State of Time: Beginnings Series Book 6

by Jacqueline Druga

  Pounding in his chest, his breath thinning the nearer he stepped to her. Her head was down and from behind Elliott reached out his hand, laid it upon her shoulder and gently turned her to him, “Excuse . . .”

  The woman didn’t just scream. She cried out in terror stepping back from Elliott with her arms up and thrashing about. “Don’t touch me. Don’t touch me! It wasn’t her, Elliott’s lips moved slightly in a stutter. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I’m very sorry. He winced at the screaming that continued despite Dr. Blue’s trying to calmer. He watched them lead her off, perhaps to where she would feel comfortable, the House of women. But Elliot just stared until a slap to his back snapped him out.

  The Captain chuckled. “Ought to confirm to you, Elliott that you are not an attractive man.”

  “But I am a foolish man.”

  “Nah.” The Captain nudged him and smiled. “Not at all.” The Captain stepped back. “It’s a glorious day, isn’t it?”

  “It’s an insane day,” Elliott responded. “Where do you want me to be?”

  “Uniform distribution will work,” the Captain said as he started to walk away. “When you finish, find me. Owens says there are four survivors we need to talk to.”

  Curious, Elliott looked at him. “Did he say why?”

  The captain tossed his hands up. “Nope. But meet me in town hall when you’re done.” After a thumbs up, the Captain turned and walked away.

  If Elliott didn’t know the Captain as well as he did he would have a hard time understanding the Captains exhilaration over the chaotic nature of the street. After taking a moment to cringe, Elliot began to embark on the duties requested.

  ^^^^

  Vale, Oregon

  Robbie blew the last of his cigarette smoke from his mouth tossing his cigarette out to the side of the camp. “All right gentleman! Rise and shine. Let’s go. We’ve added yet one more stop to our long trip home.” He looked upon the sleeping men, fourteen of them, two of which were survivors. He shook his head, bent down to where he sat before, and grabbed his notebook. Walking more upbeat then he should be at the crack of dawn, Robbie moved to Greg who sat at a table with a map. “What’s up?” Robbie patted him on the back as he joined him at the small table.

  “Not much. Just planning where we are going to fuel up.”

  Robbie glanced over the map of Idaho. “How about near Boise? That’s what, thirty miles. That’ll keep us fueled for the sighting fifty miles further.”

  “Should we be doing this sighting Robbie? I’m worried about it. The men are wearing down. This adds another three days to our trip, swinging all the way around like this.”

  “We’re good on food, right?”

  Greg nodded, “Yes. But that’s if we don’t pick up anymore survivors. Robbie, the mood has dropped since our last hit. We hit them hard and good, but we lost two men.”

  “Yeah I know.” Robbie hung his head down. “But the Seattle site was a big one. How many scientists did we find? Three? All these runs we’ve done . . .” Robbie opened his notebook. “Fourteen, not including what we’ll hit today. And that was the first site we actually saw a lab. And what are we going to do? Head home, rest up, and head out again?”

  “Yes. We could have done that. Come on, the site is perched out of a small town. What are the odds of it being another lab site? Zero. We could have gone straight home and came back.”

  “Greg.” Robbie’s finger went down to the map. “Look at where it is. Idaho is here, Montana is right next to it. I don’t want to chance them moving more. Do you?”

  “No, I guess you’re right.” Greg closed up the map. “And it is a moving site so they won’t be ready. It should be easy for us.”

  “Good boy.” Robbie stood up. “Time to pack up and head on out.” He paused in his stride to the camp’s center. “Greg, cheer up. We’ll be home and back to that kid of yours soon, I promise.”

  “Yeah.” Greg nearly mumbled as Robbie walked off. “You said that last week. Why do I get the feeling I’m never going home.”

  ^^^^

  Beginnings. Montana

  Frank could hear the whistling as he approached his father’s office. It wasn’t anything he recognized, an erratic tune that made him wince as he opened up the door. Getting ready to plaster his father for not whistling anything good, Frank stopped stunned to see Forrest standing by the file cabinet. “Hey.”

  “Ah Frunk. How are you dis fun moaning.”

