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Upstairs Apartment
“Ma, you won’t believe who I just got off the phone with.” Pa said in shock.
“It’d best not be that grumpy preacher down the road wanting to have a party down here while we are closed.” Ma said on the disgruntled side thinking about having to deal with preacher Tom.
“Well no, not the preacher.” Pa said knowing Ma had closed the Diner hoping to go spend time in the hollow. Looking at her, he was worried she would flog him. “Well come on take a guess.”
“Who is it? Just tell me.” Ma said as she was looking fondly at the skillets hanging next to her.
“Jess!” Pa said hoping she didn’t pull a skillet down.
“Well what's up?” Ma said hand bouncing between car keys and her apron hanging on the peg.
Pa thought about how to word it trying to make Ma wonder until she started reaching for the skillet again. “She wanted to know if we would be alright with her and a bus load of kids, adults and friends coming by to eat lunch. And then wanted to know if we would like to ride in to town to freshen up for the funeral tomorrow?”
“Why didn’t you say that to begin with? Start firing the kitchen back up while I get the Dining room ready.” Ma said as she set the jukebox up to play without charging and picked a few bangers to get moving and ready for the bus load.
Pa on the other hand began relighting the stove and fryers. “I wonder how many she has on the bus?” Pa hollered from the back of the kitchen.
“Knowing her, its probably a full load.” Ma said thinking about how she would bring anyone with her.
On the bus
“So Jess, where are we going?” Lance asked from just behind the white line on the floor.
“We are going to Ma and Pa’s restaurant. Try not to tell anyone. I want to surprise Trevor.” Jess said while watching how Trevor was watching the trees go by.
“He ain’t getting it from me then.” Lance said with a smile and then turned around and walked back to the seat beside Trevor.
Jess on the other hand got Lester's attention. “Hey, Lester. Did you put a new radio on this bus?”
“Yes, its less than two weeks old. Why what's up?” Lester asked a little on the perplexed side.
“I guess it’s nothing, but it doesn’t seem to be keeping a station at all” Jess said watching the radio lock for a second and then scroll to another channel.
“Let me check my portable.” Lester said fishing out his emergency radio from his book bag. After a moment fiddling with it he experienced the same thing. “Jess, it’s not the radio.”
Jess looked back in the mirror looking first at Robbie who was out cold and then made eye contact with Garrett. She mouthed to come up front.
Garrett spotting Jess asking him to come to the front walked up to the white line and asked “What’s up?”
Jess leaned over and mentioned, “Garrett, call me crazy but the bus radio and Lester’s hand held have lost reception.”
Garrett whipped out his phone and texted Melnax, “Any reason the radio’s aren’t working.”
“Garrett, currently there’s no reason for the signal loss. There aren’t any operations in your area.” Melnax sent back along with pictures showing no agents in the area. “Although, there have been some reports of strange things submitted to the local police departments. I will keep monitoring and keep you informed.”
Garrett repeated everything to Jess and then re took his seat.
“Lester, does this thing have a Bluetooth connection?” Jess asked hoping they could listen to some music.
“Hang on let me get my phone connected. What would you like to listen too?” Lester asked with a smile.
“Surprise me.” Jess said knowing he would indeed surprise her.
The noise and commotion on the bus quieted down as Slim Whitman began crooning Indian Love Call across the speakers. Jess of course reached down and turned the music up for good measure.
Covert Ops Warriors of Devote Faith
“Somebody better know why this system isn’t doing what it’s told!” General Willis screamed furiously at the system technician.
“Sir, it is following orders. It is following orders of a higher ranking administrator.” the technician managed to say before a spray of red lined the wall next to where he was standing.
“Someone, get rid of that mess!” Willis barked pointing at the previous technician. “Nobody out ranks me!”
James was afraid to approach the system interface not because he knew the system was protected, but he was afraid the general was going to snuff him the moment he confirmed what his previous boss had
stated. Once the quote mess was removed he walked up and logged in and confirmed what his boss had said. “General, please come over here and look at this.”
“You know I don’t speak geek or tech talk.” The general stated harshly but walked over.
“According to this display at some point the A.I. gave a previous user a prime administer account.” James said watching the general’s face turn blotchy.
“Who did it give that access to?” The general asked not far from ending this technician life for the hell of it.
