Aftermath_Beginnings Series Book 29 Page 15

  Somehow, though, Frank could not bring himself to look directly at Robbie. He couldn’t. He saw the shape of his brother, but it was too difficult to get a good luck.

  Suddenly, standing center of the room, everyone walked by him to the coffin.

  Frank just froze.

  “Frank?” Hal whispered. “You alright?”

  Frank nodded.

  “You coming?”

  “I’ll ...” he cleared his throat. “I’ll wait. I’m not ready.”

  Dean stepped up beside Frank. “I’ll hang back with you.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I want to.”

  Hal nodded at them both, gave a firm squeeze to Frank’s arm and joined the others who surrounded the casket. Frank was grateful for that. They blocked Robbie. Frank looked at the floor.

  “So handsome,” Andrea said. “He did such a good job.”

  “And his hair,” Ellen added. “Robbie would be so happy.”

  “Bentley did it,” said Jimmy.

  “He looks peaceful,” said Johnny.

  “Yeah,” Hal said. “He does. He’s smiling.”

  “My boy was always smiling,” add Andrea. “Joe?”

  Frank’s head lifted suddenly and he looked to Dean when he heard his father’s voice.

  “What the hell is he wearing?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  To Jimmy the funeral home had a reminiscent feel of the days that had passed. The days before the virus brought the population down to a fraction of what it was. Everything took him back to those days.

  The flowers, line of people waiting, kneeling and praying at the coffin. The exchange of words and condolence, handshakes and kisses, laughter and tears.

  It seemed to Jimmy they were all there to not only grab a little bit more of Robbie, but to grab a part of life that had long been forgotten.

  It was slightly different though. The background music wasn’t organ themed and sad, but more acoustic guitar and folksy. Whether he was joking or not, Robbie had expressed to Harv about what he wanted to wear when he was buried.

  Harv took the request very seriously and since Ben from Fabrics was present in the mess hall when Robbie said it, the master of fabric designed and recreated the clothing in one day. He was honored to do so and did a fantastic job. A royal blue, collarless, zip up jumpsuit, complete with the zipper arm pockets and burgundy brown utility belt.

  The jumpsuit Charlton Heston wore in the infamous death scene of the movie Omega Man. It was an exact replica. The movie was in the time vault of Beginnings and Ben was able to watch it, freeze frame it and make it.

  Everyone complimented it, stating, ‘It was so Robbie to ask for it.’

  They spoke about something called the Neville competition. Jimmy wasn’t around for that and hoped someone would tell him the story.

  He was sure he’d hear it at some point.

  He knew it was going to be a long day when Harv asked if they could open the doors to the public as the line was growing. He and his brothers took shifts greeting and thanking people. His father stayed inside by Robbie, only leaving to get some air out back or have a cigarette.

  There were so many people, so many Jimmy didn’t know. It reminded him of when they believed his father had died and his body lay in repose, closed casket, in a Bowman theater.

  The funeral was going to be an event, his little brother would have loved it and Jimmy was certain, wherever Robbie was, he was enjoying every minute of it.

  ‘Tag, you’re in,’ should have been what Jimmy said when he returned from his break and brought Andrea a cup of water. It was his turn to take a place with Johnny by Robbie, greeting and thanking people as they came in.

  It had only been three hours and it seemed to Hal like twenty-four. His throat was dry, his voice raspy and his eyes hurt. Frank didn’t stand close to Robbie, he watched and talked to people from a distance. As Hal left the visitation room, he signaled to Frank that he was going outside.

  Frank nodded, held up a finger conveying he’d be there and then continued talking to others.

  Hal slipped out the front door. That was a mistake because it wasn’t a reprieve from inside. As he passed the line of people waiting to go in, many said something to him, Hal had to respond even as he moved across the lawn to the side of the building.

  He was completely alone for that moment, hoping that Frank would find him. Sticking close to the corner of the building, Hal lit a cigarette and saw Elliott and Danny Hoi, step from a jeep. Roy was in the back, not moving, almost hesitant.

