marriage?”

“Yes.”

“Let me think about it. I need a time frame though. She’ll have a certain loyalty to you for a short time for coming after me. But after that . . .” Frank fluttered his lips. “You’re little man history.”

“You think?”

“I know.”

“We’ll see.”

“We will.” Frank nodded.

“Why are you here, Frank?”

“What? Are you working on something?” Frank asked sarcastically.

“No.” Dean shook his head. “I wouldn’t work on anything for them except to screw things up.”

“So you have nothing better to do than to argue with me?”

Dean let out a long sigh. “I guess not.” Dean pointed to his desk and extra chair. “Wanna catch up some more.”

“Yeah.” Frank sat down at the same time as Dean. “Hey Dean.”

“What?”

Frank leaned into the desk. “Guess what?”

“What?”

“I know something you don’t know.”

Dean made a scoffing face, gasping in disgust. “What is this? Let’s play first grade?” Dean leaned back in his chair. “What do you know?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Does it have something to do with the Society?”

“Nope.” Frank played with the pencil holder. “It’s more personal.”

“Then in that case . . .” Dean took the pencil holder from him. “I know something you don’t know.”

“No you don’t. You’re just saying that.”

“Nope.” Dean shook his head.

“What is it?” Frank asked.

“I can’t tell you. Joe orders.” Dean smirked thinking of Hal. “Ah. Bet it’s better than yours.”

“Doubt it. Give me a hint.”

“You give me a hint.”

“I can’t.”

Dean shrugged. “Neither can I.”

“O.K.” Frank tapped his fingers on Dean’s desk as he rested his chin on his hand. “Catch up time. How did this Neville Competition start?”

Dean smiled and leaned closer to his desk. He enjoyed arguing with Frank. In fact, he missed it so much, fighting with Frank actually put him in a good mood. They sat in his little office and talked about Beginnings until the scientist returned.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

The buzzing of the cryo-lab door opening wouldn’t have caught Ellen’s attention because she didn’t lock it. The sweet smell of cologne made her lift her head from the far counter and sniff. It drew closer. There were only two men in Beginnings who regularly wore cologne. Joe, but that wasn’t a scent for him. He was more the ‘Old Spice’ or “Brute’ guy. And Danny Hoi. But Danny consistently wore the same thing and that definitely wasn’t what Ellen smelled.

She turned around and smiled. “Robbie.”

“Hey El.”

Ellen’s head twitched, subtly looking at a clean shaven, hair combed Robbie. “What’s up with this?” She held her hand out to him and motioned it in a point.

“Oh.” He ran his hand over the top of his hair. “I didn’t get cleaned up this morning before I flew John and Jess off so I thought I’d take a shower now.”

“I see.”

“Busy?”

“Yes. Sorry.”

“I’ll come back.” Robbie pointed to the door.

“No, we can talk while I work. I’m just looking for abnormalities. Stay if you can take it.”

“O.K.” Robbie smiled and moved closer.

“Excuse my back.” She turned to the counter. “What’s up with the cologne?”

“You like it?”

“Yes.” Ellen pulled the large magnifying glass over the specimen tray she viewed. “There’s a clipboard over on the other counter. Can you hand it to me?”

“Sure.” Robbie looked and saw it. He picked it up, walked right behind Ellen and handed it over her shoulder.

Ellen felt how close he was. “Robbie.”

“So uh . . .” He stepped even closer, peering over her shoulder. “What are we looking at?”

“Marv.” She giggled when she felt Robbie lightly touch against her.

“Marv? Why are you laughing?”

“Why do I get this sneaky suspicion you’re being a little frisky right now.”

“Sorry.”

“Do you still feeling a little awkward about you manhood?”

“El,” Robbie whined her name.

“Are you?”

“What if I’m only attractive to men now?”

Ellen turned around and faced him. “Robbie, I will tell you this one time today. After that you have to wait until tomorrow. O.K.?”

“O.K.”

“You are incredibly sexy.” Her hand ran up his chest. “You are the best looking guy in Beginnings and you have awesome green eyes, a cute little butt, and a great body. O.K.?”

“All right.”

“Good. Now I have to get back to this before I go to the clinic.” She turned back to the counter.

“So you’re working on Marv. I thought we buried him.”

“Not all of him.”

“El?” Robbie looked in the specimen tray. “Those are little pieces.”

“Yes.”

“Of Marv?”

“Yes.” Ellen nodded. Using tweezers, she lifted the pieces.

“What exactly are you doing with those little pieces?”

“Identifying them and documenting.”

“What part of him was it?”

“Oh. Look.” Ellen allowed Robbie to share the magnifying glass as she pointed. “This here is the . . . I wouldn’t expect you to know this off hand, but this is the duct of the epididymis. This here is a very small portion of the prepuce. And if you really look close you can see that this is indeed the external urethral orifice.”

“Yeah. Sure. What?”

“Let’s just say they are remains of Marv’s internal and external genitalia.”

“Uh.” Robbie shuddered vocally. “Oh my God. That’s a mess.”

“Yes.”

“It doesn’t look anything like parts of the male anatomy.”

“Sure it does, chewed up and spit out.”

“Ouch.”

Ellen giggled. “It wasn’t digested either. It never hit the stomach. Other parts . . .”

“El.” Robbie shook his head. “That’s enough.” Just as he started to step back, he heard the clearing of a throat. He looked over his shoulder to see a snickering Henry. “What?”

“Sorry.” Henry held up his hand as he took a step in the lab. “I was just wondering to myself if you are standing behind El to get a good look at what she’s looking at or maybe you just miss Jess.”

“Huh?” The it hit Robbie. His eyes widened and horror splattered across his face as if someone threw it at him. “El.”

Ellen laughed.

Henry stepped in. Only when he walked in, he walked over to El with his hands behind his back and his backside always facing away from Robbie.

“Henry,” Robbie scolded. “Why are you walking like that.”

“Don’t want to excite you. I got those jeans on that El says make my butt look good.”

Robbie bit his lip and whispered to Ellen. “I’m killing you.”

Ellen kept giggling and working.

Henry made his way to Robbie who still stood close to Ellen. “So Robbie, I heard you tried homosexuality last night.”

“Henry!”

“Kidding.” Henry laughed. “I’m sorry. So, what are you guys doing?”

Ellen looked at Henry from the magnifying glass. “I was just showing Robbie the remains of Marv’s genitalia.”

Henry snickered. “Man Robbie, you have to see it anyway you can, don’t you?”

Robbie held up one finger and readied himself to snap at Henry. But as his mouth opened, Robbie’s name was called out over his radio. Robbie opened and closed his mouth as if the voice mysteriously came from him. He chuckled and grabbed the radio from his waist. “What’s up, Dan?”

“None of us will do it, Robbie. You’re head of security. You have to go to sector thirty-two. Hank failed to come back from Neville rounds.”

“Shit.” Hooking the radio onto his belt and, without even saying goodbye, Robbie ran from the cryo-lab.

Henry took a look at Ellen then followed behind Robbie, never seeing Ellen plop her elbows on the counter and cover her face.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“So then I said to my brother . . .” Jess told a story as he and John tromped through the thick woods nearer to the base than they thought. “ . . . he was on. I bet I was the one who could get out of the service before my tour was up.”

“And he won didn’t he?”

Jess laughed. “Yeah. I never left the service. I loved it. He hated it.”

“Hey, what’s that?” John trotted ahead of Jess.

“Be careful.” Jess hurried to catch him.

John bent down to the large mound of dirt, branches, and brush. “Someone’s been hiding and digging.”

Jess had his hand over his nose. “And by the smell of it . . .”

John lifted a large branch. “Oh man.” He stood up. “Bodies.” He sniffed outward and cleared his throat.

“How many?” Jess looked into the hole when John removed a few more branches. “I’m counting ten.”

“Eleven. Look.” John pointed.

“Oh, he’s just missing a leg. I missed that. They’re not hidden very well.”

“Not at all. I’d say this hole was dug with no intentions of hiding them.”

“And whoever it was covered them quickly.”

“Frank,” John said.

“How do you know?” Jess asked.

“All head shots . . .in the forehead. That’s a Frank trademark.” John replaced the branches and kicked his foot to cover the bodies again.

“He’s taking them out.”

“But hasn’t for a while. There are no fresh bodies.”

“Do you ever wonder if Frank worries about burning in hell?” Jess asked John.

“Frank. Nah.” John shook his head. “I think Frank has this idea that he’s already in hell and he might as well make the best of it.”

Jess snickered. “We’d better get moving. By the map, that base isn’t too far ahead and we’re gonna have to get out of sight.”

John agreed and moved onward with Jess only after taking one more look at the mass grave and shaking his head with a snicker.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Joe finally had his first opportunity. Distribution was closed for an hour and he was going to use the break to start his investigation. He deducted there were six typewriters in Beginnings. He decided to start with the typewriter closest to distribution. History’s.

He stepped inside the empty office of history and was immediately pelted with this sweet smell. He sniffed and sniffed again. It was warm and fruity. “What in Christ name . . .” He sniffed again.

“Hi Joe!” Trish spoke upbeat, walking from the back room and pulling the door closed as she held a stack of papers.

“Trish, what is that smell?”

“Oh, blueberry scented candles. You like?” She sat down at her desk and laid the stack in front of her.

“No. Where in the hell are you getting blueberry scented candles?”

“Danny Hoi. It cost a small favor slip but it was worth it.” Trish loudly whiffed inwardly with a satisfying moan. “Doesn’t it smell bakery fresh in here?”

“Whatever. Trish I need . . .” He saw her open her appointment book. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t ask me if I have an appointment.”

Trish quickly shut the book. “Oh never, Joe. I was just checking. What can I do for you?”

“Does your typewriter work?”

“Yes. Oh! Do you need me to type something for you?”

“As a matter of fact . . .” Joe smiled. “Can you?”

“Sure Joe. Are you going to dictate it to me?”

“Um, yeah. Just a line. I’m checking on something. Can you do it now.”

“Most definitely. Let me get some paper.”

Joe reached into his pocket for the note and watched Trish slowly open her bottom drawer. She fumbled then licked her finger and pulled out a sheet of paper. She swirled her chair to her typewriter and placed the paper inside. “Trish.”

She ignored Joe as she hummed a tune, turned the knob, and pulled the paper up. “Whoops.” She took out the paper and reinserted it. “Not lined up.”

“Trish!”

“What?”

“Never mind. Are you done?”

“Let me see.” Trish looked at the paper. “I’m ready. It’s lined up. Dictate.”

“O.K. ready . . .”

“I type very fast, Joe, so don’t worry about leaving me behind.”

“Good. Now type . . . This is a warning.” Joe saw Trish didn’t type. “What’s wrong?”

“Why am I threatening someone?”

“You’re not.”

“But you just said type a warning to someone.”

“Just type those words.”

“Who am I threatening?” Trish asked.

“No one.”

“Who are you threatening?”

“No one.”

“Then why am I typing, ‘this is a warning’?”

“Trish!” Joe yelled.

“Yes.”

“Just type the goddamn words.”

“O.K.” Trish’s fingers clicked on the typewrite. In seconds she was done. “Anything else?”

“No. Just let me see that.”

“Here.” Trish started to hand Joe the paper. As soon as he grabbed it, she yanked it back.

“Ow.” Joe brought his freshly paper cut finger to his mouth. “Give it back.”

“Wait. No one sees this but you..”

“Give it.” Joe snatched the paper from Trish’s hand.

“Ow!” Trish shrieked and brought her finger to her mouth also.

“Doesn’t feel good, does it?” Joe grabbed his glasses and put them on. He compared the notes and handed Trish hers back. “Here I don’t need this. Thank you anyhow.”

“No problem.” Trish began to rip the paper up in tiny little pieces.

“What are you doing that for?”

Trish spoke as she kept herself engrossed in the ripping. “Because I don’t want anyone to see the note. They’ll know I typed it and they’ll think I’m typing threatening letters.”

“How the hell is anyone gonna know you typed that?” Joe asked her with sarcasm and annoyance, cringing at every little rip she made.

“Because I have the only typewriter in Beginnings that Henry’s ribbons actually work good on. Everyone else’s clashes in some way or another. So if they see perfect type, they know it’s my typewriter.”

“How do you know this?” Joe asked.

Trish tsked. “Joe.” She rolled her eyes. “Duh. I get all the history reports, Mr. Ex-leader. I know everybody’s typewriter faults and glitches.”

Joe’s eyes lit up. “You do, don’t you. Trish.” Joe smiled. “How would you like to help me out?”

“With what?”

“Tell me about distinguishing characteristics faults of each typewriter.”

Trish gasped. “My God, Joe, that could take a while. I’m a busy women.”

Joe looked around. “Doing what?”

“History is mentally consuming but . . . I’ll do it. However, it will cost you.”

“Cost me what.”

Trish tapped her hands in thought. She held up her finger, grabbed a pad, and scribbled something down. “Paying my small favor slip to Danny Hoi.” She handed Joe a piece of paper. “Sign this and I talk.”

Joe knew Trish’s filling him in could save him a lot of time and lead him in the right direction. So figuring he’d deal with owing Danny at a later time, Joe signed the paper that stated he owed Danny instead of Trish. He grabbed his small note book from his back pocket and proceeded to take notes as Trish slowly filled him in on the every single boring and detailed glitch of every typewriter in Beginnings.

^^^^

Bowman, North Dakota

“Jenkins,” Hal stated to Sgt. Ryder as they moved down the street of Bowman. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s a good choice. And it would be less hassle since he would whine the most for not getting picked.”

“My thoughts exactly” Hal said. “So we pack up and we leave for Beginnings tomorrow.”

Sgt. Ryder let out a slow breath. “I didn’t think I would be included in this plan.”

“Actually it was Ellen’s suggestion.”

“The woman’s?”

Hal cringed. “You have to stop doing that. All of us have to stop doing that. Yes, Ellen, the woman When we stated I would bring someone up to help Robbie protect her and the kids while the plan goes down, she asked specifically for you.”

Sgt. Ryder grinned. “I’m honored.”

“And you know what, Elliott? I’m glad she did. I feel better with you there.”

“And I get to go to Beginnings.”

“It’s not all that.”

“Excuse me.”

“Sure the technology is there, but small town charm?” Hal shook his head. “No. Our new town will definitely, kick ass in the charm department over Beginnings.”

Sgt. Ryder chuckled and strolled with Hal. They discussed Beginnings further and the plan that was going down much sooner than anyone anticipated.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Joe covered Hank’s body probably faster than he uncovered it in the morgue. “Christ.” He looked up at Robbie. “Bad, but not as bad as Marv.”

“He was still as easy to carry. Did you call Ellen?” Robbie asked.

“Yeah. She’s on her way.”

“Then maybe we should go meet her.” Robbie indicated to the morgue door.

“Yeah, let’s. Even though Henry’s out in the hall, I think this may be one of those times where I’m gonna have to intercept her and be the one to talk to her. We need answers.” Joe moved to the door and looked at Hank’s covered body again. “And we need answers now.”

As soon as Ellen walked into the clinic she saw Henry standing in the hall, facing the other way. “Henry.”

Henry turned around. “Hey El.”

“I’ve been summoned. How bad?”

“There was only the one bag this time.”

Ellen let out a slow breath. “That is a relief. There is nothing worse than rummaging through a bin of very small body parts trying to distinguish . . .”

“El.” Henry shook his head and held up his hand. “Please. Just the thought makes me sick.”

“Sorry.” Ellen stepped closer to him. “So why am I not recognizing the name Hank? Who is Hank?”

“Oh, a defector.”

“Huh.”

“One of the Society’s defectors that came in right at the time of the new plague. One of Jess’s men.” Henry spoke seriously then saw the snicker on Ellen face.

“One of Jess’s men?” She raised an eyebrow.

Henry started to snicker as well then saw Joe and Robbie walking down the hall. “Here comes another one of Jess’s men.”

“Shh,” Ellen whispered. “This is a serious moment. Let’s be solemn.” She placed her hands behind her back and stood up straight and with less of a smile. “Hi Joe.”

“Hank is in the back. I want answers from you,” Joe told her.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Ellen began to walk away.

“No,” Joe called out. “If you can’t tell me what killed him then you’d better damn well have some answers about what is happening to my men and what we can do to prevent it. Got that.”

“Joe, I said I’ll see what I can do.” Ellen swayed her head.

“Do it,” Joe ordered. “You’ve been working on Marv for days. Do it.” He faced Henry after Ellen walked down the hall. “What I need from you, Henry, is for you and Danny to sit down and figure out how much fence you need and how many men you’ll need to erect a perimeter as fast as possible. Cliff or no cliff, do not want to take a chance, no matter how small, of whatever got two of our men coming into this community.”

“But Joe . . .” Henry said. “That’s a lot of area and the kids play out there.”

“Then you minimize the area by going around the base of the cliff as close as possible then you double the fence. The one on the inside of the community is the protection from the one that’s hot. We are just gonna have to teach these kids to stay the hell away from the fence. I don’t mean to step on your toes Henry . . .”

“No, Joe. That’s O.K.” Henry nodded. “I’ll get a hold of Danny right now.” Henry noticed the look on Joe’s face. “That bad, Joe?”

Joe looked at Robbie then Henry. “Put it this way, Henry. I feel like I am in a Stephen King novel.”

Ellen looked at the semi-mound that was supposed to be a body on the table in the morgue. She let out a deep tension breath as she put on her gloves and moved to the table. “Oh boy.” She cleared her throat and brought the accessories with her, tape recorder, chart, and trays. Hesitantly she grasped the of the top of the sheet and pulled it back, exposing Hank’s half -torn apart head that was barely connected to his body. Ellen dropped the sheet and slowly closed her eyes. “Oh God. Not again.”

