Dean tried to remain reasonable. “We need to get maximum results out of all of our food.”
“Well I hope you’re goddamn satisfied. We’re getting maximum results from our food now, aren’t we? We have a bunch of carnivorous chickens running around Beginnings.”
Dean snickered. “Joe, they aren’t carnivorous.”
“Are you making fun of me?”
“No. I’m just saying they aren’t eating people. They’re just attacking them out of . . . fear.”
Calmly Joe nodded. “Fear.”
“Yeah, the overdose of protein DE-5 causes a bit of psychosis.”
“Let me get this straight.” Joe lifted his hand. “We have a bunch of psychotic chickens running around in Beginnings.”
“Only for the next eight to ten hours.”
“Eight to ten hours!” Joe screamed. “You are the exact reason they had laws in the old world to stop shit like this from happening. I give an inch with you and we have mutilated chickens, rabbits, frozen children, killer babies . . .”
“They,” Dean said strongly, “are not my doing.”
“Well, I’m sure as shit pretty certain somewhere down the line in the chain of creation of them you played a role. “
”Joe, if you would let me explain why I don’t think this is my fault, then . . .”
“Not your fault?” Joe was nearly out of control. “You manipulated nature for Christ’s sake! You fuck around with shit like you always do. Let me tell you something, Dean . . .” Joe’s finger waved about. “One more thing, one more screwed up, whacked out, panic causing thing to occur in Beginnings, one more thing . . .” Joe’s hand cut through the air. “And father to my grandchildren, brilliant scientist, husband to my daughter, or not . . . I will pack your bags myself and kick you the hell out of here.” Joe turned, speaking hard as he moved out. “I’ll send your little ass to the Society. Wreak a little havoc on them, will ya, so we can have an advantage for once.” With a hard swing of the operating room door, Joe stormed out.
Dean tapped his hand on the edge of the sink and looked up to the ceiling in thought. Though he highly doubted Joe would really kick him out of Beginnings, Dean took comfort in the fact that he was safe from anything else happening at that moment in Beginnings.
^^^^^
“Where did you say you heard the banging?” Dan asked Mark as they walked down the cryo tunnels.
“The lab,” Mark answered.
Dan stopped. “Are you sure?’
“Yep. Listen.” Mark pointed to the traveling sound.
“Fuck.” Dan nearly stomped then started to walk. “What the hell is it?”
“We’re talking Hayes Land. Who the hell knows?”
The loud, steady banging rang out through the tunnel. As Mark had said, it came from the cryo-lab. That was evident when they stopped before the metal door and heard it.
Dan looked at the door. “Whatever it is, it wants out.”
“Maybe . . .” Mark said brightly. “Remember those paddle ball things. Where you’d have the paddle and the ball attached to the rubber band, and you kind of play a game of hitting the ball?”
“Yeah.”
“Maybe Dean invented a large one and the ball is hitting against the door right . . . ow.” Mark rubbed his arm when Dan punched him. “What?”
“Fuckin stupid.” He shook his head. “All right. We have to find out what this is.”
“I’ve been in there before. I don’t want to know.”
“Just stand back.” Dan waited until Mark was clearly on the other side of the door, then he fixed himself on the opposite side and punched in the code to the cryo-door.
Buzz.
Bang.
“Shit.” Taking a deep breath, Dan reached, while still staying clear, and opened the door.
With a ‘whoosh’ and a slight growl, it shot with high speed straight out of the cryo- lab door and banged straight into the wall. After landing, shaking his head, and gaining its orientation, the killer baby sped forth down the tunnels.
“Fuck,” Dan whined. “What else?”
^^^^
From the counter in his clinic lab, Dean looked up to the two hard bangs on the door. “Yeah.”
Joe walked in. He spoke very rational. “Let’s go. You’re out. I have a security escort.”
“What? You can’t be . . .” Dean spun around. “Serious . . .” He saw four security guards. “You are.”
“Oh, absolutely. Until Ellen returns, I’ll have the kids. You are moving to New Bowman. Get the hell out of Beginnings.”
