The Last Mile Trilogy

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Well, I’m getting there, too. But there’s more to it than love. There’s companionship. Friendship, respect, and the ability to make one kick ass team. That’s us.”

  “You really want this.”

  “Yes. Yes, I do.” Jeb nodded strongly. “When I called you my wife to Minnie, it felt right. It felt good. What do you say?”

  From the couch, Martha spoke up. “Larry. Melissa. Husband Wife. One week.”

  Jeb cocked a brow with a curious look. “What is she talking about?”

  “Oh, the book. A couple in the book who got married.”

  “See. See. She is saying, ‘do it.’ Do it.” He stepped to Robi. “Do it.”

  Robi stared at him. “Can I think about it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you.”

  “But only until tonight, because I want to be married before we leave.” Jeb walked over to the couch and sat down with Martha. “Tell me about Larry and Melissa. Read to me.”

  Robi watched as Martha opened the book, leaned into Jeb and started to read.

  He couldn’t be serious? Robi wondered. Married? Why in the world would he want to do it so soon? He brought up valid reasons. Even though Robi came off as if she believed he was insane, a part of her didn’t think the idea was all that bad.

  <><><><>

  The steaks were perfect. Pink inside and exceptionally juicy. But no matter how high quality of meat they were, they were nowhere near as juicy as the tales the girls shared.

  Minnie and Millie had known each other since the kindergarten. Ever since they found out that people thought they were related, they dressed alike, spoke alike, wore their hair alike. Only twice in twenty years did they ever disagree and once was recently, when Minnie wanted to shut down the fountain in front of the MGM Grand.

  They both wanted to be actresses and performers. They attended dance class, singing lessons and had very supportive parents.

  When they were eighteen, they heard about a stage production that had open auditions in Las Vegas.

  From their home in Minnesota, they drove to Vegas to audition. Neither of them made it.

  They were easy to tell apart if you looked at their eyes. Minnie had blue eyes, Millie had green. Millie tended to be more boisterous, while Minnie was reserved, and more intelligent.

  “We started working in the all night steak and eggs place,” Minnie explained as they all sat around a banquet style table. “Both of us.”

  Millie continued the story, “But that wasn’t paying the rent. We tried to get into Casino waitressing, but that was union.”

  “You have to know someone,” Minnie said. “One night at the restaurant, we were joking around, it was dead. But one guy saw us and offered us a gig.”

  “A paying gig,” Millie said. “Boy did it pay well. We got to sing and dance.”

  Robi sipped her wine. “That’s wonderful. Were you still doing it when everything happened?”

  “Actually …” Millie spoke. “We were in the middle of our show. Ten chorus girls all dancing. I was doing my bit which was simulating oral sex on another girl …”

  Robi choked. “Excuse me?”

  “Oh,” Millie giggled. “Sorry. We were in Girls, Girls, Girls, the musical. It’s an erotic, lesbian musical.”

  Robi choked. “Wow.”

  Minnie smiled. “It was a great show. We’ll perform it but we need more women. Maybe you can fill in. We’ll show you the parts. You don’t have to really do anything sexual. It has a great story line.”

  “Um …” Robi stammered. “Sure.”

  Millie perked up. “Great! As I was saying though. We were in the middle of a show when it all happened.”

  Minnie said, “It’s just been us two. And boy are we glad to have some penises now.”

  Again, Robi coughed.

  Clearing his throat, Bishop decided to change the subject. “You two mentioned that you have been in contact with several people on the net.”

  Millie nodded. “We were in touch with Utopia and WriterG, who runs a group of people. That’s the one that that one fella … the guy who is eating upstairs, that’s who he’s waiting to hook up with on line.”

  “Greek,” Bishop informed her. “So he’s waiting to catch WriterG?”

  Millie nodded.

  Tate asked, “What do you know about Utopia?”

  Millie shrugged. “Not much, we lost internet contact with them a month ago. They were setting up a community.”

  “Do you know anything about this community?” Tate questioned.

