Freedom Fight: Beginnings Series Book 9 (9 page)

“Be seated. Did I just hear music?” The Captain moved closer.

“Um yes sir.” The young soldier said. “Beginnings’ channel twelve. I have all the other stations on, nothing but security checks and talk about some woman named Bev is going on, so I turned it up. Sorry sir.”

“No, it’s O.K., They designated a station to music?”

“I kind of think they’re amusing themselves with the radio.”

The captain chuckled and the instrumental song stopped. “That was good.”

“Acoustic act sir. Wait . . . listen.” The young man tuned in the radio.

It was a whispering voice, dark and deep. Soothingly he spoke close to the radio.

“Yes. This is D.J. Paul with it all. Coming to you live from Beginnings, Montana. Broadcasting for your listening pleasure, we have live and unplugged, the Starters . . .”

The young soldier chuckled. “Starters, Beginnings, get it?”

The Captain closed one eye in a bit of annoyance. “Yeah, I get it. Shh.”

“Believe it or not, joining the Starters for tonight only, is Bob Dylan.”

“Come on guys. Who’s Bob Dylan. Tell me now, please.”

Paul’s voice muffled. “Knock it off, Denny. You’re ruining the professionalism of this.” The voice returned fully. “Bob, tell us what you’ll play next.”

It sounded like Bob Dylan. “Wheel, ya’ knew paw. I lie ta play fir yew a little tune of ma own. He-he.”

The captain laughed and listened to the song as it started. The man who sang it sounded so much like the Dylan he remembered. “This is good.”

“That guy sang Dylan doing Elvis. It was hysterical.”

“I missed that?” The Captain pulled up a chair joining the private. “These guys must not have anything better to do with their time.”

“Begging your pardon sir, but we’re no better off. We’re listening to them.”

The Captain smiled, leaned back and took in the sound of Beginnings.

Predawn. A hiss of silence upon The Society camp soon became invaded with joined voices, deep and proud, chanting out softly, and carrying through the deadness of the air.

“I pledge allegiance to my country and for the alliance in which I stand. I will fight for my God, for my home, for my land, and for my brothers who have lost their lives. I will defend with my honor and soul, all that I believe in. I will fight for the freedom under which we all should live.”

There was a pause of silence and the chanting continued. Stirred from their slumber, The Society soldiers rose up. Upon the opening of the first camp door, came the single blow of the trumpet. The UWA soldiers were hidden within the camp rather than attacking on horseback. They had taken out the guards on post and awaited the enemy. A fierce struggle, hand to hand, began and in the midst of that, another bugle sounded and from the hillside charged an additional brigade. They joined their brothers of the UWA, hitting The Society with skill, speed, and losses The Society did not expect to suffer.

^^^^

It was a long pier, extending a good twenty-five feet into the lake. Frank sat on the edge of it with Ellen next to him. He fished while Ellen watched. He kept shifting his eyes to her in that early morning.

“El, you can say it any time.”

“Nope.” She rested her elbows on her knees. “I think I’ll wait.”

“Why?”

“Because. It bothers you.”

“No, it does not.”

Ellen half smiled. “Yes, it does Frank. I know it bothers you.”

“No it doesn’t so you can say it.”

“O.K.” Ellen shrugged. “Happy Birthday.”

“Thanks.” Frank kissed her on the cheek.

“God, you’re old Frank. What are you today, forty?”

“Oh my God! No! Thirty uh . . . thirty-five.”

“See, I knew it bothered you.”

“Why would turning thirty-five bother me?” Frank asked.

“It didn’t bother you. I was there five years ago when you turned thirty five. You’re forty and may I say you’re looking every bit of it, if not more.”

Frank’s head rose. “I what? Please. I look better than most of the men in the community who are younger than me.”

“You would think that. Old, Frank, you look old. Dean says you aged without grace.”

“Dean says? Take a swim, El.” Frank gave her a gentle push and into the lake Ellen went with a shriek.

Ellen’s head emerged from the water. She shouted quickly, “Frank! Asshole . . .” She went down and came back up. “I can’t . . .” under the water and then back up, “swim.” Ellen went under.

“Oh shit, I forgot.” Frank set down the fishing rod, laughed, and jumped into the lake.

^^^^

George’s loud voice blasted out in the board room. Six men sat at the table. “Will one of you please tell me what the hell does UWA stand for? Someone!”

There was silence.

