The Third Ten

by Jacqueline Druga

  He parked the truck near Mechanics and Tracking. He had to walk the rest of the way and that was fine with Hal. The music grew louder as did the sounds of people.

  Beginnings knew how to throw a party, even an impromptu one such as the out of season Mardi Gras.

  He hit the path from Mechanics and was surprised to see Henry walking alone toward town. The last Hal had gotten into a conversation with Henry, the wiry man was angry at the world and still stewing over the mutilator attack on him and that justice wasn’t served.

  He started to lift his hand and call out, but Hal didn’t. Not really in the mood to talk to Henry, hear him complain, Hal veered right toward the clinic.

  He’d check on one of his men there and then he’d head into town.

  George’s head spun from listening to Danny Hoi. What exactly was he talking about? It apparently had something to do with tapping into the computer systems in Washington and making them a server so all could be on the Internet.

  Who the hell cared about the Internet anymore.

  Obviously Danny.

  He did bring back email.

  Now he wanted to make Hoibook, a social network to reach across the hostile miles.

  How George could help, he didn’t know, but he would. Only because he honestly wanted to work and be trusted by Beginnings. Especially with the Great War looming.

  What George really wanted to do was sit down, like old times and talk to Joe. To tell him he was glad he was alive and to put a lot of things behind them with an apology.

  George knew saying he was sorry wasn’t going to make up for all that he did, but it was a start. After all, he did it in the name of war. Once his enemy, Beginnings was his ally.

  He was able to speak to Joe briefly, Joe was polite and passive. That was a start.

  “So what do you think?” Danny asked. “Just need your IT guy to open up for me.”

  “I’ll talk to him.”

  “When?”

  “Tomorrow?” George asked.

  “Awesome. I can launch it then.”

  “That fast?”

  “Well, George I am Mr. Social Network,” Danny said. “I have it ready, I just need the servers. I plan ahead, like I did with this. I had the Mardi Gras supplies all ready for such an impromptu occasion.”

  “All well and fine, Danny, but Mardi Gras takes place just before Lent. We are nowhere near Lent.”

  “I know that, I was a good Catholic. I think. Yeah, I was. But, it’s a celebration and a reason to wear the mask and use those beads. So, wanna hear more about my social network?”

  “Sure why not.” George lifted and dropped his hand.

  “Excellent.”

  George knew he was in for a long conversation, when hyper Danny finally sat down next to him. At the very least, he’d be first to know about the social network.

  The band was on a break and all Joe could think of was ‘Thank God’ he was finally able to have some conversation without yelling. The party was a blast and he had to admit it was also quite the success.

  He enjoyed Ellen’s attitude the most. She portrayed that she was mad at him and told him he took the ‘king’ title too literally making people come to him.

  Joe just laughed, hugged her and gave her a kiss.

  Ellen sat next to him at the table just outside the Social Hall and closest to the exterior bar. At the time of the band’s break, Joe’s sons had joined him. He received word that Jimmy was in route. Like Elliott Ryder, Frank stood instead of sitting.

  The entire town of Beginnings alone with people from the provinces packed the street as if it were an actual New Orleans’ celebration. The list for the ‘whip my hair’ contest was long.

  It was a good night.

  “So let me get this straight,” Frank said. “You never lost your memory. You were pretending?” He asked Ellen.

  “Yes, I was pissed.”

  “At?” Frank asked.

  “Everyone who knew Joe was alive before me.”

  “Well, you can’t be mad at me, I didn’t know for long.”

  “Nor I,” Hal interjected. “In fact, Dean knew first.”

  “Yeah, well, Dean’s a dick,” Ellen said. “I should have been informed. But instead, you opted to have a father son bonding drinking thing. Which sucks because you always say I’m part of the family, but obviously, I’m not that much of a part.”

  Robbie held up a finger. “Not true you knew before Jimmy.”

  “But you guys always forget Jimmy.” Ellen replied.

  “Oh!” Frank grunted. “Oh, wait. Does this mean I can stop looking for the dwarves?”

  Joe grunted. ‘Yes, Frank. You can concentrate on more important things.”