  Hal waved to Elliott and they headed toward him.

  “Captain, how are you holding up?” Elliott asked as he gave an embrace to Hal.

  “As good as I can. Robbie got his wish and he looks like Charlton Heston. Wait until you see,” Hal said. “Thank you two for coming. I know you have a lot on your plate running the towns.”

  “We wanted to come,” Danny said. “I wish we could be here the whole time, but I’m reserving that for tomorrow.”

  “What’s up with Roy?” Hal asked.

  Elliott looked back. “He’s finding the entire body on display confusing.”

  “I bet. Who’s holding down the fort?”

  Danny answered. “George is filling in at Bowman with Owens as the backup.”

  “Chaka is walking the perimeter,” Elliott said.

  “Somehow, oddly, I’m alright with that,” Hal said.

  “We have a situation, Hal,” Danny said.

  “Mr. Hoi, this is not the time,” Elliott graveled his voice.

  “When is the time?” Danny asked. “After the funeral?”

  “Yes,” Elliott replied.

  “No.” Hal shifted his eyes between them both. “If Danny is saying there is a situation, then maybe I should hear it.”

  “Captain, I believe it can wait,” Elliott said.

  “Danny?” Hal questioned.

  “It’s out,” Danny said. “People know about the twenty-four hundred, they’re concerned and want answers.”

  “While it is the right time to tell me,” Hal looked at Elliott. “You’re right, this was not the right time for their concern. They should trust we’re handling it.”

  “And I assured people we are,” Danny said. “It started with Jenny, who we all know is the community spokesperson then I was approached by at least ten people on my way to talk to Ryder. They are worried, and honestly, Hal, rightfully so.”

  “We tell them we are doing …”

  “What’s going on?” Frank approached.

  Hal faced him. “Apparently people know about the twenty-four hundred not far from Beginnings. They are asking Danny for answers, wanting to know what we are going to do.”

  “Fucking people,” Frank snapped. “Seriously. Can they not find something else to fucking bitch about until after we bury Robbie? Do they fucking think we aren’t handling the threat?”

  “Threat.” Surprising them all, Joe walked from around the building. “I’ve been listening, and that is the first time, Frank, you called them a threat.”

  “Dad, I was just …”

  “No.” Joe cut him off. “They are a threat. You know it and I know it. You wanna tell our people we are handling a … threat by watching them and taking notes.”

  “It’s more than that,” Frank said. “It’s a plan.”

  “Twenty-four hundred armed soldiers with heavy artillery that can knock down our walls are positioned a hundred miles away and you want to tell them you’re watching them?” Joe asked. “You have a plan?”

  “Dad,” Hal faced him. “We can deal with this after the funeral. Now is not the time.”

  “Now is the time, Hal,” Joe argued. “After the funeral? Let’s just say something happens tonight. It’s not, but let’s say it does. What are we going to say then? That we didn’t tell the people of Beginnings because we were dealing with something else?”

  Hal arrogantly and softly laughed. “You want to go in and just attack now? That�
��s what you’d like to do. Totally disregard Frank’s plan. Isn’t that what you’ve been doing the last couple days?”

  Joe growled a soft. “You son of a bitch.”

  “What?” Frank asked. “Why am I not aware?”

  “Forget that. It’s not my choice or yours Frank, like any old world government we move with the will of the people” Joe shook his head. “I want to address them, let them know what we know, and see what they want us to do.”

  “How do you propose to do that?” Hal asked. “You’re doing this because you know the people will go with your will.”

  “So be it then,” Joe turned to Danny. “Tonight, we get together, I will do a video address and tell them what we know. When you first did your Hoibook you had a food survey. I want a survey created. A vote. Valid between certain hours, they vote on Hoibook or at the library. Can you do that?”

  Danny nodded. “Yes, but …”

  “No buts, we do this. We see what they say and make our decision based on that,” Joe said. “You give them three basic options. Approach and talk to them, watch and wait it out or take them out and we do so immediately.”