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

On a small grade dug pretty much into the hillside, Jess and John laid on their stomachs. It was an odd thing for Jess to hear. Perhaps that was why he turned to John when he heard the snickering.

“John. What? What do you see?”

“I’ll be damned. Take a look.” John handed Jess the binoculars.

“What and where am I looking?”

“Walking into what we call building ‘A’. Look.”

“Oh shit.” Jess lowered the binoculars and smiled at John. “Frank.”

“Yep.”

Jess looked again. “Holy hell.” Jess then handed the binoculars back. “I almost didn’t recognize him. He has hair.”

^^^^

Frank didn’t think it was a poisonous apple. It didn’t look poisonous. But then again it didn’t look like an apple either. It was round and green and Frank thought maybe it was the start of some really huge plum. He held it, looked at it, and debated in his mind on whether to eat it. It had been so long since he had fresh fruit, a custom he had become used to in Beginnings.

Figuring he’d take it with him, relax after working out, and stare at it for a while, Frank walked down the corridor of the main building and to his office. He was surprised when the door was unlocked. He was more surprised when he saw Dean sitting there. “Dean.” Frank hurried and shut the door. “How did you get in here?”

Dean sat in the chair by Frank’s desk. “That guy Richie unlocked the door.”

“Richie? He, uh, didn’t say who he was, did he?”

“Richie, Frank. You know the guy who came from my closet.”

“Oh yeah. That Richie.” Frank palmed his mysterious fruit, looking at it.

“Frank? What do you have?”

“An apple, I think. Kind of small.” Frank held it up. “Maybe the start of a plum or peach. I was gonna eat it.”

“Frank, you can’t . . . go on.” Dean raised his head. “Enjoy.”

Frank opened his mouth, paused and smiled. “No-no.” He set the thing on his desk. “You’re supposed to wait until we get home. It’s poisonous, isn’t it?”

“No. Eat it.”

“No Dean. It’s poisonous, isn’t it?” Frank smiled. “Huh? Isn’t it? Huh? Isn’t it? Huh?”

“Frank!” Dean snapped. “God. Yes. It is a poisonous berry.” Dean picked it up and whistled. “And a really big one too.”

“So what are you doing here?” Frank sat down behind his desk. “Miss me?”

“No, contrary to what you’d like to believe after the initial slight happiness of seeing you, I’ve had my Frank fill.”

“Whatever. What do you want?”

“I have news.” Dean moved closer to the desk. “Guess who’s coming to Binghamton in two days?”

“Who?”

“Guess.”

“Um . . .” Frank closed his eyes. “My dad.”

“Aside from him.”

“My brother.”

Dean snickered. “Aside from him too. Guess.”

“Who?”

“George.”

“Who?”

“George!” Dean yelled. “George Hadley.”

“Oh my God. No shit?” Frank snapped forward. “How do you know?”

“Leonard just told me.”

“Oh this is so great. How long will he be here?” Frank asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Let’s just hope he stays long enough for us to safely kill him.”

“All you’ll have to do is your Frank thing to him and how long will that take? One second.” Dean told him.

“You don’t want to help?”

“What? Kill George?”

“Yeah.”

“No.” Dean shook his head. “You can have the honors. Killing is really not my cup of tea, except for you.”

“Ha!” Frank rocked in his chair. “Really ‘Mr. Wipeout Half the East Coast’? Come on, Dean. You don’t want to take the pleasure in killing George?” Frank raised an eye brow.

“Frank. I’m saving my energy for you.”

“He killed the world, Dean. He . . . gave my dad Salicain.” Frank tossed out the list with an enticing manner. “Started the new plague. Had something to do with you going blind. Gave our kids the new plague. Brian, Dean. And . . .” Frank stopped rocking and leaned his elbows on the desk. “According to Henry and Ellen, he even killed you.”

“O.K.. Maybe you have a point. But how much help do you need to shoot him in the head?”

“Dean,” Frank smiled. “I was thinking on the lines of something sicker. Something that would make him suffer. You know, hit him with a delayed reaction. He thinks he got away and BAM, he dies a slow, painful, really disgusting, Dean-style chemical death.”

“Frank . . .”

Frank tilted his head. “You make it. I hit him with it. What do you say?”

Dean moved his lips around as he thought. “O.K., you got a deal. I’ll see what I can make here. It depends what they have.”

Frank slammed his hand on the desk. “Excellent. You’ll get on it right away.”

“Sure, why not.” Dean shrugged. “Shit.”

“What?”

“I have no test subjects. I’m gonna need test subjects. Rabbits or such.”

“When do you need them?”

“As soon as possible.”

Frank smiled arrogantly. “Don’t worry. I know just where to pick them up.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Andrea’s office.

Joe looked at the nearly shut door, facing it for what seemed to be an eternity. He checked out the note from the future and then replaced it in his chest pocket. With a hand that held a requisition, he knocked once on the door and pushed it open.

Andrea looked up from her desk, smiled, and then began to stand. “I was just leaving.”

“Oh yeah?” Joe placed his hands in his pockets. “I need to uh . . .” Joe held up the requisition. “Need to borrow your typewriter. Can I?”

“Oh sure.” Andrea piled up some folders, moving them neatly to the corner of her desk. “Are you sad about Hank?”

“Who?” Joe asked.

“The new guy that died.”

“Oh.” Joe nodded once. “Yes. Very. It’s a shame.”

“Ellen didn’t say if she needed help with the autopsy. You know, with Dean gone and all.”

“I’m sure Ellen’s fine.” Joe waited impatiently for Andrea to move from behind her desk so he could use the typewriter on the little table next to it. “She’s fine.”

“Good.” Andrea smiled. “Are we having a special council meeting regarding it?”

Joe lifted his shoulder. “Don’t know. Andrea, can I . . .”

“I guess I should be asking Henry that, huh?”

“Yes. Andrea, could I use that typewriter? I’m really can’t fit back there with you standing there.”

“Oh.” Andrea snickered. “Sorry.” She stepped from behind her desk. “Be my guest.”

“Thank you.” Joe walked over, sat in her chair, and turned it to face the typewriter. He looked at it.

“On the side.”

“What?”

“On the side. The power.”

“Andrea, I know how to turn . . . thank you.” He reached for the power button as if she guided him, even though Joe was quite aware of where the power switch was located. He pulled out his glasses and placed them on. He could see, from the corner of his eye, Andrea standing there. “Are you gonna watch me?”

Andrea closed her eyes and shook her head with a smile. “Sorry. I’m a little out of it. I’m going to go. See you at home.” She pointed to the door.

Joe watched her. Then Joe watched her stop.

“Joe.”

“Yes.”

“Can we have everyone over for dinner? I don’t mean the community.” She snickered at Joe’s grunt. “I mean, Ellen, the kids, Robbie, Henry, and Johnny. Can we? We haven’t had the family together in a while. I’m making pasta and there’s . . .”

“Yes.”

“Oh, goodie because I just think with Dean leaving and . . .”

“Yes Andrea. You can do this. You don’t need to explain.”

“Thanks.” She reached for the door. “I think it would be nice don’t . . .”

“Andrea! Christ, I’m trying to get this done.”

Andrea gasped. “Was that tone necessary Joe Slagel? Oh, I don’t think. Do you?” She crossed her arms and glared at him. “Well Mr. Attitude. We’ll just deal with this later. You’re lucky I don’t kick your ass out of my office now.” Her hand moved about. “Talking to me like that. Snapping at me. Sitting in my desk. Using my typewriter. Which by the way, I let no one use. Feel privileged, Joe.”

“Are you done?” Joe peered up at her.

“Yes.”

“Good. See you at home.” He waited and it didn’t take long. Andrea huffed and stormed from the office, slamming the door. Joe turned back to the typewriter.

He set down the requisition. He didn’t want to type on it, not wanting to waste I, so he grabbed a slip of scrap paper from Andrea’s little holder. He rolled it in the typewriter, bringing the paper up a little. He peered over his glasses, placed his hands on the keys, and then typed the words, ‘this is a warning’. After he hit the return key, and the words barely inched their way up, Joe knew. He didn’t even need to take the paper out of the typewriter. He pulled the future note from his pocket, just to double check. He compared both notes. There was no mistake about it, the faulty type, the cut off capital letters, and the blue and black ink running together. The future note’s irregular and defective print was a dead match for the irregular and defective print of Andrea’s typewriter.

Joe’s heart sunk.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Beginnings, Montana

“It doesn’t mean anything Joe.” Henry handed Joe back the future note and the one Joe typed. “Anyone could have snuck in there and used the typewriter. To me, it’s not conclusive.”

Joe sat behind his desk, actually Henry’s desk, leaning back in the chair, and looking at the two notes that laid before him. “Robbie, what do you think?”

“I hate to do it but I have to agree with Henry. Just because it was her typewriter, doesn’t mean it was Andrea.” Robbie said. “What does your gut tell you, Dad?”

“My gut.” Joe lifted the notes and dropped them. “My gut tells me . . . she typed the note. And . . .” Joe stopped when there was a knock at the door. “We’ll discuss this later . . . Come in!” Joe sat back with an ‘I’ve been expecting you’ look on his face when Ellen, so frightened, walked in.

“Hey Joe.” Ellen was wearing Dean’s jean jacket. She shut the door and shook her arms nervously. “Cold out there. Hi, Henry.” She looked at Robbie, who stood up. “Hi.”

Robbie inched his way to her as if Joe or Henry didn’t see him do it. He whispered, “I need to talk to you later.”

“O.K.” Ellen looked around Robbie to see an impatient Joe. She waited until Robbie sat back down and then she took center room. “I’m still inconclusive on what is doing the killing. Our analysis program . . . um, it doesn’t . . .” She cleared her throat. “Excuse me. It doesn’t recognize the uh, animal.”

Joe slowly rocked in his chair. He brought his folded hands up to his chin. “Is that so?”

“Yes.” Ellen said. “Whatever it is, uh . . . goes for the jugular vein first. Most of the body wounds thereafter are not bleeders meaning it goes for the throat, ripping and tearing until all movement stops and then it eats.”

“The victim?” Joe questioned.

“Yes,” Ellen answered.

“And this is all you have for me.”

“Well it only eats the fleshy parts. And . . .” Ellen reached into the inside jacket pocket and pulled out a pump spray bottle. “Here.” She set it on Joe’s desk.

“What is this?” Joe picked it up.

“Um, it’s this super, uh, anti-animal formula me and I conjured up.”

“Super anti-animal formula? For what?” Joe asked.

“It’s a mixture that will burn an animal’s mouth on contact. If the men spray it on their neck, the second the animal bites him, the animal will go no further. You may have an injury but probably not a devastating mangled mess of a death.”

“Thank you for the colorful commentary.” Joe looked at the bottle. “This will burn the animal’s mouth?”

“Yes. Really badly too. O.K.? That’s the best I can do now. Bye.”

“Ellen,” Joe called out to her as he held the bottle closely to his nose. “This smells like straight garlic.”

“Um . . . yeah. It is. Bye.” She hurried for the door again.

“Hold it.” Joe set the bottle down. “Since when did garlic burn an animal’s mouth.”

“It works on werewolves.” Ellen shrugged and lifted her arms.

“Vampires,” Joe corrected.

Robbie looked at Ellen. “This isn’t a joke because you said the animal rips apart the throat first. Is it?”

“No.” Ellen shook her head. “It’ll work. Trust me. I think. Not ‘think’ that you should trust me. You should trust me. But think that it will . . .”

“Ellen,” Joe stated her name harshly. “You’re saying this is an animal. Garlic won’t burn an animal’s mouth.”

“That will.” Ellen pointed.

“It’s garlic,” Joe said.

“Yes.”

“Garlic won’t do it. It’s an animal, Ellen, not vampires. We don’t have vampires in Beginnings.”

Henry held up his finger. “If I may, Joe. You did say you felt like you were in a Stephen King novel”

“Henry.” Joe looked at him.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t.” Joe grabbed the bottle. “Now, Ellen . . .”

“Bye, Joe.” Ellen waved and ran out the door.

Joe, angry, stood up. “She knows something. I know she knows something.”

Robbie turned from the closed door to his father. “What can we do though?”

“You and you.” Joe pointed to Henry and Robbie. “Can do nothing but I have two doctors and a doctor wanna be who can pretty much make heads or tails out of her autopsy reports.” Joe sat back down. “And that’s where I’m gonna start.” He picked up his phone and dialed. “Andrea. It’s me. I have something you need to do for me.”

^^^^

Binghamton. Alabama

“What are they doing?” John asked Jess who watched Frank and Dean.

“Staying out of sight while they talk.”

“They should be back inside. Someone is going to see them together out there.”

“Nah. They’re hidden. Look.” Jess handed John the binoculars.

“Does it . . .” John lowered them from his face. “Does it look to you like they’re arguing?”

“Yeah, but they wouldn’t be arguing. Catching up, maybe. I mean, they haven’t seen each other in a while. They’re on the same side. They’re probably just discussing George really in-depth and it’s making them look like that.”

“Yeah.” John returned to watching them. “You’re probably right. What the hell could they possibly have to argue about anyhow?”

^^^^

“Henry,” Frank said the name so insistently.

“No, Frank. Robbie.”

“Henry.”

“Robbie,” Dean spoke argumentatively.

“This whole conversation is pretty fuckin stupid.”

“Go figure. You started it.”

“Hey!”

“Hey yourself, Frank.” Dean looked around to make sure they still remained behind the large storage building. He placed his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. “Robbie.”

“Henry.”

“Frank, you haven’t been there in a month. I know.”

“Don’t matter Dean. I know.”

“What do you know?”

“I know that she was living with fuckin Henry to stay neutral between us and . . . and.” Frank pointed. “You and I are gone. He’s gonna jump on it, especially since he thinks you really left Beginnings for the Society. In Henry’s eyes right now. You’re a gone man. I’m a dead man. He’s a lucky man and trust me. He’s gonna waste no time.” Frank nodded with assurance.

“O.K., O.K. you have a point. But . . .”

“No buts.”

“Yes Frank but. I’m saying with all certainty, Robbie will go after Ellen.”

“Robbie!” Frank scoffed. “Why in the world would Robbie go after Ellen in our absence if he knows your coming back and he knows me, his brother, is alive.”

“Because I told him to make it look like Ellen turned to him when I left. I . . . I told him to watch over her and take care of her.”

“Dean!” Frank blasted. “What the fuck? Oh, man.” Frank shook his head. “You gave the two most immoral people in Beginnings permission to play house. Oh, you have no one to blame if something happens. You gave the green light. You know Ellen.”

“I know your brother too. That’s why I say Robbie’s taking advantage of us being gone. Of course I didn’t think they did after I heard they did it the one time in Ashtonville.”

“They didn’t,” Frank said.

“They did.” Dean told him. “El it happened when her and I broke up and she lived with him.”

“No.”

“Yes.” Dean nodded. “And bet me it’s happened before. But we can’t really get mad because we weren’t there in that history.”

“Technically we were,” Frank said. “We just don’t know it.” He looked at his watch. “Shit, we’d better be splitting up. We’ve been out here long enough.”

Dean checked out the time also. “Yeah. You’re right.”

“I’ll head out first.” Frank began to walk. “Hey, Dean. Thanks for the talk. And work on that chemical.”

“I will. You work on my animal.”

Frank just grinned and kept on walking.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Was Andrea home already? Joe asked himself when he walked in the house, smelled the scent of food, and heard the . . . slamming of pots? “Andrea.” Joe walked in the kitchen.

“Joe.” Andrea kept her back to him. “I pretty much have everything ready. I have to do something around dinner time at the clinic. A, uh . . . . patient. It won’t take long. Hand the salad duty over to someone, please.”

“What’s wrong?”

It was high pitched and so female. “Nothing.” She laid a lid on the pot. “I just a patient.”

“I’m not talking about the clinic. I’m talking about with you.”

“What do you mean, Joe? What’s wrong with me because I won’t make the salad?” She stirred the cooking pasta. “I hate warm lettuce and you know perfectly well if you break it too soon it turns brown. I don’t know about . . .”

“Andrea! For crying out loud.” Joe stepped to her. “You found something out, didn’t you? When you, Jason, and Johnny looked into the autopsy you found something . . .”

SLAM! The metal pasta fork banged off the counter. Andrea spun coldly to Joe. “I found nothing.”

Joe’s eyes widened at the sudden switch in demeanor. “Excuse me?”

“And don’t you ever ask me to go behind a coworker’s back again. You hear me? Leader, former leader, council member. I don’t care.” Her arms waved about. “There was nothing what so ever in those reports. None of us found anything, Joe. You!” Andrea pointed as she backed up. “Just want answers so badly that you will stoop so low as to go behind Ellen’s back to find out. There are no answers, Joe, and I feel really awful for doing your dirty work. From now out, if you want to play private investigator and find out what you think you know, then you do it. Stop asking everyone else to do it. Stop asking me!”

“Why are you so upset about this? I asked you to read her reports.”

“Without her knowledge.”

“Yeah. So.”

“It’s wrong.”

“Yeah so.”

Andrea grunted loudly. “I’ll tell you what your problem is, Joseph Slagel.”

“O.K. I’m game. Tell me,” Joe said.

“Ellen said it was inconclusive., but your problem is this isn’t the CIA. When the truth is staring you in the face, you don’t want to believe it because it’s not hidden behind anything. Well, Joseph, not all things are hidden deeply somewhere and sometimes you just have to take it for face value. Sometimes the most obvious truth really is the answer and this is just one of those cases.” Andrea stormed out.

