“Thanks.” The Captain took the mask. “Stay back,” He instructed when the door opened. Placing his foot out first, the Captain stayed behind the doors and peered. “Clear.” With a motion of his head, he and Elliott stepped from the elevator. “Look, Elliott. Look how proficient.” The Captain pointed to a sign that greeted them immediately. The word ‘processing’ had an arrow indicating left. ‘Preparation and spoiling’ were to the right.
“They’ve been here too long to be in processing,” Elliott said.
“You’re right.” The Captain moved to the right. A single door with a small window was before them. Peering through the window but keeping out of sight, The Captain spotted guards in the long corridor. “Masks.” He placed his on.
“You or me?” Elliott adjusted his mask.
“You take this one. Ready?”
Elliott lifted the small gas canister. “Ready.”
The Captain grabbed the door handle. Slowly he nodded his head. On the third nod, he flung open the door and Elliott tossed in the can. The canister rolled down the hallway and stopped at the tip of the boot of a soldier. The soldier peered down and reached for it just as it exploded.
The Captain stood back against the closed door. He peered through the window, watching the soldiers drop. “Now.” Another grab of the door, rifle high, the Captain and Elliott barreled through. “Christ.” The Captain turned to walk backwards. Through the steam, only three doors were seen. “Elliott, I’ll take the far end. You take this one.”
“Got it,” Elliott said, watching the Captain race to the end of the corridor, and then he himself prepared to go in the room. He tried the knob first. Surprisingly, it was unlocked. He looked through the small window only to see a doctor walk by with a clipboard. Not seeing a guard, but not taking a chance, Elliott lifted a gas canister from his belt, placed his back against the wall, turned the knob, pushed the door open with his foot, and tossed in the gas. He counted. He waited and then rushed in. The moment he did, Elliott not only lost his weapon, he nearly lost his heart when the steam of the gas moved enough to expose the longest glass wall he had ever seen. But it wasn’t the glass wall that took Elliott aback. It was what was behind it.
“Elliott.” The Captain barreled in. “That was only ...” His speed and words slowed down. “…an office. Dear God,” He gasped.
Elliott could barely speak. His hand lifted in a point to the wall, then closing his eyes, he turned around. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think, I think numbers 72 through 75 are ours.”
Those numbers were near the end. Though struck with the painful vision, unlike Elliott, the Captain had to take a closer look. He stepped nearer to the glass wall. Reaching up, his fingers pressed against the pane of glass, the Captain looked inside. A large room, a lab. It was dark with the exception of the glow brought on by the digital displays and power lights that graced the bottom of each vat. Vats, thin, tubular and tall, filled the room. They were too numerous to count, too many to see them all. The only identification was a posted number near the bottom. Some of the vats stood upright, some vertical, and some on a slant. But every single one of them was not only filled with a clear effervescence fluid, but the bodies of women suspended by wires. Their bodies were nude, their heads shaven. The life signal display at the bottom of the vat indicated their vital signs, while the rapid blinking eyes and twitching body parts reiterated they were still alive.
“Are they?” Elliott asked with a crack to his voice flinging off his mask.
“I . . . I believe one is Rosemary, yes.” The Captain turned around, taking off his mask.
“What are they doing to them?”
“I don’t . . .” Before the Captain completed his answer he saw the clipboard still clenched in the hand of the scientist who lay upon the floor. He walked to it and lifted it. The first sheet told him nothing, but the second sheet made the Captain’s eyes grow wide.
“Captain? What are they doing with them?”
“Breeding.” The Captain swallowed and dropped the clipboard. “They’re all pregnant.”
“We can’t leave them. Is there any way we can save them?” Elliott asked.
Slowly the Captain looked back into the lab. Clearly he could see the small scar that graced above the left temple of every woman. “I don’t think there . . . yes. Yes there is. Stay here.”
“We don’t have much time. The gas will wear off. What are you doing?” Elliott asked, watching the Captain move to the door that led into the lab chamber.
“You’re right. I don’t have time to help them all. But I can at least save our women from this. I’ll be back.”