  “Dad,” Frank argued. “We will take them out once we know what they have and what they’re up to. Ground forces can’t go in there blindly.”

  “Fuck ground forces Frank,” Joe said. “If the people’s will is that we take them out, we do so quickly and without a single loss of life on our part.”

  “You can’t do that,” Hal barked. “Listen to you. You’re not thinking clearly.”

  “I’m thinking very clearly, Hal, are you?” Joe asked. “There is a threat a hundred miles away and you assholes are just sitting on it and I’m letting you.”

  “I’m supposed to make the military decisions,” Frank said.

  “You’re not almighty, Frank, and you’re not always right.”

  Hal intervened. “Dad, we both know there is a vital decision that you cannot make when it comes to the Great War. Should we take a chance?”

  “Let’s find out,” Joe turned to his left. “Roy!” he shouted. “Come here.”

  It took a minute, but after hesitation, Roy stepped from the jeep and joined the group. “Yes, Joe?”

  “The twenty-four hundred that were positioned north of us in Canada are now a hundred miles northwest of here. I want to take them out, Frank does not, not yet,” Joe said. “Is this the decision you were talking about, the one that Frank should make and not me.”

  “Joe,” Roy spoke nervously. “I cannot divulge any future…”

  “Goddamn it, Roy!” Joe blasted. “I am …”

  Frank spoke calmly. “It’s not,” he paused and repeated. “It’s not. Robbie stole the book from Roy and I read the section, the decision, if I’m right, this is not the decision.”

  “You stole my book?” Roy sounded hurt.

  “Is he right?” Joe asked Roy.

  Roy nodded. “The twenty-four hundred are not even mentioned. Not even in the war history. This is not the decision.”

  “Thank you,” Joe said. “Danny, make the vote. We’ll get this thing handled ASAP.” He turned and walked away.

  Frank exhaled heavily.

  “Sorry, Frank,” Hal said.

  Frank nodded.

  There was a silence in the aftermath, until Roy broke it.

  Like a hurt child, he peered at Frank. “You stole my book?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Lars was buried in the cryo lab, so long and engrossed that it was starting to get dark by the time he emerged. He was in Beginnings for the funeral, and while he hated missing visitation, he was doing something vital.

  He took the Dan Tram to Bowman, and when he arrived at the funeral home only a few people remained. Lars tried to get it together, he felt frazzled. When he stepped inside, a few more people lingered about and he paused to sign his name in the guest book. When he did, he noticed he was on the last page of the book.

  “Jesus,” he said in a whisper.

  He embraced Andrea when he saw her, she was near the door, then Lars moved to the visitation room where it was filled with abundance of flowers

  He greeted Johnny and the brothers with condolences before paying his respects at the coffin.

  Robbie didn’t even look ill, the funeral director had done a remarkable job and the blue jumpsuit aided in making him look less dead.

  Though he was there to visit, he also needed to find Dean and as Lars stood and walked from the coffin, he spotted Dean leaving. Ahead of him was Ellen and Andrea.

  “Dean,” Lars called out, hurrying to him.

  “Oh, hey, I didn’t see you come in.”

  “Are you leaving?”

  “Yeah, Me, Ellen and Andrea are headed back to the kids, but everyone is going to the Hoi-Hoi on the range for a reception and some speech Joe is making. You can catch them there.”

  “I need to speak to you. May I come to your house?”

  “Shit.” Dean cringed, held up a finger then stepped to the door. “I’ll be right out,” he hollered, the returned to Lars. “It’s bad, isn’t it? Worse than we thought.”

  “If my calculations are correct, yes. That’s why I want to go over things with you. Doing so here isn’t the right place or time. I can go back to the cryo, gather my notes and meet you.”

  “Yes, absolutely, I’ll call Roy.”

  “Thank you. Go on with Ellen and Andrea, I’ll see you shortly.”

  Dean nodded and took a step.

  “Dean.”

  Dean stopped.

  “I saw the guestbook. How many people were here today?”

