“You read all that between the lines?” Greg leaned his head back. “You’re searching Robbie. You want to find answers so badly that your Slagel mind is searching. I didn’t get that. For all we know they could have just decided on which virus to use. Or which cryo suits to wear.”
“Greg.”
“Searching.” Greg closed his eyes again.
Seeing that Greg wasn’t really on the same lines as him, Robbie just continued reading in Chester’s journal.
^^^^
Beginnings, Montana
In a heated huff through the cold evening streets of Beginnings, Dean made his way to Frank’s. No more. Dean wasn’t going to take it. With a hard pound to Frank’s door, Dean shouted out his dismay. “Frank! You asshole! Give me back my kid!” The door opened just as Dean was about to knock again. Ellen stood there. “El?” He withdrew his hand.
“Come on in.” Ellen opened the door wider.
“Frank took Joey again and I . . .” Dean stopped cold. If the four boxes weren’t enough, the photographs of Taylor and Josh set up again on a table said it all. “El? What’s going on?”
Frank’s voice emerged. “That’s what I’d like to know. Why are you screaming your little man mouth outside?”
Dean turned to Frank. “Give me, Joey, Frank. Now.”
“I don’t have him. Did you . . . loose him again?” Frank raised one eyebrow.
“Frank, you ass. This is the third time this week. Give him back. Now! I’m going into quarantine so you’ll have him then. Get him.”
“Fine.” Frank pouted and went back to the stairs. “But I still say you should just give him to me.”
“No,” Dean said. “And he better not be dressed like baby Rambo again.” Shaking his head as Frank disappeared up the steps, Dean returned to Ellen. “What is going on?”
“What do you mean?” Ellen asked.
“You know what I mean. The boxes. The pictures. Those pictures were at Henry’s.”
“Well if they were at Henry’s and now they’re here, then you really know.” Ellen cleared her throat and the nervousness. “I had a long talk with Reverend Bob. Actually two long talks. He came to the trailer and I went to see him. I’m . . . I’m moving back with Frank.”
“El, no.”
“Dean. Yes. Officially after the quarantine. Another process. Three days at first and every week I’ll increase it a day. Until eventually, he and I are back together . .. fully.”
“Why are you doing this?” Dean asked. “You said you were confused.”
“About my feelings, yes.” Ellen kept her voice low. “But not about whom I am married to. Rev. Bob made a lot of sense.”
“Rev. Bob talked shit and played on something you rarely have . . . guilt,.” Dean snapped.
“You heard him?”
“I heard everything he said. And it’s bullshit, El. Are you following his advice?” Dean saw Ellen look away. “You are.” He said with shock. “So what does this mean for me? Are you only going to work with me eight hours a day and keep it business? No more coffee talks? Just hellos when we switch kids? What? What does this mean for me?”
Frank, coming down the steps, answered. “It means . . . It means you’re out.” He set down Joey. “Dean, we’re gonna work out our problems. You can’t be a part of that process.”
Dean nearly gasped. “Why are you being so cold to me again, Frank. Last week, things happened. We went through a lot. I thought we were getting past this dick attitude we gave each other.”
“Yeah,” Frank nodded. “I did too. But you’re moving in on my wife, every chance you get. I can’t have that.”
“We’re friends,” Dean defended.
“I can’t have that either.” Frank stayed firm.
“El?” Dean looked to her. “You can’t tell me you’re just letting him do this, are you?”
Ellen took a deep breath. “Dean, maybe you should just take Joey home.”
Dean nodded. “I see.” He took Joey’s hand and moved to the door. He stopped before leaving. “You’re wrong, Frank. Wrong. When El, and I were together I never stopped you two from being friends. And you’re wrong too, El. If a professional and medical relationship is what you want, then you got it.” With Joey, Dean stormed out.
Ellen jolted at the slamming door, and crossed her arms tight to her.
“El,” Frank whispered, “believe it or not, it bothers me to do this. But we have to work on this free and clear.”