Elliott didn’t have to look to know what the Captain was doing. He listened to the Captain’s boots move slowly across the linoleum of the echoing lab.
The Captain approached the vats of numbers 72 through 75. He confirmed visually that they were indeed the women that had joined Elliott and him. And when he knew they were, the Captain took a deep breath, blinked long, blessed himself then raised his rifle.
Elliott’s eyes closed at the four sequences of sound, a single shot, a shattering of glass, and the ‘splash’ of rushing water. His head lowered and he prayed.
“Let’s go,” The Captain said with solace as he emerged from the lab.
Elliott followed. A few moans were heard in the hall along with something else, female screams and a pounding on a door. Immediately Elliott looked up. “The other door.”
The Captain rushed forward, his damp boots squeaking with every fast stride. His ears followed the pounding to the last door. After discovering the door was locked, Shoulder first the Captain backed up, and raced full speed into that door crashing it open.
A deep raspy scream shot out. “He’s one of them. Get him!” The woman blasted.
Before the Captain knew it, like a nightmare, a bald headed extremely husky woman in her forties, wearing only a hospital gown, barreled forth at him pummeling her body the Captain’s way. Her fist swung in a maddening way as she proceeded to beat upon the Captain.
“Run, ladies!” She ordered out.
Elliott flew in, only to find himself accosted by the six baldheaded women trying to make an escape.
Blocking the blows, The Captain managed to pump the chamber on his rifle, hopefully as a warning. But it didn’t do the trick as much as his loud yell. “Knock it off!” He screamed out. “We aren’t the bad guys here!” He grunted when one more fist careened into his back. He stood up enraged. “Leave my man alone!” He barked to the women who fought Elliott. “Christ Almighty!” He snapped. “Use some goddamn common sense. Would I break open the door if I was one of them!” He took a moment to gain his composure, and sweep back the long blonde strand of hair that fell in his face. He stood up. “Elliott, are you all right.”
“Um, yeah.” Elliott adjusted his bandana.
“Let’s go.” The Captain gave a wink that wasn’t seen by the women.
“O.K.” Elliott started to follow the Captain out.
“Wait!” The heavy woman screamed. “You cannot tell me you are leaving us here!”
“I am!” The Captain shouted back.
“Don’t you dare!” She growled at him stepping closer in an authority manner. “Our men would have not even thought about leaving us!”
There was something frightening about the woman. It wasn’t her size or the fact that she was shaved bald, it was the look of ‘mean’ written across her. The Captain, stern faced, engaged in a stare down with the scary bald woman whose name of ‘Grace’ far from fit her demeanor.
“Captain,” Elliott whispered. “We don’t have time. We have to go. Our men are waiting.”
“We stand firm.” Grace crossed her arms like a warden. “You will take us out of here. And take us right now!”
After taking a look at Grace and all of the women who tried to take on an intimidating stance in their hospital gowns, the Captain grinned. “O.K., you win.”
Out of the elevator onto the first floor, The Ca
ptain emerged first. “Clear.”
“Mister.” Mean, Grace tapped on The Captain’s shoulder. “It will be cold. Could you have at least found us clothes?”
“Quiet.” The Captain whispered then hid his snicker at her flapping hospital gown. “You look fine. Stay put.” Hurrying before the group, The Captain walked up to the reception window again. He tapped on the glass and the same doctor approached the window. The Captain made a signal of his hand for the doctor to slide the window open. When the doctor did, The Captain tossed in a gas canister, shut the window and held it. “Take them out, Elliott. Hurry.”
Elliott led the pack of women who seemed to pull a squeamish tip-toe escape dance as they made it down the hall. Waiting for Elliott and the seven women to pass him, The Captain, secure in knowing the doctor was passed out, left the reception window and brought up the rear of the group.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Beginnings, Montana
Ellen held the brown and white rabbit up to her eye level. “Nothing Dean. He still isn’t sick.” She handed him to Henry. “Play with him Henry, that’s our job now.”