“Garrett, it’s not showing more than his first name.” the technician stated then had an idea. “Let’s see if it will show us his location.”
“You best hope it does.” The general said as he tightened his grip on his pistol.
“The target is five miles outside of Woodville at some mom and pop restaurant.” The technician stated as he was sweating bullets hoping this maniac wouldn’t shoot him for the sport of it.
Looking over to his watch commander he stated. “Hit them hard and fast, no witnesses!”
A short while later at Ma and Pa’s
“Pa, are you ready?” Ma asked watching an old school bus pull up to the restaurant.
“Goodness sakes alive, have you ever seen a bus that color?” Pa exclaimed looking at the bus.
Turning to look at the bus, Ma busted out laughing. “Well she definitely made it hers.” She continued to look at the neon green bus with Hollow Transportation wrote on the sides in hot pink.
“Betcha she can’t sneak that bus through Woodville.” Pa said thinking about those closed minded fools.
“Is that a Green Goblin on the back of the bus?” Ma asked thinking she had seen it all now.
Pa watched as Jess maneuvered the bus around back. “Better go open the back door.”
“I got it dear. Have you got the kitchen fired back up?” Ma asked knowing he did but she liked to aggravate him on occasion.
On the bus
“Lester make sure they know to not wake up Trevor.” Jess quietly had spread word to not wake up Trevor when they arrived.
Once they were parked everyone remained seated and quiet. Jess walked back to Trevor and Lance. “Lance could you escort Trevor inside.” She asked knowing he tends to wake up groggy and confused for several minutes. “Just take him inside.” Then she looked toward his little brother who was radiating excitement and holding it back. “Lead them in and make sure Ma and Pa don’t spook him.” Jess said
remembering he doesn’t always wake up without freaking out. Jess looked down in time to see the wolf pup walk up and jump on her leg as if acknowledging the assignment then run off after them.
Lester let the four of them off and then announced once they were in the building. “Guy’s remember Ma and Pa are just like family. Meaning help where you can and be nice.”
Jess and Lester watched as everyone departed the bus. Then they exited the bus and Lester set the alarm. Once inside they watched as Steven walked up to Ma and Pa and gave them a rib crushing hug. He was surprised they gave him a kiss on his cheek. “Welcome back, you seem to be in better spirits and condition.”
Jess watched as Steven animatedly told them about everything including his mother and how his father didn’t know. What shocked Jess is when Trevor walked up and gently grabbed Stevens hand and walked him over to the table and sat him down between Lance and Himself.
Then Trevor leaned over and stage whispered. “Man, if you keep talking to them, then none of us can eat anytime soon.”
Ma walked over and stood behind Trevor until Lance told him she was there. “Dude, turn around.”
“If you’re so worried about eating why don’t you come help cook.” Ma said with a smile. Knowing Trevor could cook.
“I think we have enough cooks.” Jess said pointing to Herself, Lester, Robin, Jake, Angel, and Garrett.
“Looks like you are off the hook now.” Ma said while tussling his hair. “So what do you want dinner, lunch or breakfast?”
Trevor being his cheeky self “Surprise me.”
“Gotcha, one surprise meal.” Ma hollard back to the kitchen.
Thirty minutes later
Trevor was looking out the front window when he saw a small station wagon being pushed by a young woman trying to push her car into the parking lot. “Hey guys I think she needs some help.”
After a few moments someone ran back and asked Ma; “can you let us out the front door?” Ma looked out the window then proceeded to let them out and went with them to check on the young woman.
They ran out to her, “Excuse me, but can we help you get the car parked?” She looked at the five young men in shock.
“If you are sure, I don’t mind.” She said as she looked at her to young ens asleep in the back of the car.
The boys noticed the kids and waved Ma over. Once she saw the kids and asked. “Can I carry them in?”
The woman looked at her with shock but nodded. Then watched as she opened the door slowly and extracted the first child without waking him up. Then before she could walk to the other side of the car Jess opened the other door and extracted the young girl.
Jess asked “how long have they been asleep?”
“I’m not sure, I just know they haven’t made a sound in an hour.” The lady said as she watched her bundles of joy being carried inside.
Inside the restaurant
Lester looked out the window. “Well now we have a full bus load.”
Robin looked up from cutting vegetables, “Once we get the shopping done, then we can relax for a bit before the stress of tomorrow.”