“No one knows?” George’s hand slammed hard on the table. “Two hundred and three men yesterday, three hundred and forty-five men today, all dead! This is the fifth time these assholes have hit us. What is our total? Seven hundred and fifty-seven men. With the loss at Beginnings that is over a thousand lost. What the hell is going on?” George still received nothing but puzzled looks. “These men show up out of nowhere. Where did they come from? These pansies in blue and grey uniforms sporting a UWA patch aren’t taking out our men armed with M-16 and high tech weapons, but with fuckin swords and handguns. Someone give me an answer or at least a logical goddamn explanation of what’s happening and where they came from. You men were part of a team of fifty that went out as ambassadors. Talk to me.”

Jeremy Lyons nervously spoke up. “They have to be a new organization.”

“Well no shit. Did we see them before?”

“No.” Jeremy shook his head. “I was predominant in the west. They could have been people that have survived our raids out there. We know some of them are defectors.”

“How many are defectors?” George asked.

Jeremy opened his notes. “Knowing what we’ve lost on our raids and the ones the UWA takes as prisoners, CME’s included, they may have close to two hundred of our men.”

“That can’t be right. That has to be one hell of a large group, and we can’t find them.”

“It’s a big country. How many times did we pass that one place in Canada and they had, living in that community, close to three hundred,” Jeremy said. “If it’s any consolation, Beginnings doesn’t know they exist either.”

“Beginnings is starting to look like peanuts compared to these guys.” George shook his head with a huffing breath and sat at the table. “They now take top priority. I’ll notify our person in Beginnings that we have problems. I haven’t spoken to them in almost a week . . . O.K.” George calmed down. “Now if we can scour this continent for the four million our scientists estimate are alive, we can scour the west for them. We have to nail this resistance and we have to build a force that can take them out with the precision they are taking us out.”

Another man at the table raised his hand. “We’ve been shipping our elite to Alabama. We still need a better guidance in training there.”

“I’m working on that. Right now, this resistance takes precedence. Gentlemen, we have to find them before Beginnings does. I received word this morning our ships will be done in approximately a month, two tops. I’d like to launch them with our men, but I’d like to do that with nothing else on my mind. The last thing we need is this country going into civil war. I’m afraid . . .” George paused as he stared at the faces at the table, “if we don’t end this soon that is exactly where we’re headed.”

^^^^

Joe grinned as he swiveled in his desk chair, reading the papers Henry hand delivered from the communications room.

“Joe?”

“Never, ever.” Joe snapped forward laying the papers down, “since we located George, have we seen this much activity from him.”

“Twenty-two calls,” Henry indicated, “were made to Quantico in the past five hours alone.”

“He definitely knows we know his location and he know he’s too big for us to take out. That’s why he’s letting all these calls in. So . . .” Joe leaned back. “Did you tell George, Henry? Huh?”

“Oh my God, Joe. How can you say that to me?”

“Just kidding,” Joe laughed and read the papers. “But still, all these calls indicate something is up. It looks more like panic instead of check ins. My gut tells me Georgie boy may be having some problems.”

^^^^

“No!” The Captain called out, racing into the field where his men trained on horses. “No.” He tossed his cigarette and grabbed the reigns of a horse, stopping it. A frightened young man of eighteen sat upon the animal. “Son, speed is important. Speed. Precision in the sweep is secondary. Trust me, you swing down at a man with your sword going full speed it’s not going to matter where you slice him. He’s doing down. But if you are not doing it with speed, he will see you coming, and he will take you from that horse. The most vital thing is that you returned home to us in the same shape you left. That is why you must do this correctly. Understand?”

The young man nodded slowly.

“Good boy. Now impress me because I know you can.” With a smiling nod, The Captain stepped back then walked to his observing and training position. He heard the call of his name and turned to Sgt. Ryder, one of The Captain’s most trusted men. A thin man, in his thirties, his dark hair and Mexican features made him look fierce. Sgt. Elliott Ryder was the Captain’s right hand man because he was strategically intelligent and of course, a pre plague friend.

“Captain.”

“Yes, Sergeant.” The Captain kept his view on his training men.

“We have news you may not like.”

“What is it?” The captain smiled, watching the young man speed across the field. He called out to training boy. “Yes! That’s it! Excellent!”

“Captain,” Sgt. Ryder spoke again.

“I’m sorry. What is it?” The captain faced him and was handed a sheet of paper. The smile left his face. “When did our scouts return with this?”