Joe stared at the empty doorway. “In more situations than you realize, Andrea, you made a valid point.”

^^^^

Quantico Marine Headquarters

George smiled as he hung up the phone and looked at Steward who stood before his desk.

“Good news, sir, from Beginnings?” Steward asked.

“I don’t know. Could be.” George tilted his head with a smile. “Seems Beginnings has two men dead. Very violent killings.”

“And . . . does this have to do with us?”

“Aside that it’s just pleasant news to hear, it may.” George leaned back in his chair with a pleased smile. “It just may.”

^^^^

Jess and John had to stay hidden deep in the brush so that the headlights from the four huge military trucks didn’t shine upon them. They were taking pictures then they needed to be when the trucks arrived. They were so engrossed with Frank standing on the roof of the one building, posing as if he were some hyped-up wrestler in an arena full of people. It was so evident that Frank knew from Dean that John and Jess were probably out there, scouting and taking surveillance photos. John and Jess took some good shots of Frank and had some laughs before the trucks pulled through the gate and stopped just inside. The arrival of the trucks shocked them but not as much as the regimented lines and lines of shaven-head soldiers who stared blankly and coldly as they marched right in.

“Shit.” Jess exclaimed.

“What?” John asked.

“CME’s.”

“What?”

“I estimate that over two hundred of what you call SUTs, just made our chances of getting in that base a little tougher.”

^^^^

Dean kept looking at the men who started to line up at the gate. They were waiting for someone but obviously not Frank. They were in the distance, but still Dean could tell by their expressions what they were. They weren’t all human. That was a quality they lost at the hands of some cyborg surgeon.

Dean would walk, stop, look, and walk again to the lab building. He was so into the arrivals that he didn’t see Leonard walking out of the lab building. Dean nearly bumped into him.

“Dr. Hayes.”

“Leonard.” Dean tried to get passed him.

“Working late this evening, I see.”

“I found some interesting compounds we don’t have in Beginnings. I wanted to look and work with them some more. Is that a problem?”

“No, not at all. President Hadley would be pleased to know of your curiosity.”

Dean grunted and moved to the double doors.

“Dr. Hayes.” Leonard’s call caused him to stop. “In your journeys across base, did you by chance run into Lt. Murphy? He’s the black man that stays with we ambassadors.”

“Nope.” Dean shook his head. “Losing men Leonard? George won’t be pleased.”

“No he won’t. I’ll have to find our other lieutenant for the arrivals.”

“You do that.” Dean really wanted to tell Leonard he could care less. But he didn’t want to draw any attention to himself. He just kept walking. He went into the building, through the main lab, and passed the freezer room into the hideous hideaway--as Frank referred to it. Then Dean stopped. “Frank.” Dean immediately closed the door and shut the blinds. “What the hell is this?”

“Your test subject.”

Dean looked at the black man in uniform, tied and gagged to the chair. The man was sweating and his head was bleeding. “This . . . this is Lt. Murphy.”

“Yeah. Your point?”

“They’re looking for him, Frank.”

“Yeah.” Frank placed his hands on his hips. “And your point?”

“They’re gonna know he’s gone.” Dean grew excited. “You can’t just kidnap and tie up everyone, especially him. They’re gonna start to wonder what happened to him, Frank.”

“No they won’t.” Frank waved his hand. “He’s at survival training.”

“Survival training?” Dean asked. “Where the hell is that?”

“That’s the special secret place that all good Society officers go.” Frank placed his finger to his own temple, imitated an explosion sound, and let his head drop to the right only before snickering.

“You’re sick.” Dean pointed.

“Yeah, and you have a test subject.”

“What are we gonna do with him while I figure out the chemical compounds?”

“Aha.” Frank walked over to a counter, bent down, and opened the large door underneath. “Quite cozy. While he’s tied up and gagged, no one will hear him.”

“That’s cruel.”

“It’s war and he’s our prisoner.”

Dean’s hand covered his eyes as he shook his head in whining debate. “Frank. Frank. Frank.”

“Dean. Dean. Dean. You gonna make him shrivel like in Colorado? Hey, Dean. Make it take a while, O.K.”

“Frank.” Dean cringed. “Enough of the sick comments. Let’s get him situated . . .”

“You gonna use him then?”

“I have no choice. We can’t set him free. Oh, if we get busted.”

“We won’t. If you don’t want him Dean, I’ll just take him out to survival training.” Frank began to place his finger in a gun fashion to his own temple again but Dean lowered his arm.

“Stop that. All right.” Dean looked at Frank. “Let’s take care of him. Then you, as fake C.O. here, have another issue to deal with.”

“Like?”

“Like the two hundred SUTS that just marched in the front gate.”

“Fuck.” Frank took off.

“Frank!” Dean spun with his hand out but Frank was gone. “Damn it.” He turned around and looked at Lt. Murphy, who, frightened and shaken, stared at Dean as if for help. Dean shrugged, raised his eyebrows, and lifted his hands to the Lieutenant. “Sorry.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Joe recalled in his mind how angry Andrea was at the snooping issue, going behind Ellen’s back, and looking into her things. Joe even recalled how Andrea--while getting dressed for the house full of company she left--went on and on to Joe about the respecting of other people’s privacy and business. Honesty and trust. Joe whole heartedly agreed with Andrea, one hundred percent but there were times where you have to just swallow your morals and what’s right and dig at whatever cost for the truth. That was the reasoning Joe used in his mind when he followed his wife from the house in the middle of a Slagel family gathering. Telling them he wanted to walk her home because it was dark, Joe left minutes after she did.

Everything Andrea preached about honesty, trust, and respect went right out the window when Joe saw she never went to the clinic. Quietly and in the dark, she sat on a bench behind the chapel with Rev. Bob--which was convenient for Joe because he could hide and not be seen. He couldn’t hear what they whispered, only that they did. But what they said didn’t matter. He didn’t need to hear the words. What he saw was enough. More so than Andrea’s lack of honesty was the fact that there in the dark, hidden and alone, were the two people in Beginnings who were somehow connected very personally to George. The two people in Beginnings who were Joe’s top suspects. And there they were . . . together.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

September 28

32 Miles West of Binghamton, Alabama

It wasn’t even light yet, but Robbie spotted Jess and John right on time. There was a certain fright of a chopper heard in such a dead world, hence the reason Robbie just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. Jess and John wasted no time getting in and closing the door, Jess for the simple fact that he just wanted to sit, and John Matoose because he awaited the reunion glances between Robbie and Jess.

“Man, do you two reek,” Robbie commented as he lifted the chopper.

“Ha, ha.” Jess shook his head with a smile. “You try spending twenty four hours straight outside in forest filled with decaying bodies, compliments of Frank.”

“Frank?” Robbie laughed. “Taking them out is he?”

“Oh yeah. We got some good shots of him though. Didn’t we, John?” Jess looked around to the back of the chopper where John sat.

“It was amazing seeing him, Robbie,” John said. “You know, I told your Dad from the start that George wanted him and would set it up like Frank was dead. I didn’t think he was dead. But it still doesn’t hit you that Frank’s all right until you see him.”

Jess raised an eyebrow. “Robbie, your brother has hair.”

“Yeah.” Robbie nodded. “All over his body.”

“No on his head instead of that clipped short hair. It’s hair.” Jess stated. “He looks . . .”

“Weird?” Robbie asked.

“Yeah.” Jess nodded. “But enough of the good news.”

“Shit.” Robbie shifted his eyes. “What?”

“Let’s just say when we get home and we show you the pictures, all that bragging you do about being the infiltrating champ better be true,” Jess said seriously. “You have your work cut out for you.”

^^^^

He was a flowery sort of gentleman, eccentric and different. George wondered, as he stared at the conductor, what he was doing working for the Society. It was bad enough that they had to stop the train ten miles from Binghamton, but did they have to stop it because Chuckie the conductor wanted to release all the bad feelings the train was picking up on the journey. George looked at his watch as he walked outside the train, getting some air on their unscheduled break. His views snapped to the sky.

“What’s wrong?” Chuckie asked.

“Did you hear that. It sounded like a chopper.”

“Oh that.”

“So you heard it.”

“The chopper?”

“Yes,” George said.

“No.”

“Then why did you say ‘oh that’?”

“Because I know exactly what you mean.” Chuckie tossed his hand George’s way. “Sometimes I hear the television playing or a radio station. Sometimes I think I hear a car or a plane or even Mr. Rogers singing that Tomorrow song. Or is that Annie? Oh. Annie sang about the sun coming out tomorrow, Mr. Rogers sings about starting the day tomorrow. Did you ever catch that program?”

George really could have snapped and bit Chuckie’s head off. But instead he decided, in his bewilderment, to just do his best to patronize the conductor so he would just drive the train. “Mr. Rogers?”

“Yes.”

“Yeah. I even met him.”

“Really?” Chuckie asked with excitement. “My daughters loved him.”

“Mine too. But what the hell does Mr. Rogers have to do with me hearing a chopper.”

“Everything.”

“How.”

“Because you didn’t hear it just like I didn’t hear Mr. Rogers.”

“What the hell did I hear?” George asked.

“In the back of your brain there is this little memory reserve. It has life -like memories that overflow once in a while from your subconscious to your conscious. Sort of on the lines of déjà vu.”

“You’re crocked.”

“No, actually I’m sober. And . . .” Chuckie looked at his watch. “I’m getting off schedule. There was no chopper, just memories. But enjoy them.” He moved to the train. “Take in the good air while you can.”

“What?” George curled his lip in curiosity of the man as Chuckie got on the train. He winced when the whistle blew loudly. Then George had to start running when the train started moving without him.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

The tea cups were little, almost child size, but they were authentic. Danny found them and gave them to Henry. He and Henry sipped their morning tea in Joe’s ex-office.

The expression on Danny’s face said he was pleased with the tea as he set the cup down. “Good.”

“I appreciate you coming up here to talk about this with me,” Henry said.

“No problem. And I get tea. You’ve done good, Henry. You realize with my ideas and your hands and mind, we can recreate a better world.”

“But you’re inventive too, Danny.” Henry pointed. “Look at all the things you made.”

“True. But that’s in mechanical. Yeah, I can figure out things. I am the resourceful guy.”

“That you are.”

“So are you.”

“Thank you.” Henry smiled.

“I mean, You made tea again. Pork rinds and . . . Jell-o. Who would have thought. That was really good.”

“Thanks.”

“We should sit down and come up with a list of things we need again.”

“Let’s do that.”

“It’s a deal. Now . . . your problem.”

“My problem,” Henry stated with a heaviness. “Well?”

“My opinion?” Danny leaned into the desk. “You’re letting it get control of you.”

“You think.”

“Yeah, most definitely,” Danny told him. “The first day as leader, you took your time. You, Henry, took control. Now you’re kind of passive and it gets ahead of you and says ‘here’s the situation. I’m boss.’”

“Wow.” Henry looked at Danny. “That’s a really cool perception. So what do I do?”

“You have to say that you’re the boss now. Take control and give the situation no choice but to bow down to you.”

“How?”

“Cut it.”

“Cut it?” Henry ran his hand over his head. “I just did. A month ago.”

“Cut it again.”

“Like a trim?” Henry asked.

“No, like a cut. Come to the house tonight and have Bentley bring it just so it rests on your shoulders, no further.”

“Will that work?”

“Henry, come on. The less you have the more you can control.” Danny was so serious. “In my opinion, you can’t go short. You’ll look like a geek. Long hair suits you fine. But keep it long without being really long. You do this and watch how good your hair looks every day, without spending hours on it.”

“Like you.”

“Yeah. See?.” Danny ran his fingers though his layered perfect hair. It fell back in place. “Bentley does the best cuts. All it takes is a little dab of Hair Hold and five minutes of your time.”

“Maybe I’ll . . .” Henry looked up when the office door opened and Robbie walked in. “Hey Robbie. You’re back. How was Jess’s trip to Canada?”

“Good.” Robbie shut the door. “This is a bonus, the two of you together.”

Henry snickered. “You weren’t thinking of trying anything sexually kinky with us were you?”

Robbie nodded as he bit his lip. “I won’t hit you, Henry, because I need something from you two.”

“Uh-oh.” Henry shifted his eyes to Danny. “Watch your back. Kidding. Robbie? Should I cut my hair.”

“Yes. Can I have your attention?” Robbie asked.

Both Henry and Danny nodded.

“I need you two to make . . .” Robbie stared at them then stepped back. “Never mind. It’s too much to ask.”

“Whoa!” Danny called out. “What’s too much?”

“What I was going to ask you guys to do. It uh . . . it’s probably impossible to make especially in the time frame I need it. Forget it.” He walked to the door. “Have a good day.”

“Robbie!” Henry shouted. “Tell us what you need. Let us decide.”

“O.K.” Robbie stopped in his reach to the door. He spoke as if he were delivering impossible news. “I have a problem with a large number of SUTs in this area I have to make a run too. I can only afford to send a few guys and they can’t take them out. Basically, and I know this can’t be done, but I was sort of wondering if you do could device a descrambling unit like the Auralnator? Something that’s not bulky and can be taken with them. It has to be effective at a distance. Close, but not directly in the ear.”

“Played through a portable speaker system?” Danny asked and turned to Henry. “Can we pump the decimals out of something portable?”

Henry thought about it. “Frequency is what we need to shoot for. Perhaps a different descrambling pattern.”

“But would it have the same effect?” Danny asked.

“Probably not, because it’s not directly in the inner ear,” Henry answered. “But we could stun them.” He looked at Robbie. “Would that work?”

“Can it give them enough time to pass through the region?” Robbie asked.

Danny shrugged. “Depends. We can test a time frame, adjust the frequency, and program. You’re talking a portable system so you’re not talking too big. So you’re not talking too long of a time.”

“Half hour?” Robbie asked innocently. “Nah, that’s too much huh?”

“No.” Danny scoffed. “We can do better than that. Can’t we, Henry.”

“Yeah.”

“No way.” Robbie said. “You guys can’t”

Henry was offended. “Robbie we can. Bet we can get it to at least . . . . forty minutes. Right, Danny?”

“Right. Ha!” Danny shook his head. “Why in the world would you even think that us two great minds, great hands, mechanically inclined, resourceful handsome guys couldn’t do what you want?”

Robbie grinned with arrogance. “Because I need it done by tomorrow.”

^^^^

The phone was tight to Ellen’s ear as she stood at the back counter of the clinic lab, trying to place tubes into the centrifuge. It wasn’t an easy task considering she had to keep closing her eyes. “Josh, I don’t care. Josh . . . Josh, I know you’re babysitting. But I won’t be long. Josh!” she screamed. “Clean your room!” She grunted and laid down the phone.

“My room was never messy as a teenager.”

Ellen heard Hal’s voice behind her. She smiled. “Somehow I know better.” She turned around to see him. “It’s only been a couple of days and I missed you. I can’t wait till we’re living closer.” She stepped to him as he walked into the lab. She stood on tiptoes, placing her arms around him. She kissed him on the cheek. “Where’s the uniform?” Ellen asked as she ran her hand across his white tee shirt.

“Saving the crisp one for the, well, you know.”

“To impress Frank.”

“Annoy him will be more like it.”

“Thanks for coming to see me.” Ellen stepped a foot back, leaned against the counter, and folded her arms. “Are you staying with me while you’re in Beginnings?”

“Can I?” Hal asked.

“Oh you know it. I have the big house.” Ellen looked around Hal. “So did Sgt. Ryder come with you?”

“He went to see the two babies that were born. He said he hasn’t seen children in forever.”

Ellen laughed. “Then wait until he stays at my house.”

“Is he welcome to?”

“More the merrier. Hey, how are you gonna explain us to him. Doesn’t he think that we are a couple.”

“He knows of the way it is in Beginnings and I kind of . . .” He saw Ellen stare past him. “What’s wrong?”

“I didn’t recognize him.” Ellen smiled gently. “Sgt. Ryder.”

Sgt. Ryder stood in the lab door. He too wore jeans and a tee shirt. “Ma’am, may I come in?”

“Sure.” Ellen, still smiling. walked over to him. She surprised him by hugging him and kissing him on the cheek when he walked in. “Welcome to Beginnings.”

Sgt. Ryder blushed. He touched where she kissed. “Thank you for the welcome. I have to say, Beginnings is great, what I’ve seen of it. Captain Slagel has told me he’s taking me to a place called the social hall tonight.”

“It won’t be crowded,” Ellen said. “It’s Sunday. But it’s a nice place. Hal and you are staying at my house. Did he tell you that?”

“It’s no trouble?” Sgt. Ryder asked.

“Not for you, Sgt. Ryder,” Ellen told him.

Sgt. Ryder cleared his throat in nervousness. “Thank you so much for asking for me to help out in protecting you and your children. That means a lot to me. Will you please call me Elliott?”

“Elliott.” Ellen titled her head. “Hey, we have the same nickname. El and El.” She snickered. “Anyway, I really wanted you here. I will never forget how you saved Frank’s life and I will always be grateful for that.” Her eyes widened. “Oh Hal, you should let Sgt. Ryder be one of Frank’s men. He has that edge Frank likes in his men.”

Sgt. Ryder shook his head. “I don’t quite think I have that edge I saw Frank display. I think I’ll stick with Captain Slagel.”

Hal laid his hand on Sgt. Ryder’s shoulder. “You have no choice. You’re my right hand man. Well . . . we’d better go. We have to meet with my father and Robbie in a couple hours and I wanted to take Elliott around.”