  “Uh, yeah it is isn’t it?” Frank shut the door. “What are you doing here, Forrest?”

  “I um hopping out you far-their. He asked if I cooed use my organ-ny-zay-shun skills. I said what da huck. Oui?”

  “We what?”

  “Oui, what da huck, I hop out.”

  “What the fuck?” Frank scratched his head.

  “No, what da huck uh said. I hop out Josef. What da huck.”

  “You mean hop out and scare him?” Frank titled his head clueless with his hands on his hips.

  “Aw!” Forrest waved his hand at him. “Never mund Frunk. I wheel go buck to what I was doing, oui?”

  “We what?”

  “Forget It.” Forrest went to the file cabinet.

  “You do that.” Frank turned around spinning on the heel of his boot when his father walked in. “Hey Dad, you’re late.”

  “I was down at the communications center. They were going a little crazy. I told everyone not to use the phones. But there’s something about Saturday mornings and telephones that make women go crazy. I had to shut them all down and start the phone back up to send my message.” He shook his head in disgust. “I thought you were setting traps?”

  “I will be.” Frank set his phone and clipboard on his desk. “I thought you told me you wanted a couple placed in special spots. You are supposed to have those mapped out. That’s why I’m here.”

  “Oh yeah.” Joe opened his desk drawer. “Here.”

  “Thanks.” Frank took the clipboard. “I saw El this morning. Have you seen her? She looks . . . she looks pale.”

  “I didn’t see her.” Joe walked around to his desk and sat down. “So you stopped by for breakfast again.”

  “Yeah.” Frank smiled. “Things are going good. She’s still not back fully with Dean, which surprises me. So I think, I’m thinking once this baby is born it may be time to move her out of Robbie’s place.” Frank cringed at Forrest’s bad note. “Forrest stop that.”

  “It bothers you Frunk, oui?’

  “We, yes. It bothers, we.” Frank rubbed his forehead. “Good thing I speak fluent French.” He pointed to Forrest. “He’s tough to interpret. And I have to get going on these traps. Oh.” He stopped before leaving. “Did you talk to Robbie?”

  “Yes. They should be hitting the last site in a few hours. They’ll be home in a couple days.”

  “Bringing any survivors with them?” Frank asked.

  “Two. You know it just amazes me that there are actually survivors who were willingly joined up with the society.” Joe shook his head. “Don’t they know?”

  “They don’t care. They see food, clothing and such, and they just don’t care what the cost is. And by the time they find out, ‘pop’ their brains are removed and they don’t know anyhow.”

  Joe winced. “You have a keen way of putting things.”

  “I’m the literary guy. And I’m the out of here, guy. Keep me posted.” Frank opened the door and walked out.

  Joe began to sift through his paperwork and paused when he saw it. “Shit.” He lifted up the one. Frank forgot this.”

  Forrest turned from the filing cabinet. “You want me to tuck it to him?”

  “Nah.” Joe pushed the phone aside. “He has his radio on if I need him.” Putting the phone down, Joe returned to his work.

  ^^^^

  Bowman, North Dakota

  The Captain had to nearly ream his boot into Elliott’s shin to stop the impolite snicker that came from him. After a warning shift of his views to Elliott, the captain, with a nice
smile, looked at Harry, a survivor they had picked up. “Utopia?” he swiped his hand down his face to remove a smile. “You’ve found it.”

  “No.” Harry’s voice was rough. “We are looking for Utopia. It exists. It really does.”

  “Sir,” The captain folded his hands. “What constitutes Utopia?”

  “Food. Fresh water. Medical attention. People.”

  “There you have it.” The Captain lifted his hand. “Us. You heard about us.”

  “We heard about Utopia from people who have been there and then thrown out. They have fields that flow for miles. Hospitals. They are civilized. We hear it’s the old world secured behind a wall.”

  The Captain’s eyes shifted to Elliott. Immediately he knew they were on the same wave length. The man must have heard about the society. “Harry.” The Captain took on a soothing voice, “This Utopia. They have ... they have what are called peace ambassadors. They spread the word that this place is good to go to. Join. But it isn’t. They are the ones we are fighting.”

