The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series

by Jacqueline Druga

The Captain rushed forward, his damp boots squeaking with every fast stride. His ears followed the pounding to the last door. After discovering the door was locked, Shoulder first the Captain backed up, and raced full speed into that door crashing it open.

  A deep raspy scream shot out. “He’s one of them. Get him!” The woman blasted.

  Before the Captain knew it, like a nightmare, a bald headed extremely husky woman in her forties, wearing only a hospital gown, barreled forth at him pummeling her body the Captain’s way. Her fist swung in a maddening way as she proceeded to beat upon the Captain.

  “Run, ladies!” She ordered out.

  Elliott flew in, only to find himself accosted by the six baldheaded women trying to make an escape.

  Blocking the blows, The Captain managed to pump the chamber on his rifle, hopefully as a warning. But it didn’t do the trick as much as his loud yell. “Knock it off!” He screamed out. “We aren’t the bad guys here!” He grunted when one more fist careened into his back. He stood up enraged. “Leave my man alone!” He barked to the women who fought Elliott. “Christ Almighty!” He snapped. “Use some goddamn common sense. Would I break open the door if I was one of them!” He took a moment to gain his composure, and sweep back the long blonde strand of hair that fell in his face. He stood up. “Elliott, are you all right.”

  “Um, yeah.” Elliott adjusted his bandana.

  “Let’s go.” The Captain gave a wink that wasn’t seen by the women.

  “O.K.” Elliott started to follow the Captain out.

  “Wait!” The heavy woman screamed. “You cannot tell me you are leaving us here!”

  “I am!” The Captain shouted back.

  “Don’t you dare!” She growled at him stepping closer in an authority manner. “Our men would have not even thought about leaving us!”

  There was something frightening about the woman. It wasn’t her size or the fact that she was shaved bald, it was the look of ‘mean’ written across her. The Captain, stern faced, engaged in a stare down with the scary bald woman whose name of ‘Grace’ far from fit her demeanor.

  “Captain,” Elliott whispered. “We don’t have time. We have to go. Our men are waiting.”

  “We stand firm.” Grace crossed her arms like a warden. “You will take us out of here. And take us right now!”

  After taking a look at Grace and all of the women who tried to take on an intimidating stance in their hospital gowns, the Captain grinned. “O.K., you win.”

  Out of the elevator onto the first floor, The Captain emerged first. “Clear.”

  “Mister.” Mean, Grace tapped on The Captain’s shoulder. “It will be cold. Could you have at least found us clothes?”

  “Quiet.” The Captain whispered then hid his snicker at her flapping hospital gown. “You look fine. Stay put.” Hurrying before the group, The Captain walked up to the reception window again. He tapped on the glass and the same doctor approached the window. The Captain made a signal of his hand for the doctor to slide the window open. When the doctor did, The Captain tossed in a gas canister, shut the window and held it. “Take them out, Elliott. Hurry.”

  Elliott led the pack of women who seemed to pull a squeamish tip-toe escape dance as they made it down the hall. Waiting for Elliott and the seven women to pass him, The Captain, secure in knowing the doctor was passed out, left the reception window and brought up the rear of the group.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Beginnings, Montana

  Ellen held the brown and white rabbit up to her eye level. “Nothing Dean. He still isn’t sick.” She handed him to Henry. “Play with him Henry, that’s our job now.”

  Dean moved to his microscope. “It’s called research, Ellen. You have to have contact with all the rabbits or how else are we going to see if we’re carriers.”

  Henry looked curiously at the rabbit. “But why do we have to touch them?”

  “To see if we can spread the virus,” Dean explained.

  “It’s very silly. Dean?” He lifted up the bunny less than gently then making motor sounds, Henry flew it around like an airplane. “They are so useless if they aren’t being used for research.”

  “No, Henry. That . . .” Dean reached his hand out stopping him. “…is silly.”

  Arms folded, Ellen walked up behind Dean. “Why am I in quarantine?”

  “Ellen.” Dean took on disbelieving tone. “You know why.”