“O.K.,” Ellen said. “Josh is home if you want to drop your things off there. Just . . . stay out of his room.” She cringed. “And stay away from Cole. He’s nasty today too. He stepped on a nail and Andrea had to give him a tetanus shoot. He cried like a baby.” She winked then laughed.

“We’ll do that.” Hal walked with Sgt. Ryder from the lab. “Anyone else?”

“Um . . .” Ellen raised her eyes to the ceiling. “Yeah, Hap. He had an argument with Trish. And um . . . Fred because Lynn is premenstrual. Also avoid Ben and Todd because they’ve been fighting for a week.”

Hal was actually being sarcastic when he asked Ellen. Never did he expect a list. “We’ll make a mental note. Thanks. Oh and El . . . any news on Hank?”

“Who?”

“The man that was killed.”

“Oh.” Ellen shook her head. “No. Haven’t figured out the animal yet. Danny’s been pestering me too. He wants it to be headlines in the paper.”

“Yet have someone else write the story,” Hal added.

“How true.”

“We’d better get going.” Hal lifted his hand in a wave as he stood by the door with Sgt. Ryder. “We’ll see ya later, El.” He and Sgt. Ryder started to walk toward the main door. As they approached it, Melissa and Marcus walked in.

Sgt. Ryder stopped cold as he stared at Marcus.

“Hi Hal,” Melissa said as she held Marcus’s hand. “Is Ellen here? she wanted to see us sometime today.”

“In the lab.” Hal pointed.

“Thanks.” Melissa smiled and kept moving.

“Captain . . .” Sgt. Ryder pointed. “What . . .”

“Don’t ask.” Hal opened the glass door. “This is Beginnings. I told you something is odd about this place. You should see what Ellen has in her and Dean’s lab.”

Sgt. Ryder took one more look back at Marcus. “I don’t think I want to.”

Hal chuckled and led Sgt. Ryder out.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“How’s it feel?” George’s voice carried into Dean’s hide-a-way lab.

Dean only raised his eyes from the microscope to the voice that made him sick to the pit of his stomach. “How does what feel?”

“To be working for the better side?”

“I worked for the better side. Now I’m . . .” Dean turned around to see George with Frank standing behind him, looking so serious. “Now I’m biding my time.”

“Working, I see.”

“Viewing what . . . what you have.”

“I see.” George took another step into his lab. “Are you finding it interesting?”

“I’m finding agents I have . . .” Dean took a breath and cleared his throat.

“Is there a problem?” George asked.

“No.” Dean closed his eyes. He didn’t want to tell George that he was trying not to laugh as Frank kept holding up ‘rabbit ears’ behind George.

“Good.” George walked by Dean and began to examine what the lab had. “We set this up just for you.”

“I appreciate it.” Dean widened his eyes to Frank to tell him to quit it.

Frank laughed silently then switched to cold looking when George turned around. “I think you’re wasting your time with this man sir. He’s been nothing but irritating since he has arrived. I think you should let me take him out and shoot him. He’s one of those Beginnings people. He told me.”

George smiled as he faced Frank, not seeing the middle finger Dean shot Frank. “Colonel, we’ll just give him more time. He’s brilliant and has a lot to offer. Isn’t that right, Dr. Hayes.” He spun to Dean and when he did, Frank flipped Dean off.

“I have more to offer than you deserve.”

“Oh!” Frank barked loudly. “Listen to this little man and his arrogance. I really think . . .” A soft subtle thump interrupted Frank’s words. He tried to cover up by fake sneezing. “Excuse me. I think we should leave him be. Who wants to be around him anyhow.”

Another thump and Dean tried to act as if he too didn’t hear it.

Thump

“Did you hear that?” George asked.

“Hear what?” Frank asked.

Thump-thump.

“That,” George said.

“What?” Frank asked.

Thump-thump.

“That. That noise. You don’t hear that?”

“Was your trip long, sir?” Frank asked so seriously.

Thump-thump

“There it is again,” George spoke excitedly. “You are not hearing that?’

“Hearing what?” Frank lifted his hands. “All I hear is my stomach growling. Man.” He rubbed his own stomach. “I need food. Do you need food? I bet you do. Let’s go.” He grabbed George’s arm.

George blinked several times, so confused. “Maybe, maybe I just need to rest. I had to chase a moving train for close to a half a mile.”

“My God.” Frank gasped.

George began to leave the lab.“The conductor left me behind.”

“Bastard.”

George stopped in his leaving. He looked back at Dean. “I’ll be in touch, Dean.”

“I won’t hold my breath.”

“You!” Frank pointed at Dean. “Are a rude man. This is the President you know.”

Dean rolled his eyes as they left. He started to deal with the thumping that came from under the counter when he noticed Frank pop his head back in, smile ,and flip Dean off again. Dean just shook his head then laughed after Frank left. He had to give it to Frank. It was really amusing to watch Frank totally mislead George. But Dean had to wonder how amused would George be if he found out, the whole time, he was being played for a fool. Hopefully George would be long gone and shriveled up somewhere before he realized the likes of Frank out smarted him.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Joe was supposed to be directly on his way to Robbie’s house but instead he found himself following that weird bird sound. Like a sick canary or something, the amphibian sang loudly then went sour. It irritated Joe’s inner ear and caused it to itch. It didn’t sound right. It didn’t sound normal and Joe didn’t have to follow it too far at all. It seemed to come from Henry’s house. It dawned on Joe what it was when he heard the bird sound worsen, heard a series of thumps, and then the cheers of the two eccentric, inventive mechanical men of Beginnings. They had to be working on the stun system for the SUTs.

In his mind, Joe described Robbie and Jess’s house as strategically set up, when he walked in for their secret afternoon meeting. He was the last to arrive. Robbie, Jess, Hal, and Sgt. Ryder, along with even John Matoose ,were there. Maps were on the table and a computer in the dining room. “Sorry I’m late. I was following the sound.” He stood with the others around the table. “Robert. Why is John here?”

“Well.” Robbie hesitated before answering. “I figure we have to keep an eye out for him anyhow until this all goes down so we might as well put him to work. And we will. All right.” Robbie drew everyone’s attention to the map spread out on the table. “I have given this a lot of thought. I’m not as anal as Dean so no one gets printed copies of the plan. Take notes if you want.”

All eye shifted to Hal, who pulled out a small notebook. He looked at the faces who stared at him. “What? Oh, are we making fun? Fine. Well, don’t ask me any questions if you forget.”

Robbie swayed his head. “All right. Right here, Binghamton Alabama is where Frank and Dean are. They were spotted by John and Jess.” From under the map, Robbie pulled out another. “This is a drawing of the compound that Jess drew. It’s not to scale, but it’s relative to the plan. In the main area of the base, off the training area, are four buildings. These do not include housing or the hospital. These are the buildings where John and Jess spotted Dean and Frank, which is good because there is four of you going. Buildings A, B, C, D. See the buildings? Now here is the plan . . .” Robbie raised his eyes and began to quickly spew forth the details, using a pencil as an indicator. “Each of you will be armed with a rifle, hand gun, grenades, gas and so forth. We will not carry weapons for Frank or Dean and nothing heavy. Knowing my brother, he’ll be able to get a hold of arms. Now, we’re gonna have to do this fast and in order to do it quickly and efficiently, exhaustion has to play a pivotal part. Because of that, I will fly you down, leaving here at four-thirty the morning of the thirtieth. I’ll drop you off seventeen miles north off of Binghamton. You’ll walk the distance. I’ll return to Beginnings at approximately 11:30 which should be about the same time, if you take the hike easy, that you get to the wooded area around the base. One hour. One hour’s rest is what you take. During that time you will set up the audible descrambler and position yourselves here, about thirty yards from the side gate. At 12:30 you set off the descrambler. According to Danny, it should take ten seconds for the SUTs to stop. And that’s what they will do, just stop. Which is good because they all just stand there anyhow. They will be stunned but only for forty minutes. You will go through the side gate here,” Robbie indicated. “Most of the men at this time will be training or in the field. You should have no problem on base. You will go to building ‘A’ first and scout as a team. These buildings are not big so if you hustle you shouldn’t have to spend no more than five minutes in each building looking for Frank and Dean. Now back in Beginnings, ten minutes before descramble time, Sgt. Ryder and myself will take Ellen and all the kids out of Beginnings and head to Miles City. There are fifty armed UWA soldiers there and with Sgt, Ryder and myself with them, El and the kids will be safe. We won’t return to Beginnings for four hours. At that time, Sgt. Ryder will stay with El. There’s no radio contact. We can’t take a chance, so timing is everything. Four hours should secure enough time for you to get in there, get them, and meet the Bowman men.”

Joe looked up. “So basically you won’t know anything until we get home.”

Robbie shook his head. “No. I figure you should arrive back home the next morning. Hal has two men leaving Bowman tomorrow afternoon. They will go to Gillian and camp out until you guys hike there from Binghamton. Then they drive you home.”

Jess lifted his hand. “Us walking in there seems easy but it all hinges on whether or not Danny and Henry’s altered Auralnator works. What happens if it doesn’t?”

“Plan B,” Robbie answered. “There’s only four of you. Fifty if you include Frank. But . . . there are two hundred SUTs and about two hundred and fifty Society soldiers. That’s a lot. You’ll be outnumbered so . . . if the invention doesn’t work, you’ll know right away. Plan B is simple. You place on the Society uniforms we kept from the defectors and you go to the side gate. There are only four guards there. Each of you will be armed with a pocket Auralnator and, being dressed like that, you should be able to at least get close enough to them to zap them.”

Joe waved out his hand. “The invention is going to work. I hear them cheering over at Henry’s. They’ll have it down pat.”

“I think so too,” Robbie said. “But they said the most they can do is forty minutes. Forty-five tops. The moment the SUTs come to and realize something is up or they see you, you not only could have those two hundred SUTs, but those other soldiers as well chasing you through those woods. The whole idea is to sneak in unnoticed and without drawing attention and to get back out, unseen. Now . . . everyone might want to have a seat because we’re gonna learn the base inside and out.” Robbie walked to the computer that was on the table. He pulled up a program. “Remind me to compliment Danny on his upgraded version of that digital camera. The pictures turned out really nice.” Robbie waited until everyone was seated. Standing next to the computer with his hand on the mouse, he began to show the pictures one at a time like a slide projector. “Here is the base.”

Click.

“This right here is a good shot of the four buildings. A, B, C, and D.” Another click of the mouse and Robbie kept explaining. “O.K., now here you see some of the SUTS. According to Jess and John, they concentrate mainly in the front, lining up like their own wall.” Robbie clicked again, only this time the picture caused moans. Robbie looked at the screen. “Oh.” He looked to Jess.

Jess shrugged. “Had to do it. Sorry.”

“Ok.” Robbie pointed. “This here is a shot of Frank’s fine work buried in a hole. Thanks, Jess, for slipping that in there.” Robbie clicked the mouse again. He smiled “Here’s Frank behind the building with Dean.” He clicked again. “And here’s Frank posing like Hulk Hogan.”

Joe grumbled and ran his hand down his face.

“Here’s Frank posing like Mr. Atlas. Frank being Elvis. And here’s Frank . . .”

“Stop,” Hal said as he stood up slowly. “Robbie, can you zoom in. I want to see my brother.” Hal moved closer to the computer screen. His face lit up in awe. “I need to see my big brother. Please.”

Jess, seeing how computer illiterate Robbie was acting at that moment, stood up and helped out. He zoomed in as close as he could get. It was close enough to cause an emotional gasp from Hal.

Hal’s finger touched upon the screen. “Frank.” As his index finger ran down the face, Hal tilted his head. “Frank?” He turned around and looked at his father. “Dad? Did they do something to him?”

Joe placed on his glasses and looked. “His hair grew some, but nope. Why?”

“His face. It’s so . . . so . . .”

“Mean?” Sgt. Ryder tried to finish the sentence.

Robbie snickered. “No, scary.”

Again Hal looked. “What the hell happened to him?”

Very solemn and very serious, Joe answered. “Life.”

^^^^

What was the big deal with this Sgt. Ryder guy? That was the question that kept popping into his mind along with the question. Why does he keep having to hold my kid? Henry pondered those and other questions that seemed to be the center of his universal thoughts as he wandered the streets of Beginnings. He wanted to be at El’s, but oddly enough, she was at the chapel. Henry wasn’t a church goer so he just waited. But the second time he went to Ellen’s, that Sgt. Ryder guy was there. Ellen bragged about him. Henry couldn’t figure out why. She wasn’t specific, just that he made the list of her heroes. In his thoughts, Henry closely examined the situation and debated if he should start to get jealous of this newcomer. If Henry was a woman, he’d find the Spanish looking gentleman attractive, but would El?

Knowing that being alone with Ellen would be next to impossible while she was playing hotel hostess, Henry went on a search for someone to talk to. He walked into the social hall figuring if all else failed, at least Josephine would be there. She was the bar fly, attached to the second to last stool and it was still early enough that Henry could carry on a conversation with her before she lost all ability to speak clearly.

Henry knew he may be out of luck when he walked in. Four people were in there. Johnny, who really looked like he had too much to drink was slumped on his hand staring at Bev, none the less, who was across the room. Josephine was there as usual and so was Cole the pervert. He was hitting on Josephine.

It was either leave or interrupt Johnny’s stare at Bev, so Henry made his way to Johnny.

“Hey, John.” Henry pulled out a chair, awaiting the drunken conversation.

“Oh hey, Henry.” Johnny sat straight up.

Henry did a double take at Johnny. No slurring. Not glossy eyes. “You aren’t drunk.”

“No. I’m on call. Why?”

“I thought you were drunk.”

Johnny snickered. “Why would you think that?”

“You’re staring like a lost puppy dog at Bev.”

“Oh, not lost. I’m confused and grossed out.”

“Huh?” Henry asked.

“She has this thing on her neck behind her right ear, a little purple mark. Wait . . .” Johnny whistled. “Bev.” He waved his hand for her to join them.

“Johnny.” Henry hunched.

“Yes, Johnny?” Bev hurried over smiling.

“Show Henry that gross birthmark you have . . . Hey!” Johnny lifted his hand when Bev turned on her heels and walked away. “Anyhow, Henry, she has this circle mark there.”

‘O.K.”

“Have you see it?”

“No.” Henry shook his head. “Why do you care?”

“Aside from the fact that it is really gross, I have seen it before. I just can’t figure out where.”

“Oh, I saw that movie.” Henry snapped his finger. “Space Invaders. All those people had this mark on their neck.”

“Yeah!” Johnny said. “But it isn’t where Bev has it. I have seen it before. God.” He ran his hand down his face. “You have to see it.”

“That’s O.K. Hey, Johnny. Wouldn’t that be so sci -fi if Bev was an alien and that mark was her mark and . . . and she was the one eating people up in the woods?”

“Oh my God.” Johnny looked back at Bev. “What if she was attacked by something, not an alien, and she became one herself and now she is attacking others.”

“Good thing we buried Marv.”

“But we didn’t bury Hank.”

“Who?”

“The other guy that died.”

“Shit.” Henry looked horrified. “We should stop talking about this. I’m getting scared.”

“We should go to the morgue and locked the drawer Hank’s body is in.”

“It’s not locked?” Henry asked.

“Why would it be.”

“Oh, it should be locked. As leader, I think that should be a new rule.”

“Then you should go lock it,” Johnny said. “Just in case that awful mark is the mark of some sort of demonic beast. I mean, look at her, Henry. She’s like a vixen. She has that look.”

“I’m gonna go lock that drawer right now.” Henry stood up. “You wanna come?”

“Nah.”

“Come on, Johnny. Come with me.”

Johnny raised his dark eyes. “Are you scared, Henry?”

“Well, yeah. What if this Hank guy comes back to life.”

“O.K.” Johnny finished his drink. “Let’s go.” Johnny stood up. “We really should find out where Bev was when those killings happened.”

“That could be her feeding ground and if she turned into a bat or an animal, that could be the cause of the wacky signal.”

“Oh.” Johnny gasped in thought. “It just hit me.”

“What?” Henry asked as they walked to the door.

“Vampires cannot see their reflection nor can you take a picture of them. No movies were ever made about tracking devices. What if that’s why the tracking goes batty.”

Henry took one more look at Bev. “This is all making sense now. Joe is right. It is like a Stephen King novel.” They walked outside and moved to the clinic. Henry noticed Johnny had stopped. “What’s wrong, Johnny?”

“What is Rev. Bob doing?”

Henry looked across the street to where Johnny stared. Rev. Bob stood off to the side of the chapel doorway, peeking in, but seemed as if he didn’t want to be noticed. “I don’t know.”

“Is someone in the chapel?”

“Last I passed, your pap and Hal were.”

Johnny snickered. “Praying. Is something going down that we don’t know about?”

Henry quickly looked at Johnny. “I don’t know.”

“Well whatever the reason is that they’re in there praying, seems like Rev Bob is just as curious as we are.”

Henry swallowed and started walking, looking back at Rev. Bob. A preacher staring at two people praying? It made no sense. If something indeed was going down with Joe and Hal then, like Johnny commented, Rev. Bob sure looked curious. But there was a problem with it. Henry would have to tell Joe about it. Being curious was one thing. Being curious and a number one suspect was another.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

September 30

Beginnings, Montana

Ellen’s hand shook so badly she could barely measure the coffee into the basket. She had to keep stopping, staring at her shaking hand, and calming her heart that beat out of control. She hadn’t slept. She had no intentions of sleeping. How could she? In less than nine hours it all would be going down. And to Ellen, every single person she cared most about in Beginnings, had their life at stake. She could lose them all. Then what would she do?