  Millie looked at Minnie

  Minnie answered, “They wanted us to join, but we told them we were trapped. They said they’d send someone to us. Never did. They asked us to hold tight until they had the place running smoothly and operational. Since they already had enough people there, they wanted to get organized. Last we heard they were a week away from sending someone to us.”

  Jeb asked, “How many people?”

  “Hundreds,” Minnie answered. “Hundreds. They were basically setting up a new civilization. They found a huge military installation outside of San Diego, with an underground facility as backup. But like I said, we haven’t heard nothing in a month. Nothing. I think WriterG may know …” She cocked her head. “Speaking of WriterG.”

  Greek walked to the table, he bent down to Robi, laid his hand on her shoulder, and whispered in her ear.

  Robi nodded, smiled pleasantly, and glanced up. “Excuse me. Jeb?” She twitched her head.

  “Sure.” He put down his napkin and rose.

  Greek lifted his hand. “Nothing important, just need to talk to them. Go on. Enjoy the food.”

  Robi and Jeb left with Greek. Everyone knew, with Greek buried away all evening at the computer, it certainly was important and not as passive as it was made out to be.

  <><><><>

  Just after Robi’s asked the question ‘what do you got,’ a blink of the computer window brought up a chat box.

  Greek typed: Back.

  Jeb leaned over his shoulder. “GreekGeek?”

  “My screen name,” Greek replied. “Anyhow, WriterG logged on. Says there’s about fifteen of them.”

  “Not bad,” Jeb replied.

  WriterG: Have you got people there?

  GreekGeek: Yep. Right here. Now, tell us. What’s going on?

  There was a pause; assumingly the writer person was typing his or her saga.

  Again, Robi asked, “What’s going on?”

  “From what I gathered, they were all there,” Greek said, “in Utopia, So-Cal. Then they packed up and left.”

  “Why?” Jeb asked.

  “He was about to get into a long explanation, and I asked him to wait until you guys were here.”

  A chime of a bell caught their attention, and the three of them looked at the little chat square.

  A huge paragraph appeared.

  WriterG: We thought everything was fine when we first met up with them. They had big plans, how to house themselves, feed themselves. But the three who were running things were flighty. Next thing you know, they start talking to people on the net. People who were telling them they were from another country, and they were bringing help. So, the Utopian Society just decided that they would wait. A group of us didn’t trust this ‘country’ and we booked for Nevada.

  GreekGeek: What country? What people?

  WriterG: They didn’t say. That’s why were left.

  GreekGeek typed: Where in Nevada?

  WriterG: We are settled about fifteen miles from the California border at a farmer market and diner. We’re camping out. Actually searching.

  For?

  A lengthy pause.

  GreekGeek: Still there?

  WriterG: Yes. Don’t laugh.

  GreekGeek: Go on.

  WriterG: Area 51.

  The conversation continued, with WriterG informing them that in theory, Area 51 is equipped to be a livable society in case of alien take over. They just needed to find it. Secon
dly, they warned not to go to Utopia.

  In order to decrease any chance of communication interception, WriterG ended the transmission. But not before giving approximate coordinates, and a name for the group to locate them.

  Final words.

  WriterG: With the right people, the right group, we can prepare to defend our homeland. Something is coming. Avoid Utopia. See you tomorrow.

  In a blip they were gone.

  Greek turned in his chair. “Should we go there?”

  “Most definitely,” Jeb answered.

  Robi asked, “What do you make of Area 51?”

  Jeb shook his head. “No one knows for sure about the place. But it may be worth looking into if something is wrong with So-Cal.”

  Greek said, “Doc is convinced So-Cal is a wrong move.”

  Jeb nodded. “It could be. But we aren’t gonna know until we get there. I don’t want to join up with a bunch of people that are unorganized or flighty. But we need numbers right now. And who they were communicating with baffles me. People promising them things.”

  A simple knock on the door caught their attention, and all three turned to see Parker.