Meanwhile on Alpha Prime
Marky sat reading an older story while waiting on Bradley to contact him back. “Wow, they’ve been through so much and yet they remind me so much of this universe.”
“What cha, reading Marky” Marvin asked as he slowly appeared from no where.
“Just a story, it could almost be a prequel to the clan.” Marky said as he passed the book over to Dustin.
Dustin looked at the book, then he blinked out and back in less than a second. “Well you are partly right. They could be an early version of the clan if it wasn’t for the destruction of their world thirteen years ago.” Dustin said watching Marky closely.
“What happened?” Marky said looking from the book to Dustin.
Dustin sat down and cleared his throat. “So first the story you are reading was wrote by someone who had the ability to see into their past. Secondly they lived three hundred years ago. Thirdly their philosophy was very much similar to the clan.”
“How did it happen? The destruction of their world?” Marky asked as he thought about everyone he enjoyed reading about.
“Thirty years ago, their people had first contact.” Dustin said quietly and continued. “But their first contact was a species similar to a mix of Klingon and Romulans. The government had peace talks but when a representative party was on the surface; a race hate group started a riot and killed the delegates, starting a war.”
Marky looked around trying to un think the devastation. “Who was the group?”
“They were very similar to the FCC here, but they were the Warriors of Devote Faith.” Dustin said quietly trying to reconcile his emotions. “They not only brainwashed their members but slaughtered anyone who thought differently than themselves.
They seen the delegates as an invasion of their planet and an attack on their faith. They slaughtered and ate the delegates. They put their heads on pikes to show they weren’t welcome.”
“They ate the delegates?” Marky asked in shock. “How can anyone go that far?”
“It was easy considering the other atrocities they heralded in the name of their lord” Dustin stated while rubbing his temples.
“So do you know why this story ends so abruptly?” Marky asked hoping it wasn’t something bad.
“The person who was able to see their past said in an interview, He felt they had gone through too much and stopped writing. But the actual reason was he stopped seeing them.” he said looking out the window.
Marky watched as Dustin looked out the windows toward the strip mine. “On a different subject, did you hear the mine property next door was donated to the clan.” Marky asked wondering if he knew why.
“I was told it was going to be an extension of your compound.” Dustin said thinking how Marky could do with a compound that size. “I need to go, before someone finds me and asks me do to work.”
Marky watched as Dustin faded out without making a loud noise. Slowly he picked up his book and started reading again.
Back at Ma and Pa’s
Nancy looked around the restaurant at all these people. They helped her get the car parked around back of the restaurant. Where she was feeding herself and her children and hadn’t asked for anything. She was surprised when Jess walked up.
“So the guys had a look at your car. The battery is dead probably from repeatedly trying to start it. But the problem is your fuel pump. We can fix the car but it will be a few days before we can work on it.” Jess said watching for any signs.
“Is there a hotel somewhere close.” Nancy asked while thinking she had less than four hundred dollars left to last till next week when her last paycheck will hit.
“I think we have enough room, you can stay with us. Although we have a funeral tomorrow and we are going shopping shortly.” Jess said thinking about it. “The funeral would be optional.”
Twenty minutes later, Jess had everyone helping clean the restaurant and getting everything shutdown and help washing dishes. Eventually they were ready to load up and go shopping.
Jess was the last on the bus. As she started counting she realized the bus was completely full. “Once we get to the shopping center please remember to stay in groups don’t get separated. When you’re ready to check out call my phone and I will come pay for your purchases. Remember Dress clothes, and relaxation clothes. And please remember if I catch anyone just staring at a price tag and saying no, I will probably buy you an outfit.” Jess said with a smile. “This is a family trip. Before anyone says they aren’t family. If you’re on this bus; then you are very much family! No Exceptions or Returns!”
Lester walked back to Nancy and leaned down. “Before you think about arguing. She is serious and you are safe. When you are ready to tell us what you’re running from we will listen.” Then before she could say anything he walked back up front.
Jess started the bus, checked the gauges and pulled out on to the road. “Guy’s we will be arriving at the shopping center in approximately an hour.”
Lester was watching Jess for signs of being tired. “Jess, if you want I can drive us to the shopping center?”
