Migration: Beginnings (Migration Series Book 1)

by Walter Hopgood

  It’s the gargantuan plane’s landing gear squealing against the runway that announces their touchdown in Japan. The jostling and noise is enough to wake up both Rhys and Jason. As soon as the plane exits the taxiway, Jason gets up and cautiously makes his way to the lavatory, as Rhys comes back into wakefulness.

  “We’re gonna refuel here and take on a new crew. Shouldn’t be on the ground for more than thirty minutes,” Franks announces and gets up to head to the cockpit.

  Rhys decides to take the time to get up and head to the lavatory himself, and heads to the small galley so he can grab a snack and some bottled water.

  After downing his snack, he makes his way back to his seat, where Jason is animatedly talking to the airmen. Rhys sits back into his seat and grabs the paperback from his backpack, settling in to read. He reads as the men around him slowly glide back into unconsciousness. It’s not surprising to Rhys just how easily the airmen seem to slip into slumber; after all, members of the military are on call every minute of every day, so they have probably learned to appreciate getting shuteye whenever they can.

  Rhys is a few pages away from the end of the book when he feels the airplane slowly begin to dip, and based on how long they’ve been in the air, he assumes they’re probably not too far out of Sacramento. He gets up, carefully moving Jason, who is resting against his shoulder, and stretches, deciding to walk for a few minutes to get his blood going. He starts to think about their next steps, sighing when he figures out that once they land in Sacramento and get the beam back to the lab, they would probably be going non-stop, yet again.

  After a few rounds of pacing the cargo bay, Rhys looks over as he watches Franks rouse Jason. He’s near enough that he hears, “Pilots wanted to know if you wanted to watch the sunrise from the cockpit, and stay for the landing.” Jason is all too happy to oblige, giving Franks an enthusiastic smile as he gets up and stretches.

  “See you on the ground, boo,” Jason says as he approaches Rhys. He leans over for a quick kiss and nods to Franks. “Lead on, McDuff,” he says, so Franks leads him to the front of the plane, coming back a few minutes later.

  “You might have trouble with that one,” Franks says as she returns to her seat. “I don’t think he’s gonna want to fly commercial ever again.”

  “I thought that earlier,” Rhys says with a smile. “You’ve created a monster, you know?”

  Laughing, Franks says, “It’s like being a grandparent. Spoil the kid as much as possible, and give them back at the end of the day.” She leans back, adding, “Still, I think he appreciates it.” After a moment, she asks, “Hey, did you want a shot at the jump seat? I never asked…”

  Waving her off, Rhys says, “Nah…As long as it makes Jase happy, that’s all that matters.”

  Franks gives him an understanding nod a moment later before starting in on some paperwork.

  Chapter 24

  The plane touches down about twenty minutes later, but this time Rhys waits until the plane comes to a complete stop and the engines are killed before he starts fiddling with his buckles. Jason appears at his side just as the ramp starts to lower, and almost instantly Rhys can feel the heat of the already warm Sacramento morning plundering the cool air of the airplane’s cabin.

  “General Landingham,” he hears Franks exclaim, almost as if it were a surprise that Landingham was part of the greeting party. Giving the general a salute, Franks says, “We weren’t expecting you, sir.” The four airmen are quickly at her side, giving the general a salute.

  Landingham returns their salute and tells them, “At ease.”

  Jason, Rhys, and their military contingent wait and watch as the beam is off-loaded, and then finally make their way off of the plane. “General,” Rhys greets Landingham and Jason gives him a nod. They watch as the beam is loaded into the back of a waiting truck.

  “Gentlemen,” Landingham says, voice holding a formal tone that causes Rhys to wonder what’s going on. He holds out his hand, first shaking Rhys’, and then Jason’s. “On behalf of the United States government, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for all of the work you’ve done on this project.”

  “Yeah, but this is just the beginning,” Rhys says. “Now we get to assemble the three pieces, and then…”

  “Yes,” Landingham replies as he cuts Rhys off, and there’s that formal tone again, now accompanied by a hesitant look.

  As Landingham blows out a sigh, Jason reaches for Rhys’ hand, asking, “General?” The concerned tone is pronounced, as the flurry of activity regarding the beam goes on around them.

