Consigning Fate: Beginnings Series Book 23

by Jacqueline Druga

  But just so he didn’t get any more annoying calls, he was going to go. Besides, he had to take Frank back to town so the truck was left behind for George and John Matoose.

  Usually Hal didn’t keep tabs on Elliott. Sgt. Ryder took care of business and rarely did Hal need to find him.

  But looking for Elliott was searching for a needle in a haystack. Everyone had seen him, no one knew when it was, but they heard he went there …

  Hal knew Elliott didn’t leave Bowman, he always checked in before doing so.

  He had to be sleeping or doing something secretive. After checking his home and his hideaway musical spot, Hal gave up. Elliott was just going to have to miss the super-secret meeting.

  Frank was waiting at the schoolhouse where George was conducting his first session of the new Air Force.

  A battalion of men who wanted to learn not only to fly, but to be part of the new team.

  Hal had heard there were only thirty-two men.

  Despite how disappointed Frank conveyed that George was, Hal wasn’t. It was a good start.

  The only teachers they had were George, Robbie, John, Johnny, and Jesse.

  And George was pretty much going to be in charge of getting the planes ready and overseeing the instruction.

  Hal didn’t know how he felt about Johnny being in his town, but Johnny was an awesome pilot and as war time approached, Johnny’s talents were needed.

  Admittedly, Hal was pretty excited about the simulators that would be brought in within the next week.

  He, too, wanted to try those.

  He arrived at the school house, removing his bandana before he entered.

  Classroom 115. Not far down the hall, and he could actually hear George speaking. He talked about timetables and how it was dangerous. How each man selected had to be a fast learner, and not every man who applied would be selected to go.

  Their dedication would have to be with the Air Force, because the Air Force was going to be a fighting force.

  Hal knocked once on the closed classroom door, and then entered. “Sorry to interrupt,” Hal said. “I came for …” he paused. Eyes shifting, he mumbled the finish of his sentence. “Frank.”

  He was surprised how crowded the classroom looked. But even more surprised to see Elliott Ryder seated in the first row.

  <><><><>

  “All right, all right already,” Robbie disconnected his call. “Jesus Christ.” He shook his head. Ellen was driving him nuts. What was so important?

  He was impressed with himself and the time he had made. Fifteen minutes till ten. Robbie not only finished his perimeter rounds, he filled out his reports as he did so.

  He had other plans in the afternoon, which didn’t include being stuck in an Ellen meeting.

  Just as he mind bitched, he thought about Jimmy.

  Jimmy was in the hospital. Maybe it had something to do with him.

  Then Robbie felt bad … just for a few seconds. The he realized if it was about Jimmy, Ellen would have said so.

  He had a lot on his mind and plate. Including jealousy over Dean and Jason going to the 1980 Republican National Convention.

  They were using the machine and they weren’t supposed to … at least not without him.

  Jason explained that they had to in order to complete the mist gun.

  The mist gun.

  Robbie had to get that.

  Before it wasn’t as important, but after getting a call from Andrea in which she told him her and ‘Joe’ were having lunch in the park, Robbie had to get that gun.

  He wouldn’t use it while Andrea was around. But a sniper’s position on the Containment roof with infrared would afford him the chance to watch for an opportunity when his father was alone.

  OK, he thought. Fifteen minutes.

  He could make it out to the lab—five miles—head to the meeting and be on the roof by noon.

  All set.

  Until the jeep just stopped.

  He looked at the power indicator on the electric jeep.

  It wasn’t charged.

  “Fuck!” Robbie blurted out loudly. He had forgotten. He stepped from the jeep and yelled out again.

  Time.

  Ten minutes to.

  Robbie inhaled and thought. He was precisely half way.

  Two and a half miles to Beginnings. Two and a half miles to the lab.

  Either way he was going to be running behind.

  After a moment of debate, Robbie decided he would go to the lab. Run the remaining distance, and call for a ride back.