Dean was speechless, then he laughed. “You have to be joking.”
“No I’m not, Dean. I have pandemonium in this town already over the chickens. Now, thank you very much, after escaping from your lab, I have a killer baby running amuck in town as well.”
“My lab?” Dean asked.
Joe nodded.
A clear cut smirk moved across Dean’s face. “Can I explain things now? After my theory . . .” Dean smiled. “I don’t think I’ll be the one you’ll kick out.”
^^^^^
“OK, keep me posted.” Joe hung up his office phone, then stared across his desk at Dean who looked like he was waiting in the principal’s office.
“Anything?” Dean asked.
“It’s still on the loose but people are definitely staying inside, which is good.”
“Hey, at last we shouldn’t have any more chicken attacks.”
Joe only glared. His views turned to the door when he heard the knock. “Come in.”
Elliott poked his head in. “I’m back.”
“Good. Just . . .” Joe slowly sat back. “What in God’s name happened to your face?”
Elliott touched the scratch on his cheek then ran his fingers to where a black eye was beginning. “I was attacked.”
“Chickens?” Joe asked.
“No, women. At the House of Lesbians.”
“They attacked you?” Joe questioned.
“Yes, when I went to retrieve Misha, they pelted me with . . . with shoes.”
A snort escaped Dean and then he laughed. He quickly stopped when Joe snapped a look his way.
“Oh, yeah, this is funny,” Joe said angrily. “Are you happy? Elliott, bring her in.”
“Let’s go.” Elliott stepped into the office, bringing with him a sniffling Misha. He closed the door and stood there.
“Have a seat.” Joe pointed to a chair next to Dean.
Almost fearful, Misha moved to the chair. She inched it further from Dean then sat down. “Mr. Slagel, I don’t understand what it is I did.”
Dean rolled his eyes. “Oh, knock it off.”
“Dean,” Joe warned. “Misha, we had some instances I’d like to bring to your attention.”
“Yes. Sir?” Misha asked.
“Dean had lab samples tampered with . . .”
“No. No.” Misha shook her head. “I did not do that.”
“Let me finish.” Joe held up his hand. “Protein made by Dean was found in the chicken’s water.”
Dean interjected. “An overdose of it.”
“Hence,” Joe continued, “our chicken dilemma. A killer baby was released from its cage and is running amuck in Beginnings right now. Do you know anything about this?”
“No.” Misha shook her head.
“You’re lying.”
Misha gasped.
Dean smiled.
Folding his hands, Joe leaned into the desk. “Misha, do you know what I did for twenty years before this world ended?”
Misha shook her head.
“I’ll tell you,” Joe said,. “I worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. Which, in case you are too young to know, was the biggest investigative arm of the United States government. I investigated then just like I investigated today. Fingerprints. No one has the same prints as anyone else. Your fingerprints were not only found on the urine sample cups, they were found on the barn door, and they were found on the lock on the killer baby cage.
”
Misha’s eyes widened.
“Now, I will tell you this one time.” Joe lifted his finger,. “You better pray to God that those are old fingerprints, because if I find out differently, if I find out you were screwing around in this community with my people’s health, with my people’s welfare, you’re out.”
Misha took on a defensive tone. “But the Captain is in charge . . .”
“Of Bowman,” Joe cut her off. “I am not only the leader of the three provinces, I am his father, so I rule all the way around. Is that clear? I don’t give a rat’s ass what he says. I’ll blindfold you, take you out, and drop you off in the middle of the wilderness. Let me let you in on a little secret . . .” Joe dropped his voice to a whisper. “My son is pretty fed up with you women, so I don’t think I’ll get an argument from him.” Joe sat back. “Sgt. Ryder, take her back.”
“Yes, sir.” Elliott walked to Misha and took her arm. “This way.” He led her to the door.
“Oh, Elliott,” Joe spoke up. “Let it be known to the House of Lesbians that I won’t stand for their antics. If they ever attack you or anyone else again for no reason . . . they’ll become mothers for a fine flock of children in the killer baby region.”
Elliott smiled. “I’ll pass that along.” He took Misha from the office.