  “Sorry to bother you folks, but I wanted to catch you alone,” Parker said. “I think you need to come with me.”

  Robi asked, “What’s up? What’s going on?”

  Parker replied, “I’ve been holding off all night. But … it’s time.”

  The journey with Parker took them to the top floor of the hotel, where Sam and Mas sat outside a stairwell door.

  “This afternoon,” Parker explained. “Doc spotted those two about a mile away, hooking up a satellite.”

  Sam explained, “We used a simple television satellite. Transmission is good.”

  Parker nodded. “Confirmed, now tell them what you told me.”

  Sam raised his eyes. “Do you not think it is best to show them first?”

  “Tell them first.”

  “We have communicated with our people. Mas has also had visions.”

  Mas sobbed.

  Robi shifted her eyes; the sound of his sob drew a chill to her. “Mas?”

  Mas couldn’t speak.

  “Death,” Sam said, “to many of us.”

  “Our group?” Robi quizzed.

  “All groups. Only those who dwell alone or with one other are safe. Groups are at risk. Mas has seen it.”

  Jeb asked, “Seen what?”

  Sam explained, “Are we to go to a desert town? A farmer market? Diner?”

  “Why?” Jeb asked.

  “Mas has seen your death there.”

  Robi’s heart dropped to her stomach. She immediately looked at Jeb for a reaction.

  Jeb’s jaw twitched. “These are your visions. Like psychic visions?”

  Mas nodded.

  Sam responded, “Forewarnings. They can be changed. Perhaps. Almost in stone. We can change by not going. Do not go, Jeb. We are not to go. Let those at the Market, allow them to perish. If we go there to meet with them, Mas’ vision will surely come true and you, along with those others will die.”

  Jeb scoffed. “I’m supposed to believe a psychic vision. How do I know you two didn’t tap into the computer line? How?”

  Sam pointed to Parker.

  Parker asked. “When did you decide you were going to go to this desert Farmer Market diner?”

  “Tonight,” Jeb replied. “Just now.”

  “I was there when they communicated. I heard the alien voices. I heard a language I didn’t understand. I was there when Mas interpreted it all.”

  Sam spoke, “Our people said the best choice is to keep moving. We will walk into confrontation in the desert town.”

  Jeb just shook his head and looked to Robi. “Are you buying this?”

  “I don’t know what to believe.”

  Parker reached for the stairwell door. “How about believing this.”

  He led them up the two flights of stairs and brought them on to the roof. They all stood as Parker pointed west. The sky in the distance, the dark evening sky was lit up bright with colors of red and yellow.

  Robi’s eyes widened. “What is that?”

  Sam turned to her. “The arrival. At dawn they land.” He paused, and then stared out to the light show. “The second wave.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  July 10th

  Las Vegas, NV

  Since west was the way they were headed they had to bring the tour bus through the sand. Jeb and Tate made the trek to retrieve both vehicles which were left behind at the end of the strip.

  Minnie and Millie were as excited about the trip as two college girls readying for spring break.

  They neared ‘ready’ to leave. It was only six hours away. Six hours to reach So-Cal, or as they found out, Edwards Air force base.

  “Did you tell him?” Robi bantered Jeb as she followed him to the side of the truck.

  “Robi, please drop it.”

  “No, you didn’t tell your brother.”

  “Tell me what?” Tate asked.

  As Robi opened her mouth, Jeb’s hand covered it.

  “Nothing," Jeb said.

  Robi gasped. “How dare you do that to me? Asshole. Tate, the second wave has arrived.”

  “I know that.”

  “If we go to this town, Jeb will die.”

  “What?” Tate asked in shock.

  Jeb’s hand cut through the air. “Fuck.”

  “No,” Robi continued. “Tell him we are not going. We are going straight to So-Cal.”

  “Robi,” Jeb was firm. “We told those survivors we’d stop by. It is worth seeing what’s going on.”

  “You heard Mas.”

  “Yep.” Jeb nodded. “I heard Mas and his psychic fuckin’ vision. And right now you are acting so female.”