  Harry shook his head and lifted a small blue knapsack. “Your men said we are fighting the ones with the ‘CS’ on their uniform. The people of Utopia are not the same. See.” He dumped the contents out on the table. Items included, jars, cigarettes, canteens, and shells. “We’ve been collecting evidence. Following a trail. And then we found this.” Harry lifted a white tee shirt with what looked like grease on it. “Captain, what is the name of your town?”

  “Bowman. Bowman North Dakota,” the Captain answered.

  “Then you are not Utopia. The people who made this are.” Harry handed the shirt to the Captain, making sure the little homemade tag showed.

  The Captain looked at the tag and the hand stitching on it. “Property of . . .” He showed it to Elliott with a curious look. “Beginnings, Montana?”

  ^^^^

  Nothing. Absolutely nothing but a busted radio was all Robbie and the men had found in what appeared to be a former campsite. The tracks indicated they were heading east. It was a start. Awaiting the return of his scout, Robbie rested against a tree. He wiped the sweat that formed on his brow from the heating up sun, enjoying the shade of the tree that protected him from a day that was on its way to being a scorcher.

  He unzipped his bag pulling out a new box of cigarettes and that’s when he saw it. It made him smile. Pulling out the square case, he read the label on it. “C.L.B.” Robbie spoke softly and opened the case. “Cyborg-genic Lobal Programming.” With a snicker, he removed the round disk object, placing his index finger in the center hole and letting the sun reflect of its smooth shininess. “Are you what Henry has been waiting for to help him with that chip?” Robbie smiled. “I’m willing to bet you are.” Staring in awe at his discovery, he spun it by its edges around his finger as if it were a top.

  “Robbie!” Greg called to him.

  “Yeah?” Robbie replaced the disk in the case and closed the lid. “What’s up?” He looked up at Greg squinting.

  “We have smoke. We saw some darkening of clouds and the scout confirmed that it is smoke, possibly a campfire.”

  Robbie jumped up. “Where?”

  “Ten or fifteen miles northeast of here we’re guessing,. We didn’t want to get too close without your go ahead. It has to be them.”

  “It has to be.” Robbie grabbed his bag. “Let’s get the men geared up and ready. We’ll take the trucks that way. Close in within four miles. Sound good?”

  “Yes.” Greg followed him as he walked. “From what we can tell, it’s over the hill in a deeply wooded area.”

  “Even better.” Robbie made it to the truck tossing his bag in. “They won’t be waiting for us. Gather up the men. Let’s go finish this trip off.” Excited and feeling motivated, Robbie wanted to get it done. He, like everyone else wanted to just head home.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  Beginnings, Montana

  “You’re making me worried, really worried Dean.” Ellen ran her hand down Dean’s arched back as he leaned so upset into the counter. “Please.”

  “El.” He shook his head. “Just read me what it says.”

  “Dean.” Ellen moved closer to him. “What is happening?”

  “Right now El, everything is blurry and I want to finish the tests.”

  Ellen rested her head against his, sensing how upset he was, wanting so much to help him. “I wish I could help you more than just reading what you need to see.”

  “At least the headaches aren’t as bad. They’re still bad, but not as bad.”

  “And it makes it all right?” She turned his face to her. “What are you going to do when Johnny gets here? No one knows but you and me.”

  “That’s why I want to finish this test now. Just in case it happens again. I don’t think it will though. It’s starting to subside.” He blinked several times. “And rarely do the episodes happen that close to one another.”

  Shaking her head, Ellen ran her hand down his face. “I am so worried. This has me so upset. There has to be something …”

  “Just let it go El.”

  “I’m not letting it go Dean. No.” She watched him stand upright and breathe slowly. “It is killing me watching you go through this and there’s nothing I can do. I can’t tell anyone. For six months this has been going on. We ran all those tests. Isn’t there anymore? Maybe it’s time that we bring in . . .”

  “El.” Dean laid his hands on her shoulders as he faced her. “No. No more tests. We know all there is to know about this, especially that it now, just a matter of time.” He walked away from her. “A matter of time.” He chuckled at that thought and shook his head. “Come on, let’s finish these up.”

  “Hey Doctor Dean.” Johnny walked in. “El.”