  “Like the poisonous pie?

  Joe took a moment. He paused and looked before saying anything. Robbie smirked, Ellen was tight lipped, and then he looked at Hal.

  He waited.

  “What?” Hal asked.

  “Just waiting for you to say your stock line?”

  “Which is?”

  “You tell me it’s my stroke.”

  Hal huffed out a laugh. “I don’t say that unless I see you get ready to go into a useless irritating argument. You’re not.”

  Frank seemed on Pause and Joe pressed the button. “Why would there be poisonous pies in Beginnings?” Joe asked.

  “There it is.” Hal tossed up his hand. “You just can’t resist.”

  “Shut up, Hal,” Joe said.

  “Yeah, shut up Hal.” Frank reiterated.

  “Frank.”

  “What?”

  “Poisonous pies?” Joe questioned.

  “I’m on it.” Frank winked.

  “That’s not what I mean Frank,” Joe said. “I know you’re on it. You’re always on something. Just tell me why there’d be poisonous pies in Beginnings.”

  “Because somebody wanted to poison someone.”

  “Like who?”

  “Like lots.”

  “Like?”

  “Father.” Hal warned.

  Frank replied. “Josephine.”

  Joe nodded. “You have a point.”

  “Then I’ll watch her. But we’ll need someone to test them.”

  “Dean can test them,” Joe replied.

  Frank laughed. “As much as I’d love to see Dean curl up and be sick with poison, that’s not right to do to his kids or the community.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Dean testing the poisonous pies.” Frank said.

  “Test them. Test them. Not eat them.”

  “How else is he supposed to test them?”

  “Under a microscope.”

  Frank tossed out his hand with a sarcastic breath. “Please, having someone eat it is much more accurate.”

  “But they’ll die, Frank.”

  “Then we know it’s poison.”

  “Stop!” Hal held up his hand. “Why are we arguing about poisonous pies.”

  “Uh, Hal,” Frank said. “We’re ahead of the game for when Josephine bakes them.”

  “Josephine is not baking poisonous pies!” Hal argued.

  “She is too.”

  “She is not.”

  “A ha. Dad said. Ask him.”

  Robbie laughed. “In Frank’s defense, dad did say.”

  “Shut up.” Hal barked. “It’s always in Frank’s defense. Always. Dad is standing here arguing about poisonous pies, dwarves and dragons. Next thing you know, Frank is going to tell us he hasn’t found the happy stream.”

  “Not yet.”

  “I give up. You are the dumbest son of a bitch, I have ever known.” Hal shook his head.

  “Not fair, Hal, I am the president.”

  “Was.”

  “Am.”

  Joe interjected. “Was. And Hal has a point. I watched you Frank; you were pretty smart when you ran this place.”

  Hal replied. “That’s because I firmly believe you father sucked all the intelligence from him.”

  “Yea
h,” Frank agreed.

  Hal looked at him. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.” Frank nodded. “Only it’s because he took his brain back. I think it was a possession thing. I was using his brain when he was dead.”

  Joe took a deep calming breath. “All well and fine, Frank. Good theory but …” He raised his voice. “I wasn’t dead.”

  “Still. It could happen.”

  Grunting, Joe gave up. “You frustrate me.”

  “Me?” Frank asked. “You ask me a question and get mad at me for fucking answering.”

  “I didn’t ask you a question Frank, you did.”

  “Why would I ask myself a question.’

  “You asked me a question!” Joe yelled.

  “Did you answer.”

  Joe growled with nearly a scream. “Oh my God. Someone shoot him for me.”

  Bang.

  Silence.

  Robbie’s eyes widened. “That was really a bad joke.”

  Joe stood. “Who discharged their weapon?”

  Hal looked over his shoulder. “The shot came from over here.” He pointed behind the band. “And … there.” Everyone turned to see where he indicated. “It hit the Social Hall.”

  “Frank,” Joe said. “Go see …Frank?”

  “Ow.” Frank winced. “I think I was shot.” He tried with diligence to see behind his left shoulder. He kept chasing himself like a cat after his tail. “I can’t see. Robbie? Anything there? It hurts.”

