Escape the Planet of the LEPS: Beginnings Series Book 28 Read online

  ESCAPE THE PLANET OF THE LEPS

  Beginnings Book 28

  Jacqueline Druga

  Escape the Planet of the LEPS

  Beginnings Book 28

  By Jacqueline Druga

  Copyright 2017 by Jacqueline Druga

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any person or persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Thank you so very much to Kira for all your help with this book

  ONE - Beginnings

  It wasn't anything new. In fact, Beginnings had been utilizing the time machine for several years. Most of the trips were to gather information, and some of them were easy missions. Joe was confident that there would be no problems. After all, counting all the trips, there have only been problems several times. Flying bullets, a killer baby coming through, Indians chasing someone. Even with the one incident where Frank, Dean and Henry went through and supposedly brought back Robbie, things had been pretty seamless. Of course, in that occurrence, only Frank, Dean, and Henry really knew what had been done.

  Then again, they went to the past. That was tricky, there was the risk of change...

  He expected a smooth return. Joe didn't know how long it would take for his son's return. After all, this was the furthest distance, time wise, they had ever taken.

  A thousand years.

  Roy and Jason both estimated that because of the time distance, there wouldn't be a blink of an eye return. It could be as little as a minute or as long as hours. Possibly even a parallel time. This was new. No precedents. No way to know. They also went through with four return pendants. There was even theorization that if they all used a different pendant, they could return at different times. Far-fetched as it seemed, it was possible.

  So, when Frank and the others went through, and the door closed, Joe knew it was just a matter of waiting for their return.

  Never in a million years did he think anything could go too wrong.

  "I think I'll go outside and have a smoke and see what Ellen wanted," Joe said.

  Just as he began to do that, it happened.

  The familiar sound of electrical humming, the flash of the blue lights. Only this time, it was accompanied scream. A deep gut wrenching long cry out and Joe knew the voice. It came from one of his sons. It wasn't a painful scream as much as it was a preparatory scream as if waiting for something to happen.

  If a son of his screamed, it had to be bad. It was. When Robbie appeared, he was alone. He wasn’t just standing there. He was bound to a post. His bionic arm showed signs of wear, wires protruding his body beaten, stripped of clothing with the exception of a single cloth covering from waist to his thighs.

  Joe raced over to him. “Help me untie him.” He told Jason and Roy. As he reached for Robbie’s arm, the pendant dropped from his hand.

  “You’re back. You’re okay,” Joe said, he lifted Robbie’s face.

  “Dad,” Robbie said weakly.

  “Dear God.” Joe placed his hand on Robbie’s cheek. “What happened to you?”

  “Joe,” Jason said. “His hand is busted pretty badly. Probably was excruciating to press that pendant.”

  “The bionic arm shorted out, too.” Roy reached down and grabbed the pendant. So he didn’t lose it, or it didn’t get stepped on, he looped the tag attached to the pendant over Robbie’s wrist... “Looks like someone tried to take it apart.”

  Joe’s hand shot to his mouth, he felt horrible for his youngest son. Heartbreaking, hand shaking, he seemed to only be in the way.

  “We got this, Joe,” Jason reached at the same time to cut the bonds, but when he did, Robbie flickered. As if his being was an image on television with bad reception. He flickered, turned a bluish hue, and with a rush of static, he and the post were gone.

  “What happened?” Joe asked, panicked. “What did you do? Where did he go?”

  Roy stood there dumbfounded and Jason rushed to the computer. “The read out shows he came through, year unknown.”

  “Why would it say year unknown?” Joe asked.

  Jason shrugged. “Roy any suggestions.”

  “The arm could have caused the pendant to malfunction. Sent an electrical charge. He tried to comeback, but it wasn’t strong enough to keep him here.”

  “And when you moved the pendant,” Jason said. “You probably jarred it and it reset.” He looked at Joe. “It would have happened no matter where he was when we lifted the pendant. Next time this happens, I disable the pendant right away.”