  “In case we’re contagious. I know,” Ellen said. “But why am I here? I mean for all you use me for, playing with rabbits and typing your notes, anyone could have done that. I want to do more, Dean. But serious stuff,” Ellen explained. “Not just blood removal.”

  “You’re right.” Dean took off his glasses. “I’ll tell you what. Here’s what you can start on for . . .”

  “Robbie!” Ellen shrieked out with a smile when she noticed the faint knocking at the window. “Look, Robbie’s back!” she said excitedly and hurried out of the lab into the other room to see him. “Robbie.” She picked up the radio and stood close to the glass. “How was Cleveland?”

  “Productive. How is quarantine?” He asked.

  “Productive. We aren’t sick.” Ellen smiled at him.

  “I don’t have much time. I have a meeting with my Dad. I can stop and see you later. But I just wanted to tell you, I brought you something.” He raised his eyebrow. “Actually, you are going to love it so much, you’ll drop my loser brother and be with me over it.”

  “That good? You’re awfully sure of yourself.”

  “I’m sure of you. So will you drop him?”

  “If it’s that good, sure.” Ellen shrugged. “What is it?”

  Robbie grinned. “Say goodbye to Frankie boy.” With a smack of his hand, he pressed to the window an open soap opera magazine. “Look what I got you, El.”

  Ellen snickered. “Not enough to leave Frank for, but a nice gift. Thanks, Robbie. You know what?” She peered closer. “I think I have that issue. But I can use another.”

  “No, El. Not the magazine. Him.” Robbie showed her the picture of the tall typically looking soap actor with dark hair, dimples, and a bright smile. “I got you him. I found him outside of Chicago.”

  “You brought me Blake?” She snickered. “Nice tease, Robbie. In the savaged world you find a soap opera star?”

  “Yep.” Robbie looked so pleased. “Bet me. Bet me, aside from you leaving Frank, bet me I got him for you.”

  “I’ll bet you. If you didn’t get me Blake, you have to walk Mike the dog for a week.”

  “You’re on, and if I did bring you Blake, as soon as you get out of quarantine, you have to sleep with me. And I don’t mean slumber party. I mean sleep with me. Sex, all night long.”

  “You’re on.”

  With a wide eyed, open mouth grin, Robbie held up one finger and stepped to the side. “I can feel the erection growing. Are you ready?” Looking--if it was possible--even more arrogant, Robbie pulled him into the window’s view. Blake. “Say hello Ellen.” Robbie handed the radio to Blake.

  Hearing his soft ‘hello’ Ellen let out a loud scream, held up a hand to Robbie, and ran from the window’s view. She darted into the trailer next door, and into the bathroom to check her reflection. “Shit.” She raced back out into the mobile and straight to the special lab where Henry and Dean stood stunned at her running around. “How do I look?”

  Thinking she was losing it, Dean answered. “Fine, Why?”

  “Look at my present Robbie brought me. Look Henry.” She pointed out.

  Henry peered out the lab to the window. “Oh my God is that . . .”

  “Yes.” Ellen said excitedly. “Robbie brought him for me.”

  Dean snickered at Robbie who stood with the new survivor. “Your brother in law brought you a person as a gift.”

  “Not just a person, Dean.” Ellen laid her hands on his arms. “A soap opera god. Blake is in Beginnings. And he’s mine!” She raced back into the other lab and grabbed the radio. “Robbie this is
the best present you ever brought me back. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. But I have to go. He’ll be in containment waiting for you, El.”

  “You’re the best. And don’t let Jenny Matoose near him. You know how she is.”

  Giving a thumbs up to Ellen and a shot of his center finger to Henry who watched from the special lab, Robbie laughed, and with Blake, left Ellen a happy woman--quarantined--but happy.

  ^^^^

  “Frank!” Joe tossed a pencil harshly across his desk, hitting Frank in the head. “Will you stop biting your nails?”

  “Sorry. I get edgy. I have things to do and I’m just sitting here.” Frank slumped shifting his eyes over to Jason who looked as if he was hiding a smile. “What? What’s so funny?”

  Jason crossed his legs and tapped his fingers together. “You are such an uptight individual, Frank. You really are.”