“Just no
w, sir.”

“All right.” The Captain handed the paper back. He stayed calm. “Let those scouts rest and send two of our best, one north, one south. Scout out both Society camps there. I want numbers, buildings, positions, and armory on those camps and I need them immediately. If we have The Society that close to us, we have to get rid of them.”

“Yes sir. I’m on it.” Sgt. Ryder stepped back with a salute.

The captain returned the salute then re-engaged in watching his men.

^^^^

Jason Godrichson was walking from the line of utility buildings as Dean was nearing them. Dean was on his way to the second suspect meeting when Jason stopped him.

“Dean, glad I found you.” Jason stood in Dean’s pathway.

“What’s going on?”

Jason shook his head. “I wanted to let you know that there’s no way it can be done.”

“Are you sure?”

“I checked it with Forrest. Ever since he fixed the power supply on the time machine, it stays in control.”

“Damn it.” Dean twitched his head. “You’re sure there’s no way you can barbeque Frank in a bogus time trip?”

“Positive. However . . .”

Dean’s eyes brightened. “What?”

“I could ship him a hundred years into the future and leave him there. It would have no bearing on our time now. Of course we’ll need someone to go with him so they can come back and shut the door.”

“I’ll give it some thought. Thanks Jason.”

“You do know, Dean, you can always take the direct approach. Just walk up to Frank and shoot him”

“Nah, I don’t want to be ousted. I’d rather use that as a last resort and stick to making it either look natural or like an accident.” Dean lifted his hand in a wave and started walking again. “Thanks, Jason.”

“Not a problem.” Jason continued walking, knowing his mind would keep churning on ideas to help Dean.

All voices ceased the moment Dean entered Joe’s office. He looked at Joe, Henry, then Robbie. “What? Were you guys talking about me?”

Robbie answered. “As a matter of fact, Dean, we were. Henry was just sharing with us your new sex symbol status with the young female population of Beginnings.”

Dean closed his ey
es and shook his head. “Henry’s really close to me kicking his ass.” Dean heard Henry snicker and he quickly looked at Henry.

Henry wiped the smiled from his face. “Sorry. Hey, Joe, tell him. Go on.”

“Dean, the reason we were discussing you is,” Joe took a breath, “I stopped at the school today and saw Alexandra. She told me she’s mad at you because you have a girlfriend while her Mommy is kidnapped. She said she saw Bev kissing you.”

Immediately and with surprise Dean sprang from his chair going after Henry.

Henry saw it coming. He jumped from his chair and hurried backwards, trying not to laugh. “I didn’t say anything.”

Robbie too tried not to laugh as he pulled Dean back. “Easy.”

“Dean,” Joe scolded, “You’re making
me
tense. Now cool it.”

Dean pulled away from Robbie and plopped in his chair. “Henry, one more thing out of you and I swear I’m cutting off your hair while you’re sleeping.”

“Oh Dean, you wouldn’t do that.”

“Watch me.” Dean stared forward. “Can we do this, Joe?”

“Can we lose the mood?” Joe asked.

“I’m sorry, Joe.” Dean held up his hand. “I feel like I’m the most miserable person in Beginnings today.”

“I have news for you, Dean,” Joe said. “You are. Now this should make you happy.” Joe pulled out his notes. “We’re gonna discuss Frank as a suspect. Everyone ready? Let’s talk means.” Joe saw Henry’s hand raised. “Henry?”

“Frank should be eliminated immediately from the suspect list with no arguments at all.”

“Why?” Joe asked.

“Because if Frank was working for George, why would he kill him?”

“What?” Joe asked. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Robbie rolled his eyes. “Bet me it’s another one of those time trip memories none of us have.”

“Yes. He killed George in the time frame that Dean died.”

Joe tilted his head. “The one that was erased when you brought Dean back to life?”

“Yes,” Henry nodded.

“Well, it doesn’t count!” Joe scolded. “And how in the hell did bringing Dean back affect bringing George back?”

Dean quickly shifted his eyes. “It’ll be a Henry explanation. Do you want to hear it.”

“Yes,” Joe answered. “Henry?”

“Easy, Joe. Ellen went back and blabbed to herself about the antidote so there wouldn’t be a lab explosion. In the original time, the explosion occurred. George was prancing around singing about Dean and Ellen being dead, thinking he was cool and surprise, you were awake and he got busted. But . . . in the rippled time frame he had that diversion of you healing so he made his escape.”