State of Time: Beginnings Series Book 6

by Jacqueline Druga

  “What is?” Elliott waited for a response. “Captain?”

  The Captain blinked several times out of his thought. “Oh. Sadistic bastard who sailed this,” he said as he handed the arrow to Elliott, “etched his initials in the head.”

  Elliott snickered and looked at the engraved ‘FS’. Taking the arrow, Elliott reached behind him and slipped it in the knapsack. He followed the Captain through the gate. Five bodies, decomposed, all slain with arrows, lay just inside the gate.

  “A well thought out attack,” the Captain said. “See these tires tracks? My guess is the few they had to bring the Garfield Project in here, so they pulled a sneak hit, wiped out the place, and then drove in for whatever they needed.” He reached down for an arrow that protruded from the chest of one of the Society soldiers. He withdrew it with ease. Bits of dried blood formed a dust cloud. The Captain examined the arrow head. “Same type of arrow. No initials.”

  Elliott laughed as he took that one as well. “Wasn’t the same sadistic bastard then.”

  “No.” The Captain peered ahead to the tunnel opening. “Flashlights,” he said as they headed that way. Once at the entrance, he flicked his on at the same time as Elliott and they began their decent down the tunnel. “How many floors?”

  “Twenty-seven.”

  “Top floors or bottom.”

  “Top.”

  “I want top,” the Captain said.

  “So do I. All the good stuff should be up top.”

  “All right,” the Captain huffed. “Odd or even.”

  “Odd.” Elliott paused in his walking when the Captain did. He clenched his fist shaking it downward with each word he spoke. “Once, twice, three, shake . . .” He whined. “You win.”

  “Remember to gather anything you feel is important to this enemy, the Garfield project, or the society. Examine every slip of paper no matter how tiny.”

  “I know. I know. I won’t . . .” Whoa!” Elliott halted when the Captain’s arm swung out like a father’s protective arm in a stopping car. “What?”

  The Captain’s eyes widened as his flashlight shined upon a thick and texturized pink ooze that seemingly seeped downward toward a drain. Its path of origin was the small brownish dehydrated mounds with recognizable bones and a society soldier uniform that lay on top of it.

  With excitement, the Captain snapped his fingers several times and pointed. His words peeped his enthusiasm. “This is it! Elliott this is what the Garfield Project does. It disintegrates the human body.”

  “It’s frightening.”

  “It’s powerful. No wonder the society wants it so badly.” The beam of the Captain’s flashlight lifted. “Wait.” He jumped over the remains and trotted down. Against the wall was a small silver gas can. He lifted it. “This is how it was delivered.”

  “There’s another,” Elliott pointed then shifted his flashlight quickly, “and another.”

  The Captain hurried to gather the three cans. He placed them in his own knapsack.

  “Oh you’re just taking them as your find, aren’t you?” Elliott joked a gripe. “Fine. Be that way. There’s the elevator.” He pointed and walked over to the steel doors. Two more body piles laid there.

  The Captain pressed the still illuminated button. “Amazing there is still power. I’ll start on floor two. You start floor twenty-seven, whenever we meet up, we meet up.”

  “Sounds good.” Elliot could hear the humming of the arriving carriage.

  “Bet me they slipped The Garfield Project through the ventilation system. This place is too big to keep tossing gas cans.”

  The doors to the elevator opened and Elliott looked at the Captain when they were greeted with more carnage, those ones smeared across the floor of the elevator as if swept out of the way. “You may be right. After you?” Elliott held out his hand through the open door.

  The Captain, with a smile stepped inside. He looked down to the smeared pile, shuddered a second, then chuckled. As Elliott stepped in with a cringe and the doors closed, the Captain began to hum elevator music.

  ^^^^

  Beginnings, Montana

  Dean and Ellen’s faces were lit up by the blue hue cast off from the light board they stood before. A line of brain scan shots were on the board.

  “Nearest I can figure . . .” Dean indicated to one of the pictures. “This is the problem area.”

  “I’m not seeing anything. Some clouding.” Ellen peered closer.

  “Exactly. Which had we not previously known of my pending blindness, we would dismiss the clouding,” Dean said. “It’s not my eyes. It’s not the optic nerve. It’s my brain. This area here,” Dean showed another picture, “is healing which means, the more it heals, the more scar tissue forms.”

