Consigning Fate (29 page)

“So you would?”

“If I could. The world was not meant to be like this. History was not meant to be like this.”

“What do you mean?”

“Can’t tell you.”

“Would the world be different, Danny?”

“Yes. Very. I told you this before. You’re like a child with a bedtime story. You have to hear it over and over.”

“I like to hear it,” Roy typed. And he did. Many times Danny shared the story of the Aragon Window, and a future Dean told of when he went through.

Danny continued, “But even if I could. Time travel was outlawed decades ago and the regressionator destroyed.”

“Was the research data?”

No response.

“Can you get me the research data of Dr. Godrichson, Danny?”

“Please erase that last line and clear the memory of your computer.”

Roy was taken aback by that, and more surprised that Danny ended the conversation.

But Danny sent him a box three days later.

A box no one else could make heads or tails out of.

A note accompanied it.

A note that simply said. “It is a secret. It shall always be a secret. Do what you can. Let no one know.”

Danny.

The time machine, or HG Wells was Roy’s side project for a decade. But he was smart about it … of course. Even though no one was supposed to know, chances of his observers knowing were great. Therefore he invented two.

One that the government would know about, and one only he would know about.

The HG Wells 2 would be Roy’s means of travel.

HGW2 was the better machine. It could be pinpointed for the traveler. Roy could target anyone as long as he had the coordinates, unlike HG1 which had to be near the travelers.

When it came time to test the time machines, he let General Spade in on it.

The test was a success, and as suspected, the government snatched it up. Not for use, time travel was outlawed, but for monitoring. Ever since the Regressionator was destroyed years earlier, they were looking for ways to monitor time travel anywhere. Should anyone invent it.

Roy figured out the quirks for them, leaving out a few things for his benefit, and added a self-destruct mechanism to the government machine. It was linked to Roy’s and should Roy’s ever stop working, HGW1 would cease to work until Roy entered his restart pin code.

That would stop them from using the machine to find him.

Roy set his own with a safeguard. After so many trips within the same zone, the machine would ‘burn out’, Roy never though that would be a problem.

He thought wrong.

He had it planned out.

One trip back was all it would take.

One trip and if what he wanted to do was correct, the future he returned to would be bright and perhaps like the Aragon Window history.

Roy knew the second he fired up the time machine, the government tracking would pick him up.

He had to find a reason for the government to use theirs.

He did.

General Spade was drawn that day. His wife had died in a LEP attack.

“You can bring her back,” Roy said. “You stay in the time room. You’ll feel the joy of her return.”

The look on Spade’s face told him he knew what he was talking about. “We can’t go back and stop the attack,” Spade said. “Time travel is …”

“Illegal. But what if we present to the counsel and government a one time trip. Maybe more. Send LEP soldiers in invisible suits to wipe out the LEP population before they progress.”

“Go back to Beginnings where they started.”

Roy nodded. “We have a date on that one, or time frame.”

Spade conveyed that it was indeed a great suggestion for the future. Half the problems would be solved without the LEPS. Even though Roy knew the possibility of that was slim. With Frank and his men, the LEPS soldiers didn’t stand a chance and they would fail in their mission.

A month later, it was approved. There would be two trips. A week apart future time. First LEPS soldiers would go to kill the LEP infants, the second trip was their backup to ensure no one stopped them.

As they set the Beginnings time, and the date and so did Roy. The government picked March 1
st
and March 5
th
, Beginnings time to send the LEP invisible soldiers back to.

Roy had to use the two trips wisely. They were only a week apart future time.

During the government’s first release of the LEP soldiers, Roy went back to February 13
th
and borrowed the SUT tracker from Danny. He could track Dean to make sure he wasn’t around when he made his next trip.

When the government sent the second wave of soldiers back. Simultaneously, Roy went back to Beginnings, a few weeks earlier than the arrival of the LEP soldiers. His purpose, to return the SUT tracker and to change the future forever…

The snow was falling hard and Roy landed oddly between the Containment building and the Social Hall. He knew the area from pictures, and made a mental note that should he have to go back, he would change coordinates. He checked the SUT tracker, Dean wasn’t around.

There was laughter carrying throughout the streets as people walked and slid on the slippery surface.

Hearing the music get louder every time the door opened, Roy headed to the Social Hall. As he thought, Joe was there.

He coughed from the smoke and walked up to Joe.

“Just like you not to wear a coat,” Joe said. “What’s up?”

“We need to speak.”

“If it’s about Frank or …”

“Joe Slagel please. It is imperative. Can we go somewhere private?”