  Robbie stood. “Uh, yeah, Frank you were shot.”

  “Fuck.”

  “I thought it hit the Social Hall.”

  “It did!” Joe yelled. “Ellen, why are you just sitting there?”

  “Is he actually shot?” Ellen asked. “He’s not reacting.”

  “Yes, he’s shot. Frank, it went right through you. Look down, you asshole. What the hell did Dean turn him into that he can’t feel that?”

  “I feel it, it hurts.”

  Joe huffed out. “Hal, walk your brother to the clinic. Robbie, get Dean.” He saw Ellen reaching for Frank. “Ellen, don’t exert yourself, stay put.”

  “Dad, I’m fine.” Frank said. “It’s just blood.”

  “Pouring out of your goddamn chest. Now go!” Joe pointed.

  “Fine. I’ll be back. I’ll walk myself and get Dean.” Frank took a step back, stopped, reached down to the table, grabbed a beverage napkin, put it to his chest and walked off. A few feet away, he yelled out, “Dean. Hey. Come on. I’ve been shot.”

  Joe shook his head.

  “Did he …” Hal asked. “Just use a beverage napkin, a single beverage napkin for a bullet wound.”

  Robbie nodded. “I believe he did. Yes.”

  “I’m gonna go see if he’s ok.”

  “Hal, wait.” Joe called out. “Just stop. I want you to look around here. Ok. See if you can find out who may have fired that gun. Robbie, get that bullet out of the building, we want to see where it came from.”

  Robbie agreed.

  “I’m sure the shooter will own up,” Hal said. “Especially if it discharged by accident.”

  “Did it?” Joe asked. “We can’t be sure. Frank is lucky. Damn lucky.”

  “Dad,” Hal smiled. “Really? Someone did it on purpose? I mean, really who would want to kill Frank.” The smile dropped from Hal’s face. “Scratch that. I’ll start looking around.”

  “Until we know anything.” Joe sat down. “This was an accidental discharge.” He downed his drink and opted for another before heading over to the clinic. Joe hoped it was truly an accident, because if it wasn’t, they had bigger problems.

  Chapter Eleven

  It was a travesty. Chaka couldn’t believe it and was appalled. How could the young Hubra be treated as nothing more than animals. Abandoned to take care of themselves in a field. The primals of the future were beasts and inhubran.

  He followed the sounds and music and walked outside the metal guarding and wall that surrounded the community of the Primals. It had to be a very advanced but they were vicious. Chaka was glad he challenged them. He knew he’d have a price to pay in the dark, dangerous, upside down world, but after seeing the offspring, his heart broke.

  Dozens of young. Ranging from babies to only knee high. Scattered about a field, dining on raw animals, not even heated. They weren’t clothed. It appeared as if the primals didn’t care and tossed them aside. The nesting needed tended or the Hubra would be wild, like any primal.

  The young Hubra scattered at first when he arrived. It was dark. They had to be frightened. He stood center of the field and then slowly gathered them to him. They had to be hungry, thirsty. He wanted to light a fire but feared they’d dive into it.

  He looked at their sad faces and how different they looked. Almost as if they weren’t evolved. But that wasn’t possible, since he was in the future. They probably reversed.

  The first of the young Hubra nestled against his leg and, the warrior in him crumbled. He reached down and lifted the child, nestling him close to his chest.

  Chaka wanted to hold them all, but his arms weren’t big enough.

  He was angry at the Primals for treating his fellow Hubra like this. Though on a mission to find his pet, Chaka decided to pause and take care of the young.

  He caught the scent of an animal not far before, he’d hunt that easily and prepare a meal for them. He couldn’t with a clear conscious leave them alone.

  <><><><>

  Danny was glad things were back on track. In fact, they really didn’t lose much luster after the Frank incident. No one, even Danny realized a shot was fired. He thought it was one of the fireworks.

  He supposed the shooter was probably partying and raising their weapon in the air. They’d come forward. He dismissed Joe’s suspicion that someone purposely shot Frank. Frank drove people nuts but not enough to kill him. He was needed.