  “Jason,” General Landingham says, at Jason, and then turning his gaze to Rhys, adding, “Doctor. I’m afraid we’ve run into a bit of a snag.”

  With a quick glance to his husband, Rhys turns to Landingham. “We’re not being kicked off the project, are we?”

  “In a word, yes,” the General responds. “I’m afraid that there are forces above me who have called for this project to be taken in-house. And as such, we’ve come across a bit of a snafu due to your security clearances.” There’s an unsure look, accompanied by a slight pause. “There are a few people above me who have demanded the project be reorganized as top secret, and that your involvement be terminated. Immediately.”

  “Terminated?” Jason exclaims, even above the noise of the airfield. Rhys automatically squeezes his husband’s hand, even as his own anguish feels like a punch in the stomach.

  “I believe we are past that stage,” Landingham offers, his hands held out as if to placate the couple. “However, I am working on getting you reinstated, but the issue remains that there are a few more hurdles to cross before I can get you on the project again.” The general reaches out, putting a hand on Jason’s shoulder. “I don’t want you to worry about this right now, okay?” he says, though the nervous look that he’s holding tells Rhys that it may not be as easy as the general is alluding to. “Besides, your father’s waiting for you in Portland, Jason.” General Landingham offers a hopeful smile, then adds, “I’m sure you boys would do with a couple of good nights’ sleep, and a visit with the folks.”

  Rhys and Jason turn to one another, slowly nodding in agreement. “Yeah, it would be pretty nice to sleep in our own bed,” Rhys says, hoping his tone calms Jason.

  Jason turns to the general. “Okay,” he acquiesces.

  “There is one more thing,” Landingham says. He glances between Rhys and Jason, then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a familiarly shaped object. He hands it over to Jason as Rhys looks on. “I want you to know that that,” he says, pointing to the charm that hangs around Jason’s neck, “is absolutely, one hundred percent your property. But we all also know,” and he points over to Franks, who stands nearby, “that besides Bartlett going rogue, we still don’t know whom on the outside she was working with.”

  Jason considers not only what is being said, but also what the general is not saying, the look in his eyes going a bit distant. “Yeah, I see what you mean,” he says, and suddenly Rhys’ thoughts tinge dark as Jason fingers reach up, gliding over the pendant at his neck.

  “I would like to keep it here,” Landingham says, “but apart from the beam, and under tight security until you are back.” His voice quiets, and his tone grows sincere as he asks, “Jason—and you, too, Rhys. I need you both to be okay with this.”

  The couple shares another glance, and Jason hands the replacement charm over to Rhys, Rhys noting that the shape and color are the same, but the weight is definitely different. And there’s absolutely no inward tug toward the beam like the real thing. But Rhys hopes that it doesn’t come to something like what they experienced with Bartlett in Nepal.

  General Landingham motions to Franks. “Captain,” he says as she approaches, and he motions for her to come in closer to where the trio stands.

  “Yes, general?” Franks asks.

  Jason pulls the charm from the chain, and Franks almost expectantly holds her hand out. “Oh holy hell,” Franks involuntarily responds
, though she closes her hand around the pendant, and pulls it close to her, which Rhys recognizes as a security move.

  “Yes,” Landingham says, but Jason cuts him off.

  “You get used to it,” he says, tossing Captain Franks a wink.

  “Lock and key. Deadly force if necessary,” Landingham says with a nod.

  “Yes, sir,” Franks responds. She tucks the pendant into a pocket, and stands at parade rest at the general’s side.

  With the necklace replaced, Jason asks, “So are we hitching a ride back with one of you guys, or what?”

  “Unfortunately, no,” Landingham replies, then motions with his hand to hail a car idling nearby. “I know it’s not what you’re used to as of late, but we’ve arranged to put you on a commercial flight back up to Portland. It leaves in four hours, and Sergeant Stewart here,” he says as the car pulls up and a man in uniform steps out, “will get you to the airport. Tickets will be waiting at the ticket counter under your names.”

  There’s an awkward pause, as their unknown future awaits, while what Rhys had called ‘the discovery of a lifetime’ is being slowly driven away by a military convoy.