Dean moved to his microscope. “It’s called research, Ellen. You have to have contact with all the rabbits or how else are we going to see if we’re carriers.”
Henry looked curiously at the rabbit. “But why do we have to touch them?”
“To see if we can spread the virus,” Dean explained.
“It’s very silly. Dean?” He lifted up the bunny less than gently then making motor sounds, Henry flew it around like an airplane. “They are so useless if they aren’t being used for research.”
“No, Henry. That . . .” Dean reached his hand out stopping him. “…is silly.”
Arms folded, Ellen walked up behind Dean. “Why am I in quarantine?”
“Ellen.” Dean took on disbelieving tone. “You know why.”
“In case we’re contagious. I know,” Ellen said. “But why am I here? I mean for all you use me for, playing with rabbits and typing your notes, anyone could have done that. I want to do more, Dean. But serious stuff,” Ellen explained. “Not just blood removal.”
“You’re right.” Dean took off his glasses. “I’ll tell you what. Here’s what you can start on for . . .”
“Robbie!” Ellen shrieked out with a smile when she noticed the faint knocking at the window. “Look, Robbie’s back!” she said excitedly and hurried out of the lab into the other room to see him. “Robbie.” She picked up the radio and stood close to the glass. “How was Cleveland?”
“Productive. How is quarantine?” He asked.
“Productive. We aren’t sick.” Ellen smiled at him.
“I don’t have much time. I have a meeting with my Dad. I can stop and see you later. But I just wanted to tell you, I brought you something.” He raised his eyebrow. “Actually, you are going to love it so much, you’ll drop my loser brother and be with me over it.”
“That good? You’re awfully sure of yourself.”
“I’m sure of you. So will you drop him?”
“If it’s that good, sure.” Ellen shrugged. “What is it?”
Robbie grinned. “Say goodbye to Frankie boy.” With a smack of his hand, he pressed to the window an open soap opera magazine. “Look what I got you, El.”
Ellen snickered. “Not enough to leave Frank for, but a nice gift. Thanks, Robbie. You know what?” She peered closer. “I think I have that issue. But I can use another.”
“No, El. Not the magazine. Him.” Robbie showed her the picture of the tall typically looking soap actor with dark hair, dimples, and a bright smile. “I got you him. I found him outside of Chicago.”
“You brought me Blake?” She snickered. “Nice tease, Robbie. In the savaged world you find a soap opera star?”
“Yep.” Robbie looked so pleased. “Bet me. Bet me, aside from you leaving Frank, bet me I got him for you.”
“I’ll bet you. If you didn’t get me Blake, you have to walk Mike the dog for a week.”
“You’re on, and if I did bring you Blake, as soon as you get out of quarantine, you have to sleep with me. And I don’t mean slumber party. I mean sleep with me. Sex, all night long.”
“You’re on.”
With a wide eyed, open mouth grin, Robbie held up one finger and stepped to the side. “I can feel the erection growing. Are you ready?” Looking--if it was possible--even more arrogant, Robbie pulled him into the window’s view. Blake. “Say hello Ellen.” Robbie handed the radio to Blake.
Hearing his soft ‘hello’ Ellen let out a loud scream, held up a hand to Robbie, and ran from the window’s view. She darted into the trailer next door, and into the bathroom to check her reflection. “Shit.” She raced back out into the mobile and straight to the special lab where Henry and Dean stood stunned at her running around. “How do I look?”
Thinking she was losing it, Dean answered. “Fine, Why?”
“Look at my present Robbie brought me. Look Henry.” She pointed out.
Henry peered out the lab to the window. “Oh my God is that . . .”
“Yes.” Ellen said excitedly. “Robbie brought him for me.”
Dean snickered at Robbie who stood with the new survivor. “Your brother in law brought you a person as a gift.”
“Not just a person, Dean.” Ellen laid her hands on his arms. “A soap opera god. Blake is in Beginnings. And he’s mine!” She raced back into the other lab and grabbed the radio. “Robbie this is the best present you ever brought me back. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. But I have to go. He’ll be in containment waiting for you, El.”