So deep in thought, Ellen never heard him walk into the kitchen. Just the feel of a firm hand laying over hers, taking the scoop from her made her look up. Sgt. Ryder smiled at her, but it was a smile of concern.

“Here, let me,” he told her.

“Thanks.” Ellen move back, folding her arms.

“You were awake all night.”

“How did you know.”

“I slept on the couch, remember. I could hear your clicking fingers coming from that little office. You must have been working on something important.”

“Yeah, I was. I was working on keeping my mind off of everything. I am so sorry if I kept you awake.”

“No.” Sgt. Ryder swayed his head as he placed the lid on the coffee pot and then put it on the burner. “I never sleep completely when there is something like this about to happen. Any raids we have made with the UWA, I paced all night.” He turned on the burner. “It’s normal. Any person that’s worried about something they are about to embark on the next day, cannot sleep right before doing it. Their mind is in a million different places, thinking a million different things. What if this? What if that?”

“You are so right.”

“Want to know what the shame of it is?” Sgt. Ryder asked her.

“What is that?”

“The shame of it is, everyone worries. No one sleeps, yet everyone paces alone and it gets worse.”

Ellen blinked in surprise at Sgt. Ryder perception. “That is so true. Why is that?”

“You don’t want to bother another with your fears. Perhaps we don’t want to sound any less than we want other to perceive us to be.”

“If that’s such a shame, Elliott, if you weren’t sleeping and you knew I was awake, why didn’t you talk to me? You thought I was working, huh?”

“No, not at all. I knew you were worried. I just figured the last person you needed to tell you they were restless was one of the two people who would be guarding your life.”

Ellen looked at his serious face then she watched a smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He watched Ellen turn somber. “It will be all right.”

“I hope so.” Ellen rubbed the chill that swept up her. “Because I have a lot to lose if anything goes wrong. No wait, I have everything to lose.”

^^^^

Joe was still sipping his coffee when Henry arrived, earlier than he should have too. Joe figured Henry hadn’t been to sleep yet either. Dressed so unlike himself in the very pre-dawn hours, Joe, wearing brown camouflage looked into the hall to make sure no one was there.

“Sit down, Henry.” Joe pointed to the couch. “Then I’ll head to El’s.” He kept his voice low and sat at the same time as Henry.

“What’s up, Joe?”

There was so much hesitation. Joe stared at his folded his hands. “A lot can happen today. You know this.”

“Joe, look . . .”

“No Henry, hear me out. A lot can happen today. You know this. I wanted to talk to you before I left. This is for real, Henry. Today, you have to take everything serious. You are on your own today and if something should go wrong . . . you can be on your own for a very long time.”

“Joe, nothing is going to go wrong.”

“I hope and I feel it won’t, but I just wanted to make sure you fully understand something. I worked my ass off for Beginnings. I helped build this place and I would die for this place. Goddamn it, Henry, don’t you screw it up. Now this past week of you being leader was all fun and games, all the big show. But come this afternoon, it may end up being real. I know you have it in you to be strong. You have to run this place strong. Promise me you will.”

“I promise, Joe.” Henry lowered his head.

“Good. And one more thing, Henry. I broke the trust of my son, Dean, and anyone who’s involved with this rescue operation by telling you what was happening. I trust you. You, as leader, need to know. It’s wrong to leave you in the dark. But . . . one person knows I told you the details of this plan. And if something goes wrong, if we get set up out there, it’s on your head. This person will inform Robbie of this and I can’t guarantee what my son will do to you.”

Henry looked nervous. “What do you mean, Joe?”

“You know you’re a viable suspect in this George thing. You know no one wanted to let you know the plan for fear of you telling George. I told you the plan. You know, Henry, others may suspect something when they see we’re gone, but only you know the full details of what’s going down today . . .where we’re going and what we’re doing. If something happens that it gets leaked to George, it will look like you were the one.” Joe stood up. “I’d better go.”

Henry stood with him and they walked to the door. “I want you to know, Joe, I understand fully. My heart and my prayers are with you guys today. And every detail is safe with me, on my life,.” He opened the door. “Just . . . just bring Frank and Dean home.”

Joe gave Henry a single slow nod and they left the house, never seeing Andrea, still in her robe, standing in the hall by the living room. She dropped her head and walked back to the bedroom.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

George stared at the short scientist who reminded him a lot of Dean with dark hair. He stared at him for a long time before speaking. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.” He adjusted his glasses. “He went for a walk last night and never returned.”

“Lt. Murphy as well?”

“Haven’t noticed him in days.”

“Any clue where they went?”

“We don’t know.”

George nodded. “All right. Go on back to work as usual. I’ll get Sgt. Landers, the sergeant that came with me, to program a search party to look as soon as it gets light enough in the woods.”

“Thank you.” The scientist rose up from his seat.

George thought as he leaned back in his chair and tapped into his inner feelings. As much as he hated to admit it, something just wasn’t right and, unlike the chopper noises and the thumping, this wasn’t his imagination.

^^^^

Just as Dean tossed his tee -shirt over his head, he heard the familiar knocking coming from the bedroom closet door. Shaking his head and then glancing with a look of concern when he saw the time, he moved to the closet and opened it. Frank walked in. “Frank. What are you doing here? I thought this was the time of day you do whatever it is you do to make yourself look busy.”

“Something is up,” Frank told him.

“What do you mean?” Dean asked.

“O.K. I’m with them, doing the training thing, and two of the sergeants that came with George suddenly joined and started to watch.”

“Yeah, so.”

“So, they take the men off somewhere according to George’s instruction.”

“They took them from you?”

Frank shrugged. “They told me they had a training video to show them,. I was going to go watch when I saw that Landers guy. He grabbed about a dozen SUTs and took them with him.”

“Again . . . so.”

“So, this Landers guys is a programmer. He took a dozen of them to program them to do something, I think. I got a feeling, Dean, that something is going down. There’s too much movement on base today. Get that chemical ready and get it ready fast.” Frank backed into the closet. “I have to go before they see me over this way.”

“Frank, wait. It’s not ready.”

“Then get something ready because I’m not wasting any time. If I see anything suspicious happening, we hit George, take out as many of these higher ups as we can, grab Richie, get a Jeep, and get the hell out.”

Dean watched Frank vanish though the closet. He worried. If Frank’s gut was singing to him then Dean better listen because Frank had that instinct. With that, Dean hurried and got dressed. Just to safeguard anything, he had to get to the lab and find a way to get rid of his test subjects he had frozen in the freezers at the lab.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Ellen’s throat swelled and she could barely breath as she stood by her front door. They had gathered their maps and plans. Robbie called and the chopper was ready. Joe, John, Jess, and Hal slowly walked through the door.

Trying to appear brave and hopeful, Ellen gave a proud smile to Jess and Hal as they walked out then lost it totally when Joe laid his hand on her cheek. Immediately she gasped emotionally, grasping his hand, and then clenching Joe into an embrace.

“Easy Kiddo,” Joe whispered. “Everything will be all right.”

“Be safe, Joe. Please be safe out there.”

“I will be. And I’ll be back . . .” He kissed her on the cheek then stepped back. “I promise you that. I’ll be back with your husband.” Joe smiled. “And Frank.”

THE RESCUE

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie’s return to Beginnings was signified by the chopper noise. Hearing this alerted Sgt. Ryder to proceed with the plan to meet Robbie at the hanger and he did. He watched the chopper land and he waited by the hanger structure. Robbie looked a little tired to Sgt. Ryder as he walked from the chopper, tossing his sunglasses inside, running his hands through his hair, and walking with a slight slant to Sgt. Ryder.

But Robbie grinned. “Just dropped off the four horsemen.”

Sgt. Ryder handed Robbie his headset radio. “I’ve been monitoring this for you.”

“And?”

“There’s a buzz about town. About security.”

“What are they saying?” Robbie asked.

“Just that it was odd that you flew the three J’s and Hal to Bowman and someone spotted Joe out of his normal attire.”

“Nosey fuckin people in this town. Nothing gets past them.” Robbie placed on the headset and fixed the ear piece.

“Yes, well in about an hour it will all be going down and well on its way to being over. That’s not a lot of time. What could go wrong?”

Robbie cringed.

Sgt. Ryder looked oddly at him. “What’s wrong?”

Robbie held up a finger and spoke into his radio. “Yeah, I’m back. What’s up?” Robbie closed his eyes.. “You heard nothing. Shit. All right. I’m on my way.”

“Did I speak too soon?”

“Looks that way.” Robbie picked up the pace to the awaiting Jeep. “Sector thirty two again. Henry sent two men up there this time.” Robbie jumped in the Jeep. “They haven’t returned. I have to get up there.”

“You’ll need help. Do you have a man meeting you there?” Sgt. Ryder got in.

Robbie fluttered his lips as he started the Jeep. “Are you kidding? No one will go up there with me.”

“Don’t say no one.” Sgt. Ryder looked at his watch. “We have an hour. I’ll go.”

“I appreciate it. Two of us can check it out a lot faster. Let’s swing by my office first to get armed.” Robbie drove off in the Jeep with a screech.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“Goddamn it, Frank.” Joe griped, covering his nose as soon as they entered the wooded area near the base. “It’s an open invitation for him to get busted with this damn smell.”

Jess pointed to his left. “It’s over there. We won’t smell it as badly where we’re setting up.”

Joe adjusted the large sack he carried and looked at his map. “Let’s hope so.” He checked out the time. “We’d better get moving on setting this thing up.” He peered up. “Lots of tree where we need to be. We have four speakers and a descrambler to set up. Now which two of you three are gonna be my climbers?”

Hal, Jess, and John all looked at each other. No one volunteered.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie drove the Jeep faster back into town than he should have. “How much time?” he asked Sgt. Ryder.

“Thirty minutes. We’re still good.”

Robbie looked at his blood -stained hands. “You help me unload these bodies into the clinic. We’ll deal with this later. Jenny knows we’re picking up the kids. You go to the school and get them. I’ll get El at the cryo and we’ll meet at El’s to get Josh and then we’ll head out.”

“Sounds good.”

Robbie stopped the Jeep. “Shit.”

“What?”

“Henry.”

Henry looked so serious as he slowed down and looked at the two body bags in the Jeep. He didn’t say anything. He just kept walking into the clinic.

Andrea, Jason, and Johnny were in the lab when Henry knocked once on the door and then walked in. “I need two of you to go to the morgue now. We just got two more bodies from sector thirty-two.”

Andrea, who was sitting, slowly stood up. “Get Ellen.”

“Ellen is busy at the lab. Can you handle it?” Henry asked.

“I think you should get Ellen. Two more.” Andrea closed her eyes. “Sweet Jesus.”

Henry looked over his shoulder to see Robbie and Sgt. Ryder carrying in a body bag. “Look. Who’s gonna handle it?”

Johnny stood up. “I don’t know what I’m doing but I will. Jason, want to help?”

“Sure. I can use a change of pace.”

“Hold it,” Andrea called out, stopping Johnny and Jason. “Don’t you two dare?” She faced Henry. “This has gone on long enough. Four men are dead. I thought Joe was wrong. We were wrong.”

Henry was lost. “What?”

“Andrea,” Jason said her name firmly.

Johnny huffed. “Andrea, come on.”

“No.” She shook her head. “We should have said something. Two more lives were lost in our silence. Henry.” She looked at Henry. “I believe if you speak to Ellen, she has answers and these senseless killings can stop. She knows who is doing them.”

Jason stepped forward. “Andrea, I can’t believe . . .”

“Ellen knows who is doing this?” Henry stared at the three faces. “Shit.” He stormed from the clinic lab. He saw Robbie and Sgt, Ryder walking back down the hall. Henry walked at a quick pace backwards. “Robbie, stay close. I might need you.” Henry bolted from the clinic.

Johnny was red faced as he looked at Andrea. “How could you do this? We agreed . . .”

“No.” Andrea held up a scolding hand to Johnny. “We agreed to keep quiet what we found out in her reports only if no one else died. Two more lives, Johnny. Two more lives. They could have been spared had we let Joe know.”

“No, they couldn’t have,” Johnny shook his head. “You know that. We all know that. Those results were inconclusive.”

“They were conclusive enough for me!” Andrea yelled.

Johnny twitched his head in his hostility and barged from the lab.

Jason didn’t show anger. That wasn’t his style. He walked slowly to the door. “Andrea, there were a lot of variations. I pointed them out. What did you mysteriously say to me a little bit ago? Today is not a day for mayhem. You prayed it was a peaceful day. With you opening your mouth, you may have just caused the disruption you so much sought to keep away.” Without saying anymore, Jason also left the lab.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

The area was pretty thick in the thirty yards off the side gate. Joe wondered, as he stayed in the small grade assembling the descrambler, if all the trees would cause some sort of interference, but little did Joe realize it wouldn’t be the trees.

“Dad,” Hal whispered, keeping low and crawling his way to Joe.

Seeing how his son moved alerted Joe. “What’s wrong?”

Hal pointed up to Jess who was hidden in the tree.

Joe looked up.

Jess pointed south.

First Joe closed his eyes then peered to where Jess indicated. Four soldiers stood lifting bushes and branches from Frank’s mass grave. “Damn it.” Joe clenched his teeth and looked at his watch.

“They found the bodies, Dad,” Hal whispered. “It could mean trouble. Is this ready?”

“Just about.”

“Can we go ahead?”

“We still have twenty-five minutes. What did Robbie say? Timing is everything.”

“Yeah but . . .” Hal looked back over to the soldiers who started to walk back to camp. “Can Frank and Dean really take that chance?”

“They’re gonna have to.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Ellen knew time was short. Robbie would soon be down to the cryo -lab to get her. She had engrossed herself in her work to take her mind off of things and now she felt the rush to complete it.

She had returned her specimen trays to the back room, and was coming out she saw Henry. He didn’t look pleased. “What’s wrong?”

“Where’s the autopsy report, El.”

“Which one?” Ellen casually walked to the sink and washed her hands.

“Both.”

“They aren’t done.” Ellen shook her hands of the excess water and, as she did, she saw Henry’s eyes move to the counter where she did her work. Did she and Henry see the paperwork on the counter at the same time? Paperwork she wanted to put away. Henry saw something he wanted because he moved to the counter with seriousness and Ellen flew to beat him there.

“El.”

“Henry.”

“El, look.” Henry ran his hand through his hair. “Now is not to time to play games. I need to know what you know about the killings.”

“Not much, Henry.” Ellen spoke rapidly. “See we were running a lot of tests when Dean up and left and he is the . . .”

“El!” Henry yelled then calmed himself. “Two more men were killed. Now, if you know something, you tell me. Now please.”

“I don’t . . .”

“Ellen, I have reason to believe that you not only know what did the killings but you also know . . . who.”

“What do you mean you have reason to believe?”

“Do you know?”

“No.”

“I’ll ask again. Do you know?”

“I’ll tell you again. No.” Ellen’s eyes moved to the counter to the reports.

Henry’s eyes moved there also. It was a race of reaches and Henry won, slamming his hand on the clipboard and lifting it.

“Henry.”

Henry didn’t think he’d understand what was written there. He thought he’d get no answers but he thought wrong. His eyes widened as he raised them above the sheet and looked at El. “How long have you known this?”

“Let me explain something . . .”

“How long, El. This is so wrong of you.”

“What is wrong? That I didn’t release findings that are inconclusive.”

“This says . . .”

“I know what it says.” Ellen snatched the clipboard back. “But it doesn’t match up completely and that is why I didn’t say anything.”

“I’m sorry, El.”

“What do you mean?”

Henry started to walk, grabbing his radio. “I mean I’m sorry.” He spoke into the radio. “Security . . .”

“I’m sorry too, Henry.

“Security, head to the school and pick up . . .”

Crash!

Ellen sailed the clipboard--hard--to the back of Henry’s head. It broke when it hit him, sending Henry to the floor and the bottom piece of the clipboard flying. Ellen dropped the piece she held, bent down, and felt for a pulse. Feeling one, and hearing the call of his name over and over the radio, Ellen bolted from the lab.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

George snapped forward with a concerned look on his face as he held the phone tightly to his ear. “What do you mean something is going down? Where . . . where did they go? When? Shit. You stay clear and out of sight and call . . .” George raised his eyes when his office door opened without a knock. Leonard walked in. “Call me back.” George hung up. “What’s wrong?”

“We just found every missing officer that used to be stationed here.”

“Where?”

“In a shallow grave outside the gates, all with a single bullet to their heads.”

George stood up. “Frank.”

“Amnesia?”

George tilted his head in confusion. “How did he get it past Dr. Morris? How did he fool a teacher from Harvard into . . .” George’s hand pounded on the desk. “Find Frank and Dean. Watch them. Surround them until I get there.” George walked around his desk to the door. “Get Chuckie on the phone and tell him to have the train ready. Call Nashville and have them send the other train.”

“What’s going on?” Leonard asked. “Why the trains?”

“Fate helped us out by finding those bodies. I just spoke to Beginnings. Some very key people left very early this morning dressed in camouflage. Something is going down and it’s going down now. We have to leave.” George stepped from the room, stopped, and looked at Leonard. “Move!”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

“Henry.” Robbie raced into the cryo-lab as Henry moaned and picked himself up from the floor. “What happened?”

Henry grabbed the back of his head and brought his fingers to his view. Blood laced his fingertips. “Ellen.”

“Ellen did this? Why?”

“Because Robbie.” Henry bent down to the autopsy results on the floor. He handed them to him and moved to the door. “She trying to cover up for him. Why, I don’t know, but we have to get to her and get him.”

Robbie read the results. “Shit! Marcus?”