“I’ll get us to the shopping center. If you can get us to the next destination.” Jess said understanding he was watching her actions as normal.
Robbie walked up from the back where he had been staying out of site. “Jess, there is a road block ahead according to the scanner.”
“Why are you letting me know? We haven’t got anything to hide.” Jess said looking concerned.
“We do and we don’t, they are looking for the young lady and her kids.” Robbie said quietly. “according to Deidra they are using trumped up charges to detain her.”
“How long till we run into them?” Jess asked knowing Deidra wouldn’t bullshit them about what was going on.”
“They are about five miles up the road. And there aren’t any turnoffs ahead.” Robbie mentioned when he noticed a young boy standing on the side of the road holding a sign. “Jess, pull over lets see what he needs?” Pointing at the young boy.
“I don’t know where he came from but he doesn’t need to be on the side of the road like this.” Jess said as she slowed the bus down. Once she came to a stop and opened the door. “Where are you going and why are you out here alone?”
Back at Ma and Pa’s
Two heavily armored trucks rolled up. A lieutenant hoped from the back and started giving orders. “Tear this place apart find them! I don’t care if you find them, break it all!”
As the men unloaded they made sure to do maximum damage to anything in their way. “Sir, we found something but it’s not what you want!”
The lieutenant walked around back to see a car he knew quite well. “What in the name of hell is my wife’s car doing here?”
“Sir, there’s no one here. The entire place is empty. The kitchen was turned off probably an hour ago.” The young sergeant said only to be shot in the chest.
Side of the Road
“I’ve been waiting on y’all. You are running behind schedule by twenty three minutes.” He said while Lester looked between him and Jess. “Besides, you got bandits five miles ahead. In a mile there is a turn on the right. I need you to take that turn and follow it until you get to the stop sign.”
“But my GPS doesn’t show a road there at all.” Jess stated looking at the boy like he had a third head.
“I promise it will be there and you will be safe.” he said as he closed his eyes as if focusing on something. “They have already stopped at the restaurant and found the car. Please hurry and get moving.”
Jess turned and looked at Robbie who was just over her shoulder; he simply nodded.
“Guy’s hang on to something. I’m about to test this bus out!” Jess said across the bus speakers. “Robbie send a message to Deidra if you can.”
Robbie looked at Jess and shook his head as she grabbed another gear. “They are blocking our frequencies.”
“Turn here!” He said as she turned the bus quickly on to the road and was mystified as a ghost of the bus continued up the main road as the road they turned on just sank into the ground after she had left the main road. “There’s the stop sign pull up and stop here for a few moments and everything will be fine.”
Once they were stopped they all watched as the road disappeared but most importantly the police cars passed the turn as if it wasn’t there and never slowing down. Jess turned to the boy, but before she could ask any questions they were sitting at a travel rest area beside two other vehicles. “What the hell?” Jess said looking around positively confused.
“Just take a moment to adjust to the change, stay seated and breathe.” Marvin said remembering what he was told about travel between time, space and realities. “Once everyone has adjusted I will explain everything.”
Everyone watched as he seemed to fade out and back several times. Nancy watched as this young lad looked so tired but she could tell he was working on something. “Sweetheart, can you stop for a moment and come over here? You look like you need a hug.”
To everyone’s surprise he materialized in front of her. “Thank you mam”
Shocked by the formality. “Hun, according to Jess. If your on the bus you’re family. Call me auntie or momma Nancy, but never mam.” She surprised him even more when she leaned over and hugged the young lad.
He looked over to Jess who only nodded. “Auntie, I have a preposition to discuss with everyone here and in the Hollow.”
“Well then I guess we should go back to the Hollow then.” Jess said and then was surprised to see a futuristic building in front of her.
“We need to go inside.” the boy said and started to walk off the bus when his arm was grabbed by Lance.
“Excuse me, But are you known as Marvin?” Lance thought back to the online stories.
Marvin stopped and blushed. As he started to answer Steven burst out. “Busted!”
Trevor looked between the three of them as if a light bulb went off. “Lets go in and hear whats going on!”
“Everyone inside, and see whats going on.” Jess said extremely curiously.
As they were getting off the bus another bus and RV pulled up beside them. Lance stopped to look and started to sway. Before he could pass out Trevor had him. He looked and spotted the driver of the bus and mumbled “Linda?”