  “Well,” Rhys finally says, jutting his hand out. “Don’t forget about us,” he says. And while Rhys’ tone is jovial, there is some definite angst hidden in his words. He shakes Landingham’s hand, then Franks, and waits for Jason to do the same.

  “C’mon, boo,” Jason quietly says as the general and Franks turn to head back to their own waiting vehicle, and Rhys can tell that his husband holds the same worry that he does. “Let’s get home.”

  Rhys lets Jason settle into the waiting car and not a word is uttered the entire thirty minute trip to the commercial airport; Rhys knows that Jason’s brain is probably churning as much as his with regards to the project. He’s staring out the window, lost in his thoughts when he feels the car slow, and he realizes they’re at the airport. The sergeant pulls up to the departures level, stopping at the curb so Rhys and Jason can exit the car. Rhys, still lost in thought, almost forgets his backpack and suitcase in the trunk, and the dark look on Jason’s face worries him as well. But another calming touch from Jason brings him back to his senses, and when Rhys can’t find the right words, he instead just stands there, hanging his head.

  Sergeant Stewart gives the couple a nod, gets back into his car, and pulls the car out into traffic. As it disappears into the distance, Jason abandons their bags on the sidewalk and holds Rhys’ chin with the tips of his fingers, forcing Rhys to meet his gaze.

  “I’m sorry, boo,” Jason says as Rhys searches his husband’s dark green eyes. Jason follows up his apology with a quick, chaste kiss.

  Considering everything, Rhys blows out a sigh and leans forward to grab one more kiss before breaking their embrace. He rests his forehead against Jason’s, extending their intimate moment. Finally, after waiting what seems like half a lifetime, he nods and steps away from his husband. He picks up his backpack and takes one of the suitcases, as Jason does the same thing and follows his husband into the airport.

  They get their tickets and check their larger bags. Jason lets out a sardonic laugh as he shows Rhys their seats. “First Class,” he says as they head to the security lines. “On a ninety minute flight? Like that really matters…”

  “Like anything matters,” Rhys mutters, the dark tone of his voice betraying his calm exterior, shining a light onto his darker thoughts. The mere idea that they shouldn’t be allowed to continue with the project should not even have been entertained. And while he trusts Landingham, it still doesn’t change the fact that it was even considered a possible outcome.

  The trip to Portland is quick, and Jason even manages to stay awake for the entire flight, though barely a word is spoken. And while Jason is probably as upset as Rhys, Rhys has found that his husband can hold anger in whereas Rhys tends have a short fuse that, once lit, quickly blows. As the wheels squeal against the runway at Portland International Airport, Jason finally breaks his silence and says, “At least we’ve got Mom waiting for us.”

  “And your dad,” Rhys adds, and watches as Jason smiles for the first time since departing Sacramento. “At least, I hope he’s home, and not still in some hospital,” Rhys says. Jason’s already had his heart broken once today; he doesn’t want to see it happen again.

  The couple exits the airport and flags down a waiting taxi. It takes about twenty-five minutes to get home. As the cab turns in to let them off at the end of their driveway, Jason says, “Look, boo.” Rhys turns his attention to the sight outside Jason’s window, where he sees Leslie and Donna sitting in chairs on their front porch, little Ainslie playing in the front yard.

  “Oh man, I can’t believe how much I’ve missed home!” Jason calls out as he abandons the cab and quickly makes his way to the porch. He drops his backpack to the overgrown grass and pulls his smiling mother into a hug. Rhys grabs their suitcases, pays the cabbie, and joins them on the porch.

  “I think she grew!” Jason says of Ainslie as he picks her up. Jason tosses her in the air easily, her happy squeals adding to the neighborhood sounds.

  “Oh, my boys,” Donna says as she first hugs Rhys and waits for Jason to hand Ainslie over to Leslie before squeezing her son again. “I’ve missed you!” she says as she finally lets go of Jason. “Your dad is inside!” Donna says. “Mike?” She calls into the house, waiting a second, and then calling again. “Mike? The boys are home!”

