by Logan Jacobs
The soldier looked as if he would argue with me, but the three of us started to walk away. A moment later, the driver revved the engine on the carrier and it sped away into the night.
“Well, not that I wanted to go on patrol for several hours,” Becka observed, “but how are we getting back?”
“I was hoping Hae-won could put her talents to use again,” I admitted. “This seems like the kind of neighborhood where people would own cars.”
“Let’s see what the couple has,” Hae-won suggested. “I saw a carriage house in the backyard.”
“You mean that old shed?” I asked.
“It’s a carriage house,” Hae-won asserted. “An old one. People converted them to garages when cars replaced horses. Wealthy families in Seoul did the same thing.”
“It’s true,” Becka agreed. “If they do have a car, that’s where it would be.”
We walked around the undamaged side of the house and into the backyard. It was mostly a garden, with plenty of flowers and a stone terrace filled with wrought iron furniture. At the very back of the property was a weathered wooden building with a tin roof that looked like it had been there since Nelson defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. It had two large sliding doors that opened without a sound, and a bare bulb dangling from a strip of wire. More importantly, the shambling structure housed a vintage Jaguar XJ6 in forest green that looked like it had just rolled off the showroom floor. It was immaculate, and I wondered if the couple even drove it anymore.
“I’m driving,” Hae-won purred as she clapped her hands.
“Oh, I don’t know about this,” Becka replied. “This is a nice car. Maybe we can find something a little less… pricey?”
“We’re just driving it back to the power station,” I pointed out. “And I’m sure Walston will see that it makes it back to the owners once this is over.”
“Besides, Tim cost much more than this,” Hae-won added.
“Well, but,” Becka protested. “This just feels like… actual theft.”
“We can leave them a note,” I said. “Let them know where they can reclaim the car.”
“But this is their only car,” Becka pointed out. “So how are they supposed to retrieve it?”
“I’m sure one of their neighbors will help,” I said. “But for now, I think we should take it. I don’t feel like wandering up and down the street and looking for a less expensive car whose owners aren’t around.”
“It will be fine,” Hae-won declared as she ran a loving hand over the hood. “I will be very careful when I drive it.”
Becka sighed, but I could tell she didn’t feel like searching for a different car, either. The long day was catching up to all of us, and I knew I wasn’t the only one who was having daydreams about taking a hot shower at the power station and then enjoying a real meal.
“I guess it will do,” Becka sighed. “But you’d best be careful when you’re driving it.”
“Always,” Hae-won managed to say with a straight face.
The car was unlocked, and when Hae-won slid into the driver’s seat, a quick investigation revealed the key was kept tucked in a small holder attached to the visor. Hae-won grinned and then urged Becka and I to climb in. I took the passenger seat while Becka reluctantly slid into the backseat, though the blonde perked up when she realized just how comfortable the car was. The air inside smelled of leather and tobacco, and the wood trim along the dashboard glowed with its own light.
When Hae-won turned the key, the old engine rumbled in a way that modern engines were not allowed to do. The radio came to life as well, and the aria from an opera began to play.
“So pretty!” The Korean clapped her hands again and then eased the car forward with only a brief grinding of the gears.
“Do you know how to get back?” Becka asked from the back seat.
“Um, I think so,” Hae-won said as she navigated the space between the hedge and the house.
“I’ll check my phone,” Becka sighed. “I’m definitely going to have to recharge when we’re back at the station, though.”
“We all are,” I replied. “And no, I don’t just mean the phones.”
“I wonder what they serve for dinner,” Hae-won said as she stopped at the curb to check for nonexistent traffic. “More sandwiches?”
“They do seem to have a lot of those,” I replied.
“Okay, follow this back to the park,” Becka said. “And then we’ll make a left just before the cathedral.”
Hae-won followed the small road back toward the park, and a quiet fell over the car. The aria ended as we made the turn and someone who sounded suspiciously like the villain came on, no doubt to sing about his dastardly plan. Becka was the only one who spoke as she called out instructions for our return trip.
“I don’t remember making this many turns to get here,” I finally remarked.
“I’m just following Waze,” Becka replied. “It’s giving us the route least likely to have traffic.”
“I really wish someone would reprogram that,” I sighed. “We need one that’s least likely to have dinosaurs, not cars.”
“I’ll be sure to say that when it asks me to answer the survey,” Becka replied.
I laughed and was about to respond when I spotted a minibus half off the road, its back end sticking out from a clump of bushes. What had caught my eye was the bright orange paint job and the long barrel of a machine gun that could just be seen hanging out the rear door.
“Hey,” I called out. “Is that--?”
“I think it is,” Hae-won said. “Should we check?”
“I guess we could take it back,” I said. “If it still runs. What do you suppose happened to our thief?”
Hae-won crossed the road and eased the Jaguar up next to the minibus. We looked around but there weren’t any signs of dinosaurs, so we opened the doors and stepped over to the haunted ride. It was definitely the bus we had taken to Coates, though it looked to have a few more dents than I remembered. The roof had been slashed open as well, and I could smell the rancid odor of decay. There was a trail of blood from the back near the machine gun that led to a large pool of blood further down the road, but there was no sign of a body.