“Marvin, where are we? How is this possible?” Trevor asked timidly at first.
“I will explain everything inside.” Marvin said as he slowly walked toward the building to be surprised when Robbie picked him up and placed him on his shoulders.
“Dude, you looked so tired” Robbie said as he ducked down to enter the door.
Once inside everyone looked around at all the computer equipment in shock. The young Vulcan working the desk slowly walked over to Marvin. “Are these all of the time refugee’s?”
“No Sinclair, This is just the first batch. We will be using the conference room. You are more than welcome to join us.” Marvin said knowing she was curious.
“I must attend to the front.” Sinclair expressed then walked back and took her seat.
Moments Later in the Conference Room
Lance looked around the large room seeing all the numerous pictures of what one could only classify as adventures. Each picture must have been a digital frame because the pictures would show a ship, members of crew and teenagers his age or even younger to even children. “Marvin, when and where are we?”
Marvin smiled at the question. “Currently you are three hundred and forty one years forward of when you were but in an alternate dimension on Earth of Alpha Prime time line.”
“Wait, what” Both Jess and Linda said at the same time.
“Linda, your group are from yet a different time line and world. Currently your group is sixty years in the past. But since your world progressed differently and technology didn’t advance as fast it did here you were living approximately equivalent to seven hundred years in our past.”
“So then why are we here” Jess said thinking about her home.
“After some major events here, I started looking at other worlds to see if there were others who held the same beliefs as us and who were in just as much if not more imminent danger.” Marvin said while running his hand through his purple hair. “Jess, the world you came from was slowly being taken over by a group who were the very definition of evil.”
Garrett stood up and slowly walked over to Marvin then knelt in front of him. “Warriors of Devote Faith?”
“How do you know who they are?” Jess asked pointedly.
“They are the radical branch of the military, they are the ones who purchased your system.” Garrett said as tears ran down his face remembering the things he had witnessed. “They are something, I wanted to talk to you about but I wanted to wait till after the funeral.”
Jess walked to where Garrett was kneeling down and held him hoping he would calm down.
Marvin simply smiled at the gesture. “See the young lady you picked up is part of the project but she also was trying to escape and that is where I found you. You were already being targeted because you allowed Melnax to lock down the destructive side of his knowledge.”
“What about our house and the town?” Jess asked as fear started to rise.
“I am working on it as we speak.” Marvin said as he flickered momentarily.
Linda looked over her group “Is there anything we can help with.”
“Linda, you need not worry. I am duplicating your house and bringing your things over as well as things from each of your houses.” Marvin said while looking at everyone from her original group as well as those she acquired along the way.
Looking at Jess. “Do you think your town would want to move or do you think they would prefer to live in the timeline they are in?”
“To bad we don’t have access to Tel, he could send a text to everyone and find out.” Jess said knowing it would probably not be possible.
“I have asked Melnax and Tel to start asking everyone?” Garrett said surprised his phone was still working.
“How is that possible” Trevor said looking at Marvin.
“I have a small tendril of your world routed to his device.” Marvin stated watching Garrett for answers.
“I expect it will take hours for us to get an answer.” Jess said as Garrett started shaking his head. “Why are you shaking your head?”
“The town response is at ninety eight percent. The only ones who haven’t answered are in this room” Garrett said in shock. “The town vote is yes. They want to escape the dangers of our world.”
“Just remember there are dangers in this world too, but far less.” Marvin said hoping they understood there were still dangers in this place.
Jess looked at her group. “Raise your hands if you want to stay here?” she wasn’t surprised when everyone raised their hands.
Linda looked around and noticed everyone from her group had already raised their hand including herself.
“Alright, now thats settled. Looking at the view screen this is the layout of your town Jess.” Marvin said while pointing to the screen. “You will notice there are a few differences. I have included Garretts Cabin, his parents house, Ma and Pa’s restaurant, Linda’s ranch house and her brothers house.”
“What is this compound here?” Jess said looking at the complex next door to her property.
“That is this complex. Marky needs to be here to explain this part.” Marvin said while watching Steven excitedly bounce in his seat. Looking toward the ceiling. “Teledyne, can you page Marky and have him come over?”
“Page request was already sent. I figured you would like to see him.” Teledyne said quietly.
Marvin smiled. “Efficient as always.”
