Consigning Fate: Beginnings Series Book 23

by Jacqueline Druga

  Lars spoke. “I’ll be taking over the entire medical and research facility. Plus, George is sending regular doctors out here, so I’m really not needed. There are too many good minds here, Frank. I’m a number. Out there. I’m back where I need to be. Plus, Mike needs me there.”

  George added. “I plan on having Mike training men, too. He hasn’t given his answer yet.”

  “Hopefully Tigger will change that,” Frank said. “Seeing his son …” he paused. “Might change things.”

  “Good words to hold onto.” George held out his hand. “Good luck. See you in a few days.”

  “I’ll have everything ready.”

  Lars extended his hand to Frank. “Thank everyone I didn’t get a chance to speak to, please?”

  “Absolutely. I’m sure Dean will miss you.”

  “I said goodbye to Dean,” Lars stated. “He embraced me and even teared up. I think that new religious experience is working wonders for him.”

  “Oh, yeah, I’m sure it is.” Frank grinned. “Good luck.”

  After George, Lars stepped on the plane.

  Tigger walked to Frank. “See ya, Frank.”

  “Tig.”

  “Take care of Johnny, OK? We’re all he had for a while and we’re leaving. I tried to get him to come, but he wouldn’t.”

  “I will.”

  “You’ll talk to him.”

  “I’m heading there now.”

  Tigger smiled. “Thank you. I mean it.” He held out his hand.

  Frank took it. “Look how little.”

  Tigger retracted it with a shake of his head and moved to the steps of the plane.

  “Need help?” Frank asked.

  Tigger growled and walked up the steps.

  Frank just chuckled. He stepped back and moved to his jeep, watching the door to the plane closed.

  It was a new phase in Beginnings. The Country was on good terms. No enemies within the soil. And it felt good.

  <><><><>

  Robbie and Dean both freaked and jumped toward Jason at the same time.

  “No, no, no. don’t break it,” Robbie said.

  “Don’t take it apart,” Dean added.

  “Why?” Jason asked. “It’s not like it works. Fort said.”

  “It works, “Robbie said.

  “Definitely works.” Dean stated.

  “How do you two know this?” Jason asked. “Unless you used it.”

  “Accidentally,” Robbie explained.

  Dean fluttered his lips. “Without a doubt accidentally.”

  “Kind of pushed buttons. And zap.”

  “Literally zap,” Dean added.

  “You mean to tell me, you two haven’t a clue how it works or why, but you … pressed buttons?”

  Robbie shrugged. “We didn’t know what it was.”

  Jason placed it on the table. “Have you learned anything about it?”

  “Some,” Dean said. “Not much. We figured you would not only want to know about it, but you could figure out the logistics. The blue button is definitely a power button, and an enter button.”

  “Power and enter.”

  Dean nodded. “Once you turn it on, it will ask you for information on the screen. If you punch it in, press the blue button, it moves to the next screen. The peach button scrolls through numbers. Presets maybe.” He shrugged. “Green button means go.”

  “Green means go?” Jason asked.

  “Yeah as soon as you press it, you leave. You can press it when you want to come back.”

  “Did you look at the display before you pressed it Dean?”

  “Which time?” Dean asked.

  “Both. You obviously pressed it twice if you came back.”

  “Um …. No.”

  Jason shook his head. “Then let’s check it out, shall we?” Unit on the table, Jason pressed the blue button.

  Princess Leah appeared. “Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope. Hello Roy, my you look handsome. Where do you want to go?”

  Jason snickered in amusement. “This is wonderful. A diversion.”

  Dean instructed. “Look at the display.

  Jason bent toward the unit. “Ah, yes, set time.”

  “That means year,” Dean said. “Not time.”

  “I would think not. Tell me you didn’t think it mean time of day.” Jason asked, didn’t receive an answer, and shook his head. “Let’s see. Let’s go to 1985.”

  “Why 1985?” Robbie asked.

  “Have you never seen Back to the Future?” Jason reached for the blue button, and pressed it. “Hmm. Easy enough. Set location.”