There was a look in his eye as his mouth hovered over his drink, Joe cased Roy, up and down, and then he nodded.

Jess was working Containment, and Joe used that office while Jess did lock down with the residents.

“First, let me tell you, it is an honor.”

“Who are you?” Joe asked.

“How do you know I’m not Dean?” Roy asked.

“The way you talk, look … Dean looks worn. You look like you’ve been laid.”

“I’ve had much rest, thank you.”

“Who …are you?”

“My name is Roy Rogers 354.”

Joe laughed. “Sorry.”

“I am from the future.” From his pocket, Roy pulled out a disk. “This should work in your history. I have a copy, so I can have proof of what history was. The traveler safeguard.”

“The constant,” Joe said.

Roy nodded. “It is a self-extracting program that will work with your computer operation system. You have nothing like it in Beginnings so therefore you will have no problem believing what is on it. It isn’t much. It should be a secret, promise me, Joe Slagel, you will keep it a secret.”

“You have my word.”

Roy handed him the disk. “Your program information will disintegrate after you have viewed it. So take notes.”

“You don’t trust me?”

“I trust you. I just need to convey the information to you. Just information.”

Joe took a deep breath and took the disk. “So after I watch it once, it’ll be a plain old disk.”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“A future you do not want. A great war happens upon us. It is called the Great War. The information contained herein should give you the insight needed to plan and defend. You must do all in your power Joe Slagel to stop the war or win the war. You were ill prepared when it happened. Now, you will not be.”

“Holy Mother of God.”

“Save the future, Joe. You must.”

Roy was grateful Joe didn’t give him a hard time. Maybe it was because he wasn’t wearing clothing of Beginnings time, whatever the reason, the information was passed.

Roy thanked Joe, shook hands, wished him luck, returned Danny’s SUT tracker and went back to the future.

He was filled with excitement as he prepped the HGW2. What would the new future be like, he wondered? He went through and returned to the future. His room was the same. That surprised Roy, but not much. Filled with excitement he looked out the window. He expected to see beauty, instead he saw the same. Poverty, hunger, homelessness.

Curious, he went to the computer and pulled up history.

Nothing changed. There was some defensive troop movement, but nothing in history had changed. Joe had the information. Joe had the foreknowledge.

What went wrong? Why didn’t Beginnings win the Great War?

It was then Roy realized he had to do more research. Obviously, the invasion happened in the Aragon Window history. But what was the difference? How did Beginnings win in that future?

He’d make another trip, but before he did, Roy would learn all he had to learn, come up with every scenario, and make sure he didn’t fail.

For the people starving in the streets, being killed by the LEPS, and for the dying civilized world, he would keep doing it until he didn’t fail.

In a promise to himself that he had to keep, Robbie had to focus on his other work as well as the investigation. Plus, eventually, during the day he had to get some sleep. He scheduled with Dan for him to cover his last two hours.

Dean gave Robbie a list of equipment he needed to work on the body analysis. Some was in the old trailer lab, some in his cryo lab. Knowing Ellen was in the cryo lab, Robbie would have to wait, or divert Ellen. Then again, Frank was supposed to talk to Ellen about the clone, and then Robbie could just go to Ellen and get the correct stuff.

John Matoose was in charge of the afternoon check in on Dean, and Robbie had already placed that call to John about the things Dean needed. John had no problem taking them out.

He secured his morning rounds bright and early, and then headed out to the trailer to work on the investigation and other things.

He wanted to examine what the clone left behind, to see if there was any clue about what he knew.

Arriving at the trailer, Robbie parked in the back and walked around to the front door.

He paused when he saw it.

Flashes of light coming from Jason’s quantum lab.

Flashes.

Usually that was consistent with one other thing … time travel.

Had Jason fixed the time machine? To the best of Robbie’s knowledge, it was still broken.

He walked to the door of the trailer lab and stopped.

“Fuck.”

He twitched his head in disgust. Totally forgetting they had changed the locks, Robbie left the new keys back at his office.

He had a choice. Break in or drive back.

Opting for driving, Robbie took advantage of the jeep time and called Dean.

“Flashes?” Dean asked.

“Yeah, blue.”

“Time machine.”

“That’s what I’m thinking.”

“Which would make perfect sense,” Dean said. “If Jason were in on it, he could be lying about the machine not working to keep us from even suspecting Joe was in the future or …”

“Stop us from stopping the death.”

“Frank,” Dean whispered.

“What?”

“What was one of the first orders of business Frank did?”