Dean waited for the door to close and then he stood up. “Thanks, Joe.”
“You still aren’t off the hook.” Joe pointed a pencil at Dean.
“But it was Misha. You said you found . . .”
“I lied,” Joe replied. “When do I have time to do fingerprints? She doesn’t know and neither do we, for sure. I’ll be on edge until the chickens calm down and we catch that killer baby.”
“Just about right now, we could really use Frank,” Dean spoke softly.
“You aren’t kidding.” Joe exhaled, “Oh brother, could we use Frank.”
^^^^
Hal sounded as tired as he looked. Through the fever that had set in, as he fought to keep his eyes open and his wits about him, he lifted his head with a smile. “Oh, yeah?” he said to Frank. “Killer chickens? Sorry I missed it.”
“Knowing the length of Dean shit, it’s done.” Frank exhaled, “We’re almost home, just another minute.”
“Hey, Frank? You're not gonna leave to look for Ellen and our brother, are you? You’ll wait for me?”
“I’ll wait. I’ll get things ready. But . . .” Frank nodded. “You’d better get well fast, cause I’m not gonna fuckin wait forever.”
“It’s a deal. I’m just gonna close my eyes.”
Frank watched Hal seemingly fall right to sleep with the shutting of his eyes. He reached up to the front seat and tapped Paul the driver. “There’s gonna be someone waiting for Hal, right? They know at the clinic he’s sick.”
“I told them. Your father and Sgt. Ryder are waiting right now for you. Three in the mornin, and they’re waiting. We’re almost home, Frank.”
Home.
Frank sank back into the seat with that one word.
How good it felt to be back, but it would be short lived. He had to rest up, pack up, and go back out. His exhaustion might of been the cause of the thoughts he was having as he neared the back gate, but Frank doubted it. He knew it was reality.
Even though he was glad his father was there waiting, a part of Frank wished that his father was home in bed. It was still dark and knowing his estimated arrival time, Frank held high hopes that when he made it back, he wouldn’t have to see anyone. Not yet. To him it would take some courage to face his father, children, and even Dean. He had to face them with the fact that he wasn’t coming home, like promised, with Ellen.
“Down the gate,” Elliott spoke into the headset. “They’re here.” He smiled.
Joe perked up. He didn’t even notice the cold as he anxiously awaited the arrival of his sons. A Jeep waited to bring Hal directly to the clinic to be treated for infection. Joe watched the truck approach too slowly. His face grew tense as he waited. His heart pounded. He needed to see his sons and it just was taking too long.
Finally the truck stopped and both the back doors opened.
With a single clap of his hands, Joe rushed to the truck. “Son of bitch, you’re back!”
Frank stepped out with a bit of a tired slump. He gave an exhausted smile to his father and reached out with an embrace.
“My God, it’s good to see you.” Joe stepped back and laid his hand on Frank’s cheek. “How are you?”
Frank shrugged. “Fine. Dad . . .”
“Where’s Hal?” Joe asked.
“Right behind you,” Hal spoke.
Letting out a small laugh of joy, Joe turned and grabbed onto Hal. “I’m proud of you guys.” He kissed Hal on the cheek. “We need to get you to the clinic.”
“Yes, I have resolved myself to that.” Hal draped his arm across his waist and looked around. “Where is my right hand man?”
Elliott stepped forward with a smile. “Captain.” He gave a salute, then extended his hand. “Good to have you back.”
“Not for long. Please, just tell me, in my absence you’ve not single handedly dismantled the UWA.”
“Nah.” Elliott winked. “I had some help.” He laid a hand on Hal’s back. “The Jeep’s this way.”
Joe gave a tug to Frank’s arm. “Let’s go. We need to talk.”
“Dad.” Frank stopped. “I’m sorry. I am very sorry I don’t have Robbie or Ellen.”
“Don’t apologize,” Joe told him. “This is not your fault. You said you feel they are fine?”
Frank nodded.
“You have a good gut instinct, Frank. Plus, you’re psychic.” Joe smiled. “We need to call upon your fine intellect right now. I hate to interrupt your homecoming and rest but we have a problem.”