  Dean explained. “As you can see it’s blinking the word current. My guess is, if you just hit enter, it means you go from where you stand.”

  Jason only glared at him.

  “But if you hit the peach button…” He reached.

  Jason smacked his hand away. “Don’t touch. In fact…” he lifted the box and pressed the peach button.

  “It scrolls,” Dean said.

  “I see that. These are coordinates. Actually precise longitudes and latitudes down to the millimeter. Presets, I would guess, like you said.” Jason kept on scrolling; “He has many in here. Ah, here. Must be the end.”

  “How do you know?” Robbie asked.

  “Um, perhaps it says, enter new coordinates?” Jason said. “I don’t have any. We’ll have to figure some out for a testing. Like I said I don’t know what all these coordinates are.”

  “Could this also be a cool way to travel?” Robbie asked. “Maybe go to Quantico and arrive two minute later?”

  “We should try that. I’m thinking there may be a window of time that the machine follows. Because it is not an archway,” Jason explained. “I’m betting there’s a time frame requirement. We’ll test it.” He pressed the peach button. “OK, it’s back at current.” He hit the blue button. “Set time of day. Current or insert. I’ll insert.” Jason shrugged and punched in 1845. “It accepted it. So we know it uses military time.” He hit the blue button again.

  This time Princess Leah appeared. “Good luck Roy and have a safe trip.”

  “Dude, it’s an Easter Egg,” Robbie stated.

  Dean asked. “What?”

  “You know when we used to rent DVD’s there was a hidden special feature.”

  “I don’t think it was hidden. I just don’t think you two ever made it this far.” Jason read the screen. “Trip ready. It's counting down”

  “Wonder what happens when it counts down?” Dean asked.

  “Let’s see.” Jason watched the time. It started at twenty. When it hit zero, it bleeped three times and scrolled the words: trip cancelled. “It’s a shut down.” Jason then proceeded to repeat the same steps again, putting in the time, and getting ready for the ‘trip ready’ screen. “Green means go and I press it to comeback, right?”

  Dean nodded. “I think.”

  “What do you mean you think?” Shaking his head in disgust, Jason took a deep breath. “See you in a second.”

  He pressed the button.

  Zap!

  Jason was zapped, but not only him, but Robbie and Dean as well. They were in the house, and immediately greeted with the screams and horrified looks of a family that sat around the dining room table

  ”Fuck,” Robbie whispered.

  “Pardon our intrusion,” Jason said, reached down, snatched a piece of fried chicken off the platter, and hit the green button.

  Zap!

  They had returned.

  The box beeped off, and Jason, holding the chicken set it down.

  “Holy shit,” Dean said.

  Jason nodded. ‘It has a radius. We have to test what that radius is. Obviously, it encompasses the room.”

  Robbie asked. “Jason, why did you grab the fried chicken.”

  “Simple,” Jason replied. “One, I wanted to see if we could bring something back or through. And two … it looked very good.”

  Robbie nodded. “It did.”

  Jaso
n took a bite of the chicken. “Oh,” he gusted. “Perfect. Juicy and …” He looked at Robbie peering closely. “What?”

  “Can I have a bite?”

  Jason held the chicken leg to him.

  Robbie took a bite and smiled. “Thanks.”

  “Ok,” Dean spoke up. “We determined it does indeed work. We learned it can take us to a specific place and time and get us back without missing a beat. We’re gonna test it more, right?’

  “Yes,” Jason replied. “And we test it together. Not alone. We need to test the radius. The locations and so forth.”

  “Let’s start,” Dean suggested.

  Jason shook his head. “I want to get specific location information first. Then we’ll meet tonight and perform the first test.”

  Robbie asked. “Ok, where are we going?”

  “Simple,” Jason said. “There’s only one choice. We’re going ahead to January. Same time. Same place that you Frank and Hal went. We’re gonna see if all the trouble Joe went through … worked.” Jason smiled and took another bite of his chicken.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  When Frank made up his mind that enough time had passed, and enough ‘other’ things had been settled, he took the step toward Johnny.