  “I am not.”

  “Yeah, you are. Female. Scared. Running away. Where’s the guts? Where are the balls you so often display?”

  “I can’t believe you’re talking to me like that,” Robi said. “Tell him Tate. We can’t go.”

  Tate shrugged. “I don’t want my brother to die either Robi. But …. I’ll respect anything he wants to do.”

  “There.” Jeb threw a bag in the side of the bus.

  “What am I supposed to do?” Robi asked. “Be OK with this? Be OK taking a chance of you dying. You’re pissed because I wouldn’t marry you last night.”

  “I’m not pissed about that,” Jeb said. “It has nothing to do with it. Avoiding the town is avoiding a problem that will still be there. Avoiding a battle we will eventually have to fight anyhow. I don’t run away from my fights. This is our destiny now, and we will face it. I will face it. And I’ll be damned if I am gonna let some two bit, fuckin’ henchman alien take my life. It ain’t gonna happen. I’m not gonna die. Mark my words.” Jeb slammed the hatch of the bus and walked off.

  <><><><>

  Just on the outskirts of Pahrump, Nevada—the location of the diner—Jeb ordered the convoy to stop.

  Everyone unloaded.

  Robi expected as much. They needed a plan of action if they were rolling into the town.

  “Listen up,” Jeb called for attention. “We’re about five miles out. We have to come back this way, and I’d rather be safe than sorry. We know it might be dangerous, and I don’t want to risk the entire group. Because of that, I want all the kids and women to stay put. Parker, Greek, Doc, Mas. You four will stay behind as well. I’ll take Sam as the understandable alien. Everyone else, arm up with the revamped weapons and let’s head out.”

  Robi flared. She flared even more as she saw the men head to the first Humvee. “Wait.” She charged after Jeb. “I’m not understanding why I can’t go.”

  Annoyed, Jeb looked off.

  “Because I’m a woman. You know my shot …”

  “No.” Jeb halted her. “You being a woman has nothing to do with it. Your being a great shot is needed here as well. Two reasons Robi you must stay behind. One …. Your son. You are a mother.
Two … you are a leader. If something happens to us, you have to lead these people the rest of the way. You’ve taken them this far, you’ll bring them home.”

  “Parker can lead everyone.”

  “Parker is not you,” Jeb said. “He cannot be a mother and a leader. Sometimes, Robi, being a good leader is knowing when to put yourself in harm’s way and when to stay back. Ask yourself what is best for those who depend on you? Ask yourself.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll be back.”

  “Jeb …”

  “I’ll be back.” He turned.

  Robi looked down to her weapon. A special handgun made for her by Mas. One specially designed to fight the second wave.

  She kept hearing Jeb’s words to her, ‘being a good leader is knowing when to put yourself in harm’s way and when to stay back.’ Those words played over in her mind as the crew of men drove off.

  <><><><>

  Pahrump, NV

  Quiet.

  Not a sound, bird, nothing.

  Like a movie set, the three buildings were set on a deserted road. Two armored vehicles parked right out front of the diner. A rundown fruit stand was off by the gas pumps.

  A slight warm breeze, which Tate likened to a blow dryer, had kicked up, tossing sand about.

  Hot. Dry.

  “Weapons, ready,” Jeb said. They parked the Humvee a safe distance and planned to walk the measly fifty feet.

  “Mas, I am not,” Sam stated. “You must understand. I don’t feel the impending. I only can advise on what to do.”

  “We don’t need a psychic,” Jeb replied. “If these things are gonna hit as bad as you say, then we’ll see them.” He led the way to the diner.

  Bishop, who had been quiet, spoke up, “Looks fine. Nothing.”

  “I know,” Jeb said.

  Tate spoke, "You think maybe it will be coming while we’re here?”

  “Probably.” Jeb kept walking. “If that’s the case, we need to get these people out of here, right?”

  “I don’t hear anything,” Tate said.

  Travis added, “I got a freaky feeling.”