  That would work.

  He’d have to be late for Ellen’s little meeting.

  She’d deal with it.

  It was Ellen. It couldn’t be that important.

  <><><><>

  “To phrase it immaturely,” Hal griped, his voice echoing in the cryo tunnels as they walked to the communication room. “You suck, Elliott.”

  “But, Captain, in my defense.”

  “There is not defense here, Sgt. Ryder. You applied for a new position and did not afford me the courtesy of informing me.”

  “In my defense, Captain,” Elliott said. “You would have denied it.”

  “Of course I would. I still am,” Hal stated. “You will not join the Air Force. You have an obligation to me and the UWA. You will fulfill that obligation. I would demote but that would give you reason to join. You are my right hand man; to train someone at this point would be pointless.”

  ‘What about Manis.”

  “Manis is not you,” Hal said sharp.

  “I want to fly, Captain.”

  “Then Good God, learn to fly. But that doesn’t mean you have to join the Air Force.”

  “It does if I want the instruction.”

  “Fly with Frank. He’ll teach you.”

  “Begging your pardon, Captain, but have you ever flown with Frank?”

  Frank, who had been walking silently behind them, enjoying the exchange, spoke up. “What’s wrong with the way I fly? I’ll teach you, Ryder.”

  “There you have it,” Hal said. “He’ll teach you.”

  “Fine. I won’t join the Air Force.”

  “I know you won’t.”

  “Hal,” Frank spoke. ‘You’re being a dick.”

  “And I would appreciate it, big brother if you did not undermine my authority in front of my man.”

  “I thought this was more personal than business,” Frank lifted his hands. “I’m sorry. That was wrong. Even though I am the president …”

  ‘Oh, shut up.” Hal braked and opened the communications room door.

  Ellen stood by the console, Danny Hoi seated. “Glad you guys could make it. You’re right on time.”

  Frank shut the door. “We didn’t want another phone call.”

  “That’s for sure,” Hal added. “Where’s Robbie.”

  “I don’t know. That’s a sore spot. He called to say he’d be late. But I’m not gonna wait. This can’t wait. Especially now.”

  Frank asked. “What do you mean?”

  “We’ve had a development. One we didn’t expect,” Ellen said. “But first there is someone I want you all to meet.”

  At that instant, from behind the coffee area, Roy emerged.

  Frank laughed. “We know Dean, El.”

  “Yes, Ellen,” Hal stated. “This is not a new person.”

  “Yeah it is,” She said. “I want you all to meet Roy. Roy … knows. He knows all of you know he is the clone.” She paused. “I told him.”

  <><><><>

  He wasn’t out of breath. Not quite. Just about at the lab, when the trailer was in his sights, Robbie called Dan for a lift. Dan told him it would be about twenty minutes and he’d be right there.

  Ten minutes wasn’t bad.

  It was so isolated at the area when there were no jeeps. No noises, the birds seemed to sing and chirp just a bit louder.

  He opened the door to the lab, and went inside.

  He chuckled at the blue and red toy gun on the
counter and how secretive Jason was. A note attached told Robbie to use the liquid inside wisely. There wasn’t much.

  Not a problem. The gun, which was about eight inches long had hook—obviously recently glued to it—and it latched on his belt. After, of course, giving it a few pumps for action.

  He wondered how ridiculous he would look if someone saw it. What would he say? How would he explain it? Maybe he would claim it had salt water in it for birds near the fences.

  Yes, that was it.

  Deciding he’d go outside and have a cigarette, Robbie turned for the door.

  Sound traveled in the eerily quiet section of Beginnings. Perhaps that was why Robbie heard it so well.

  There was no mistake.

  A flushing toilet.

  It came from the trailer next door, the one connected and that made sense considering the bathroom was close to the connection.

  Robbie, quietly walked to the where a sheet of plywood hung where a door used to be. He leaned closer.

  He heard a footstep.

  Someone was over there?