I pushed through the bushes to the front of the minibus and found the engine smashed against a tree. The door was open, held in place by the remains of the saleswoman. At least, I assumed it was her. The legs were wearing the same pantsuit, but most of the torso was gone and the head was nowhere to be seen. Blood had dried in thick pools on the steps and a red trail disappeared into a nearby field. It was a gruesome end, and I couldn’t help but think that if she’d stuck with us, she’d be alive and well and safe within the power station. I’m sure it had seemed like a minor theft at the time, but it had gotten her killed and probably left her family wondering where she was.
“We won’t be able to drive it,” I reported as I stepped back through the bushes. “And I think we should get out of here before whatever did this returns.”
“Did you find the saleswoman?” Becka asked.
“What’s left of her,” I replied.
“Serves her right,” Becka sniffed. “Stealing the minibus like she knew how to defend herself.”
“What about the machine gun?” Hae-won asked. “Should we take it?”
“I don’t think it will fit inside the Jag,” Becka mused. “Unless you know how to break it down.”
“Maybe we’ll tell Walston where to find it,” I replied. “He can send someone in the morning if he really wants it back.”
We made another quick scan of the area and then returned to the XJ6. We sank into the comfort of our classic ride, and after a bit of grinding, Hae-won had us rolling down the road again. We started to encounter more abandoned cars as we neared the industrial area, but the Jag sailed through easily, all while the operatic hero had his dramatic moment.
We arrived at the guard station just as the opera came to a close, and the audience roared its approval before abruptly cutting off. Hae-won rolled down her w
indow and smiled at the guard who walked up to the car. The soldier started to wave us away, then he recognized Hae-won when she stuck her head out of the window.
“This isn’t the vehicle you left in,” the soldier noted. “Are you just out rounding up cars for the brigadier or something?”
“Our ride was heading to the hospital and then extending their patrol,” I explained. “We decided to come back here.”
“Huh,” the soldier said as he studied the interior of the car. “Weren’t you supposed to stay with Captain Hayes until he released you?”
“He won’t miss us,” Becka replied. “Not after we nearly took out one of those fancy trucks with a grenade.”
“We did not,” I said quickly. “We took out some dinosaurs that were charging the truck. And Captain Hayes released us.”
Which wasn’t entirely true, but he hadn’t gone out of his way to invite us to stay on, either. The soldier shook his head, but he stood up and signalled his fellow gatekeeper to let us in. Hae-won pulled forward into the guest lot once again, just as Walston stepped out from the offices. Rhys was with him and talking rapidly, though the army man looked more interested in our arrival than whatever the Archbishop had to say.
“Another car?” Walston asked as we stepped out of the Jag. “Are you in the habit of borrowing them now?”
“It was this or walk back,” Becka sniffed. “Besides, we know you’ll be a good boy and see that the nice couple gets their car back once they’re released from the hospital.”
“The hospital?” Rhys asked in a shocked voice.
“Their house was damaged by a dinosaur,” I said. “The armored carrier was taking them to the hospital.”
“So there were dinosaurs,” Rhys sighed.
“A portal opened in the park just before we were supposed to leave,” I said. “Most of the dinos that came through were killed in the park, but some got away. We followed a pair that were heading toward some homes, and one of them damaged a house before we could kill it.”
“I shall have to make a point of going by to visit them before I leave,” the church man said. “But, I am glad to see you. I understand from Brigadier Walston that you’re leaving on the morrow.”
“Are we?” I asked.
“Everything will be ready in the morning,” Walston replied.
It was Becka’s turn to clap, and even Hae-won looked relieved.
“Before you leave, I would like to give you a blessing,” Rhys continued. “As I mentioned before, you are doing God’s work, and I believe it only fitting that we ask for His Divine Protection as you make your way north.”
“Uh,” I muttered. “I’m not quite sure what--”
“Of course, it needs to be in an appropriate setting,” Rhys mused. “Therefore, I think you should attend the service tomorrow. I believe I can find room for a blessing at the end, and then you can be on your way, secure in the knowledge that you have Our Lord as your shield.”
“I’m not sure that will do much against a dinosaur,” I replied.
“I’d rather leave as soon as possible,” Becka said at the same time. “The earlier we head for Scampton, the further we’ll be able to travel.”
“Surely you can take a few moments to attend a service?” Rhys replied.
“They’ll be happy to attend,” Walston interjected. “I’ll see that they make it. Now, why don’t you head over to the room we set up for you, and I’ll join you in a moment. I just need to review some instructions with our friends here.”
Rhys looked offended at the dismissal, but when no one asked him to stay, he finally sniffed and strode off toward the tents. Walston waited until the church man was out of sight, and then he sighed as he looked at us.
“I know I really can’t ask you to do any more,” Walston said. “But if you could see your way clear to attending the mass tomorrow, that would be very… helpful.”
“But he has his own contingent of Marines,” Becka pointed out.
“Yes, but they’ll be patrolling the edge of the park,” Walston replied. “They won’t be allowed inside because they’ll be armed.”
“So will we,” Hae-won said.
