Second Chances (87 page)

“It seems I've got news,” Mike rumbled, looking at the paper Jolie had handed him. Jolie looked up with a grin. “Buck called in. He said we've made contact with a community in the mountains north of us,” he said. Mitch looked at Jolie who nodded eagerly.

“That's great news!” Evan said, all smiles. “Are they close by?”

Mike nodded. “They met them out hunting near the river. Bucky reported the people wanted to participate in the conferences and were on their way back to let their own people know. He said they asked if they could be picked up at the river crossing,” he said frowning.

“I'll get you the fuel if that's what you’re worried about Mike,” Mitch said.

“No, that's not it. I'm just annoyed at Buck for going so far out. The kid's reckless. I shouldn't have left him alone for so long. He's going further out than the fort can support him. What happens if he gets into trouble?”

“Then he's screwed if he can't figure out how to get out of it on his own,” Kirafiki rumbled, crossing his arms.

“I need to talk to that kid. I think this has gone on long enough. We're going in circles,” Mike said. Mitch frowned.

“I say we take a day off. Let things rest a bit and give the people coming in time to get here,” Evan said diplomatically. “That will give us a fresh perspective of things, right?” he asked. “Shall we vote on it?” he asked. The others nodded.

Mitch did as well. The delegates voted unanimously to take a day to talk with their own communities over the radio.

“Great, that means I'm going to be kicked out of my own radio room,” Jolie sighed, shaking her head as they filed out. Some of the delegates were already jockeying to be first on the radio.

------*------

Laurence went to Iron Village for the regular convoy duty the next morning. When he got there, he was held over by Luke for an extra day. Since he was bored and they needed the extra help, Laurence turned his vehicles loose on the mine, transporting overburden and timber around the base. Both weren't discarded easily, the overburden was used to form an earth berm around the growing farms the town had for self-support.

That evening Buck returned with Jason in the pickup truck and a pair of shaggy men with long beards and curly hair. They wore battered yamacas. Each shook hands with Laurence and his fellow teenage drivers.

“To drive and yet so young!” the Rabbi said, eying Laurence. He had a bit of a Russian accent like Piotr but the teen understood him.

The teen shrugged. “I'm 16, sir,” he said. “Everyone is doing their part. Sorry I stink; we got a bit dirty and sweaty working in the mind and stuff,” he said.

Both men nodded. “Nothing wrong with a little honest sweat,” the elder said. “I am Doctor Kalonymos Schwartz,” the man said. He nodded politely to his partner with the crossbow. “Here is Rabbi Ezra Weiss, our elder,” he said.

“Well, one of them,” Rabbi Weiss said politely as he eyed his partner. “You being the other,” he teased. Doctor Schwartz waved a dismissive hand.

“I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, you are Jewish, but the accent...” Jason asked. “Sorry, it's been bugging me and I didn't know how to ask.”

“Not a problem,” the doctor said. “I am from Hungary and the Rabbi...”

“I am from Poland. I have a joint citizenship as all Hebrews do with the holy land,” he said to Jason.

“Ah, I see,” the medic said with a nod. “Doc, if you have some time when you pass back through, look me up please. I'd like it if you'd look at a few persistent cases I've got on hand. Doctor O'Connell usually stops by, but she's not due for another week. Another set of eyes could help,” he said.

“Is it urgent?” Doctor Schwartz asked, voicing his concern but fighting fatigue. They had traveled quite far on foot, all in fear of being ambushed by a predator. Jason and Buck had been polite enough to offer them fresh water and food but the traveling was getting to him.

Jason waved a hand. “A couple rashes, a thorn that I can't get out,” he said. “Again, nothing major. I set the last bone two days ago, and it is healing nicely.”

“Ah,” the doctor said, nodding. “I am not a dermatologist, I would need to see the rash and what caused it to know how to treat it,” he said, making a face. “I'm not sure if you have anything to use,” he said.

“If we can't whip it up here we can get it from Capital Base,” Jason said. “Mitch is pretty good about that.”

“Ah,” the doctor said, face clearing a bit as an unseen weight lifted off his shoulders. “About the thorn, again I should see it, but I would suggest peroxide. If that isn't available, there are two other methods I know of that do not resort to digging it out, using tape and pulling in the direction of the thorn...” Jason nodded. “Or fat. Pig’s fat may work. The grease acts as both a lubricant and the fat will grab the thorn like tape.”

“It's not...” Weiss started in but the doctor waved him off.

“I know it's not kosher, but sometimes we have to use what god provides,” he said, then slipped into his native language. The Rabbi nodded.

“Well, I think Miguel is bedded down; he's up at sunup and in the fields then beds down at dark,” he said. Laurence frowned. “Miguel Santos, not your Miguel,” Jason said.