  “Where did he go?” Joe questioned.

  “He reversed, He went back, same spot, same time, maybe a minute later,” Jason replied. “But that isn’t all.”

  “Christ.”

  “That was pendant number three. It wasn’t Robbie’s, it was Hal’s.”

  Joe closed his eye briefly. “What did we do?” He exhaled. “I need to step out. Excuse me for a moment.”

  He left the quantum lab and stepped outside when his phone buzzed. He looked down at it to see text messages from Ellen. She had been trying earlier to call him.

  ‘Sorry Joe. Elliott is awake. He scared me. Was talking crazy from a coma dream.’ – That was text one.

  The other read, ‘If by chance you are sending them to the future. Can you wait? I know it sounds crazy. Elliott says it’s a trap.’

  Joe exhaled. “It’s not crazy at all. I just hope to God, Elliott is wrong.” He put away his phone and headed over to the trailer.

  TWO – POLW (Planet of LEPS world)

  The tusk trumpet rang out capturing the attention of Frank, Hal, Robbie, Dean and Henry. Even Chaka looked up in surprise.

  “Oh, yeah, hear that?” Frank cupped his ear. “I was expecting that. The future, falling from the sky, the lake, that being another sign from my Charlton Heston world.”

  “Why does that sound so familiar?” Dean asked.

  “It’s a round up call,” Frank answered. “Break out the nets. Catch the natives. Run for the hills. It’s real. Gentlemen…” He grinned. “Welcome to the Planet of the Leps.”

  After turning to tune in Frank took off running.

  “What the hell is he doing?” Hal snapped and ran after him, calling out in a harsh whisper. “Frank. Frank, you asshole, where are you going.”

  Frank stopped. “I want to watch the round up. When the Leps come down on horses and throw a net on humans.”

  “What if you’re one of them?” Hal asked.

  “Hal, please. They’ll never catch me.”

  “Okay, that’s true, but they’ll catch me, or Robbie or Dean.”

  “And me,” Henry added,

  “Who cares,” said Robbie.

  “That’s not very nice, Robbie. I was helping Frank or I wouldn’t be here.”

  “Gentlemen,” Hal called out. “Doesn’t matter. None of us want to be captured. Frank, can you not run off halfcocked until we have a plan?”

  “Fine.” Frank retreated his steps. “Hey Chaka, what does the horn mean? Round up?”

  “I do not know. I told you this world, at least here is not like mine. Nor is the one in the book.”

  “What book?” Henry asked.

  “So, basically, we’re missing an opportunity to see how the natives work,” said Frank.

  Hal shook his head. “We’ll have plenty of opportunity. We need to formulate a plan.

  “What book?” Henry asked, again.

  Hal answered. “The one that Roy was hiding that told of the future. And Frank, what are yo
u doing?”

  Frank stood a few feet away, holding his phone out at arm’s length. “Group selfie. I’ll post it later.” He grinned.

  “Oh my God,” Hal put his hand to his face.

  Robbie laughed.

  “Does the book give any insight?” Henry asked.

  “We didn’t read it … all.” Hal said. “Only the portion where Danny Hoi went to the future.”

  “But the dates are wrong,” Dean said. “They’re off.”

  “Am I in it?” Henry asked. “Because if I’m not then that means I die here or get stuck here.”

  “Oh,” Robbie commented. “A book with a happy ending.”

  “You’re not funny, Robbie.”

  “Yeah, I am.”

  “Can we …” Hal held out his hands. “Get our things from the beach and cautiously follow the trail. Agree?”

  Frank nodded. “Remember, I can’t stress enough not to take off your clothes.”

  “We’ll try to remember that safety tip, Frank,” Hal said and mumbled as he walked off. “Idiot.”

  “What?” Frank shook his head. “Man, he is so much like Dad.” He trailed behind the group. “Hey, Hal you even have the same bald spot in the back of your head.”

  Hal grumbled and kept walking,

  Frank lifted his phone and took a picture.