  Thankful it was only a flesh wound, Danny was Mr. Social Coordinator, making sure everyone had a good time and he hurried the Starters back on stage for the next set. No party dampening on this night.

  Not before getting the ok, from Robbie, that he’d make that run with Lawrence. The next to the last step before getting the provinces back into Social Networking.

  Something he’d ease Joe into. Danny wanted to having things running first.

  The server situation would be settled. He was able to tap into the satellite networks without affecting Beginnings own version of NORAD.

  There was an old cell phone tower just outside of New Bowman. It wouldn’t be old and unused when Danny finalized everything.

  It was his secret plan. He had been working on for a while and just needed the last little bits before unveiling. The email system was the first step.

  He wondered if Henry had finished unlocking the box of phones he gave him. Danny had done his and assumed not only did Henry finish, but probably started more. Because Danny couldn’t find Henry anywhere.

  He spotted Hector and approached him. “Where’s Henry?”

  “Ah, he went back home. He wasn’t feeling well. You just missed him.” Hector said.

  “He wasn’t here long.”

  “I know he was fixing something and got held up doing a project for you earlier. He said it was like potato chips, once he started one he couldn’t stop.”

  Danny grinned. “I know that. So he is sick.”

  “Yeah, weird. Hit him all at once.” Hector dropped his voice to a whisper. “You don’t … you don’t suppose he ate a poisonous pie, do you?”

  “Um, uh … maybe. I heard the rumor.” Danny refrained from being sarcastic and at that second his phone vibrated. “Hold on a second.” He lifted his phone and turned. “Yeah, Mark. What’s up.”

  “Hey, Danny, I know you’re at the party. Can you come up to tracking?” Mark asked.

  “Yeah, sure, what’s up?” Danny lifted a hand, waving goodbye to Hector and started walking.

  “I don’t know if we have a situation or a malfunction.”

  “Sh
ouldn’t we call Frank or Robbie.”

  “I didn’t want to bother Frank with him being shot and it’s not threatening … it’s weird and I can’t tell, like I said, if it’s a malfunction.”

  “Okay, I’m on my way.” Danny hung up. He highly doubted it was a malfunction, and on the chance it really was a problem, with Frank at the clinic, Robbie playing a set, Danny grabbed Hal and headed to tracking.

  <><><><>

  “Ellen, go.” Dean escorted her to the door of the lab.

  “I don’t understand why Frank isn’t in x-ray or an examine room.”

  “It’s a flesh wound. He’s fine.”

  Ellen shifted her eyes to Frank who sat on the far corner, then lowered her voice. “It was a bullet hole, Dean. How did it not hit his lung? He should be in a bed right …”

  Dean held up his hand to silence her, then looked at Frank. “I’ll be right back, Frank.”

  “Go ahead, but not too long, that contest is starting.”

  “I’ll be a minute.” Dean stepped outside the lab. “And don’t touch anything.” He pulled the door closed.

  “Well?” Ellen asked.

  “It did.”

  Ellen gasped. “If it went through the lung then you know damn well it has collapsed. That’s an easy thing to hear.”

  “I know. It didn’t. He has normal breath sounds.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “It’s not. It’s not at all, but it did happen. In fact, by the time him and I got here, he was done bleeding and the healing process started.”

  Ellen stepped back. “The agent.”

  Dean nodded.

  “It really did mutate the DNA. And it’s still mutating it?”

  “Yes, like with his broken arm. I mean …” Dean’s eyes wandered behind Ellen. Roy had entered the clinic.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” He shook his head. “Go have a good time. I think Roy’s here to get you.”

  With an ‘oh!”, Ellen smiled and her demeanor switched. “He is so much fun. And thanks Dean.” She dated a kiss to his cheek. “Sorry I was fighting with you earlier.”

  “”Glad you got over it quickly.”

  “Joe had a talk with me.”

  “Well, I’m gonna finish up with Frank.” Dean pointed backward and opened the lab door. “See you in a bit.” He glanced once more at Roy who dallied at the end of the hall and then Dean went inside the lab and shut the door. “Damn it, Frank, I told you not to touch anything.”