  He wasn’t sure exactly how he felt about it, and had the drive to Creedville to think it over.

  Johnny didn’t have a telephone. There was a community link, and one to Creed. The town did have email, and Frank debated on using that. Instead, he called Creed and told him he would be coming into town and could he have Johnny meet him.

  Creed picked the place for him.

  There was a small shop where they sold the oddest little biscuits. Creedvillian food they had before coming to Beginnings. Square crackers in different colors, reminded Frank of the movie Soylent Green.

  The shop was a success and they served the biscuits with some weird tea.

  That was where Frank was meeting Johnny.

  The aroma was familiar to dog biscuits, but the place had atmosphere.

  Frank chose a table off to the corner, it offered the most privacy.

  Since it was still daylight, the Creedvillian woman wore her wrap and robe to cover her skin.

  She brought a pot of tea, laid down a small menu, bowed her head, and backed up.

  “Thanks,” Frank said, and nodded in return. He lifted the menu and read the list. The items were called Crisquits. And under the word it gave the types. Frank didn’t know what the difference was. He’d probably choose the sampler.

  He poured a small china cup of tea. Raw sugar set on the table and he added some. He sipped and cringed then added a ton more sugar. Second taste was better, mid sip he almost choked and felt the extra pound in his chest with the calling of his name.

  “Dad.”

  Frank set down the tea cup and stood. “John.”

  Johnny took an excited step toward the table and stopped. He caught himself. “Creed didn’t tell me I was meeting you.”

  Frank gave a closed mouth smile.

  “Wow. I’m shocked. I am. I’m so glad that you and I are in the same room.”

  Frank stared at his son. It had been the first face to face he had with Johnny in forever. “Sit down, John.”

  Johnny nodded and sat.

  Frank joined him. “Tea?”

  “Yeah, please.”

  Frank poured him some then watched Johnny sip it straight. “No sugar?”

  “No this stuff is good.”

  Frank shuddered.

  Johnny chuckled. “It’s good to see you, Dad.”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m good. Headaches have stopped.”

  The waitress approached. “I take your order?”

  “Um, yeah,” Frank handed her the menu. “Just give us the sampler. We’ll split it.”

  “Yes.” She nodded once and walked away.

  “Good choice,” Johnny said.

  “Have you had those Crisquits?”

  “Yeah, they’re awesome. Haven’t you?”

  “I haven’t been able to bring myself to eat them. I keep thinking of the movie Soylent Green, and wonder where all the dead Creedvillians go.”

  “That’s funny. Wait until you taste them.”

  “So, John.” Frank folded his hands. “Lars is gone. Did you know that?”

  “Yeah. He told me he was leaving. Tigger, too.”

  “I’m gonna have you come to Beginnings to see Dean tomorrow. Someone will pick you up. Let him examine you, scan you and do what he needs to do.”

  “Dad," Johnny chuckled. “I just saw Dean ten days ago.”

  “I know. But ….he’s had some sort of revelation lately. I don’t know what. But he’s on the ball with things. I want to see if he has a different view.”

  Johnny shrugged. “Ok. Sure.”

  Frank nodded. “Also George is returning. Did he talk to you?”

  “Yeah, he said something about starting an air force.”

  “Yep. You’ll have to be involved in that.”

  “I need to hone in my flying skills again.”

  “Absolutely. But you’ll be getting more responsibilities now. You’re needed.”

  “I’m here. For whatever is needed.” Johnny paused. “Dad, I need you to know something. I’ve … I’ve been having such a hard time with Pap’s death. I loved him and never meant him any harm. I never did. I can’t believe the things I did. The things I said. I wish to God the tumor would have killed me …”

  ‘John.” Frank held up his hand.

  “No, Dad. I mean it. I caused so much suffering. There were things I was in control of. Like telling George what was going on. But the other shit, I lost my mind.”

  “I know.”

  “Please, Dad. Please can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me? I love you so much. I’m sorry. I am so sorry. Please.”