  Obviously, they didn’t know Robbie was in the lab. How could they. He was quiet and he didn’t drive.

  Just when he thought about who would be in the trailer, Robbie froze. And with his thoughts, he quietly and quickly raced from the lab.

  <><><><>

  Danny Hoi leaned back in his chair without saying a word. Slightly rocking, a look of enjoyment mixed with smug look across his face.

  He listened and took it all in as the two Slagel brothers, along with Elliott Ryder questioned her. Seemingly all at the same time.

  Ellen was smug, as well.

  Danny knew they’d all shut up and pay attention once she spoke.

  They did.

  Ellen explained how and why she told Roy. And that it didn’t need to leave the circle of those who knew about his true identity, the community could still believe it if they needed. But they could get more out of Roy if they were upfront with him.

  Dean still needed to remain hidden.

  There was a reason.

  The floor was Roy’s.

  “I was stuck, because I made too many time trips to the same time frame,” Roy explained. “Things kept messing up and on the final trip; I believe I got it to where I needed to be.”

  Frank asked, point blank. “What role did you play in our father’s death?”

  “I did not kill your father,” Roy said. “I played a role, yes, but … I did not kill him. There is a reason. If I tell you my role and the reason that could influence too much. I cannot,” He spoke passionately. “For the sake of your future and the future of this country, divulge what it is. Please believe me when I say it was done for the good of all. I believe, but I don’t know, that the future is better. It can only remain better if the new course of events occur. If certain errors are not made.”

  Frank asked. “Do you know what the errors were?”

  Roy shook his head. “Not why they were made, just where they occurred. There is one specific time point I am waiting for. I cannot say anymore. I can only say, right now, on this course, the right decision will be made.”

  “When you reach that point,” Hal said. “Will you tell us more?”

  Roy nodded. “Once I reach the point, where I believe the major error occurred and that error was fixed, then I will say more.” He held up his hand. “Don’t ask when or what. Please. Just... trust me on this one. I will be as helpful as I can without being influential.”

  Ellen spoke. “It’s vital. That’s what I’m getting. I don’t need to know details to understand it is our future. And it has to do with this war that’s about to happen. Jason had you guys start working on this system because he felt this system could add a great defense. Knowing what’s coming before it gets here. Obviously that was a tool that we didn’t have in the other future. But we’re wasting time. Jimmy is trying his hardest but he is moving at a normal pace. We needed abnormal,” She shrugged. “Sorry Roy.”

  Danny took over. “Roy figured out the entire system and got it up and running this morning.”

  Frank’s excited, ‘Holy shit’ matched that of Hal’s and they rushed forward.

  “The system figured out?” Frank asked. “Is that the reason for the meeting?”

  “Was,” Danny answered. “He got it running this morning. About forty minutes ago, he broke the scanning code for the air sea and surface scanning. We put in a radius of 1,000 miles…”

  Elliott’s phone rang. It was a weird ring that caught everyone’s attention.

  He immediately grabbed his phone. “I must take it. It’s Roberts our scout.”

  “The scout following those men?” Danny asked.

  Elliott nodded.

  “Perfect. Take the call,” Danny said.

  The curious looks tossed Danny’s way were ignored, because Danny watched Elliott Ryder.

  “Yes, Corporal Roberts.” Elliott’s eyes dimmed. He spun a pivot to the room. “Hold.” He covered the phone. “We may have a problem.”

  Danny said. “Yeah we do. Roy?”

  Roy took a seat.

  “What’s going on?” Hal asked.

  Elliott answered. “The scouts followed the ten men. They arrived at their destination.”

  “And?”

  “It’s not good.”

  Hal grunted in frustration. “Explain. What are they saying?”

  “He’s rambling.”

  “Calm him.”

  “Roberts,” Elliott snapped. “Give me straight facts.” He listened, nodded, wrote down. “Where …”

  Before Elliott could write anything down, a steady beeping, alarm style caught everyone’s attention.