  THREE – BEGINNINGS

  K?

  Really, Joe? Really? Ellen thought.

  She sent him what she thought was a pretty important life or death message.

  ‘Sorry Joe. Elliott is awake. He scared me. Was talking crazy from a coma dream. If by chance you are sending them to the future. Can you wait? I know it sounds crazy. Elliott says it’s a trap.’

  Elliott was deep in a coma, woke up choking and coughed out water as if he were drowning. The whole thing was strange. Combine his rambling words with the fact that Dean was also acting mysterious. Not only did Dean suddenly leave, he took supplies as he headed to the quantum lab.

  Maybe she was thinking too much about it.

  Still.

  Joe responded with simply a ‘K’. After tapping her phone on her hand, Ellen calmed, figured there was nothing to worry about, and returned to Elliott’s room.

  Melissa walked out of the room as Ellen entered. “He’s well,” Melissa said.

  “That’s great.” Ellen entered.

  Andrea was placing oxygen on him when she noticed Ellen.

  “Everything okay?” Andrea asked.

  “Yeah, yeah. Just wanted to let Joe know what Elliott said.”

  Elliott pulled the mask from his face and his hand was quickly swatted by Andrea. His words were muffled.

  To Ellen it sounded like he said. ‘Strut in the space’, and she crinkled her brow.

  “What can you pay?” Andrea tapped his hand. “Oh, sweetie nothing. No charge here.”

  Elliott shook his head and muttered his words.

  “What bay?” Ellen asked.

  Frustrated, Elliott moved the oxygen from his face. “What did I say?

  “When?” Ellen asked.

  “Ellen,” Elliott said, holding back frustration. “You said that you told Joe about what I said. What was it? I don’t remember saying anything.” He stopped Andrea from putting the oxygen on him. “I’m fine, please, I don’t need it.”

  “But you were drowning,” Andrea said.

  Elliott looked around. “In a hospital bed?”

  “We’re trying to figure that out,” Ellen replied. “Anyhow, you rambled something about a trap.”

  Elliott shook his head. “I don’t recall. The only thing I remember is dreaming about Frank. He kept popping into my dreams asking me questions. Wait... why am I in the hospital?”

  “You were shot,” Andrea explained. “It was a close call. Do you remember?”

  “No, the last thing I recall is walking out of the Social Hall.” Elliott shook his head. “I feel pretty good. Was it bad?”

  “You were bad,” Ellen said.

  “Shot in the head.” Andrea added.

  Elliott reached up and felt. “Where.”

  “Above your left temple,” Ellen said.

  His hand felt around. “I don’t feel anything.”

  “Dean used his healing agent,” Andrea said. “Wonderful stuff. You got a big dose.”

  Ellen mumbled, “Like ten thousand times the dose.”

  “What?” Andrea asked.

  “I was saying I’d give him a dose ten thousand times over despite Hal not wanting us to.”

  “The Captain didn’t want me to have it?” Elliott asked.

  Ellen shook her head. “Nope. Fought adamantly said you weren’t a guinea pig.”

  Andrea gasped. “My Hal said that? Oh, wait until I talk to the boy.”

  “Where is he?” Elliott asked.

  “Out with Frank. He was blown up.”

  “Hal or Frank?” Elliott asked.

  ‘Frank,” Ellen answered. “He’s fine though.”

  “He stopped dropped and rolled,” Andrea added.

  “Any how ….” Ellen sang out. “We want to run some tests. See where that water came from. It was weird, and then we’ll go from there.” Ellen turned to walk out.

  “Ellen?” Elliott called out. “Is everything alright.”

  “Yes, everything is fine. I’ll be back.” She flashed a smile and stepped back out into the hall, then walked back toward the lab. Ready to call Joe, she stopped when she saw him enter the glass doors. She placed the phone away and approached him.

  “How is Elliott?” Joe asked.

  “Great. Feels normal.”

  “That’s good.” Joe looked beyond her, almost preoccupied. “I want to speak to him.”