  Frank’s jaw tensed as he connected eyes with Johnny. Johnny’s eyes had glazed over. He inhaled. “Johnny, I had a chance to talk to you in Lodi. I’ve had chances to speak to you here. It … I just needed time. No matter how angry I was with you. No matter how much I despised what you did. No matter how much forgiveness was not in my heart, I never … ever stopped loving you. I need you to know that.”

  Johnny’s head dropped with sob.

  “John.”

  A hard sniffle, and Johnny wiped his hand under his eyes. “Yeah.”

  “I love you. I’ve forgive you. It’s time to start mending.”

  Johnny sniffed again. “Thank you.” He stood up and stood before Frank.

  Frank stood, as well.

  They embraced.

  “I’ll never let you down again.” Johnny said within his hold. “I swear to you, I will never let you down again. I’ll make you proud of me. You’ll see.”

  Frank cupped the back of Johnny’s head and brought his lips to Johnny’s ear, whispering. “I love you. We’re good.” He kissed him on the cheek. “We’re good.” Inhaling deeply, Frank stepped back from the embrace, and smiled.

  The server approached. “Here is your sampler.” She set it on the table.

  “Wow, our sampler.” Frank said and the smile dropped from his face. “Its soylent green, red, blue and is that brown?”

  “Yeah.” Johnny sat down. “You have to try these.”

  Frank grumbled.

  “Dad, honest to God. OK. Take a red one. Close your eyes and take a bite. Chew it, let it absorb in your mouth and tell me what it tastes like.”

  “John, you like the tea …”

  ‘Just do it.”

  “Fine.” Frank grabbed a red cracker. He closed his eyes, hesitated, and then with a wincing face, took a bite. He chewed, paused, chewed, and opened his eyes. “I haven’t had this taste in my mouth for a while. It’s … hot wings.”

  “Yep.” Johnny nodded.

  “Holy fuck.” Frank ate the rest of the cracker. “What are the flavors of the other ones?”

  “Depends what day it is. See.” Johnny p
ointed to the wall. Each day the colors mean a different thing. Today red is wings, tomorrow red is pizza.”

  Frank nodded impressed. “Green is Caesar salad today, blue is blueberry pie …”

  “Blue is always a desert. Brown is beef.’

  Frank grabbed a brown Crisquits. “Fuck. How do they make them taste like it?”

  “I don’t know.” Johnny said. “It goes back to when the group formed after the plague. They did it so people could taste the old world food.”

  Frank finished his cracker and grabbed a green one. “How do they make them?”

  Johnny smiled. “Out of people.”

  <><><><>

  “Yahtzee,” Ellen said after making her roll. “I so rock at this game.”

  Elliott looked upon her curiously. “You rock at this game? What does that mean?”

  “It means I’m good.”

  “Yahtzee requires little skill. It’s all chance.”

  “How can you say that?” Ellen asked. “I have to decide what I’m going to roll for, don’t I, huh?”

  “Yes, but you don’t determine what is actually rolled. That is chance.”

  “Not really.”

  “How can you say ‘not really’?”

  “Because I estimate the odds of the dice that have rolled, the hands that I have rolled, and the odds of what I need to roll.”

  Elliott stared at her. “You are so full of shit.”

  “No, I’m not kidding.” Ellen paused. “Ok. I am. But Roy would.”

  At that second Roy walked into the living room. “Boy those children in there can be exciting and fun. Have you heard them speak about Forrest Ceceres? Alexandra imitates him wonderfully.”

  “Watch.” Ellen winked at Elliott. “Hey, uh, Dean. I just rolled two fives. I need three more. That are the chances of me rolling three fives in the next roll.”

  Roy nodded. He looked at the card at what she had rolled, and lifted Elliott’s card. “That would be one in four thousand, two hundred and twenty-one.”

  “Thanks,” Ellen said.

  “No problem. Good luck.” He walked back to the bedroom area.

  “Is he serious?” Elliott asked.

  “Oh yeah, very. He’s super smart. I mean all he had to do was learn when he was younger. No influence whatsoever.”

  “Why haven’t you shared much of what he has told you?”