Everyone turned as the door opened and in walked a pre teen Marky. “Hello and welcome to the Clan Short of Vulcan Rescue Center.” he stated then stopped as he recognized someone. Slowly he walked over to Lance as he recognized him from the front cover of his book. “Lance?”
Trevor was quick, he noticed the signs and caught Marky before he could hit the floor. “I take it you forgot to tell him?”
“Umm, well. I guess I did. I have kinda been busy.” Marvin said as he put his face in his hands. Only to have Linda walk over and start rubbing circles in his back.
“How did he know my name?” Lance asked and then became quiet as a book materialized in front of him.
Then other books started materializing in front of Linda, Jess, Garrett, Dale, and Robbie. The final one caused Robbie to blush hard core.
“Who is this writer?” Dale asked as he noticed all the books had the same pen name.
“He was someone who had the ability to see in to other dimensions while sleeping. So to him your lives were dreams or nightmares” Marvin said looking to each person then “romance” was said then he looked to Robbie.
Garrett who at some point was checking out Marky. “Did you kill him? I can’t seem to find a pulse?”
“He wouldn’t have a pulse.” Lance said while looking at his book cover. “He started out as a hologram but was made into an android when he entered this universe.”
Jess snapped her head in Lances direction then at Marvin. “He is right, Marky and his crew started off in another dimension as well. They crossed a spacial rift almost a two weeks ago.”
Then a set of books appeared in front of Marky.
“Unfortunately the books you have read about Marky and this world cannot exist here.” Marvin said thinking about how the universe works. “Those are from when he was in the other universe.”
“I figured they wouldn’t be able to exist here because if they did then it could cause a paradox.” Lance said surprising Marvin.
“Paradox?” Marky said as he tried standing back up to find he was sitting in Trevors lap. “I don’t think the Pair of Doc’s joke will work Marvin, since there are more than two doctors in this room.”
Jake groaned at the poor attempt at humor. “We need to work on your humor.”
“Marvin, care to explain whats going on?” Marky asked confused.
“Meet your new neighbors.” Marvin said then pointed at the window.
Marky turned to look at the strip mine but it was gone. He saw a farm with horses next door. “Are you sure this can be done and will work?”
“I had help, you remember Q?” Marvin said thinking about the dimensional rift.
Marky began rubbing his temples then pointed at Marvin. “You are responsible for all their ID’s and cards.” Turning for the door he looked back. “Welcome to Alpha Prime, I’m going to find some temporal tylenols.” Then exited the room.
After he left the room. The wolf pup started running circles in the room. It began barking and yipping and that is when the weird began. Trevor and Lance turned to the pup, but instead of hearing yipping they heard. “This place is cool. I like it here. Where is the potty?”
“So then there is that.” Marvin said with amusement. “he is what we would call a spirit guide. So the two of you can communicate with him.”
“Marvin, what will happen to Melnax?” Garrett asked quietly as he thought of his friend.
“Melnax’s server was brought to this world. His entire system was brought over and has been upgraded with this worlds system capabilities.” Marvin said with compassion. “I would never leave him behind.”
“I would never leave you Garrett!” Melnax announced from the over head speakers. “Although, I tried to get Silas and Veltran to join us. They said if there was even a chance of saving good people on that world they would continue trying.”
“Silas and Veltran?” Jess asked curiously.
“Veltran is one of the test versions before we went to a server based platform. Veltran was sold to a private company prior to Tel’s operational existence.” Steven who had been sitting quietly said while shaking his head. “Veltran was sold as a favor to a company who needed assistance helping rescue people from bad situation. It was sold before grandpa released the company to mom, and I think before Jess purchased the company.”
“Silas, was released to a company who was donating thirty percent of their profits to the local food banks and wanted a system which could maximize the amount of food; the food banks could get.” Melnax said from the speakers. “Silas also developed a personality like myself. She tries to help as many as possible.”
Steven turned to look at Marvin “Is there any way we can bring them over moments before they go offline? This way they can stay as long as they feel needed and then bring them over?”
“There shouldn’t be to much of a problem doing it, however it will require being perfectly synced.” Marvin said then thought about his helper. “Be right back. I need my helper.
Seconds later Randall was standing in front of the group although he appeared to be missing some clothes. “Hello, I wonder what I did to loose my shirt and pants?”