After a single nod, Ellen turned and walked out of the room.
^^^^
Former Quantico Marine Headquarters
Gerard Davidson was a thin man, a thinker and a theorist. He always took a moment to write down every thought before he spoke them. Looking a fool or sounding it was never what he wanted to do.
George tapped his fingers impatiently on this desk. “Well?”
Davidson looked up from his paper. “Yes.”
“All that goddamn time to tell me, my guess for the future trip was theoretically plausible?” George grumbled.
“I had to think about it,” Davidson said. “It does make sense. Theoretically I’d say you’re correct.”
Steward interjected, “What about if we hit them with another virus? One they aren’t getting prepared for.”
Davidson shook his head, jotted down something, then looked up. “Seeing how they hadn’t gone to the future yet, any thoughts you have of doing anything to change that future, will change it. Sort of like with the marshmallow man in the movie Ghostbusters. If you think it, you’ll create it.”
With a side swipe of his hand, George hit Steward. “Idiot. Keep your thoughts to yourself.”
After another shake of his head and another writing down of information, Davidson spoke, “Doesn’t matter. The fact that you’re thinking of ways to change it, whether you determine what it is, will change it. In theory. Of course time travel is not my forte. I could be wrong.”
George rubbed his eyes. “This is too confusing.”
Davidson smiled. “Try this one.” He lifted his notepad. “I was reviewing the notes and such your person sent. I have a theory. Beginnings created the plague.”
“What?” George laughed. “You’re nuts.”
“No. By the notes. Not only Dr. Hayes, but you, Mr. President, died. They changed that time, hence bringing you both back. The future that sent the note was a future without Dr. Hayes, and a society, I’m guessing, run by Mr. Lange. You are a strong leader, Mr. President. You would have taken Beginnings another way. Mr. Lange, a power hungry wanna be . . .”
Steward rolled his eyes in a ‘gee thanks’ manner.
Davidson continued. “Mr. Lange, seeing a struggle with Beginnings that he feared he’d lose, sent the virus. Had Dr. Godrichson just said ‘Bring back Dr. Hayes, it’s vital’ and made no mention of the virus, it wouldn’t have happened. The people of Beginnings may have gone into a future with no virus, but since Godrichson mentioned all the virus details and you got a hold of it, he in fact gave you the idea.”
George leaned back in his chair. “So in essence, this time machine is Beginnings’ ace in the hole. This wonder machine that warned of the virus . . . actually started it all.”
Davidson smiled. “Exactly. By trying to save themselves, they began their own doom.”
HENRY’S JOURNAL
December 3
I just got home from Frank’s house, bringing some more of Ellen’s things over. It’s pretty tense there. Forced conversation and smiles. I suppose that’s to be expected, especially with tomorrow. In only a few hours, we will be leaving for a time trip that I don’t think any of us are ready for, a trip to an uncertain future. All of us are almost more frightened of what we will see than the virus itself. It’s a place we can’t change by going to, but a place we have to change when we get back.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
December 4
Beginnings, Montana
The long covered computer lines ran from the back of the CDC mobile ac
ross the small distance into Jason’s lab. On the step of the mobile, Jason visually checked the contacts he had attached to make that back door the Quantum Regressionator archway.
“Good?” Joe asked as he approached.
“Yep.” Jason stepped back. “When they re-enter our realm from the future, this is the least infectious way. It will take them pretty much into that decontamination room.”
“But basically we’re gonna have to wait until they emerge into the other lab to see if they’re all right?”
“We’ll know they made it back when we see the door illuminate.” Jason nodded in approval after glancing once more at the moved time machine. “O.K., you wait here. I’ll go power everything up, and when the three of them are suited and ready, you give me the signal.” Jason took a step back to his lab, but stopped. He saw Dean at the jeep, Frank standing with Ellen by the mobile lab door, and Henry near the couple as if waiting impatiently. “And speaking of giving signals. Do you want to…”
“No problem,” Joe said, and when Jason started walking again, he gave one of his high ear piercing whistles that caught the attention of the crew. “Move it. Let’s do this!”