“You’re the best. And don’t let Jenny Matoose near him. You know how she is.”
Giving a thumbs up to Ellen and a shot of his center finger to Henry who watched from the special lab, Robbie laughed, and with Blake, left Ellen a happy woman--quarantined--but happy.
^^^^
“Frank!” Joe tossed a pencil harshly across his desk, hitting Frank in the head. “Will you stop biting your nails?”
“Sorry. I get edgy. I have things to do and I’m just sitting here.” Frank slumped shifting his eyes over to Jason who looked as if he was hiding a smile. “What? What’s so funny?”
Jason crossed his legs and tapped his fingers together. “You are such an uptight individual, Frank. You really are.”
“Dad, why is this man here?”
“You brother requested him.” Joe answered that question. “Not that I have to answer to you, mind you.”
Frank arrogantly scoffed his face. “But you are gonna have to answer to my wife on why you were fooling around on her desk. And where is Robbie? I have things to do.”
A breeze of soon-to-be-winter air came in through the opening door. “Right here,” Robbie said. “Hey bright boy.” He smacked Frank on the back of the head. “Sorry I’m late Dad. I brought Ellen her surprise to see.”
Frank curled his lip, looking up at Robbie. “Did she like him?” He asked in a sulk.
“Loved him. She was hysterical. She didn’t believe me at first because I had the guy hidden.” Robbie snapped his finger. “Say, uh, Frank. While I’m thinking about it, she made a bet with me that I didn’t have him. Can you make sure she pays up? I mean, she would have made me walk Mike the dog for a week. Can you?”
“I’ll make sure she doesn’t welsh. And speaking of that Mike guy, why do you allow that. You run containment with her. Why do we have a man who thinks he’s a dog still in Beginnings?”
Robbie snickered. “Frank, it’s funny. Besides, he’s Ellen’s pet. I can’t take her dog from her.” He began to search for a chair, gave up, and sat on the edge of Joe’s desk. “Let’s start.” He clapped his hands together.
Joe, hand on chin, leaned back staring perturbed at his very upbeat son. “Robert. This better be good for all the Frank dramatics you’re pulling.”
“What?” Frank looked up.
Joe waved his hand at Frank. “Go on, Robbie.”
“O.K.�
� Robbie smoothed out his hands on the air. “I had a great trip. A very successful trip. I brought Ellen back her personal soap star. I brought back a SUT.”
Joe rolled his eyes. “In a dress. Now what was the meaning behind that?”
Robbie snickered. “It was funny. Frank, wasn’t it funny?”
“I have to admit, he looked funny. Dad?” Frank turned to Joe. “I have that SUT locked in holding. Are we keeping him drugged or let him bang against that wall like he’s been doing for an hour?”
Joe didn’t know. “Jason, you’re a doctor. What do you think?”
Jason thought about it. “Is he banging his head, Frank, or just his body?”
Frank shrugged. “Body I think.”
“Then let him go.” Jason waved his hand.
Joe shook his head. “Robbie. Not impressive. A SUT in a dress. A man with no skills, except to probably get the women in an uproar, and a very large collection of obscene pornography.”
“Yeah,” Frank said. “Where’s the horseshoe?”
“Frank!” Joe yelled with a bang of his hand. “Your brother didn’t bring back a goddamn horseshoe. He said he brought good fortune.”
“And I did,” Robbie said.
“Ha!” Frank pointed. “See. See. Told you.”
Joe grumbled. Jason laughed. Frank gloated until he saw Robbie reach into his pocket and pull out that small article.
Robbie handed it to Joe. “Our next trip, our next step,” He grinned widely, Is searching for answers on when the scientist got here. I think this may be our biggest lead yet. At the very least, it will tell us what we have that the scientist want. Check it out.”
“What is it?” Frank asked.
“Son of a bitch.” Joe smiled. “This really could be it.”
“What?” Frank asked again.
“It is.” Robbie said. “Look at the date. The coincidences. A tiny article hidden in Chester’s things. It has to mean something.”
State of Time: Beginnings Series Book 6 Page 15