“Looks that way. Come on.” Henry ran from the lab with Robbie right beside him.

It was supposed to go as planned. How much simpler could it have been? This is what Sgt. Ryder questioned to himself as he walked out of the school, trying to figure out why Ellen showed up and snatched everyone up. Heading out into the street and to the Jeep, he saw Robbie and Henry.

“Where are they?” Robbie yelled as he ran to Sgt. Ryder.

“Jenny said Ellen took the kids.” Sgt. Ryder got in the Jeep.

Henry jumped in at the same time as Robbie. “Did Jenny say Ellen got Marcus?”

“Oddly enough, yes,” Sgt. Ryder answered.

“Where did they go?” Robbie asked.

“Jenny said they went home.” Sgt. Ryder started the Jeep and they drove toward Ellen’s house.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

Jess hunched and hurried his way to Joe. “Joe.”

“Done.” Joe brushed off his hands.

“Joe, we have movement.” He handed Joe the binoculars.

Joe peered through them into camp. “Christ.”

How convenient and easy it was for George to learn that Dr Morris was at the lab building on the second floor. There was no knocking and no hesitation. George, along with one of the sergeants he brought with him, burst into the small office.

Dr. Morris stood up.

The sergeant extended his revolver point blank at Dr Morris’s head.

George was gruff and cold when he stared at Dr. Morris. “Did you know Dr. Dean Hayes from Harvard?”

“I, uh . . .” Dr Morris stuttered.

“Answer it!”

“Yes. I taught him.”

George took a slow breath. “You have served the Society well. Because of that you have one chance and once chance only to save your pathetic life. Did you cover up Frank’s amnesia because you knew of the connection to the two?”

The fear dropped from Dr. Morris’ face. He stood tall. “Yes.”

“Shoot him”

“Dean come on.” Frank beckoned. “Is it or is it not gonna work?”

“I don’t know, Frank.” Dean shrugged as he filled the syringe. He capped it. “It worked on the rabbits and Lt. Murphy but it didn’t work on . . .” A single gunshot startled Dean and he dropped the syringe.

“Shit.” Frank looked up when he heard the shot. His hand reached down for the syringe. “We have to get out of here.”

No sooner did Frank speak those words and he and Dean moved to the lab door, it opened. Eight armed SUTs marched in along with one Society sergeant and Leonard.

Frank’s hand reached quickly for his revolver. “Get down, Dean!” Just as he pulled it out, the SUTS swung their aim at Dean. Frank stopped.

George walked in the room. “Put it down, Frank.”

“Fuck you.” Frank aimed directly at George.

“You have one shot at me,” George said calmly, “then you and Dean will go down. Put down the weapon.”

“You won’t shoot Dean. You need him. And as for you . . .” Frank’s thumb pulled down the hammer. “If it’s between you and me. I’d rather die than see you walk.”

“Don’t test me, Frank! Don’t!” George yelled. “You wanna try it? Go ahead! Put down that gun now or I will order them to shoot him.”

Frank shifted his eyes quickly. “You won’t shoot him.”

“Test me. Take that chance.”

Dean breathed heavily, looking at the rifles all pointed at him. “Take the chance, Frank. Kill him.”

“Frank, put down the gun now!” George ordered.

Frank did not.

George snarled and looked to his SUTs. “Shoot him.”

The pumping of eight rifle chambers went through Frank.

“All right!” Frank yelled out and looked at the aim on Dean. He released the hammer and lowered his arm. Immediately the gun was snatched from his hand.

George pointed the gun at him. “Raise your arms. Now. And put your hands behind your head.”

Slowly Frank lifted his arms. “Dean, between you and El I have surrendered enough for one fuckin lifetime.”

“I didn’t tell you to surrender, Frank. You should have killed him.”

“Then what? Go home and tell El I let them shoot you. No fuckin . . .”

“Hey!” George yelled and motioned his head to a SUT. “Knock his big ass out.”

Frank twitched his head, lowered his arms and, before he could react, he felt the butt of a rifle slam against the side of his head. Frank’s eyes rolled and his towering body crashed to the floor.

George put the gun down. “Four of you men carry him and follow me.” He moved to the door. “Leonard, stay with him until Landers gets back here. Take care of that little fellow, Richie then use Lander’s escort to get to the train station and wait for the other train. We’ll meet you back home.”

“Wait.” Leonard took a step. “Why don’t we just take them together?”

“I need them both and I need to separate them now. I have more leverage with them apart.” George stormed out and the four SUTS picked up Frank’s motionless body and carried him out.

Dean still did not move. He watched the four guns aiming at him and then Leonard turned to face him after George left.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Not often did Henry get so angry that his emotions took over and he became a totally different person. “Ellen!” he barged right into her home.

“Henry.” Ellen came racing from the back hall.

“Where is he?”

“Who?”

“You took him from the school. Where is Marcus?”

“I don’t . . .” Ellen saw Robbie and Sgt. Ryder walk in.

Sgt. Ryder looked at Robbie. “We have to get them out of here. ‘T’ minus ten Robbie.”

“Henry.” Robbie took a step. “There’s something we have to handle.”

“I don’t care!” Henry blasted. “Right now, I need Marcus. Where is he, El?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Ellen stayed calm. “Now if you’ll excuse me . . .”

“No.” Henry reached out, snatching her back. “Listen to me. You cracked me in my head, knocked me out. I need Marcus. If he is responsible . . .”

‘He’s not.”

“You’re test results said . . .”

“The DNA didn’t match up completely, Henry, so the tests weren’t a hundred percent right,” Ellen argued. “Now I am sorry I hit you in your head, but what am I supposed to do? Let you send security to get a child? Let you pick him up? Then what?”

“We keep him contained until you prove otherwise,” Henry said.

“No. Bullshit. You know this community.” Ellen hands flew about. “There would be a lynch mob and you know it. I can’t take that chance.”

“And I can’t take the chance of him running around. Where is he?” Henry asked firmly.

“I don’t know.”

“El.”

“I don’t know.”

“Ellen!” Henry screamed, his face was red. “I’m not fuckin around here, El. Where is he!?”

“Don’t you take that tone with me. Who the hell do you think you are?”

Henry clenched his teeth. “Right now I am the leader of this community and the people’s welfare is my best interest. I am sorry if I offend you, but I need Marcus.”

“You don’t know for sure it’s him.”

“And you don’t know for sure it’s not! Are you willing to take that chance? Are you! How do you know, El? You know enough to suspect him yet you hide him around your flesh and blood. Four men are dead. Four, El. If I were you, no matter how small the chance, it would be too big of a chance to take around the lives of my kids and one of them is my kid.” Henry calmed down.

Sgt. Ryder shifted his eyes to Robbie. “Robbie.”

“Henry,” Robbie called out.

Henry held out his hand, keeping his stare on Ellen. “I will not let word of this get out. Just let me have him. You do what you have to do now and we will run whatever test we need when you get back. Right now . . . give me Marcus . . . please.”

Ellen with her arms folded close to her, closed her eyes. “He’s in the back with Joey.”

“Thank you.” Henry rushed by her to the hall.

Robbie let out his breath. He turned to Sgt. Ryder. “Elliott, let’s load Ellen and the kids into the Jeep.” He looked at his watch. “It’s ‘t’ minis six . . .” He stopped talking and looked when Henry came back in, holding some sort of cloth.

“Robbie.” Henry stated firmly. “I want a full scale search. Get every man available out there now! I want every inch of this community searched and covered along with sector thirty-two. We have to find Marcus. He has Joey.” Henry moved to the door in a hurry. As he passed Ellen, he less than gently laid the cloth he held into her chest and then barged out.

“O.K.” Robbie held up his hand. “Elliott, get Ellen and the kids out and to Miles City. Now! I’ll find Joey.”

“Got it. El, are the kids in the back . . .” Sgt. Ryder saw her looking at the cloth in her hands.

Ellen’s face was white and horrified. “What have I done?” She murmured. “Oh God” She closed her eyes. “What have I done?”

Robbie motioned his head to Sgt. Ryder to get the kids. He moved to Ellen. “El.” He reached down and took from her the cloth she held. When he retrieved it in his hands he saw it wasn’t a cloth at all. It was Joey’s white shirt, nearly torn to shreds. A stream of blood streaked it.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

How long had Dean stared at Leonard? A few minutes that seemed like an hour? The turning of the lab door made his heart jump.

Sgt. Landers walked in. “The Jeep is out front. Are you ready?”

“There’s something you have to take care of first. That man, Richie Martin. Find him and kill him. Take your men and make sure the job gets done. I’ll get Dr. Hayes to the Jeep.”

“Are you sure?” Sgt. Landers asked.

“Look at him.” Leonard pulled out a gun. “I can handle him. Richie’s at the gymnasium now. Go.”

Sgt. Landers indicated to the four SUTS that still aimed at Dean. They followed him out.

Dean silently listened to them leave the main lab. He could hear the fading of the boots as they marched down the hall.

“Let’s go.” Leonard moved his gun, using it as a pointer for Dean to walk ahead of him

Dean moved slowly, feeling the heat of Leonard’s body so close behind.

“Move faster. Let’s go.” He nudged Dean.

“Oh, I don’t think so.” With a tightly clenched fist, Dean stopped cold, spun around and, with everything his small body had, he nailed Leonard in the side of his face with such a force that Leonard’s head flung to the side and his nearly six foot tall body toppled. Instead of running at that second, Dean took advantage of Leonard’s weakened moment. Dean, swung his right fist out, hitting Leonard in the face again, and then swept down his left hand into Leonard’s arm, knocking the revolver loose. Before the gun could hit the floor, Dean grabbed it, straightened it in his hand, stepped back, clicked the hammer, and fired one deadly shot into Leonard. Dean watched the blood splattered from Leonard’s head and the body drop to the floor.

Stunned, but only for a split second, Dean looked at the revolver. “God, that was such a Frank thing to do.” With Richie on his mind, Dean took off toward the gymnasium.

Five Society soldiers and then a minute later Dean? Joe watched with his hand on the descrambler. “Where are they going?”

“Into that building,” Hal answered.

Joe looked at his watch. “Something’s wrong. We still have three minutes. Fuck it. I’m hitting it.” Joe’s hand moved for the button and he depressed it. The loud bird whistle went off and he and Hal, along with Jess and John, moved in a low running position to the open side gate. Joe pulled out his revolver, staying back, and watched the SUTs at the side gate stop cold. “It worked.” He told them. “Jess you come with m. We’ll go to building ‘B’ where we last saw Frank. Hal, you and John follow Dean. I don’t know if the descrambler got the ones in that building. Take no chance. Let’s go.”

Rushing armed and ready, Joe, Hal, Jess, and John stormed through the side gate and past the stunned SUTs. But in their determination and drive to make it to the two designated buildings, they never saw the truck with Frank and George, speed through the front gate.

Richie just had stepped off the ladder from fixing the high overhead light in the deck. The high, gymnasium type building with cement floors was used for indoor drills. No sooner did his foot hit the floor than he heard the far doors open. He turned around to look. Sgt. Landers walked in through them. On either side of him were two SUTs.

“Hey,” Richie called out nervously. “What’s up?” Richie’s heart raced when, at a steady medium pace, they marched to him.

“Ready!” Sgt. Landers called out.

“Huh?” Richie wondered. “Shit.”

They took two steps and raised their rifles.

“Aim.”

Two more steps and the chambers clicked.

Richie froze. “Oh God.” His eyes closed and opened back up when he heard the slamming of the doors again.

The aims of the SUTs dropped. They and Sgt. Landers turned around at the intrusion.

Dean stood there. Ready, he lifted the revolver and fired . . . nothing. “Oh fuck.” Dean looked at the gun then at the men.

Sgt. Landers knew Dean wasn’t their target. “Repeat.”

“Shit.” Dean hurled the gun, beaming Sgt. Landers in the head. Then racing as fast as he could, Dean shot his body through the four men, barreled through as if they were bowling pins, startled them some from their firm stance, and knocked himself off his balance. Still running, Dean stumbled and rolled himself up, never missing a beat in his race toward Richie. Dean grabbed Richie’s arm and spotting the door behind them, not ten yards away.

“Ready.” Sgt. Landers ordered.

“Run.” Dean pulled at Richie, peering through the corner of his eyes to see the rifles raise.

“Aim . . . Fi . . .”

BOOM!

The clash of metal was heard as the rear doors burst open and through them came Hal and John with guns raised.

“Fire!”

Hal dove into Richie, knocking him down and, at the same time, John extended out his gun, raced in the gym, and leaped sideways in front of Dean as he fired out. Shots entailed from the SUTs and Sgt., Landers blasting into John as if he were target practice at the exact same instant he blocked Dean.

He hit one SUT but John went flying backwards with a rain of blood, knocking Dean to the floor with him.

Ignoring the bullet that grazed his left arm, Hal rolled himself up to a one-legged kneel and, still holding his gun, he fired. It took six shots but he downed the SUTs and Sgt. Landers.

From their stare at Leonard bloody body on the floor, Joe and Jess both lifted their heads to the sound of distant rapid gunfire.

Joe immediately bolted to the door. “Let’s go.”

Jess raced out after him.

In the quiet blood bath of a gymnasium, Dean counted six shots John had taken. On the deck floor, Dean knelt by John’s trembling body. He held his hand over the stomach wound that seemed to bleed the most.. John’s blood seeped over Dean’s fingers. “Hold on.”

John’s eyes were barely opened but they made contact with Dean’s. “Fr . . . Frank.”

Out of breath, Dean raised his eyes to Hal. “They . . .”

Before he could finish his sentence, Joe and Jess came racing through the back door.

“Dear God.” Joe slowed down his run, seeing what had happened, seeing John Matoose lying on the floor. “We can’t find Frank.” Joe couldn’t take his eyes off John.

Dean looked up to Joe. “They took him.”

“Where?” Joe asked.

“To the train station.”

Hal put his gun away. “Where’s that?”

Dean shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“I do,” Richie said. “I can show you.”

Hal smiled. “Good, Richie.”

Dean still held his hand on John. “You know him?”

“Of course.” Hal gave a quirky smile. “Dad, look it’s Richie.”

“Hey, Mr. Slagel.”

“Goddamn.” Joe twitched his head. “We’ll have the happy reunion later. Right now we need to get Frank. Take us, Richie.”

Dean turned his head to Richie. “There’s a Jeep right outside the lab building ready to go.”

Richie stood up. “Let’s go then.”

Hal, Jess, Joe and Richie began moving to the door.

Joe stopped. “Dean. Let’s go.”

“I’m not leaving him. I have to get him to the clinic.”

“You can’t help him, Dean,” Joe said. “Look at him.”

“I have to try,” Dean said with passion. “I have to try.”

“Dean, for crying out loud. Time is not a luxury here.”

“Yeah it is, Joe. Time is a luxury John afforded me. Every single bullet he took should have been mine and I’ll be damned if I will walk away from him when his heart is still beating, when he is still breathing. I won’t walk away until I give him the chance he gave me.”

Joe let out a slow breath. “Richie, take Hal. Dean, can you stabilize him in forty minutes.”

Dean gave an ‘you got to be kidding look’ to Joe. “I . . . I can try.”

“Try, hell. Do it. Jess and I will take you and him to this clinic. Stabilize him, get what you need so he can survive the trip back home.” Joe turned to Hal. “We’ll meet you at the side gate area and use that Jeep to get to Gillian.”

“Gotcha.” Hal backed up with Richie. “If you aren’t there, we’ll assume you’re in here. See ya in a bit.” Hal ran to the door.

“Hal,” Joe called out. “Be careful.”

Hal nodded.

“And bring your brother back!” The deck doors slammed and Joe knelt down to the floor. “Let’s go, Jess. Let’s help move him.”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

It had to be the scariest sound Henry heard as he neared the last warehouse that set with its rear entrance flush against a small wooded area. Grunting. Animal grunting. Henry broke a sweat, holding out his gun. He knew that sound well. He leaned against the wall, inching his way slowly to the vocal sound he knew belonged to Marcus.

He raised his weapon, fearing so much what he would see when he turned to the back of the building. He feared he would see Joey’s body in a sick resemblance to Hank and Marv. The corner of the building grew closer and so did the grunts and then . . . another voice. Joey’s.

“They’ll think you’re me. It will work.” Joey’s too deep voice spoke.

Every ounce of tension left Henry’s body and he lowered his gun. He peeked around the bend and saw Marcus and Joey hiding. Joey wore clothes way too big for him. Clothes--that by the giveaway horizontal stripes--belonged to Marcus. And Marcus wore ripped clothing that belonged to Joey. Clothing Joey must have squeezed on him and it ripped in doing so. That explained the shredded clothes and the blood on Joey’s nostril explained the blood on the shirt. Joey’s famous nosebleeds. Henry smiled as he listened to Joey explain how they could get away with him living with Melissa and Marcus living with Ellen. How they really looked alike.

Henry moved back and grabbed his radio. “Robbie, stop the search. I found them. They’re fine.”

“Got it, Henry, but me and the men are gonna search the area while we’re here.”

“Why?” Henry asked.

“Tracking was picking something up past the field. It’s time to end this thing. Don’t you think?”

“Yeah. O.K., let me grab these two boys. I’ll bring them to Tracking with me and see what’s going on.”

“Henry . . . Henry. Watch Joey with your life. O.K.?”

“With my life.” Henry hooked his radio to his belt and, before he showed himself, he called out. “No one is in trouble, Don’t run away from me.”

“Shh.” Joey inched to Marcus. “Watch. It’s Uncle Henry.” He saw Henry come from around the building.

“We have to go to Tracking. Can you guys come with me? Wanna see the beeps? Joey?”