  “He doesn’t remember much.”

  “Well, I still want to speak to him.”

  “Okay, where is Dean? Have you seen him?”

  Joe just looked at her.

  “What?”

  Joe shook his head. “Nothing. He’s uh … at the quantum lab.”

  “I’ll call him. I need him. Elliott woke from the coma choking on water, like he was drowning.”

  “Yeah, well you’ll have that.” On his words, a distracted Joe walked by her and down the hall.

  “I’ll have that?” Ellen said to herself. “What is wrong with people today?” Walking into the lab she pulled out her phone and tried to call Dean.

  FOUR – POLW

  His head pounded. A throbbing headache that reminded him of his surgery from the brain tumor. At first Johnny worried, then he remembered.

  Henry.

  He was watching his father at the office trailer. His father and uncles, along with Dean were up to something, when he heard the two strange voices sneaking by the trailer.

  They heard him coming and took off, or so Johnny thought. Then he saw Henry.

  “Johnny, what are you doing here?” Henry asked.

  Black.

  Everything went black.

  He knew Henry was quick and wiry, but he wasn’t fast enough to knock him out. Henry was working with whoever was at his father’s office.

  That was what he deducted.

  As soon as he remembered that, Johnny opened his eyes. It was hard to breathe, the air was thick and he was surrounded by sounds of nature.

  Where was he?

  He was laying on his side, a backpack under his head and his clothes were wet.

  His opened his eyes and saw boots. Beginnings’ issued boots. Surely it was Henry. He tried to move and a wave of dizziness hit him and he fell back.

  “Careful, that drug still hasn’t worn off.”

  Johnny blinked and focused.

  “Fort?”

  Fort smiled. “Morning sunshine.”

  “Where am I?” Johnny asked. “Where’s Henry?’

  “Who cares where Henry is. Down by the lake. Asshole jumped through.”

  “He was the one that tried to kill my father,” Johnny said.

  Fort laughed. “No he wasn’t.”


  “But he was there and …”

  “Nearest I could figure was he was following me.”

  “That was you by the trailer?”

  Fort raised his hand. “Guilty.”

  “I heard two voices. You and Henry.”

  “No. 9-B-754 came through last night. I guess he ended up lost in time.” Fort laughed. “Don’t know how that happened. He came through the same time as me, probably caught another bend. Anyhow, if I hadn’t seen him wearing that stupid, how would you describe it, ninja outfit, I wouldn’t have spotted him and he would have blended in. All the Strengths wear them. Pretty much clueless strong men who have one job only. To enforce what we do and die if needed.”

  “Why are you telling me this?” Johnny asked.

  “You need to know, there will be a lot of questions.”

  Again, Johnny tried to move and fell back down.

  “Easy, that drug is strong. You won’t be able to really walk for another hour or so. Or really move well.”

  “You shot Elliott.”

  “Yep. I aimed for your father... missed.”

  Johnny tried to lunge, but he was too sluggish.

  Fort laughed again and moved closer to Johnny. “Look, no offence to your dad and all, but I was created out of the Great War. If there is no Great War, if your father changes things, then I cease to exist. In theory. So I didn’t want to take that chance. I had no plans on staying in Beginnings. I was there for the clone, and once I got him I was going to jump elsewhere. Not go back to my pathetic time. But I have to say this ….” Fort lifted his head. “Is pretty beautiful. And you my new friend played into everything brilliantly.”

  “What are you talking about?’

  “See, they let me in the loop. They guessed that whoever was trying to kill Frank would leap through the time machine. Which, by the way, I had no intention of going through the HG Wells. None, I didn’t need to. I was going to jump time after I killed him, hell I had my time device kit hidden in the undeveloped area since I arrived. But when they said,” Fort paused to snicker. “Hal and Robbie and Dean were gonna jump and chase me. I thought. Oh my God. How fucking awesome. Right? I go through, they follow, we all end up a thousand years in the future …”