  “If I had to guess, pretty much most of the population.

  Lars closed his eyes.

  “What?”

  Lars shook his head. “Go. We’ll talk. I’ll be there shortly.”

  He watched as Dean hesitated then left, catching up to Andrea and Ellen.

  Taking another look around, the remaining visitors, the flowers and guestbook, Lars realized Dean wasn’t the only one who underestimated the enormity and how dire the infection situation was.

  <><><><>

  Despite the fact that the Hoi-Hoi on the Range was filled to capacity, a pin could be heard dropping as all eyes were on their phones or watching the public television while Joe addressed the people.

  Prior to that, Frank had grumbled. “He had to pick now. Right now.”

  At first it was supposed to be a recording, then it turned into, like with Frank’s speech, a live broadcast. He was somewhere making the speech, no one knew where.

  “Many of you have brought to our attention, the desire to know about the possible threat to our communities. You’ve heard rumors or stories. I am here to give you facts, and come to you, the people to voice your opinion on what should be done.” Joe said. “Not long ago, aided by our technology and confirmed by the UWA, we discovered a force of twenty-four hundred individuals stationed three hundred and thirty-six miles north of Beginnings just across the Canadian border. These individuals are heavily armed and have heavy artillery.”

  Moans and mumbles filled the Range.

  “We believe that these individuals are somehow connected to the movement of the Great War that all of you have heard is on the horizon. A war, we desperately want to stop from happening. It is our belief that the Twenty-four hundred traveled across the Bering Straits and entered out country in Alaska. By calculations they would have started their journey a year ago. It could be part of a Great War initiative or they are a pilgrimage finding safe land after the Fredrickson. Following a glitch in the system, we have since learned that the twenty-four hundred have migrated and are now one hundred and three miles North West of Beginnings.”

  A map appeared on the screen.

  “It is a general consensus amongst us that these foreign intruders are not here for peaceful purposes. Problem is, we cannot confirm or deny that. Here is what we know for sure. They are armed, and they have appeared to have dug in and are using the town as a campsite o
r base. So I come to you with three options. Beginning tomorrow at ten am, you will use your Hoibook account to vote or go to public centers to voice your opinion. Voting will close at six pm and the public opinion will be revealed shortly after. Leaving them alone is not one of the options. Your choices will be simply. We wait, we watch and we see. We send people there to talk to them and find out what is going on or … we take them out. If we take them out it will be without reservation, without risk to Beginnings lives and it will be swift. Please consider carefully as you cast this all important vote. Thank you.”

  <><><><>

  “Thanks,” Lars peered up to Ellen when she set a cup of coffee and a sandwich down for him. “You don’t need to wait on me. If I need something I will find it.”

  “No, that’s okay,” Ellen said. “I don’t mind. Dean, I’m going to go check on the kids and I’ll be right back to join you in this discussion. Please don’t discuss anything about me.”

  “We won’t, “Dean replied. “Go take care the kids.”

  After nodding, Ellen took a step, paused and looked back. “Oh, Katie is in with Alex, and Andrea passed out on the bed. So you and I have a living room” Ellen walked away.

  Lars leaned into the table to Dean. “I thought she was married to Frank.”

  “She is. It’s a weird situation. I’m like the surrogate husband.”

  “In all capacity?”

  Ellen returned.

  Dean flashed a smile to Lars.

  “Let me grab a coffee,” Ellen told them and hurried into the kitchen.

  Lars whispered, “How does Frank feel about that?’

  “Frank stopped paying attention to things a while ago.”

  “Back.” Ellen pulled out a chair at the table and sat down. “Okay, so Lars, what’s happening?”

  “Well, as you know I spent all day looking at your research and conducting my own tests. This flower, definitely has hybrid properties. But it’s from so far in the future it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how it was created. It seeps a contagion. A bacteria that enters the blood stream via air, mucus membranes or a small cut. It looks for a host. From there it transforms into a virus. I saw in your notes you believed the virus in Patrick was different than the one Robbie had.”