  Ellen finished the statement, “The more scar tissue, the harder it is for the brain to receive the message from the optic nerve.”

  “If the brain doesn’t receive the message that I see . . . basically, I don’t see.” Dean shut off the board. “My guess, a few months tops. Gradual, maybe some episodes, until it finally goes.”

  “What about surgery to repair the scar tissue, remove it?”

  Dean shook his head. “It was delicate surgery in the old world for experts. I’d rather have my mind, then my sight. It’s real. It’s basically inevitable. So we have to start training you. While, non-the-less, we fight this virus.” He let out a breath. “Enough of me. Let’s get you ready. Did you drink your water?”

  “Yes.” Ellen walked over to the table in the examining room, “I feel like doing that wiggle tarantism dance.”

  “Unfortunately I can’t tell you to go to the bathroom. Why don’t you lay down and we’ll do this as soon as Frank and Henry get here.”

  Ellen lay down an begin to undo her pants. She lifted her shirt. “I think we should do it before Pete and Repeat arrive.”

  “Too late,” Frank announced as he walked in. Henry followed right behind.

  Dean covered Ellen to just below her stomach with a sheet. “Just in time.” He moved to the other side of the table where the ultrasound machine was. “We can start this now.” He squirted the gel substance on Ellen’s stomach.

  Henry walked to right beside Ellen’s head. “I’m excited about this.”

  Perturbed, Frank moved closer. “Henry you have to move. I can’t see. I want to see my baby first.”

  Dean looked up, “My baby.”

  “Fuck you Dean, my baby,” Frank said.

  “Our baby, Frank,” Henry corrected. “You said it was our baby.”

  “Yeah, see. I’m being generous,” Frank stated. “So move your body so I can see.”

  Dean stopped before he lowered the wand to Ellen’s stomach. “I’ll tell you what. Both of you pull up a chair . . . now please.” He watched them scurry like it was a game, and fight for a position to see the ultrasound machine. Henry stayed by Ellen’s head. Frank, pouting, sat at her legs. “Thank you. Now just to stop any arguments . . .” He turned the machine away from them and snickered at both of their ‘Hey’s!’. “I’ll see the baby first and show you both when I’m done.”

  Robbie’s ‘hey, am I too late’ was accompanied by his usual grin.

  “Robbie,” Frank snapped, “what the fuck?”’

  “El invited me. We’re roommates, you know. Hey, El.” He paused to kiss her on the cheek. “Did any of you guys realize we move in today?” He walked around the table. To the floor he plopped, crossing his legs, and peering up to the ultrasound machine like a kid watching television. “Yeah, today’s the day I officially steal her from Dean.”

  Henry shook his head. “He thinks he’s funny, Frank. He’s not. Go on Dean.”

  Frank scooted his chair closer and placed both his hands on Ellen’s legs. His fingers moved some and hand glided slightly, maybe out of nervousness, maybe out of habit.

  Dean moved the wand across Ellen’s stomach and Robbie’s ‘oh wow’ was the announcement that the baby was in view.

  Frank flung his head ba
ck. “Why does he get to see it first? It’s my baby.”

  “My baby,” Dean stated and clicked the wand. “And the baby looks good. Measuring normal, El. I’m still going to go with my first due date of August 18th. The baby looks great, the heart is great and the . . . hey!” He smiled. “It’s another boy.”

  Happy and surprised, Frank stood up. “No way.”

  “Yep.” Dean nodded. “It’s a boy. Another boy El.”

  Robbie sprang to his feet. “A boy. Cool.”

  Though Henry was happier that the baby was fine, he was curious about the gender information. “Dean? How can you tell?” He felt Frank backhand him. “Ow, Frank, what?”

  “What do you mean how can he tell? Henry?” Frank motioned his head downward. “It shows.”

  “What shows?” Henry asks.

  Frank flung his head back. “And they call me stupid. It shows, the difference between boys and girls.”

  “Oh.” It dawned on Henry. “How can you see it, isn’t the baby only like five inches big.”

  Frank had the answer to that. “It’s a Slagel.”

  Ellen started to laugh and wiggled. “No Frank, stop. I said I have to go.”