  “Dad, why is this man here?”

  “You brother requested him.” Joe answered that question. “Not that I have to answer to you, mind you.”

  Frank arrogantly scoffed his face. “But you are gonna have to answer to my wife on why you were fooling around on her desk. And where is Robbie? I have things to do.”

  A breeze of soon-to-be-winter air came in through the opening door. “Right here,” Robbie said. “Hey bright boy.” He smacked Frank on the back of the head. “Sorry I’m late Dad. I brought Ellen her surprise to see.”

  Frank curled his lip, looking up at Robbie. “Did she like him?” He asked in a sulk.

  “Loved him. She was hysterical. She didn’t believe me at first because I had the guy hidden.” Robbie snapped his finger. “Say, uh, Frank. While I’m thinking about it, she made a bet with me that I didn’t have him. Can you make sure she pays up? I mean, she would have made me walk Mike the dog for a week. Can you?”

  “I’ll make sure she doesn’t welsh. And speaking of that Mike guy, why do you allow that. You run containment with her. Why do we have a man who thinks he’s a dog still in Beginnings?”

  Robbie snickered. “Frank, it’s funny. Besides, he’s Ellen’s pet. I can’t take her dog from her.” He began to search for a chair, gave up, and sat on the edge of Joe’s desk. “Let’s start.” He clapped his hands together.

  Joe, hand on chin, leaned back staring perturbed at his very upbeat son. “Robert. This better be good for all the Frank dramatics you’re pulling.”

  “What?” Frank looked up.

  Joe waved his hand at Frank. “Go on, Robbie.”

  “O.K.” Robbie smoothed out his hands on the air. “I had a great trip. A very successful trip. I brought Ellen back her personal soap star. I brought back a SUT.”

  Joe rolled his eyes. “In a dress. Now what was the meaning behind that?”

  Robbie snickered. “It was funny. Frank, wasn’t it funny?”

  “I have to admit, he looked funny. Dad?” Frank turned to Joe. “I have that SUT locked in holding. Are we keeping him drugged or let him bang against that wall like he’s been doing for an hour?”

  Joe didn’t know. “Jason, you’re a doctor. What do you think?”

  Jason thought about it. “Is he banging his head, Frank, or just his body?”

  Frank shrugged. “Body I think.”

  “Then let him go.” Jason waved his hand.

  Joe shook his head. “Robbie. Not impressive. A SUT in a dress. A man with no skills, except to probably get the women in an uproar, and a very large collection of obscene pornography.”

  “Yeah,” Frank said. “Where’s the horseshoe?”

  “Frank!” Joe yelled with a bang of his hand. “Your brother didn’t bring back a goddamn horseshoe. He said he brought good fortune.”

  “And I did,” Robbie said.

  “Ha!” Frank pointed. “See. See. Told you.”

  Joe grumbled. Jason laughed. Frank gloated until he saw Robbie reach into his pocket and pull out that small article.

  Robbie handed it to Joe. “Our next trip, our next step,” He grinned widely, Is searching for answers on when the scientist got here. I think this may be our biggest lead yet. At the very least, it will tell us what we have that the scientist want. Check it out.”

  “What is it?” Frank asked.

  “Son of a bitch.” Joe smiled. “This really could be it.”

  “What?” Frank asked again.

  “It is.” Robbie said. “Look at the date. The coincidences. A tiny article hidden in Chester’s things. It has to mean something.”

  “It does.” Joe nodded.

  “What!” Frank yelled.

  “Very smart,” Joe commented and handed the article to Jason. “What do you think?”

  Frank grumbled trying to see. “What?”

  Jason smiled as he read. “We have the time, we have the date, and we have the place.”

  Frank, totally frustrated, growled and snatched the article from Jason. Suddenly his eyes lit up as he peered to Joe. “I never knew this.” He gave it back to his father. “A car explosion?”

  “Neither did I,” Joe said, pleased. “And it makes sense. No one dies like this unless they know something. Only the government could pull off the cover-up. The government meaning the Society.” Joe held up the article. “Let’s put this together so it can be done perfectly. Let the car explode. Stop the death. No ripple.” Joe smiled. “Because we not only found the person with the answers, we found . . . the man.”