  Ellen kept her stare on Dean, seeing so much fear in his face. “Johnny, could you give us a minute please?”

  “Sure, I’ll go back . . .”

  “No,” Dean stopped him, “I want to finish this test right now.” Dean kissed Ellen on the cheek and whispered in her ear. “I’m fine. You’re not. You aren’t feeling well. Go home.” He kissed her again sliding his hand down her face. “All right?”

  Ellen nodded.

  “Doctor Dean, you want me to start on these samples?” Johnny asked.

  “Yeah, please John. I’m finishing this and then I’m reviewing. El?” Dean spun to face her. “There’s a stack of new tests over there. If you feel up to it, you think you can go through them at home?”

  “Sure,” Ellen agreed. “I don’t think I’m . . .” She smiled widely when the lab door opened. “Hi, Henry.”

  “El.” Henry grinning, walked up to her. His lips went to her cheek and his hand to her stomach. “You ready to go home?”

  “Yep,” Ellen answered. “Let me grab these folders Dean wants me to review and we’ll head out.”

  “Folders?” Henry turned to Dean. “Dean, that isn’t very nice. You aren’t making her work are you?”

  “I’m a slave driver.” Dean threw his hands in the air.

  Ellen, smiling, walked past Dean, slid her hand over his back and whispered. “Now where are the folders?”

  “On the first shelf.” Dean pointed without looking.

  “Oh, I see them.” Ellen tipped toed and raised her arm. “There isn’t that . . .” Wide went her eyes and her arm dropped down. “Dean!” Her face turned red and her knees buckled as a knife stabbing pain through her abdomen hit her and she fell some grabbing the counter for support. “Oh God.” She grunted.

  Henry ran over to Ellen, grabbing her from behind. “El?”

  Dean hunched down to her level. “El, what’s wrong.”

  Ellen grabbed her stomach. “Something . . . Oh God.” She shrieked horribly in pain.

  Dean shook his head laying his hand on Ellen’s stomach. “It isn’t labor pains. El?”

  Clinging tightly to Henry’s arm that held her, Ellen let out a breath and stared at Dean. “It hurts so . . .” She grunted loudly. “Help me.”

  “H
enry, carry her to the jeep.” Dean ordered. “Johnny . . .” He looked up to Johnny who stood horrified behind Henry. “Call your father.”

  As Ellen felt Henry start to lift her, her one hand grabbed the counter and the other grabbed Dean. Her eyes slowly looked at him and they watered up. “Oh no.” She started to cry.

  “What?” Dean asked in a panic. “What is . . .” He saw where her eyes had shifted down to. On the floor by her feet was a pool of blood and more poured down her legs. “Shit! Henry, get her to the jeep now!”

  Henry swept her up into his arms and frightened he looked at Dean as he bolted to the door. “Dean, she’s bleeding badly. What’s happening?”

  “Get her to the jeep!” Dean ran with him. “Johnny, call your dad. Tell him . . . tell him to get to the clinic. It’s . . . it’s bad.” With a slam of the door Dean was gone.

  “Shit.” Johnny spun around looking for the cell phone. Quickly remembering his father’s number, he nervously dialed. It rang and rang and finally Forrest answered. “Forrest? Where is my father?” Johnny’s head dropped. “Is my pap there?” The short momentary pause seemed like a lifetime. “Come on come on . . . Pap! Pap where’s my Dad?”

  “He’s outside the walls setting traps. Why?” Joe replied.

  “Get him on the radio Pap. Ellen’s bad. She’s hemorrhaging and they took her to the clinic.” Before Joe could respond, Johnny hung up the phone and headed out. He figured he’d take the other jeep and try to find his father also just in case they couldn’t reach him by radio.

  Henry held Ellen’s trembling body tight as he stepped into the jeep with her. “Dean, you drive.”

  “Got it.” As Dean climbed in the driver’s side he saw Jason running out.

  Jason jumped in the back. “I saw Henry carrying Ellen. What happened?” He reached up to her and noticed the blood all on Henry and her. “Abruptio placentae?”

  Dean nodded as he started the jeep. “My fears exactly Jason.” He sped off.