  Frank scoffed at her. “Anyway Henry, Dean saw the difference.”

  “No way?” Henry looked at Dean. “Really, you can see it?”

  “Yep.” Dean turned the ultrasound and made the arrow indicator on the screen point to the correct area. “Let me close in on it.”

  Henry walked around with Frank, closer to the screen. They, along with Robbie, peered over Dean’s shoulder.

  “Can we hurry this please?” Ellen beckoned but was ignored. “I have to go.”

  Henry shook his head looking at the monitor. “That’s a penis? That doesn’t look like a penis, Dean. Are you sure?”

  Robbie nodded, “Looks like a penis to me.”

  “I’m not seeing it.” Henry turned again. “It looks like a blur or something. It certainly doesn’t look like a penis. I think it’s a girl.”

  Frank nudged Henry. “Henry, it’s a penis. Dean can see these things through his doctor vision. It doesn’t look like one because it’s still forming--I guess.”

  Henry watched Dean zoom out to bring the baby in full view. “It doesn’t even look like a baby to . . .” Henry paused when the call of his name from Joe over the radio was heard. He picked it up. “Yeah, Joe.”

  “Henry,” Joe said, “can I get you to meet me up at the quantum lab now? It’s important.”

  “Sure, Joe. I’m on my way.” Hooking the radio on his belt, Henry stepped back. “I have to go. This . . . this was really nice.” He took a second to kiss Ellen on the cheek and pat Frank on the back. “This means so much to me, it really does. I don’t know how to thank you guys.”

  Frank smiled a peaceful smile. “No thanks needed, Henry. In fact, I’ll get Dean to snap you off a picture to keep. How’s that?”

  “That would be so great. Ultrasound. The pregnancy. The delivery. Frank . . . you’re the best friend a guy could have.” Looking emotionally choked up, Henry turned and left the room.

  Robbie shook his head when Henry left. “Bet me he pukes during the birth.”

  Dean gazed to his right, meeting up with the dark eyes that peered so closely over his shoulder. “Frank? You really want me to snap off a picture for Henry?”

  “Yeah,” Frank nodded, “but you know what you should do, Dean? You should find something else inside of Ellen, take a picture of that and give to Henry. Bet me he never knows.”

  Frank and Robbie’s sadistic brother laughter, along with Dean’s look of debate, made Ellen plop her head back deep into the pillow. She just wanted to go.

  ^^^^

  “Oh my God!” Henry exclaimed as the door to the quantum lab opened and he and Joe stepped inside. “Oh my God!”

  “Henry pipe down,” Joe scolded, “and pull your shirt down. It’s not that bad in here.”

  “It’s awful, Joe.” Henry had the collar of his shirt over his nose. “I think I’m going to throw up. You know my stomach. You said they cleaned up in here.”

  “So it smells.” Joe looked for Jason and Forrest. “Now where in the hell are they?”

  “Probably running from this odor.” Henry’s eyes watered. “I hope they make this fast.”

  Jason and Forrest emerged from the back room. They looked shaved and fresh.

  Waving his hand in front of his nose, Jason walked closer. “My goodness does it smell bad in here. Hard to tell when we weren’t as clean.”

  Forrest agreed, pinching his nose. “It is hud to believe dat we lived luck dis. An-ray?”

  “Um yeah Forrest. Hurry up.” Henry paced antsy.

  “Are you ruddy ta watch wooed you could note do?”

  “Um . . . yeah sure.” Henry moved to a window and opened it. “I’ll just stand over here.”

  Joe snickered at Henry and watched Jason prepare the computer. “So this is the big test Jason? This is to see if Forrest actually fixed the machine.”

  “No Joe,” Henry gagged as he argued from the window. “I fixed it. Forrest is working on a new power supply that works with it.”

  Forrest held up one finger. “It is true. An-ray, dud fax the computer. Boot, with my new power supply it will run always. No mo chancing running out of power. Oui Jay-soon?”

  “No.” Jason typed. “I don’t think the harnessing of power is going to make a difference. However if it does, we’re hooked up for whenever we do need the machine. And on that, let’s settle this bet. First test of system. Hand me . . . Bunny fu-fu,” Jason spoke to Forrest.