  ^^^^

  Former Quantico Marine Headquarters

  “Next,” George said as he moved a paper from a pile. He sat at the end of a long table before a group of men including his ambassadors and Sgt. Doyle. “Our virus.” He exhaled and sat back. “Nothing yet. No rumor from the mobile. Our so-called top virologist bio man, Dr. Radovich, has informed me that, yes, we do have other viruses and chemical weapons and such, but only one . . . one has a completed antidote sequence. We have the recipe and Beginnings has the sample. He says we need an antiserum slash antidote in order to make sure that whatever we work on does not get out of control. I agree. In order for us to use something other than what Beginnings has a potential cure to, we, in fact, would have to create a cure. Which could take as long as creating a whole new strain. Could be a month, could be years. So . . .” George tossed up his hands. “Any suggestions?”

  Steward lifted his hand slightly. “What about possibly taking the time? Make a new one or use an existing one. If it takes longer not only will Beginnings not be ready for it, they would think the risk has passed.”

  George shook his head. “Sort of on the opposite lines of what I said. I want to hit them early so they don’t expect it. You want to hit them late. Can’t be done. We can’t wait. We need Beginnings. Time is just as important to us. Any time we use now will be for recreating the antidote, testing it, and perfecting it before we even use that virus. My wife and a lot of people we needed died because of a bad vaccine we thought we perfected. The world ended once. We can’t let that happen again.” Moving into the table in a mode for next discussion, George peered to Sgt. Doyle. “Any word yet about what went down at the ‘Spoiling camp’.”

  “Just what Dr. Lynch said,” Sgt. Doyle answered. “One of our men went mad. We’re sure it’s one of our men because a few of the guards recognized him from base. Right now we’re trying to locate what he did with the seven women waiting in preparations.”

  “I’m sure if you look hard enough, you’ll find those women,” George said. “Seven bald women running around D.C. shouldn’t be hard to spot. All right moving . . .” George looked up when the phone rang. “Maybe not, Steward could you?”

  “Yes, sir.” Steward lifted from his chair at the table and walked across the room to the desk where the phone was.

  George continued, “Moving on. Down in Norfolk, Ambassador Lyons selected . . .”

  “Sir,” Steward interrupted as he held out the phone. “It’s your Beginnings person.”

  George stood up slowly and walked over to the phone. With his back to the meet
ing group, George placed the receiver to his ear. “Yes.” His head lifted. “You’re sure? Well how do you . . .” A long silence only bred the rubbing of his eyes. “Thank you.” George hung up the phone. His fingers tapped on the receiver before he turned around. Breathing out, he walked to his chair. “Seems Beginnings is suddenly thrown into an excited frenzy.”

  Steward was confused. “They found no virus in the future.”

  George winced. “No. Don’t jinx us. Geez. That was nothing about the virus. It was however about another past time trip.” He laid his hand on the table. “They’re calling it another information gathering so this one’s not a secret. This one is one the whole community is thrilled about and is preparing for . . . immediately.”

  Steward snickered. “They’re excited about just an information gathering?”

  “This is a little bit more than just an information gathering.” George grew serious. “And we have to determine how much information they actually can get from it. It seems gentleman, Beginnings is not only trying to figure out how to stop the death, but also how to bring from the past, into the present, our very own . . .” George looked around the room. “Dr. Forrest Caceres.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Flat Run, VA

  The feel and the sound of the cheering prisoners that had been freed were still fresh on Elliott’s mind. So was the silence that immediately followed the attack on the concentration style camp where they held over one hundred men awaiting their mind execution. Silence. How confused they had to be about the death and fighting that happened right outside the fence. The fast fierce attack started with a mimic of a savage scream by the Captain. An attack that ended with the society soldiers, though not many, defeated. And then the Captain, along with the small group of men selected, merely walked up to the gate, shot down the locks, and opened it.

  The Captain said nothing. Elliott knew he didn’t have to. After the brief hesitation and dismissal of a trap, the men held prisoner cheered.