  Danny asked, “Find out if it’s is due north of Beginnings.”

  Elliott answered. “They are saying three hundred and ninety miles north of Beginnings.”

  Danny corrected. “It’s 404 to be exact. The first camp.”

  Frank exhaled in a calm manner, hands on hips and walked to the board. “Fuck me.”

  Above Beginnings, there were four pockets of lights. Three small. One large.

  Elliott conveyed his message as he received. “Roberts reports three company size elements set, ten miles apart from each other., one medium size GP at each, 15 two man GPs.”

  Danny explained, ‘that’s pretty accurate to what we’re getting, too.”

  Elliott furthered. “Twenty miles north is a bigger one. Uniformed soldiers, heavy artillery, weapons, there’s a whole list.” He returned to his scout. “Get me as much detail as you can. I’ll call you back. Good job.” He hung up. “Frank.” Elliott sighed out. “Scout reports the fourth camp is huge. I’ll get more details later. But he conveyed to remember Kuwait.”

  Frank spun to Elliott then to the board. “Danny?”

  “This is what popped up. Nothing Air. Nothing Sea. But land …” Danny whistled. “The scout can get direct details but I can tell you this. The computer gives us approximates. We have over a thousand structures, over two hundred and fifty operating heavy vehicles, not to mention, at least ten 100mm towed weapons.”

  Calm, still calm, Frank stared at the board.

  Elliott gave a squeeze to Ellen’s shoulder. “Good thinking.”

  She nodded. “It’s scary.”

  Danny added. “Who knows if they would have moved or where they would have been by the time we got this up and running.”

  Frank asked, eyes still fixed. “You say it gives details.”

  Danny answered. “Yes.”

  “Can you print them?”

  “Yes.”

  Frank nodded. “How … how many men. Can we get that?”

  “Unfortunately …” Danny hesitated. “Yes.”

  Frank snapped a quick glance at Danny then returned to the board.

  Hal asked. “How many?”

  Danny swallowed. “Biological count is 2455.”

  “2455 troops?” Hal asked.

  Danny nodded.

  “Good God
.”

  Another nod, a calm one, Frank stepped away from the board. “Run me the reports I want as many details as you possibly can get me. Roy can you expand the scan?”

  “I can go three thousand miles. That’s it.”

  Frank sniffed slowly in thought through his nostrils. “That should get us the Gulf. Give me a land, air, and sea scan as soon as you run those details.”

  “Yes, Frank,” Roy began to work.

  “Frank?” Hal questioned. “What do you think?”

  “Same as you,” Frank replied. He stepped toward the console and stopped. “No one believed it. A part of us all didn’t think it was going to happen. But gentleman, I believe we're looking right now …” He faced the board. “At the start of the Great War.”

  <><><><>

  Timing was imperative. Not only in what he did, but in the time of day. Robbie couldn’t be sure that Dan would be exactly twenty minutes. When he raced quietly from the lab, he immediately turned his phone on silent. The blinds on the trailer were drawn and Robbie couldn’t see inside.

  He positioned himself by the door, waiting, hoping, whoever was inside would come out.

  It was apparent they didn’t know Robbie was there. No jeep. No indication.

  Robbie kept his eyes on the front door. He couldn’t look at his watch, turn away for a second. He didn’t want to miss a thing.

  His phone buzzed insidiously on his hip.

  Who was calling he didn’t know. His gut told him what he was doing, right there, was most important.

  His phone kept buzzing. Vibrating.

  He whispered the word ‘fuck’ in his mind several times.

  Wanting the person to leave him alone.

  A reprieve.

  The phone vibrated again.

  Robbie bit his lip. Growing more aggravated by the second.

  How long had he been waiting by the front door, his back against the trailer so as not to be seen.

  Ten minutes? Fifteen?

  Dan would be there so and his efforts would be in vain if the jeep was heard coming.

  It was quiet. Too quiet.