“But the Archbishop doesn’t need to know that,” the dusky-skinned man pointed out. “You can hide your weapons under your clothing, or find an excuse to carry a bag inside. I don’t really care how you do it. I would simply feel better if I knew that someone in the place was armed and ready to deal with anything that might turn up.”
“Are you expecting trouble?” I asked.
Walston shook his head, and then he shrugged.
“It’s crazy,” he admitted, “but I’ve looked over the data, and it looks like a portal always opens nearby whenever Rhys is set to give one of these sermons. So far, the Marines have been able to handle whatever comes through, but I keep thinking that they’re luck has to run out sometime, and given the number of portals that have popped up in this area in the last few days, I suspect that day may have arrived.”
“So much for Our Lord’s protection,” Becka muttered.
“He would probably argue that it’s a sign of God’s divine intervention,” Walston replied. “Since the Marines have so far been successful. Look, it won’t delay you that long, and you can leave as soon as the service is concluded. I’ll even give you the package tonight, as a show of good faith.”
“I don’t know,” Becka said. “These sermons tend to drag on. We could be there all morning.”
“Hayes runs a tight unit,” Walston replied. “He won’t let that happen.”
I looked at the girls, and though Becka was clearly ready to head north with first light, Hae-won had a more thoughtful look on her face.
“We could still make it to the base tomorrow,” the blue-eyed Korean said. “And it is important that such significant figures are protected. Many will listen to his sermons and take hope from his words.”
“It’s possible,” Becka conceded.
“I saw the way you reacted when you saw him,” Hae-won added. “You were impressed.”
“It was habit,” Becka said defensively.
“Perhaps,” Hae-won said. “But I think we could stay, just for the service, and leave straight after that.”
“If you give us the package tonight,” I added. “And no one will try to stop us afterwards.”
“I can agree to that,” Walston said. “Well, why don’t you head to the mess tent and have a bite? I’ll send someone over with the material and see that there’s a place for you to sleep tonight.”
Walston strode away then, and I glanced at my two companions. The Korean still looked thoughtful, and the blonde Brit looked resigned. I wasn’t sure how I felt, though I was intrigued by Walston’s concern that dinosaurs seemed to be following Rhys around England. It was a mystery that was too interesting to pass up, and a delay of an hour or so wouldn’t keep us from reaching RAF Scampton on the outskirts of Lincoln. Besides, the cathedral at Peterborough was supposed to be one of the gems of the Church of England. Who wouldn’t want to see that?
Chapter 16
Dinner that night was spaghetti noodles served with a selection of sauces, broccoli steamed into a pulp, and a mix of dried fruits that all tasted the same. We ate slowly and smiled at the families who approached us and offered their thanks yet again. We were taking desultory pokes at something that was alleged to be vanilla pudding when Corporal Grant stepped into the mess with a briefcase in one hand. She looked around the tent and then marched in our direction when she spotted us.
“Heads up,” I said. “I think our package has arrived.”
“Jason, Becka, Hae-won,” the soldier said when she stopped by the table. “I have the information for Scampton.”
“Is the briefcase really necessary?” I asked. “It would be easier if we could just tuck it all into one of our backpacks.”
“Brigadier Walston was insistent,” Grant said. “It’s locked, and only the base commander has been provided with the correct code.”
&n
bsp; “So Walston doesn’t really trust us,” Becka snickered.
“It would be the same no matter who carried the case,” Grant said testily.
“It’s fine,” I cut in quickly. “We’ll take care of it.”
Grant and Becka looked at each other for a moment, and then Grant nodded.
“I’ve arranged a tent for you three,” Grant said. “I’m afraid you’ll have to share, now that all these extra people are here, but I tried to find you a quiet spot away from the families.”
“That was very kind,” Hae-won said. “And I would not mind seeing this tent now. I don’t think I want this pudding, and I am tired after today.”
“Same for me,” I said as I cast a questioning look at Becka.
“Yeah,” Becka admitted as she jabbed at the pudding one more time. “I’m not really sure what this is, but I don’t think it qualifies as pudding.”
“It was something they had here at the plant when we took over,” Grant confided. “No one ever eats it.”
We stood up and cleaned our trays, quietly dumping the uneaten pudding into the garbage. Grant grinned as the gooey mass oozed into the pile with a squelching sound, and then she led the way back outside.
The tent city had grown since the morning, and kids and pets ran among their new digs with wild abandon. We navigated the area as quickly as we could, though several people stopped us yet again to offer their thanks, and one woman even slipped us a bottle of wine. Near the end of the line, Grant veered around a substation of pipes and vents, and then she led us toward a tent that had been set up against the wall of the station. Our bikes were parked nearby, and all of our gear was there as well.
“It might get a bit noisy,” Grant admitted. “But it will stay warm, and there won’t be anyone else around.”
“It’s great,” Hae-won declared as she stepped inside the tent.
“No cots left, I’m afraid,” Grant added. “All those went to the long-term guests. But the sleeping bags are first rate.”
“It’s just like being back at Cambridge,” I assured her. “We’ll be fine.”
Grant smiled, and after seeing us safely inside our space for the night, she quietly departed back toward the other tents.