Joey deepened his voice more and graveled it. “I’m Marcus. And this is Joey.” He nudged Marcus.

Marcus squealed.

“O.K. Marcus.” Henry nodded his head to Joey. “Let’s go.”

Even at his height of six foot two, the high grass in the field came up past Robbie’s chest, hindering his movement. “Anyone? Anything? Cole?”

“Nope.”

“Dan.”

“Nothing.”

“Jeff?”

“Nada”

“Bert?”

“Ernie.”

Robbie snickered. “Asshole. Tracking come in. Mark, you seeing anything?”

“Whatever it is, is still at the end of that field. It’s at a standstill, Robbie. Well, it looks like they are at a standstill. Hold on. Henry just walked in,” Mark said.

Henry shut the door, walked to the monitor and leaned over Mark’s shoulder. “Nothing?”

Mark’s finger touched the screen. “See they’re staying . . .”

“Shit.” Henry grabbed the radio. “Robbie, come in.”

“Yeah?” Robbie answered.

“Whatever it is, is moving your way.”

Robbie heard the fast ruffling. “I hear it.” He whispered into the headset. “Gentleman, get ready.”

“Robbie,” Henry spoke rapidly. “They’re moving fast. I think you should pull back.”

“I think we should end this right . . .” A scream. Bert’s scream was heard and Robbie spun to see the movement in the grass followed by a geyser of blood. “Fuck!”

“Robbie, what’s happening?”

There was another scream, another movement of grass, and more blood.

“Pull out!” Robbie ordered “Pull out now!”

“Robbie,” Henry called out. “What’s happening?”

“Something’s up here, Henry.” Robbie waited for his men and then he saw Jack in the middle of his run disappear into the high grass, scream, and then nothing. “Henry, we lost another one.”

Henry hand slid down his face as he heard the screams and gunfire. “Robbie, get out of there! Get out now.”

Robbie couldn’t see what it was that was doing it. His aim went in circles as he shifted around watching Cole, Dan, and Jeff run his way. “Move it! Move it.!” He waved his free arm.

“Robbie, get out of there.”

“I’m seeing something!” Robbie raised his weapon as he watched the grass move at an incredibly high speed in a seemingly chase after Jeff. “Jeff run!”

Jeff moved his legs as fast as he could but he made one error. He thought he could get what it was. In a backwards run, he raised his weapon.

And then Robbie saw what it was. They leaped up from the grass and dove at Jeff. Jeff went down.

“Oh my God.” Robbie raced to Jeff as did Cole and Dan.

“Robbie, get out of there.”

“I see them, Henry.” Robbie raised his weapon. “I see . . .”

Jeff sprang up from the grass, screaming. His rifle swung out and he spun around as he desperately fought to free the sharp tooth jaws that were attached to his face. His hands gripped its body pulling at it.

Robbie had a clear shot. So did Cole and Dan, a clear shot of the one that had Jeff and the ones that now dined on the bodies of Bert and the other two. But Robbie couldn’t bring himself to shoot. None of them could. “Henry . . . Henry . . . they’re babies.”

The radio dropped from Henry’s hand.

Mark looked up. “Did he just say babies?”

Henry grabbed the radio cringing at Jeff’s scream. “Babies?”

“Marcus . . . plural. They look like baby Marcus’s. Oh God there’s . . .” Robbie shouted in the radio over Jeff’s scream, and the grunting and squealing that became the painful background noise. “There’s ten, twelve. Oh God Twenty.”

“Shot them!” Henry ordered.

“I can’t. They’re babies.” Robbie inched to Jeff.

“Robbie shoot them. They are killers.”

Robbie felt the pain in his throat. His eyes shifted to Cole and Dan. “We have to.”

Dan. looked panicked. “They’re babies.”

Robbie closed his eyes briefly as he brought the scope of the rifle to his view. “God forgive me.” His finger depressed on the trigger. The bullet sail into the rippled and thick leg of the Marcus that clenched on to Jeff. The baby squealed loudly and flew off. “Grab him and fire.”

Robbie, Cole, and Dan raced for Jeff ,firing. A Marcus leaped at Robbie. He caught glimpse of the fast moving blur coming at him. His fist raised in a fast swatting action, hitting the tough skin creature like a baseball, but not before he felt the sear of his skin as the Marcus teeth grazed against his cheek before it hit the ground.

Cole and Dan lifted Jeff with one hand while firing blankly into the field at the numerous genetically altered babies which scattered away from their prey but not without taking some with them.

Robbie fired also as they all backed up as fast as they could. “We can’t get them all.”

Henry listened with his eyes tightly closed and his hand gripped the radio so hard he could have broken it. His head was lowered as he heard the gunfire. “Just . . . just move out.”

There was silence.

Henry’s head lifted. He was filled with fear. “Robbie. Robbie, come in.”

More silence.

“Robbie.”

A hiss of static and Robbie’s emotional voice came through along with the sound of a running Jeep. “Oh God, Henry, we lost three. . . Down . . . down the gate. We’re bringing in Jeff.”

Robbie wiped the blood from his cheek as he drove then looked behind him to Cole and Dan who held on to Jeff in the back of the Jeep. Was it really Jeff? If Robbie hadn’t seen him go down, he would have never recognized him. It wasn’t the massive amount of blood that covered Jeff’s face that made him unrecognizable. It was the lack of Jeff’s face that caused it.

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

It was in the distance as Hal and Richie pulled to the train station. The locomotive was rolling down the tracks and away from them.

Hal looked over to the speedometer as Richie drove. “You can catch it.”

“What?”

‘Hit the gas. You can catch it.”

“The train?”

“Yes.”

“Then what?” Richie looked at Hal as his foot depressed the gas pedal.

“Pass it. Just do it.”

The Jeep jolted as Richie shifted gears and neared it. “I hope you don’t want me to pull on the tracks cause I have news for you, Hal This Jeep won’t stop it.” He looked over to see Hal loading a clip into a gun. “Neither will those bullets.”

Joe realized it wasn’t a time to be impatient but the insensitive side of him had to be. He looked at his watch then pushed open the operating doors a little. “Dean?’

“Joe, please,” Dean said as he operated. “A few more minutes.”

Joe whistled as he shut the door and looked at Jess. “We’re screwed.”

“Yep.” Jess looked at his watch. “Big time, cause them things are gonna wake up in fifteen minutes.”

The movement, the pain, the whistle. Whatever it was that brought Frank to consciousness, he was grateful. He groaned as he held onto his head and sat up. He looked at the crates that surrounded him and then shifted his eyes around. He could see the outside moving. “God.” As he stumbled to his feet, he felt for a gun. He had none. Swearing in his mind, he assessed the situation. He could see the back of the car he was in and there weren’t any behind him. The door at the end could be his escape but Frank couldn’t let himself do it. He knew George was on that train and he wasn’t leaving without taking him down. But first he had to get out of that car.

Frank laughed a ‘ha.’ and thought how stupid could they be. He spotted the guard’s back through the window of the door to the train. “That’s my guard.” He smirked and sneaked up to the door. Hunching down, he reached up and felt the glass. Frank smiled. He took off his shirt and wrapped it around his right fist. As he stood, his left hand crossed over and gripped onto the handle of the sliding door.

With a grin Frank sprang to his feet. He grunted loudly as he crashed his shirt-covered hand through the glass, shattered it, and gripped the head of the guard. He yanked his head through the broken window and slid the door open with a vengeance at the same time. It was a Frank-style, sideways guillotine and the head of the guard rolled to the floor.

The wind of the moving train hit Frank as he pulled the body in and took the rifle. There was some blood on his shirt but Frank didn’t care. He placed it back on and stepped from the car. It was time to find George.

Next car.

Standing off to the side, Frank peeked in. Two soldiers. Easy enough. With the butt of the rifle, Frank broke the window, spun the weapon, aimed, and fired two shots. Biting his bottom lip and nodding with arrogance, Frank slid that door open and walked in.

It must not have dawned on Frank at that instant that sound traveled, because his firing was an alarm that alerted other soldiers. “What the fuck?” Frank blurted, surprised when the far end of the car he was in opened and a brigade of soldiers plowed in. He began to fire, backing up and running out the back of the train. He slid the door shut--as if that would help--and heard the sear of a bullet as it sailed closely to his ear. His eyes caught the ladder on the side of the car and Frank clenched it, swung out, and climbed up.

“There!” Richie pointed to Frank, seeing him run over top of the car.

“He’s trying to escape. Honk the horn. Alert him.”

Richie honked. “What the hell?”

Frank disappeared when he made it to the end of the car.

“Richie, speed it up.”

It was a wide, open-mouth grin that graced Frank’s face as he looked up the car he just climbed from to see the awkwardly moving soldiers running his way. How stupid he thought they were. All they had to do was turn around and they would have had him. But instead that chased him out and over the car.

Frank looked into the window of the next car and if it was possible, his grinned widened.

George.

Frank didn’t have a clear shot, A soldier stood with him, but all he had to do was take out that soldier and he could get George. Break the window and shoot.

Crash, pump, fire. Down went the soldier. Totally enjoying the panicked look on George’s face, Frank--feeling like Jason from Friday the Thirteenth--slid open the door, looking like the homicidal maniac going after his victim.

Frank pumped the chamber and fired. Nothing.

George took that momentary opportunity and bolted toward the next door. Frank dropped the rifle, charged out with two steps, leaped forward, and sailed into George. They crashed on the floor of the moving train just as the back door of George’s car burst open and the remaining soldiers that had chased Frank before came in.

Frank jumped up, bringing George with him as a shield. He backed up to the door, holding George in a brace to his neck. “I’ll snap his neck!” Frank yelled out.

The soldiers all aimed.

“Nah.” Frank smiled. “Better yet.” Still holding George with his right arm, Frank raised his left, and in it was the syringe. With his teeth, he uncapped it. “Bye-bye, George.” Frank grunted slightly or a dramatic effect and George screamed painfully when the needle of the syringe stabbed into his neck and Frank plunged the liquid into him. Frank slid the door behind him opened and shoved George forward to the soldiers. Frank then raced to the next car but not without being chased.

The Jeep flew passed the train and Hal could see Frank running and looking up as he did. “He’s looking for a ceiling hatch.”

“Should I go back? We’re near the front of the train.”

“No.” Hal stood up and moved to the back of the Jeep.

“What are you doing?”

“Pull as close as you can to the train.”

“What?”

“Do it.”

“Oh God.” Richie was never one to drive with his eyes closed, but he felt like he wanted to at that moment. He neared so closely to the train that he felt the heat of the locomotive. “Hal, don’t . . .”

“Stay close by.” Hal balanced and reached out. “Ready and . . .” he leaped from the Jeep, catching the ladder of the second to first car. His body swung back and forth as the Jeep moved out and turned around. Hal stopped swinging enough to climb up.

In Frank’s run he saw the Jeep with Richie driving. He looked back then moved to the window, pounding against it.

Richie saw him and pointed up.

Frank nodded with a thumbs up. He looked at the ceiling hatch, keeping his eyes peered on Richie. He couldn’t figure out who Richie was honking and indicating to at that moment, but Frank knew he was screwed when the back door to that car slid open and the firing began.

Hal nodded to Richie as he leaped in his run to the moving car Frank was in. He spotted the open ceiling hatch and dropped to his stomach, extending his red gloved hand in. “Frank, come on.”

Frank saw the UWA glove and gripped the hand that levered him up. Another hand braced his arm and Frank scurried to the roof of the train, kicking the hatch closed with his foot.

Hal fell backwards from the force of pulling Frank up. The combination of his loss of balance and the moving train caused Hal to roll. Just as he sailed face forward off the side, the speeding ground so close, he felt a grip to his ankle and the weight of his body being snatched back up. The metal edge of the train slid against his gut as he was pulled to safety. On his stomach, he caught his balance. When he felt his ankle released, he began to roll himself over.

“Are you . . . UH!” Frank shrieked in the shock of seeing Hal.

“Frank.”

“Fuck. Hal!”

“We have to get out of here.”

“Hal!”

“Frank!” Hal’s eyes shifted.

“Hal!”

“Frank!”

“What!”

“SUTs.”

Frank looked. “Fuck.”

Both Slagels, who still weren’t standing, grabbed the roof and stood. At the end of the car, shooting and coming their way, were soldiers.

They took off running toward the front of the car.

“Climb down!” Frank ordered as he passed Hal going over the edge in a jump and gripping the ladder.

Hal repeated Frank’s actions and both brothers held on to the rungs. They could hear the tromping of the soldiers coming their way. “Now what, Frank?”

“Jump?”

Hal looked to the moving ground then up above him. “Sure, why not?”

“Ready?”

“You first.”

“Ha! Baby. Move with the train.” Frank took a breath and jumped in the same direction that the train moved. Seconds afterward, he started rolling on the ground, away from the train. Hal was rolling right along with him. They rolled for while and when they stopped, the train was moving onward.

Frank picked himself up, lifting Hal and embracing him. “Oh my God.”

Hal grinned. “I’m still moving, wait.”

“No.” Frank swung him around. “God, look at you.” Frank kissed his brother. “Man.”

As Hal was set to his feet, he saw Richie pull up. “Come on, Frank. We have to go back and help Dad.”

“Dad? Dad’s here?” Frank asked as they ran to the Jeep.

“Yeah.” Hal said, jumping in.

“Does he know you’re alive?”

Hal’s mouth opened then shut. He bit his bottom lip and looked at Richie. “Drive faster, Richie.”

“Jesus Christ, Dean, come on,” Joe yelled.

Jess looked at his watch. “Time’s up.”

Dean held a knapsack. “Let me finish getting supplies to keep him alive.”

Joe’s hand covered his face.

“SUTs.” Hal stated as he, Frank, and Richie pulled to the side gate.

Frank fluttered his lips. “If we had the weaponry, we could take them.”

“Nah.” Hal smiled. “Let’s just stun them.”

“Stun them?” Frank questioned.

“Yeah.” Hal inched his way back to the woods. “Stun them and walk right in.”

Frank nodded. “That’ll work. How?”

Hal uncovered the descrambler. He pressed the button.

Frank closed off his ears at the annoying bird like whistle. He leaned to a silent Richie, whispering, “When we go find my Dad, you know what to do. Right?”

Richie nodded.

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie held a cloth to his face tightly in the examining room when Henry walked in. “Henry, how’s Jeff?”

Henry shook his head. “It’s not good, Robbie. I . . . I had to call El back.”

Robbie closed his eyes. “Henry, we have to . . .”

“Sgt. Ryder is keeping the kids with the UWA soldiers in Miles City. We need her back here, Robbie. We’ll watch her.”

“How did you know about it?”

“I just did.” Henry reached out and grabbed Robbie’s hand, removed the cloth, and looked at the bite mark. Henry stepped back, hiding his gag. “Yep, we need her. For the injuries and . . . for the problem.”

“How do you mean?” Robbie asked.

“Well, if she can create them.” Henry raised his eyebrows. “Maybe she can figure out how to kill them.”

^^^^

Binghamton, Alabama

“Done.” Dean came out of a back room. “Ready?”

Joe tossed his hands up as he and Jess stood by the gurney where John Matoose lay. “It’s about time.”

“Sorry, Joe. I had to get supplies.”

Joe grabbed hold of the gurney and pushed it with Jess. “We’ll carry him once we get outside.”

“Joe?” Jess asked. “Who hit the descrambler again.”

“Us!” Hal said as he and Frank walked in.

“Dad!” Frank charged to his father. “Oh man. Did you see Hal?”

Joe’s gratefulness in seeing his son was overshadowed by Frank’s lack of common sense. “No, Frank, I didn’t. Hal, I’ll be damned. You’re alive.”

“Joe.” Jess pushed on the cart. “What did you say to that little guy? Family reunion later?”

“You got a point.”

Frank looked at John Matoose as they wheeled him to the front. “Shot, huh?”

Dean grumbled, “You’re an ass, Frank.”

They arrived at the front. Joe took hold of one side of John. “Now we’ll take him out as quickly as we can. I’m assuming . . . Richie?” Joe said Richie’s name in shock when Richie walked in. “I thought you’d be waiting.”

Richie held the door open for Joe and Jess who quickly carried John. “They’re out there, Frank.”

Hal and Dean looked confused. “Who?”

Joe’s loud, “Christ” carried in the clinic.

Hal hurried out along with Dean. Richie and Frank took their time, walking out last.

In front of the building was every single Society soldier on base. And they were armed.

Joe shifted his eyes around. “Any suggestions?’

“Yeah.” Frank stepped forward and ahead of Joe and Jess. He faced the Society soldiers. “Gentleman. What do you have to say?” Frank shouted out.

The boots clicked in a stomping on the ground. The large group of men joined in formation. “One, two, yes we can, Colonel Slagel is the man. Ooh-rah!”

Frank grinned and turned around to face a shocked, Dean, Jess , Hal, and Joe. “Meet Beginnings newest army members, trained by me. Now tell me who gets the Neville points. Ha!.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

October 1

Beginnings, Montana

Robbie swayed his head, handing Henry back the Beginnings paper with the huge headline, ‘KILLER BABIES SEIZE BEGINNINGS.’

Henry chuckled also as they headed into Tracking. “National Enquirer again?”

“This time it’s true,” Robbie said. “Hopefully Ellen’s poison is working.”

“And if not . . .” Henry opened the door to Tracking. “We all worked our asses off to get those fences up. We’ll keep them out until we kill them.”

“Hey, Mark,” Robbie said. “Any movement in sector thirty-two?”

“Nope. It’s been fading steadily.”