“Outlawed time travel” Robbie said in discovery. “I said it before Frank could be a part of it.”

“I don’t know. First we have to determine if the body is that of a clone or imposter. Then we can go with the ‘Where is Joe’ theories.”

“This is the biggest mystery yet, Dean,” Robbie said. “Not only where, but why.”

“You know it has to do with this war. It has to.”

“I know. So, should I stop and see Jason or what?”

“I would watch. Just watch. Ask Henry about any power surges in the area.”

“Good idea.”

“Unless he’s using the titanium.”

“True. OK. I better get to work. I’ll call you.”

“Hey when you come out can you bring me the footage of the clone?” Dean requested.

“Sure thing.” Robbie hung up, and drove the rest of the way into town in thought.

He arrived at the line of utility buildings and parked the jeep by Frank’s trailer. He paused to see how well the construction was going on the new office. Just as he walked around the jeep, he spotted Andrea coming from Frank’s office.

“Sweetheart!” She sang. “There you are. I have been looking all over for you.”

“I’ve been working.” Robbie accepted the kiss on the cheek.

“You look tired.” She rubbed his forehead.

“I am. Been working like a dog.”

“But doing a great job.”

“What brings you out here?” Robbie asked.

“Oh, I made brownies.”

“Brownies? Really?”

“Yes, I did.” She smiled. “Dropped a plate off for you and Frank. Better get some before he eats them all.”

“I love brownies, Andrea. You’re the best mom.”

“You’re not going to Bowman are you? I have some for Hal.”

Robbie shook his head. “John Matoose is.”

“Oh no. I won’t bother him. I want to go hit the Unique Boutique it’s a Sunday Sale today only. I’ll drop them off for him.” She exhaled and looked at her watch. “Well, I missed you at service.”

“Sorry. How’s the new guy working out?”

“Divine. He’s not Robbie.”

“Thanks.”

“And Joe was restless.”

Robbie chuckled. “I bet.”

“I better be going. I want to drop off a plate to Jimmy then catch the Dan Tram and be back home for Sunday Supper. You’ll be there, right.”

“You bet.”

“You know how your father gets.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Be good and safe.”

“You ... bet.” Robbie’s words slowed down.

He stood there watching Andrea stroll away. Since his father’s passing, Andrea had been upbeat and bubbly, never really the mourning window. Insisting her grief was buried because she was blessed with the ghost of Joe.

Robbie chuckled and laughed at that notion, playing along with Andrea with the sake of her mental state.

But suddenly, her words seemed different.

Since discovering the body, he didn’t feel like laughing anymore at Andrea.

<><><><>

Hal stared at the phone. He spoke briefly, pleasantly, with only a few nods, mainly yes and fantastic, but then after saying goodbye, he stared.

“Captain?” Elliott called his attention.

“Sorry.” Hal shook his head. “It was my stepmother.”

“Everything OK?”

“Oh, yes. She’s on her way to town, asked if I would like to shop with her, and plans to drop off brownies.”

“That’s really great.”

“Brownies, Elliott. My whole life we wanted a mother to make us brownies and I get it in a post-apocalyptic world.”

“Better late than never,” Elliott said.

“Yes. So, where were we?”

“You are going shopping with Andrea.”

Hal only glared.

“My apologies.” Elliott cleared his throat. “You are wanting to send three teams of four.”

“Yes. Exactly. North. Northwest, and Northeast.” Hal exhaled. “Why couldn’t the scout give us a viable SALUTE report?”

“Because he wasn’t being a scout. He wasn’t there to scout them, plus he was new.”

“But we train them to do those. That’s part of our basic training.”

“In an essence he did,” Elliott defended. “Not just with the info we needed. In his defense, sir, he thought of safety. They were in pursuit.”

“He gave us eight men. Eight men who retreated north.”

“Yes.” Elliott nodded.

“Hopefully, our new scout teams will be able to give us more.”

“Shall I instruct them this is only surveillance? If they find the eight men they should just give us info,”

“Exactly. However, if they find the eight men. I want them observed. See what they’re doing and so forth.”

“Yes, Captain.” Elliot nodded.

Hal stretched. “I can use some coffee before we continue.”

“Me, too. I have no problem getting some.”

“Do you mind? I can go with you.”

“No, no problem.” Elliott stood. “They have left over Oodles of Dan Noodles.”

Hal grumbled.

With a snicker, Elliott left. He walked out of the office, down the hall, and the stairs.

Outside, he paused to place on his bandana.

“Sgt. Ryder,” a young voice called to him.