Ellen could feel the tremble slipping out of Frank’s fingertips as they lay on her cheek. “Frank.”
“I know. Just be careful. Please. Promise me,” Frank whispered softly.
“I promise you. We have to do this,” Ellen told him. “And I’m ready. Trust me, I’m . . .” Her eyes shifted to Henry. “We’re all ready.”
As Frank nodded, and prepared to give Ellen one more embrace before she slipped into the mobile and far from his reach for an unknown amount of time, he felt the brush of Dean as he walked briskly by them.
“Excuse me,” Dean said and walked to the mobile door. “Henry. Ellen. It’s time.” Box under his arm, he opened the lab door.
Frank looked down to Ellen. “Has he said anything to you at all?”
“Just that,” Ellen answered. “Maybe it’s for the best.” She took a breath. “Give me a hug goodbye.”
Frank stepped into Ellen, wrapping his huge arms all the way around her and holding her tight, bringing her feet nearly from the ground.
Henry hated to break up the embrace, but it really was time. “El, we have to do this. Frank, you are going to have to let her go.”
Frank stepped back, placing his hands firmly on Ellen’s cheeks. “Be good in quarantine.”
“Henry is with me.”
“That’s what I mean, be good in quarantine.” He kissed her. “I love you and I’ll come and see you every day.”
“Talk to me through the glass with the radio, like I’m in jail.” She took a step back with Henry. “Oh, Frank. Just like that movie . . .” Ellen winked. “I’ll show you my breast.”
Frank smiled, he needed to do that. “Be careful.”
“I . . .” Ellen raised the corner of her mouth. “Always.” Feeling Henry take hold of her arm, Ellen after one more wave to Frank, moved into the CDC mobile.
The lab door closed. The latch of the lock seemed to ring out and Frank’s head dropped. He raised only his eyes catching glimpse of the huge window that would be his only communication with Ellen. Then only after a hesitation, he walked over to stand before that window and wait. To him, after they stepped through the time machine, they wouldn’t be gone all that long.
The loud ‘rip’ of the duct tape nearly drowned out Henry’s calm. Frustrated, Dean tried to tear the tape.
“Dean,” Henry said again as they stood in the decontamination room, the three of them wearing their bio suits with the exception of the hoods. “Want me to . . .”
“No,” Dean snapped. “Shit.” He ripped the tape off and placed the one end on Ellen’s waist then brought the long piece all the way around.
“Why are you doing this?” Ellen asked.
“Because.” Dean tugged on the tape causing Ellen to grunt. “The suit’s too big and you don’t want it caught up on anything.” He grabbed the end of the duct tape and almost too loud, ripped off another piece of tape. “God.” With irritation he wrapped that piece around Ellen nearer to her chest. “If you weren’t so small, I wouldn’t have to be wasting my time doing this.”
“Me?” Ellen asked annoyed. “Oh, yeah, like you’re the fuckin jolly green Giant.”
“At least my suit fits.” Dean looked at her.
“Only because you’re wearing extra clothes,” Ellen said. “And does the tape need to be so tight. You did it on purpose like this.”
“Guys.” Henry stepped in between them. His eyes held warning when he saw Dean’s mouth ready to open in further argument. “No. Now is not the time. It’s not . . . the time. I won’t be the referee this whole trip. Put it behind. And . . .” He handed the almost helmet to Ellen. “Put it on. They’re waiting on us.”
Holding her headgear Ellen watched Dean bend down for his. Dean merely glanced at her before placing it on. Then Ellen did the same.
Suited up, they looked like space aliens. Dean reached to his waist, turning on his radio. “El, respond. Can you hear me?”
“Unfortunately,” She answered with a quiver in her voice.
“Check your lights,” Dean instructed. “Henry, you too.”
They both did, their faces brightening from the interior suit light, and the small light attached to the head was their guiding light.