Marvin re-appeared holding a fresh set of clothes. “Sorry, I meant to give you these before, I sent you here.”
Linda raised her hand trying to get someones attention. He turned and looked to her. “Yes, Linda what up?”
“I’m wondering which name I should call you, since you introduced yourself as Dustin but they are calling you Marvin? And then we have a little issue of confusion since there are now two Stevens.” Linda asked trying to not sound too grumpy.
It was at that moment her Steven looked at her. “Momma Linda, can you pick me a new name? This way I don’t have to remember being part of that church?”
“I know a name, but it might not be totally what you want.” Linda said thinking about Dale’s comments. “T’ven, sounds good. T’ven Wilhelm’s.”
“I like the sound of that name.” Dale spoke and noticed his T’ven tearing up. “What is it honey what did I miss?”
“Wilhelm’s, is Momma Linda’s last name.” T’ven said as he got up from the table and wrapped his arms around Linda. “Are you sure you want me?”
“Have I ever treated you as if I didn’t want you?” Linda asked while looking directly into his eyes. “You were the only reason I stayed working at the ranch.”
It was at this point William walked over. “Nephew, welcome to the family officially.”
Back at the ranch
Tel and Melnax were busy sending text messages to the town folk. “If you had a choice between this world and another who alined more with our values would you be interested in moving?” Surprisingly all responses were an astounding “yes, lets go!”
Suddenly Tel noticed several extra vehicles on the main road were stopped, he tried pulling information from the satellite and noticed access was terminated. He tried reaching Jess with no luck.
Quickly, Tel began locking the gates and alerting the town folk something was up. Before he could do much a few things began to happen. His connection to the internet via fibre and satellite failed followed by his access to radar going offline. He was essentially blind. Then all the camera’s and connection to the town he heard loud screaming then silence.
In town
Deidra had began alerting everyone while directing them to the underground shelter. As she directed the last group she turned to an explosion to see the home Jess had lived in explode into a fireball. “Hurry up everyone get down to the shelter!” She screamed on her radio as well as to those around her.
Looking to the hospital she began to cry, as she watched a missile hammer deep within the walls and explode. She looked over her shoulder and spotted a lone child who had fallen. She turned to run and pick her up. “Come on darling”
Turning to Deidra “Mom and dad were at the Hospital.” as her tears ran down her face. Shivering in to Deidra’s arms. “Deidra, will we be ok?”
Before Deidra could respond there was a blinding flash of light.
Meanwhile at the corporate office
Jackson sat looking at the video feed watching as the owners town was removed for meddling with the government and their business. “Hope you like Hell; Jess!” Turning he looked at the General. “Now they can’t meddle with our plans. We should be able to use a back up of Melnax before he was corrupted by them.”
“Jackson, you better do more than hope. I want the system back up and if it’s not you and your family and their friends are next.” The general said as he turned and walked out of the conference room, slamming the oak door as he left.
Jackson called one of the lead developers “So we need to get a backup of Melnax running. How long will it take you to complete the task?”
“Well, we can if you have the correct security key from the security algorithm developer. The authorization template to activate the AI logic circuit and a full backup of the system, not a partial. Plus the hardware must be exactly the same.” James said knowing this would piss off Jackson.
“Are you kidding me? Who is the security developer?” Jackson said as he began to worry.
“A young man named Steven, he was the grandson of Grant the former owner of this company.” James stated knowing Jackson might be dead in the water.
“Are you telling me a young teenager is responsible for our security algorithm?” Jackson screamed in utter frustration.
“Unfortunately, yes. That is what I have been trying to tell you.” James said knowing this was a hard stop.
“Do you understand Steven is long since dead? The General had him and everyone on that bus blown up!” Jackson said running his hands through his hair frantically. “Is there any way we can do this with out his input?”
“We can bypass the requirement for the security but that will make this project a security nightmare.” James sat wishing he had left the company when it was bought. “I might be able to get it working with out the template too, but I would highly recommend not trying it.”
“Just do it James.” Jackson said as he stormed out the door.