Elliott turned around. “Yes, Corporal.”

“Is the Captain in?”

“We’re in the middle of a meeting.”

“Maybe you can be the one to give him this information.” The Corporal handed Elliott a sheet. “I’d really rather not be the one to deliver this. Since you’re his right hand man.”

“What is it?” Elliott asked.

“Detailed report. Our patrol.”

Elliott lifted the stapled sheets. “Detailed is right.”

“In a nutshell, they spotted suspicious activity. Dismissed, as you can see. But when they went back to investigate.”

“The cemetery?” Elliott said.

“Yes, Sgt. Seems … it appears someone may have broken into the tomb of Mr. Slagel.”

A bit shocked, Elliott nodded. “Thank you, Corporal. Keep this under wraps until I speak to the captain.”

“Yes, Sgt.”

After giving a nod, the corporal dismissed himself and Elliott looked at the papers.

He would give the report a read through and learn what it said before he informed Hal. Even then, that task would be difficult.

<><><><>

“Remember the days when no one worked on Sunday?” Ellen asked Roy.

“No. I don’t. I’ve always worked.” He spoke, working on the computer.

“So, like how’s the uterus?”

“Ellen, it is wonderful. Ready for implantation as soon as the embryos are ready for implanting.”

“Pup-bryos.”
“Excuse me?”

“Dean, we call them pup-bryos.”

“Yes. Sorry.”

Ellen nodded, and then looked at her watch. “Well, I have to go meet the stranger.”

“Who is the stranger?” Roy asked.

“Frank.” Ellen slid off the stool. “Where on the new Dean agenda will you be in an hour?”

“Here. Right here.”

“Great, see you shortly.” Ellen walked over to Roy and kissed him on the cheek.

He brought his fingers to his face.

“What?” she asked curiously.

“I just like when you do that.”

Ellen smiled, then touched the tip of his nose. “See you in a bit.” She took off her lab jacket, and left the cryo lab.

The invitation to speak to Frank was so official, it actually pissed off Ellen. He sent her an email... She took the printed request for her presence, her travel mug of coffee, and leisurely walked to Frank’s trailer park office.

“What are you going to tell her?” Robbie asked, shoving a brownie in his mouth.

“I’m gonna talk about Dean,” Frank said. “Ask her questions, then …. Then I’m going to tell her the truth.”

Robbie nodded. “Ryder is right. She could be instrumental in this. I mean, lab wise, and work wise she can keep things under wraps. Also, she works so closely with him …”

“He’ll break to her before us.”

“Exactly. I can see it,” Robbie said. “She can really get to know him. His purpose for being here. Frank …” Robbie paused. “Do you really think the clone has something to do with Dad’s death?”

“Why are you asking?”

Robbie shook his head. “Gut instinct. I don’t know. He just doesn’t strike me as a killer.”

“Me, either.”

“He plays a role somewhere in this, but how?” Robbie stated. “I mean, it doesn’t make sense.”

“Plus, we have the unknown prints.”

Robbie looked up suddenly. Perhaps it was his guilt of not being honest with Frank.

“Any luck with them?”

Robbie shook his head and thought about a gray wall. Just on the outside chance Frank was tapping into his thoughts.

“The more I speak to the clone, the more I wonder if he came though the machine to warn Dad.”

Robbie blinked. “Holy cow.”

“What?”

“I didn’t even think about that.”

“Really? I did. It’s possible.”

“Yeah. Yeah, it is.” Robbie nodded. “I mean, what if he went to the office to warn Dad. That would make total sense about what Darrell said.”

“Which was?”

“That Dean told Dad it was time.”

“He could have warned him, left thinking Dad would get out of there and then the explosion happened early.”

Robbie drifted into thought.

“Robbie?” Frank snapped his finger.

“Um … yeah, that actually might make sense. Who knows?” Robbie shrugged. “I’m heading to the trailer.”

“Still gonna go through his things?”

“Yeah, you never know what we might find aside from bad clothing.”

Frank laughed.

“See ya in a bit, big brother.” Robbie opened the door to the office and stepped outside. There he stood on the step thinking. Frank had given him more food for thought.

“Did you get an invitation, too?”

Ellen’s voice snapped Robbie out of it. “Huh?”

“To meet Frank?” she asked.

“No. Actually, I came for brownies.”

“Leaving?”

Robbie nodded. “Yep. Good luck.”

“Do you know what he wants?”

Robbie pointed to the door. “No but you can easily find out.”

“What’s up with you?”

“I’m sorry.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Just a ton on my mind.”