“Yes!” Robbie gave Henry a high five. “Mad scientist El.”

“She said it wouldn’t work though.”

“Hey, it kills rabbits, right?” Robbie smiled. “A stomach is a . . .”

A loud high pitch beeping began to go off.

Henry stepped to the screen. “Mark.”

“Holy shit.” Mark pushed his chair back. “We’re getting invaded. They’re coming to the back gate.” Black blinking lights went mad. “Henry?”

“How many.”

Mark clicked on the computer screen. “Oh shit. Two hundred and seventy-three.”

Robbie raced to the door yelling into his radio. “Security hit the . . .”

Joe’s voice interrupted him. “Robert.”

“Dad, not now we have an invasion.”

“That’s why I’m calling you. We knew we hit Tracking. It’s us.”

“You.” Robbie stopped and lowered the microphone. “Henry, it’s my Dad.”

Henry looked puzzled. “He’s not that big.”

Robbie made a scoffing face. “Dad, what’s going on.”

“Here. Let him explain,” Joe said.

“Hey, baby brother,” Frank spoke. “Guess who’s back and gonna kick your ass right out of that number one Neville position?”

Robbie grinned. “Frank.”

^^^^

Ellen giggled as she nibbled on crackers and read Danny’s paper in the clinic lab. The head line that read ‘Killer babies seize Beginnings’ didn’t make her laugh as much as the sub-headline that stated, ‘Mad scientist Dean denies it all’. Engrossed and waiting for her blood to stop spinning, Ellen stopped smiling and crushed the cracker in her hand when she heard Dean’s voice in the lab.

“Miss me?”

A near silent emotional shriek escaped her as she spun around, “Dean!” She raced to him, flinging her arms around him and plastering him with kisses. “Oh . . .” She gasped out and clenched his face. “You’re alive.”

Dean very seriously looked at Ellen. “I needed this first. O.K.?” He softly placed his lips to hers and kissed her for a long time. “I love you. I love you very much.”

“I’m so proud of you, Dean.”

Dean saw her mouth open again and he laid his finger on her lips. “Go stand by the window.”

“What?”

“Just look out the window. O.K.”

“O.K.” Ellen agreed to the odd request and moved over to the small lab window.

Dean unhooked his radio from his belt and spoke into it. “Now.”

Ellen turned from the window back to Dean. “What did you say?”

“Ellen, look out that window. It’s what you waited for.”

Ellen’s head turned to the pane of glass. As soon as she did, she saw the small grade and every ounce of her breath left her when, rising over the top of it, she saw Frank. Her mouth opened and her fingers pressed the glass. She let out an joyful sob.

Frank stopped on the top of the grade and waved.

Ellen spun to look at Dean. “Frank.”

Dean motioned his head back toward the door. “Go on. Go see him.”

Ellen ran. She slid to a stop at the lab door, backed up, and kissed Dean again. “Thank you. Thank you.” She let her hand slide off his face as she ran in a excited stumbling manner out the double doors of the clinic, jumping down the steps, and charging toward the grade.

Frank just seemed too far away, standing on that hill with the sun blaring behind him. Ellen’s heart pounded out of her chest as she drew closer to him. She blasted Frank so hard with the weight of her body as she flung herself to him, Frank stumbled in his balance as he lifted her from her feet. Frank dropped carefully to his knees, then to his back, bringing Ellen on top of him in the grass.

His face pressed closely to hers then Frank kissed her, letting his hands feel her body. “El.” He breathed out her name, kissing her again. “Oh El. Let me look at you.”

Ellen pulled back but still held on. She closed her eyes when she felt his huge hand glide across her face. His lips touched tenderly to hers and she opened her eyes to look at him. So close he was. It had been so long since she looked this closely at Frank but there he was. His dark eyes, glossed over, stared deeply into hers.

“I’m home.”

A single sob came from Ellen and her body shook. She pressed her lips hard and with gratefulness to Frank’s. And Frank kissed her like he had been waiting to do. Not caring who saw, he kept kissing her, rolling her over and laying his body on hers as he did.

^^^^

It was uncomfortable enough for Dean to walk into Joe’s house, especially knowing why Joe loaned Frank and Ellen the house, but did that Richie person have to be there. Dean could have denied the reunion, or break his word to Frank, but he didn’t. Because if he did, he could lose all leverage he had in his marriage with Ellen. They had a happy reunion, as promised but now time was up. Dean looked at Richie, who sat on the couch. He figured Richie was new to Beginnings and probably had some sort of strange attachment to Frank. That was why he was there.

Awkwardly Dean smiled at Richie then called out. “Frank! Time’s up!”

“Fuck.” Frank laid on the bed with Ellen, fully dressed. “Don’t go.”

“I have to. Dean said one hour.” Ellen trickled her hand down his face.

“This sucks.”

“Frank . . .”

“No, El. I just got back. I just want to be with you.” Frank kissed her lightly.

“It’s not like I won’t see you.”

“I know but it sucks.”

“So you said.” Ellen stood up from the bed after kissing him once more. “But Frank, you have to lighten up.”

“Lighten up?” Frank got off the bed as well. “I don’t have you. You’re married to fuckin Dean. You won’t sleep with me. All this time apart and . . .”

“And what, Frank.” Ellen tilted her head and looked at him. “All this time apart and you’d want our first hour to be having sex? Come on. You and I are more than that. I missed you. I really missed you.”

“You’re right. We’re past that.” He kissed her. “But you’re still married to Dean and you claim you’re making the marriage work.” Frank smirked at Ellen’s gasp. “Sure you are.” He then cringed when he heard Dean yelling for him to hurry again. “All right!” Frank shouted.

Ellen closed off her ears. “God, Frank.”

“And stop that.” He swiped her arm down. “That’s a Dean thing. Come on, El. Tell him you’re staying with me.”

“I can’t. I’ll be back.”

“El, I’m having a rough homecoming adjustment here,” Frank complained. “I don’t have you. I don’t have a house. They gave it away.”

“Well, Frank, they thought you were dead.”

“You knew I wasn’t.”

“There was nothing I could do.” Ellen walked to the bedroom door. “I’ll see you later.”

“Oh!” Frank snapped his finger. “Shit. I almost forgot. I have a surprise for you.”

Ellen smiled. “A surprise. How sweet.”

“Yeah. Come on, you’ll like it.” He took her hand.

Richie heard the bedroom door open and he stood up. “I’m nervous.”

Dean raised one eyebrow and looked over to Richie oddly. “O.K.” He, too, could hear them coming.

Frank stopped Ellen before they entered the living room. “Ready?”

“Yeah.”

Frank covered her eyes and led her blindly into the living room.

Ellen giggled. “Frank, it must be big.”

“About a hundred and thirty pounds.” Frank grinned at Richie. “Ready, El?”

“Yeah.”

Dean was so lost he tossed his hands up.

Frank removed his hand from Ellen’s eyes. “Ta da!”

Ellen screamed when she saw Richie. No sooner did Richie say her name, extend his arms, and step to her . . . Ellen had hit the floor. She passed out.

Dean rushed to her. “Shit. Frank. What the hell?”

“Oh man.” Frank chuckled. “Sorry, Richie.”

“She’s out cold.” Dean grabbed Ellen’s face. “Why did she pass out?”

“I guess it was the shock of seeing her brother,” Frank said.

“Her . . .” Dean looked at Richie then Frank. “You didn’t tell me that was her brother.”

“You didn’t tell me Hal was alive, so there. We’re even.”:

“Frank,” Dean said his name with edge as he and Frank knelt over Ellen. “What the hell is the matter with you? Her brother is alive and you sleep with her first before telling her.”

“Uh . . . yeah.” Frank said. “I missed her.”

Dean grumbled. “You’re an ass, Frank. Help me lift her up.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

October 2

Beginnings, Montana

“A brother meeting?” Hal questioned as he and Robbie walked toward the field house. “Is Frank always this odd?”

“Yep,” Robbie answered. “He said you can’t go back until we have this brother meeting.”

“For what? Does it have to do with the field workers we gave you guys?”

“Who knows? It’s Frank.”

“He hasn’t changed, has he?” Hal questioned as they neared the structure. “Before we talk to this Cole guy, is he gonna be any less a dick to me today.”

“I think,” Robbie said. “I heard Josephine hooked him up last night because of his run in with the killer babies.”

Hal stopped walking. “Does he get Neville points for that?”

^^^^

“Johnny, pay attention.” Jason instructed in the clinic lab.

“Where’s Andrea? Shouldn’t she see this new technique too?”

“Who knows,” Jason commented. “She’s probably with Ellen and Jenny. Now when you administer . . .”

“Oh my God.”

“What?” Jason saw Johnny peering closely at him.

“You have . . .” Johnny’s finger moved closely to Jason’s neck. “You have a purple mark right there. What is that?”

“Oh.” Jason’s hand covered it. It was the same mark as Bev’s. “It’s from the cryogenics process. An electrode caused . . . Johnny?” Jason looked up. Johnny was leaving the lab. “Where are you going?”

“I have to do something. Jason. Does anyone else know about that mark?”

“No.”

“Thanks.” Johnny took off running.

^^^^

A weird happy look glowed upon Cole’s face as he rocked back and forth in his office chair awaiting the dreaded three Slagel brothers in full force. He hummed an old tune that he felt was appropriate. Rocking and waiting and then he stopped. He heard the sound of cracking wood in his office. So close. Right behind him. Cole slowly swiveled his chair to the noise.

Robbie and Hal heard Cole’s loud scream followed by a crash from his office. Both brothers pulled out their weapons and bolted in. It looked like a fountain of blood shooting up from the floor. A muffled snarling filled the room and Hal and Robbie raced to behind the desk.

“Oh shit.” Robbie aimed, watching the Marcus ignore him and Hal as he devoured Cole. Ripped flesh flew about like snowflakes.

“Shoot it,” Hal said as he aimed.

“You shoot it. I can’t,.” Robbie shook his head.

“Neither can I. It’s a baby. You shoot it.”

“You.”

“No you,” Hal insisted.

A single close range shot rang out, blasting the Marcus and sending its body flying across the room and smacking into the wall.

Frank shook his head and put his revolver away. “Neville points.” He looked over his stunned brother’s shoulder to a dead Cole. “Aw, man. I just started to like him.”

Robbie had a smart comment to make, but he saved it when he saw the broken floor boards. “Look.” He pointed

“Fuck.” Frank squatted down to the floor. “They dug their way in.” He stood up. “Robbie, get a team. We’re gonna start a quiet search of this community. Hal, cover this hole.” Without saying anymore to them, Frank left the field office, barking orders into his headset as he did.

^^^^

Jenny was saddened as she stood by John’s bedside. Ellen was checking the intravenous. “Will he ever wake up?”

“Hopefully,” Ellen told her. “We’re keeping him sedated until his body strengthens.” Ellen started to leave the room.

“Thank you for taking care of him.”

“He saved my husband’s life, Jenny. Not that I forgive him, but I owe him.”

“I understand. That’s why I helped Joe all this time by following him. I feel as if I owe this community.”

“You don’t,” Ellen told her. “What he did is not your fault. O.K.” Ellen looked at her watch. “I’d better get going. I want to help Dean out by doing Cole’s autopsy.”

“I can’t believe those things are running around Beginnings.”

“Well Frank just radioed and said it looked good. Dean thinks he has a way to kill them. That’s where he is at now.”

“Good luck.”

Ellen smiled as she left the room. “Thanks. You too.”

^^^^

The tunnels were still damp from the previous nights rainfall and Joe and Danny’s footstep tromped through the tunnels.

“Joe, I’ve seen this before,” Danny said as he shined his flashlight. “In a movie called ‘It’s Alive’.”

Joe chuckled. “Hey, I saw that too.”

“Why are we still looking. Frank gave the all clear.”

“Because my son has a million things on his mind and I just want to double check. Bare with me, Danny, and look down here with me.”

“O.K.” Danny shrugged. “But if we find one, you shoot it.”

^^^^

Quantico Marine Headquarters

From a hospital bed, a pale and coughing George took the phone that Steward handed him. He fumbled to hold it to his ear. His left hand was distorted and shriveled in toward the wrist. “Go on,” George spoke weakly into the phone. “Before we speak. Give it.”

“I hereby claim I do this against my will,” Rev. Bob stated. “I hope whatever Frank hit you with works.”

George coughed. “You’re lucky I am obligated to family. All I ask of you is to run my meetings. I’ll take care of you if anything happens. Now . . .” George coughed again, his voice was raspy. “Did you find it.”

“Not yet. The case is being checked as we speak.” Rev. Bob looked up as he sat behind his office desk when his door opened. Bev walked in.

So sad Bev looked.. “Is that him?”

Rev Bob nodded. “Hold on, George, Someone needs to speak to you.” He handed the phone to Bev.

Bev sniffled. “Hello, Daddy. How are feeling?”

^^^^

Beginnings, Montana

The black gloved hands held a screwdriver in the dark secret lab room. Near the lock of the freezer case, the hands worked at breaking the lock. Finally with a scratch of metal, the lock loosened. The hands lifted the case. A loud audible siren went off. The lid closed and the screwdriver dropped.

Joe quickly looked at Danny. “The freezer alarm”

They both took off running.

^^^^

Those very important notes regarding Marcus that Dean failed to label had to be in his private office at home. He had looked everywhere else. It was his last place to look. Walking into the house, he could hear music playing. “Josh, it’s just me!” Dean called out. “What is he doing home? Josh?” Dean walked toward the music, delaying his trip to his office. “Josh, you’re supposed to be at work. Josh.” Dean stood before the teenager’s bedroom door. “Josh.” He knocked and the music stopped. He turned the knob on the door and opened it. “Oh wow.” Dean grinned as he looked into the extremely neat and almost sparkling clean room. “Josh. Good job.”

From behind the open door, Frank poked his head. “Thanks, Dean.”

“Frank. What are you doing here?”

“Cleaning my room.”

“What?”

“Yeah. Hey, I can’t live in a pig sty. Man, how did you let Josh get away with the mess?”

“Frank,” Dean huffed. “You aren’t . . . you aren’t living here.”

“Dean, I lost my house. You took my family. Guess what, Dean . . .” Frank grinned. “I’m home.” He nodded his head. “And I really like it here too.”

“Oh my God.” Dean closed his eyes.

“Yep Dean.” Frank swatted Dean’s arm as he walked out of Josh’s room and passed him. “One big happy family.”

^^^^

Joe and Danny held high hopes of catching whoever it was, but they knew they were too far away to catch up to the running footsteps that had faded down the tunnels. They hurried to the open back lab.

“Damn it.” Joe picked up the broken lock.

“They almost got in there,” Danny said. “Good alarm system.”

“Yeah, it worked.” Joe shook his head.

“Hey Joe,” Danny spoke sneakily.

“Yeah, Danny.”

“The uh case is unlocked.”

“Yeah so.”

“We should peek.”

“No, we shouldn’t.”

Danny leaned into Joe. “You really should take a look in this case. Aren’t you curious? Huh? I mean, you are leader again, right?”

Joe shifted his eyes to the case. “I really should know what so important that someone is breaking in there.”

“Yeah, you should. Go on, Joe, look. Go on.” Danny edged on.

Joe reached for the lid. “Danny, did you see what was in here when you installed the alarm? Is that why you’re being like this?”

“Who me? No. Look, Joe. Go on.”

“This is wrong.” Joe gripped the lid. “But what the hell.” He lifted it up and a hiss of cold white steam emerged. After it had cleared, another case was exposed in the freezer. Lights blinked on the bottom of the metal lined structure.

“Hmm.” Danny held his finger to his lips. “What is that?”

“It’s an animal cryogenic case.”

“It’s frosted over.”

“Yeah it is.”

“You should clear away that frost, Joe.”

“What do you know?” Joe asked.

Danny shrugged. “Nothing.”

“You know something.” Joe pointed, then hesitantly brought his hand to the frost. “And I’m gonna find out.” His hand moved to the glass of the cryogenic case.. The body heat from the palm of his hand melted away the frost in his swipe. “Dear God.” Joe gasped and stepped back. “It’s Brian.”

^^^^

“It doesn’t look good. I didn’t get it,” Rev. Bob told George on the phone as he looked up to his open office door. “Here.” Rev. Bob extended the phone to the hand that still wore the black gloves.

George coughed again. His left hand pained him from clinging to the phone, but he needed to talk to his closest Beginnings contact. “No luck?” George closed his eyes. “No . . . .no. Don’t worry about. Don’t take another chance. Please. My doctors are working on this. Yes . . .” George closed his eyes. “Lay back for awhile. I mean it. They’re gonna be heating up the search for you. This disease is nothing. If they get you, they’ll kill you on the spot. So stay low. Because as always, your life means more to me than mine . . . Johnny.”

^^^^

NEXT . . . IN RETROSPECT

**

Table of Contents

- Copyright
- CHAPTER ONE
- CHAPTER TWO
- CHAPTER THREE
- CHAPTER FOUR
- CHAPTER FIVE
- CHAPTER SIX
- CHAPTER SEVEN
- CHAPTER EIGHT
- CHAPTER NINE
- CHAPTER TEN
- CHAPTER ELEVEN
- CHAPTER TWELVE
- CHAPTER THIRTEEN
- CHAPTER FOURTEEN
- CHAPTER FIFTEEN
- CHAPTER SIXTEEN
- CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
- CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
- CHAPTER NINETEEN
- CHAPTER TWENTY
- CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
- CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
- CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
- CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
- CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
- CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
- CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
- CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
- CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
- CHAPTER THIRTY
- CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
- CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
- CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
- CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
- CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
- CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX