The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  The way Johnny and Buzz hooted sounded like a two man redneck party as they pulled the truck into the field.

  “See him?” Johnny asked Buzz.

  “Yep.” Buzz lowered the binoculars.

  Johnny stepped from the truck. “You know what to do, right?”

  “Yep.” Buzz jumped out of the back. “Good luck.”

  “You too.” Johnny grinned as he climbed in. “Watch the fast turns.”

  “Got it.” Buzz jumped in the driver’s door.

  “How ya doing, buddy?” Johnny asked the Savage as he felt the truck move. “Ready to go for a ride? Oh, hey, you’ve been riding huh?” He peered up. “Closer, Buzz, but not too close. Good.” Johnny stood up and brought the Savage to his feet. The Savage would have struggled more but he was bound tied. “Get ready on my call.”

  “Got it.”

  “Music soothes the savage beast. Blast it.”

  Mumbling, Buzz turned up the volume on the truck radio and blasted the music.

  The sounds of the eighties band, Journey, floated into the air. ‘Lights’, the song, captured the attention of the focused killer babies. As if the fourteen of them all said ‘huh’ at the same time, they stopped in their pursuit of Tigger and turned.

  “Hey, killer babies,” Johnny bounced the Savage, then holding him as steady as he could, rolled him over the edge of the truck, pulled on the rope attached to him and made him appear standing up. “Dinner. Get ready, Buzz.”

  “What was that?”

  “I said . . .” Johnny watched the killer babies race his way. “Get ready . . .”

  “What!”

  “Go!”

  “Son of a bitch, I can’t hear you.” Buzz reached to turn down the radio. As he did, he caught a glimpse in the side view mirror. The grass moved and Johnny appeared to be yelling something. Radio down, Buzz shouted. “Can I go?”

  “Yes!”

  Just as the first killer baby leaped up, Johnny released the rope that held the Savage and sailed in a roll on the back of the truck as Buzz zoomed off.

  Mike watched from the bridge with baited breath. “Come on,” he beckoned in a whisper. He winced when he saw the rain of blood shoot up from the savage like a fountain.

  “Interesting,” Lars commented.

  After a grunt and a glance of scold to Lars, Mike looked again. He exhaled loudly as he watched the truck pull to the tree. Johnny reached up as Tigger dropped down the back of the truck which then drove away at top speed.

  “Safe.” Mike lowered the binoculars.

  “Better now, Mike?”

  “Much.” Mike folded his arms and poised himself in a waiting mode. “In fact, I’m very happy.”

  “As well as you should be. Your son is all right.”

  “Yes he is. He’s all right enough for me to kill.”

  “Hmm,” Lars mumbled out in sarcasm. “Will this be before or after you tell him he is so fuckin grounded?” Enjoying the glance Mike shot him, Lars stayed focused on the truck that made its way closer, all while hiding the snicker over what he believed a well timed and spoke humorous remark.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  There were probably a lot of other things George could be thinking about rather than Jess Boyens. Actually, Bertha would have preferred the President’s attention on matters of the State. That was the concern of her briefing with him. She had a laundry list to dump on the President, things Boyens kept in check-as directed, but didn’t move on-as directed.

  They had more camps to move west to protect from expected UWA movement or attacks. Border camps to keep perimeters. They had shipping to get in order plus the one ‘ready’ submarine was docked and awaiting orders to ship out. Then again, the only expert in operating a submarine was busy training others and a decision on that crew had to be made as well. Not to mention, Bertha really needed to know what George wanted for supper. She had to get things ready and prepare to cook. They had made arrangements to dine together. More than the witty company of her leader, Bertha enjoyed being the ‘female’ he always made her feel.

  “Sir?” Bertha called George’s attention again.

  “I’m sorry, Bert. What was that?”

  “Which part? I believe there were several points I made sir that you didn’t comment on.”

  “My mind is elsewhere.”

  “I understand.”

  “Have we . . . by chance, heard from . . .”

  “Boyens?’

  “No, my wife. It.”

  Bertha cleared her throat. She was somewhat taken aback from the topic that came from nowhere. “No, sir. She has made no attempt to contact us, nor has anyone from Beginnings regarding her.”

  “I see.” George nodded and picked up his pencil.

  “Sir, I’m very sorry, but there are issues. We did just get back and we have to get on top of things. We didn’t allow for much to be gone in our absence. We had the Society under well trained babysitters. Now it is time for you, as a parent, to take control.”

  George lifted his hand to halt her from speaking any further.

  Bertha tried to hide her dismay. “What now?”

  “I promise as soon as I get the call that Boyens has arrived in Florida, safe and sound, will you will get my complete and utter attention.”

  “We know he arrived down south. Isn’t that sufficient?” Bertha asked. “The conductor said the Jeep was waiting and Jess got right in. I know what you are concerned about.”

  “Wouldn’t you be concerned?”

  “No.”

  “Are we absolutely sure he knows?”

  “How can he not?” Bertha said. “He was in charge for some time here, in my position. If he didn’t know beforehand, he certainly found out while being in charge. He has had this information for some time. If he was going to do anything about it, wouldn’t he have done so by now?”

  “Valid point,” George spoke quietly “But . . .” He lifted a finger. “He’s arriving. Today. Very soon. He’s going to see the information first hand. It’s one thing to know it, Callahan,” George said with concern. “It’s a whole other ball game to come face to face with the truth, because the moment you see it, it becomes a reality.”

  ^^^^^

  “All right, let me think.” Joe brought his hand up to his head as he stared down the long table in the Social Hall. “You and me,” he said to Jason, “Danny, Elliott, two of my sons, Mr. Baydee from Jordan, Texas Town . . . anyone else?”

  “Henry.” Jason looked down at the list.

  “Henry!” Joe grunted. “What the hell for?”

  “He’s the secretary” Jason shrugged. “Someone has to take meeting minutes. Trish said she’s tired of listening to the tape and trying to decipher through the long winded meetings on what goes where in history.”

  “She has a point,” Joe said as he started pulling chairs to the table. “Let’s just make sure Henry doesn’t say much. You know he has that problem.”

  “Hopefully he and Jenny won’t fight.”

  “Jenny? Why is Jenny coming?”

  “She’s on the list of those who need to speak to Council.”

  “We have a list today?” Joe asked.

  “This isn’t just the daily or weekly meeting. This is the first Council of the month,” Jason stated. “Everyone knows this. This, according to you, has been longstanding the Council meeting that the community may approach the board.”

  “Yeah, but no one’s ever done it before.”

  “There’s always a first.” Jason held up his list. “I have the names.”

  “Names as in more than Jenny?”

  Jason snickered then turned serious. “Yes, all with a list of requests.”

  “Swell.” Joe looked at his watch as he spoke his thoughts out loud. “Council business, community requests, military meeting. Christ, we’ll be here for hours, especially with Frank attending.” He rubbed his brow. “All right, I’m gonna call Andrea and tell her we’ll take her up on that offer for finger food. You wanna start that coffe
e?”

  “Sounds good.” Jason walked over to the bar where the coffee supplies were set up.

  Joe dialed and waited. “Andrea, yeah, it’s me. I know . . . I know you’re busy, but how about them finger sandwiches you offered. They aren’t here. No, I didn’t say I didn’t want them. I personally may not have wanted them but that would have been rude for me to turn them down because I wasn’t hungry. Right. Yes. Good, I’ll see you soon.”

  Joe hung up and felt a warm sensation behind him, almost a suffocating one. He turned and jumped back. “Frank.”

  “Dad.”

  “Can you stand a little closer?” Joe said sarcastically.

  Frank took a step.

  “I’m being facetious, you ass.” Joe walked by him. “The meeting doesn’t start yet. Why are you here?”

  “I have something really important to discuss.” Frank shifted his eyes to Jason, then back to his father. “It’s something I don’t want to talk about in front of everyone.”

  “Can you talk about it in front of Jason?”

  Frank took a breath. “He might get mad.”

  “If you talk about it?”

  “The subject.”

  Joe nodded. “You might as well get it over and done with. Shoot.”

  “Okay.” Frank let out a nervous huff. “Brian . . . Brian is defrosting.”

  “What do you mean Brian is defrosting?”

  “You know how he’s frozen?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, in ‘T’ minus eleven days, he’s no longer frozen.”

  Joe’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. Dean started him out of stasis?”

  “Yep.”

  “But I thought . . . I thought Dean said he had learned that the process was fallible and something they did caused Brian to die in the future.”

  “Yep.”

  “Yet he still started the process.”

  “Yep.” Frank nodded.

  “Son of a bitch.” Joe shook his head. “Why?”

  “He said it had to be done. He said he did it for me.”

  “He’s using you as an excuse.” Joe waved a finger. “He did it for himself. The goddamn son of a bitch couldn’t wait. He had to jump the gun. It’s all this damn micro-chip stuff that took him . . . wait.” Joe paused to think. “To undo the stasis process it takes . . .”

  Jason answered from across the room. “Thirty-two days. Not that I’m listening.”

  “Thank you.” Joe looked at him. “Thirty-two days. Well, three weeks ago, Dean didn’t have problems with the chip.”

  Frank shook his head. “No, he did not. The way I figured, he started the process ten days ago.”

  “Ten days ago. Then that would mean Brian wakes up in twenty-two days.”

  “Nope, eleven.”

  “Did he shorten the process?” Joe asked.

  “No.”

  “Then how can that be?”

  “Very easily.” Frank raised his eyebrows.

  Joe just stared. “Okay, what?”

  Frank twitched his head to the left toward Jason.

  “What?” Joe asked.

  Scrunching his face, Frank, again and twitched his head.

  “What? Do you have Tourette syndrome? What?”

  “The time machine.”

  “What about it.”

  “Dean used it.”

  “Oh horse shit. He did not.” Joe waved his hand.

  “Dad, he said. He told me and El he went ahead in time to find out what happened, then back in time to fix it.”

  “He’s lying,” Joe stated. “It takes two people now to run that machine. Jason . . . did you help Dean?”

  “Nope,” Jason answered not turning around.

  “See.” Joe indicated to Jason. “Dean didn’t take the time machine. He’s lying.”

  “But, Dad he said . . .”

  “But Dad he said.” Joe mocked. “I don’t give a rat’s ass what Dean said. He’s using the time machine as a cover up for the truth. The truth is, he started the process, wanted you guys to think he solved the whole problem, and to make the story believable, he used the time machine.”

  “See.”

  “See what?” Joe asked.

  “You just said, ‘he used the time machine’”

  “As a story. As a story.” Joe raised his voice.

  “A . . . story to what?”

  “Frank!” Joe blasted. “He started the process. He knew you guys would get mad so he made up the story about using the time machine.”

  “Ok, then if that’s true why is there only eleven days left? Huh? Explain that. The process takes thirty-two days. If he didn’t use the time machine, how come he only has eleven days left?”

  “How about this smart ass . . .” Joe said. “He started the process twenty-one days ago.”

  “But he said he started it ten days ago.”

  “No, you said he didn’t start the process ten days ago. You said he went back in time to start the process twenty-one days ago.”

  “So he used the time machine,” Frank said. “Is that what you’re saying?”

  “No, I’m saying he didn’t. I’m saying he just went ahead and started the process twenty-one days ago.”

  “You mean he went back.”

  “What?” Joe asked confused.

  “You meant to say he went back in time.”

  “No, he didn’t.”

  “So you’re saying he went ahead in time to do it.”

  “No!”

  “But you said, ‘he went ahead and started the process twenty-one days ago’. He went back. Not ahead.”

  “I’m not saying ‘ahead’ as in ‘ahead’ in time, I’m saying he went forward. I mean, he just did it on his own.”

  “Of course.”

  “Twenty-one days ago.”

  “Yeah.” Frank nodded. “After using the time machine ten days ago.”

  “No!” Joe yelled. “He didn’t use the time machine at all. Twenty-one days ago, Dean turned on the switch and started the undoing process.”

  “So what happened ten days ago?” Frank asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “When did Dean go back in time?”

  “He didn’t. He just said he did.”

  “I am really confused.” Frank scratched his head.

  “Join the goddamn club,” Joe said in frustration.

  “I’m not confused,” Jason said.

  “Me either.” Danny emerged from behind the bar.

  Joe jolted back. “When did you get here?”

  “Way before you, Joe,” Danny answered. “Do you know, it’s amazing what you hear when people don’t know you’re listening. Anyhow, I was setting up the phone lines so . . .” He laid a speaker on the bar. “Robbie, speak.”

  Frank looked. “That’s not, Robbie.”

  “Hi, Dad,” Robbie said through the speaker.

  Frank blinked then grunted when Joe smacked him in the gut. “What?”

  “I just was stopping any stupid comments at this moment,” Joe said. “Hello, Robbie.”

  “Check this out, Dad.” Robbie made the beeping-arm noise. “Danny did that.”

  “Swell,” Joe groaned.

  Danny walked out from behind the bar. “Joe, if I may, I’d like to comment on the Dean time machine thing.”

  “No you may not.” Joe moved to the table. “I’m not in the mood to go round and round again with my moronic son.”

  “Well,” Arrogant Hal spoke as he stepped inside. “I will assume by that comment we are not speaking about me. Ah . . .” He smiled. “Frank.”

  “What?” Frank asked.

  Hal shook his head. “Nothing. Dad, are we late?”

  “Yes,” Frank said.

  “No,” Joe replied. “You’re just on time. Have a seat, you two.”

  Hal moved to the table but slowed down when he heard Frank whispering in his ear, ‘Dean used the time machine.’ He did a double take at Frank then after a shudder, claimed his spot next to Joe who sat at th
e head of the table.

  Elliott followed. “Hey, Frank.”

  “Elliott.” Frank nodded then whispered. “Dean used the time machine.”

  Joe’s hand slammed on the table. “Will you knock it off! Dean did not use the time machine.”

  “But you said,” Frank defended.

  “When! When! When!” Joe screamed.

  “Before. Only you said he went to the future, which wouldn’t make sense. I mean . . .”

  “Frank,” Joe grumbled.

  Frank continued, “If he went into the future and it takes thirty-two days, wouldn’t we still . . .”

  “Frank.’

  “Be waiting thirty-two days. Right now . . .”

  “Frank!” Joe yelled his loudest. “Sit!”

  “Fine.” Frank pulled out his chair with a squeal. “I was just pointing out . . .”

  “Sit!”

  “Fine!” Frank screamed and plopped down. “Man, someone’s pissy.”

  Shaking his head, Joe mumbled, “I wonder why.”

  “I don’t know,” Frank responded. “You tell me.”

  “Dear God.” Hal covered his eyes. “Perhaps you, Frank. Hmm?”

  “Perhaps me, Frank, hmm what?” Frank asked.

  “Perhaps, you, Frank, hmm what, are the reason for Dad’s pissy mood,” Hal suggested snidely.

  “Perhaps, me, Frank, hmm what is not the reason for Dad’s pissy mood. Perhaps, you, Hal, hmm what are.”

  Hal chuckled. “Perhaps, me, Hal, hmm what, is the reason for Dad’s something, but I highly doubt that me, Hal, hmm what is the reasons for his pissy mood.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Frank came back. “Well, perhaps, you, me, hmm, Hal, Frank, what . . . fuck. I’m confused now. You win.”

  Hal smiled. “Thank you.”

  Joe glared at them both. “Are you two done?” He received silent nods. “Thank you. Now that my sons are quiet, we can . . .”

  Do-do-do-do-do.

  Joe turned to the speaker phone. “Robert.”

  “Sorry.” Robbie snickered.

  “Continuing. Jason, could you take your seat?” Joe said, disgruntled.

  Cup of coffee in hand, Jason walked to the table. “We have to wait for Henry. He’s the minute man.”

  Frank snickered.

  Joe grumbled. “Fine, we’ll wait for . . .”

  “Sorry I’m late, Joe.” Henry rushed in. After setting a box on the table, he held up a tablet. “I’m ready to take the minutes.” He hurried and took a seat. “You can start.”