Ranger

by William Stacey

  "Go on, Huck," said Alex. "Make a phone call. See who answers."

  Huck activated the switch, turning on the keying device, sending a signal through time and space to Earth, transmitting their coordinates. The keying device hummed, its lights flashing. The crowd, most of the settlement and the dwarven elders, stood silently watching.

  Then a bright flash of light appeared in the air before them. The light widened and expanded, becoming a glowing circle through which Alex looked inside a new Jump Tube at a group of people waiting at its far end.

  A woman squealed in joy, and Cassie "Starlight" Rogan sprinted through the Jump Tube and threw herself into Lee's arms. Behind her came a beaming Oscar McKnight and Helena Simmons.

  Oscar embraced Huck, looking even older and more tired than the last time Alex had seen him. "Damned good to see you, Major," he said. When Alex approached, McKnight drew back, extending his hand in greeting. His smile faltered when he saw Alex's stump.

  Alex shrugged and offered his left hand. "Welcome to your new home, Oscar," he said. "And it's literally your home. I'm glad to see you're still the chairman."

  "He's not," said Helena. "I am. And it's chairperson."

  Alex laughed. "Well then, Helena, I've some dwarfs you need to meet… and a few Russians."

  Both stared at him in confusion.

  A dog barked happily, and Alex spun as Mo ran through the Jump Tube and leaped the last of the way into Alex, almost bowling him over. A young white-haired girl—Lizzy—ran after the dog, yelling at him to stop.

  Lee swept his daughter up in his arms and kissed her, and Cassie hugged them both. Paco came next with Clyde at his hip. The old German shepherd moved slowly, but his large brown eyes glistened with excitement. When Paco saw Leela, he became so overcome with emotion, Alex thought the as-hard-as-nails woodsman might finally break down.

  Then Leela showed him the baby. "Say hello to your niece. Heidi, this is your uncle Yancy."

  Paco did cry.

  Alex knelt to hug Mo's big head. The excited dog licked his face and barked nonstop, his tail whipping back and forth.

  "Mommy," said Lizzy, beaming. "The air is clean."

  "Yes, Peaches," Cassie answered, the tears flowing freely. "It is clean."

  The End

  About the Author

  A former intelligence officer and soldier who served in the Canadian army for more than thirty years, William Stacey is a combat nerd who lives to tell stories. He is a black belt in karate and possesses a somewhat disturbing and unhealthy fascination for all things medieval and violent—especially Vikings. With operational tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan, he combines his military experience with his love for martial arts and sharp objects. He is a husband, father, and fitness nut, whose best friend is a German Shepherd named (naturally) Thor.