  “Dad?” Jason calls out as he abandons the porch and runs into the house. A moment later, Rhys can hear him exclaim, “Dad!” and can just imagine the hug the father and son are sharing.

  Rhys’ attention is brought back to the present when Leslie asks, “Where have you boys been?”

  Rhys just shakes his head, frowning. “We weren’t able to take calls the last few days,” he says, knowing that his expression is probably betraying him. He’d like to tell Leslie everything, but he knows he probably shouldn’t. At least not until the whole story eventually comes out. Or the next time she tries to get him schnockered again on rum and coke.

  Leslie reaches out and grabs her daughter, pulling her up into her arms, and bobs her head toward the door. “Go say hi to your father-in-law,” with an extra emphasis on the familial relation. “Yes, Donna told me that you two went out and got hitched, and didn’t invite me!”

  An easy blush suffuses across Rhys’ face. “We didn’t tell you before?” he asks, Leslie amusedly glaring at him. “It was kind of spur of the moment,” he confesses. “And totally Jason’s idea.” Not home five minutes and he’s already throwing his husband under the bus.

  “Whatever, bi-” Leslie stops to correct her near slip of the tongue and says, “Witch.” She turns a little serious and says, “You know if you boys need anything once they head out, we’re right next door. Okay?”

  Knowing a close friend would be there for them, especially after Donna and Mike head back down to Eugene, is a comfort to Rhys. He leans over and kisses her on the cheek and ruffles Ainslie’s hair before walking into the house, calling out, “Mike!” as he crosses the threshold and spots Jason’s father, a cane in his hand and a cast on his leg. He, too, is pulled into a hug, Mike practically squeezing the breath out of him. “Welcome back!” he says as Mike lets him go.

  Shaking his finger, Mike says, “You two are in so much trouble!”

  Rhys gives Jason a quick look, and each man shrugs before turning back to Mike.

  “Running off, getting married, and not telling us?” he adds, tsking as he shakes his head.

  “Yes, but thank you so much for the wedding present,” Rhys says, a grin plastered across his face. He sits down on the sofa, Jason right next to him, and starts to catch up with Jason’s parents.

  Rhys and Jason visit with Donna and Mike, through yawns and tired, wet eyes. After a few minutes, Rhys excuses himself to go grab their suitcases from where they abandoned them on the front porch. He empties their contents into the hamper, and stores the suitcases in the garag
e. After he starts a load of laundry, he walks back to the den, finding Donna and Mike sitting close on the love seat, but no trace of Jason.

  “Where’s Jase?” he asks as he glances around.

  “Said you two hadn’t showered in a couple days,” Donna says as she takes a sip of her drink. Without skipping a beat, she matter-of-factly asks, “You two weren’t in Sacramento, were you?”

  Since Rhys isn’t exactly sure what Jason’s already said, he just shakes his head.

  “I didn’t think so,” Donna adds.

  “Yeah? What’d I miss?” Mike adds. “Where in the hell have you boys been off to?”

  Donna gives her husband a quick, curt shake of the head and points at the stairway. “I figure you boys have been through a lot. Why don’t you go ahead upstairs and get a shower, and then you two take a nap. We’ll get you up in a couple of hours for dinner.”

  Suddenly a shower is the best suggestion Rhys has heard all day, so he just nods, and double-times it up the stairs. He enters their bedroom, stripping off his clothes as he walks to the en-suite, dropping his boxers as he opens the door and crosses into the steam-filled room. He opens the shower door, catching a glimpse of Jason standing under the scalding water with his face turned down. Just the expression tells Rhys that Jason’s allowed his thoughts to go dark, and in an instant, so do his own. The elation of finding the other two beams is quickly shoved away as thoughts of Bartlett calling for their death back in Nepal, the skeleton they found in Songwe Gorge, and their uncertainty about the project.

  Rhys puts on a smile, even though it’s a weak façade, and asks, “Got room for one more?”

  He doesn’t have to ask; even as he steps into the shower, Jason is already reaching for him. The two embrace, Jason turning so that Rhys can get under the hot stream. They stay that way, holding each other for a few minutes until Jason lifts his head, the lost look in his eyes breaking Rhys’ heart a little more.