“Killer chickens?” Frank asked with seriousness.
Elliott interjected as he stepped to the pair. “No, killer baby. There’s one loose in Beginnings.”
“What?” Frank asked shocked, then started to walk. “How?”
Joe shrugged. “Not sure of the how, but his cage was left open in the cryo-lab.”
“So it’s a Dean killer baby,” Frank said. “Which baby? Marv or Elliott?”
Elliott quickly looked. “A killer baby is named Elliott? Please don’t tell me it is named after me.”
“Uh . . yeah,” Frank responded sarcastically. “Elliott. Elliott. It sounds the same. Besides Dean named him after you because he fuckin hates you. Anyhow, which one?”
Both Joe and Elliott looked at each other.
“How about this. Any casualties yet?” Frank quizzed.
“One goat,” Joe answered.
“Makes sense. It must be Elliott.’ Frank started to walk. “He’s pretty well trained to not attack people, just savages and animals. You can’t find him?”
“Nope,” Elliott answered. “We’ve searched the entire community and there's been no signs of escape either.”
“Have you tried Journey?”
Elliott nodded. “Several times.”
“REO Speedwagon?”
“Without a doubt.”
“Barry Manilow?” Frank suggested.
“That too.”
“When is the last time you checked his cage back in the cryo-lab?” Frank asked.
Slowly Elliott blinked. “We didn’t.”
“He’s there.” Frank moved faster to the Jeep. “One casualty. He’s pretty full. He’s not responding to my music, Dean’s or Ellen’s. They instinctively head back to their habitat. His habitat is the cryo.” Frank embarked into the Jeep. “Check it out. Bet me he’s sound asleep.”
“I’ll . . .I’ll do that.” Elliott slowly tried to get back in the Jeep.
Joe stopped him. “Six hours,” he whispered. “Six hours we’ve been chasing this baby and there’s a chance he just went back . . home.”
Elliott was at a loss for a proper answer. “I wouldn’t have thought of it.”
“Six hours of w
orrying.” Joe’s voice started to raise. “Of locking the people of this community in their homes. Six goddamn hours and you didn’t think to look back in the cryo-lab?”
“Pardon me, but . . .” Elliott dropped his voice. “None of us thought about that. It’s too obscure of a deduction.”
Joe closed his eyes and nodded. “You’re right. Obscure deduction. Killer babies. Frank.” Joe pointed and slipped into the Jeep.
“He is their God.” Elliott responded.
In a near groggy state, eyes half shut, Frank mumbled out his stock response. “I am.”
^^^^
Dean felt like some teenage girl from the old world waiting on a chance to get a glimpse of her rock star idol. He knew he had to take care of Hal, but Dean had to admit that he couldn’t wait to see Frank. For as bad as things were left off, the truth was, he missed Frank. He needed to see he was all right and hear from Frank’s mouth what he could about Ellen.
So Dean waited. As soon as he received the call that Frank and Hal arrived and were en-route to the clinic, Dean waited by the door. The Jeep pulled up with Joe and Hal.
No Frank.
It made sense to Dean that Frank would immediately slip into hero and head of security mode, do his job like no one else could, and end a situation in Beginnings so there could be a finish to a chaotic day. It also was understandable that Frank would want to see the kids and after all was done, he would return to the clinic.
So Dean waited there.
Even though he was finished with what he had to do with Hal, Dean didn’t want to take a chance on missing Frank on his way home. There were things to do in the clinic lab and that’s where he hung out.
“Dr. Hayes,” Elliott spoke as he stepped into the lab.
Dean turned from the counter. “Oh, hey, Sgt. Ryder. Is Frank with you?” Dean asked, taking a step and peering around Elliott as he did.
“No, he should be here soon. He went to see the children.”
“Oh.” Dean began to turn away.
“After we handled the . . . Elliott . . . situation.”
Dean stopped. He hid the cringe that crept upon him then he placed on a smile, and turned around. “The Elliott situation?”
The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20 Page 299