  Forrest laid the rabbit in place. “Are you ruddy to loose de butt Jay-soon?”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Jason typed. “Blow it out your ass Forrest.”

  “Blew it ut my es? What es dis, some suck American humor.” Forrest nodded. “Do it.”

  Jason placed the program. “We have really simplified this. Working or not, even Josephine could run this now.” With the final stroke of the keyboard, Jason took a deep breath. The archway illuminated and the rabbit disappeared. Silence, not cheers, at the moment filled the room for a few seconds The doorway lit back up and the rabbit hopped out. Still skeptical, Jason walked to the rabbit, picking him up. A note hung around his neck. Laying the rabbit on the counter, Jason smacked away Forrest’s reaching hand and read the note. “It says two words and it’s from myself.” Jason looked around. “It works.”

  Forrest began jumping his little body up and down. “I wean de butt. I wean de butt. Ha! Jay-soon, I wean de butt.”

  Jason flipped Forrest off.

  With an excited ‘yes!’ Joe also did a little jump. “We’re back on track. Jason, can we do this trip we’ve been practicing for? I mean right away?”

  “I don’t see why not,” Jason shrugged. “A few more tests to confirm our repairs and we can go tomorrow.”

  Henry would have been ecstatic like Joe and everyone else, but he gagged his last gag. “Uh this is great. I have to get out.”

  Joe snapped his finger stopping Henry before he left. “Head to my office tonight. I’m getting everyone together.”

  With a nod and his shirt still over his nose, Henry made a dash for the door. “I’ll be there. But first . . .” He didn’t make it far outside before he lost everything he had consumed that day on the grassy area outside the lab.

  ^^^^

  Former Quantico Marine Headquarters

  “I want you to name them,” George requested of Jess Boyens who sat straight, like a perfect soldier before him, “first and last names of those who are vital to befriend. Start at the top.”

  “Joe Slagel. Leader of Beginnings Montana.”

  “Tell me about Joe.”

  “Fifty nine year old Caucasian male. Before the plague worked for the United States Central Intelligence for twenty years. Prior to that he served twelve years, active duty officer, a Captain, in the United States Army. Eight years Military intelligence. Four sons, Frank, Robbie, Hal and Ja
mes. All Military men. All Army, with the exception of James. He was Navy, stationed in Norfolk at the time of the plague. Frank and Robbie survived the virus and reside in Beginnings.”

  “Who are you forgetting? You named Joe’s children. You forgot one.”

  Jess was confused. “He had a child that died at birth but . . .”

  “Nope.” George shook his head. “Ellen.”

  “She’s not his child.”

  George laughed, “And Joe Slagel would kick your ass for saying that. She’s as much his kid as the others. Now, see. You got all cocky. Screwed up. View the information tape again.” George looked up to the single knock on his door. “I am not to be disturbed!” he shouted. Again, another knock. George slammed his hand on the desk. “I am not to be . . .” He huffed and stood when Steward walked in. “Stew, didn’t you hear me? I am not to be disturbed.”

  Steward breathed heavily when he stepped inside. “Sorry. But we have problems. The Regressionator works again. Tomorrow is the trip.”

  George froze. Slowly he swiped his hand down his face and sighed heavily. “Get me our person . . . now.”

  ^^^^

  Mountain Springs, Colorado

  So much of nothing remained that Elliott had to wonder if the Captain was having as hard a time as he. Labs had been cleaned out that even scrap paper failed to remain. All that seemed to be consistently found were the mounds of disintegrated flesh. A product, Elliott knew, of the obvious Garfield Project weapon.

  It was also evident that the society had cleaned out more than their attacking enemy. The location of the remains seemed to be only in areas where furniture, lab equipment, and such still lingered. Only paper evidence was gone from those areas. The enemy of the society took only what they needed.

  It was a hunch that sent Elliott from the sixteenth floor back outside. A hunch obtained through a search of a small office. Two body piles laid there, both wearing lab coats along with a desk with the empty drawers open. He stopped mid search of that floor when he began to think. The society insisted through the log book, they left nothing vital. Yet, in a set up as big as the Colorado site, they couldn’t have taken it all. Why take minuscule papers that would take up valuable space? Knowing they couldn’t leave them, Elliott’s mind came up with no other deduction than the society destroyed them.