“Shut off the interior suit lights, leave on the outer one. It’s gonna be dark when we step outside.” Dean said. “Let’s do this.” First lifting two cases, Dean adjusted them in his arms then did one more quick visual of Ellen and Henry’s suits and the equipment they carried. “Ready?” He received their nods then stepped before the two of them to the back door. As soon as Dean opened it, he saw Joe. He gave the thumbs up to them both, their signal that they were ready. He watched Joe do a wind up of his arm, looking back at the lab. And with that all too familiar powering noise, Joe was no longer visible through the illuminated archway. “Let’s go.”
They were prepared for the one step out of the door from the CDC. What they weren’t prepared for was no step at all.
With surprise, a thump and loss of balance, Dean dropped first from the two foot fall, followed by Ellen, and Henry who landed right next to him. Dean turned his head when he heard Ellen’s slight groan. “Ellen?”
“My fingers twisted in the case.” She grunted more. “I think two of them are broken.”
Henry saw them starting to get up. “Stop. No one move, stay put.” Standing, he turned around. “Where the hell is the mobile?” He saw Jason’s lab to the right and an empty space before them. “We have to mark the archway or we’ll never get back through. We’ll never find it here in the dark. Stay put. I’ll find something.” Using his foot to draw a line, Henry stepped away. Thinking maybe Jason’s lab had something, he noticed the jeep and raced over. “Guys,” he spoke through the radio. “We can steal the jeep to get back into town.” From the back end, Henry found a tire iron. With it in hand, he ran back over to Dean and Ellen who still lay on the cold ground. “Found something.” Kneeling down to his line, he raised the tire iron above his head and with all of his strength, jammed it into the ground. “Target. You can get up.” He extended his hand to Ellen.
Rolling to her side, Ellen reached up with her uninjured hand and used Henry as leverage.
Clearly Dean could see that Ellen was babying her hand. He knew she had been hurt worse than she was letting on. “El, can you do this? Or do you want to hang back and wait. We have the jeep, an hour tops.”
Ellen shook her hand that started to thump and throb. “I’ll do it. We’re gonna have to get something to splint my fingers, Dean. We have nothing at the mobile.”
“We will.” Dean said. “Henry, do an air sample and a soil sample out here.” Dean saw the light in the lab. “Maybe not. Hold up.” He held his hand up walking closer. “Maybe there isn’t a plague after all. Everyone turn off the headgear lights.” Slowly and barely seen, Dean walked to the lab win
dow to peer in. One look and Dean spun around, his back hitting against the outside quantum lab wall. “Take the samples, Henry.”
Henry hid his terrified expression within the darkness. His heavy swallow was heard before his words through the radio. “I’ll start them. See if the keys are in the jeep.”
Dean ran to it and checked. “No, they must be inside. Ellen stay put. Jason’s in there.”
“I’m coming with you.” She followed him. “I can handle this.”
Not wanting to waste any more time, Dean opened up the quantum lab door. Immediately the sight of Jason slumped over his work counter, was seen. His arms extended above his head, as if he decided at that moment to lie down and nap. “Keys.” Dean turned back at Ellen who stood stunned in the doorway. “Ellen are you . . .”
“I’m fine.” Not wanting to look at Jason, Ellen moved about searching for the keys in the quiet, dead lab.
A foot from Jason’s head, Dean spotted them. Hurriedly he snatched them up. “Found them.” They jingled as he moved with haste to Ellen, grabbed hold of her arm and led her from the lab.
Henry stood by the jeep waiting. He had loaded their supplies in. “Was it our virus?” He asked as he helped Ellen in the back.
Dean answered as he jumped in the passenger’s seat. “I’m sure of it. Let’s just get this over with.”
In silence, they drove the jeep to just outside the utility building, opting to quietly walk the last quarter mile into town. Not a single light was on, not even the spotlights. The abandoned appearance of the area left them to wonder if anyone at all was left at Beginnings.
Leaving Henry there to do his samples, Ellen and Dean, with their gear, walked without light into center Beginnings.
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 195