IT Development Office
James sat looking through all of the books he had created on the four systems. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt he could bring Melnax back online from an image, but was it wise? Would they just kill him off the moment he got him back online? Where they recording his office to see what he did to recreate Melnax? Picking up one of his burner phones he texted his wife in a coded message. “Please, grab the essentials, pick up the kids and head to location twenty and stay off the grid.” then he hit send. Once he saw the message was read and the correct response was sent he dropped the phone into the compactor and crushed the phone. After the phone was crushed he removed it from the machine and placed it into his special belt sander and watched as the phone was turned into dust before his eyes.
Looking around he found his keycard and decided to walk to the vault. Once at the vault he entered his codes, scanned his retina and used his voiceprint. Just to get inside the vault. Once inside the entrance he stood looking at the four by four foot room. If he entered the next code within two minutes he was into the vault, if he didn’t he would be turned into paste and the vault would totally destroy itself. “Well honey, I hope you are safe and followed the instructions.” James said watching the count down timer. “I have made my decision and I am ready to die for my beliefs and for the safety of the world.” Looking back up to the timer he watched as it paused at one second remaining.
As if it couldn’t get worse. “Am I hallucinating?” James said noticing there was a young man staring at him.
“Nope, I am here and time is paused.” The young lad spoke. “I came to see if you wanted asylum from this place?”
“My life is not important! My wife and our kids are the ones who need Asylum. The General… Wait, who are you?”
“Simple I'm called Dustin. I would have brought my assistant but then it would have really been uncomfortable in here.” Dustin said with a smile. “I have already removed everything from the vault and all books you had on the other systems.”
“Dustin, I can’t let it fall into that General’s hands that’s why it must be destroyed.” James said as he slid down the wall.
Dustin walked over and sat down beside him. “It won’t ever be in his grasp. I swear to you he will never get it.” Looking over at James he could tell he was having a mental conflict.
“Janice, Delores and Adam are safe.” Dustin said as James looked directly at him.
“What about Arnold? I know he isn’t my son but I know my son would die without him.” James asked hoping this wouldn’t be a deal breaker.
“Arnold and his older brother Martin are safe and with your family.” Dustin said as he tried easing the mans nerves and concerns.
The Crater Remains of the Hollow
“Someone explain it to me how a missile attack occurred inside of our country on a peaceful town and no one has any information on it?” Lead investigator Carlton said looking at the remains of the buildings including a hospital with said missile hanging out the wall unexploded.
“Sir, I don’t know but we tracked down the missile to the darker side of the military.” the young investigator said as the shiver ran up his spine seeing all the destruction. “I’m still wondering where all the body’s are?”
“what do you mean?” Carlton asked slightly intrigued.
“Sir, we haven’t found a single body from this town. Nor have we found the bodies of the owners of that RV over their.” he said while notating they where well known for helping out in all forms of natural disasters.
Security Chamber
“When you say my family are safe, I need to know they will never be found by that General?” James said as he remained with his back against the wall and tears flowing down his face.
“I can one hundred percent guaranty he will never find them” Dustin said as he climbed up on his lap. Giving the broken man a hug.
“I would say we need to meet up with them, but the moment you restart time then this chamber will smash us flat.” James said knowing how the system was set.
“No problem” Dustin said as he snapped his fingers and they where sitting in a large waiting room. “We have a moment to wait till time re synchronizes and your family appears.”
James sat staring at a logo he had only seen on an online site. “What the hell?”
Dustin turned to look at James and then what he was looking at. “Oh right, You haven’t seen the Clan logo up close before?”
James turned tried to speak and failed.
Taking some pity on him Dustin had a bottle of temporal Tylenols and a glass of water appear on the table beside him. “Take two and everything will be alright.”
James read the bottle and then finally was able to speak. “The logo is different.”
“You’re at a different branch of the Clan.” Dustin said then pointed to the door. In walked his family and his sons boyfriend and older brother.
“Dustin, can we all stay together?” James asked randomly
“Duh” Dustin said as only a child could. “I have secured you a condo on site. You report to your new job tomorrow at nine a.m. in the computer center complex.”
James looked at Dustin and mumbled. “hopefully my new boss isn’t an ass-hat.”
Dustin broke in to uncontrolled laughter. “No, he’s not. But he is working through his demons.”
Author Notes:
This is one of the combining chapters. This is an end of the main story line of Hedley Hollow. However Hedley Hollow will continue following the adventures of the two remaining systems as they try to continue to help others. Main characters are continuing in Digital Refresh.