“Oh,” Laurence said, face clearing. He nodded.

“I'll see about Bill and that thorn. It's been in his foot for a while now.”

“Eventually the body will encapsulate a foreign object and then reject it,” Doctor Schwartz said. “Or if it is in too deep the encapsulation will insulate it from the body.”

“I see,” Jason murmured. He shook hands with the doctor. “It's been a pleasure, Doc, I hope to see you on the way back,” he said.

“I as well young man,” the doctor said with a nod.

“This way gentlemen,” Laurence said, waving them to the trucks. He transported them back to base. They talked nonstop during the evening drive until the boy was hoarse. He finally realized the chatter was a distraction to the nervous Rabbi.

“Relax, I've been this route dozens of times now. Day and night. Even in rain and snow. It's no big whoop,” he said. “Sam cut a really nice road here,” he said. “I was hoping he'd pave it, but he's busy cutting roads to the other communities,” the teen explained.

“You are not afraid of animals?” The Rabbi asked.

Laurence shook his head. He pointed to the radar array on the dash. “This is like a fish finder but on land. We got it to work over the winter. It's not perfect but it lets us know if anything big or in a group comes near. Besides, we're traveling at a good clip,” he said, indicating their speed.

“You do not worry about going off the road?” The Rabbi asked.

“Not a bit. Look, no hands,” he said, taking his hands off the wheel. The older man's eyes went bug eyed as the wheel turned on its own. “Don't worry,” the teen said smiling indulgently as he pulled a water bottle out. “The trucks are from Chambers. He had them outfitted with computers; each can drive on their own. When we got to talking I turned the autopilot KITT on so we wouldn't have a problem,” he explained. The Rabbi nodded.

“I see,” the Rabbi said, nodding.

“You can take a nap; well, you could have if I hadn't talked your ear off,” the teen said. “We're almost there,” he said, pointing to the lighted compound as they crested a hill. The Rabbi looked at the massive complex and goggled again.

“That never gets old,” Laurence chuckled.

------*------

Mitch, Anne, and to their annoyance Colonel Dunn were in the vehicle park when the trucks rumbled up. It was late, nearly midnight, but apparently the Colonel wanted to be on hand to meet the newcomers.

They were introduced by Laurence to the 30-year-old leader of the Eastern Europeans. Rabbi Weiss shook hands with each of them. Mitch noted the fleeting look of something pass as the colonel hesitated before shaking hands with the man. Afterward the colonel couldn't wipe his hands on his pants enough. And he quickly mumbled an excuse about getting to bed before he took himself off.

They caught the Jewish leader up on the current events after he filled them in with descriptions of his home. Both of the newcomers listened attentively and agreed to what they had so far decided.

“Really, we haven't done or decided much as you can see,” Mitch said. “And I know you are both tired. Get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. If we can swing it, I'll see if we can delay the meeting so you two can get a tour of the base after breakfast,” he said.

Anne nodded and smiled politely to the two gentlemen. “It is quite large though. Some of the delegates have been taking multiple tours to take it all in. I've overheard a few people make comparisons to a theme park like Disneyland,” she said.

“Something like that,” Mitch chuckled.

“If I could, I'd like to focus on the infirmary. I was told you have one. A modern one,” Doctor Schwartz said.

Anne nodded. “Indeed we do, a full microhospital. All of the fields of medicine are represented here. We have equipment, supplies, and Doctor O'Connell-Chambers,” she said.

“She's sleeping. Tucker and work tired her out. I didn't want to wake her,” Mitch said. The Doctor nodded.

“I have a pair of nurses attending to my people but I cannot stay overlong. I really lack the materials to treat them. One I am unsure how to treat properly at all,” he said.

“Let me guess, something alien is involved?” Anne asked. The Doctor nodded. “Did you bring any cultures? Blood samples? Images?”

“Unfortunately, no,” the Doctor said, making a face. “We lack the facilities for such things,” he said mournfully.

“All's not lost yet. What we can do is get you cleaned up, fed, and rested. A hot shower would do you a world of good. If you are insistent on staying awake, which I hope you aren't,” Anne said, giving him a glower, “I suggest you check out the medical database while you wait. Or I can introduce you to whoever is on duty. I think it's Cassie right now.”

“If you please, I'd like to wash up. But I'd like to get to work as soon as possible,” the Doctor said firmly.

“Very well,” Anne said, turning her head and then sweeping her arm. “This way gentlemen,” she said.

------*------

Colonel Dunn talked with Trinika. He pointed out they could renege on the seed deal. “After all, what is he going to do? It's not like he's anywhere near you. He's here and you're half a continent away!”

She took on an artfully thoughtful look. Slowly her face broke into a smile. “True.”

“You can't be perfect. The weather, animals...” the colonel suggested. “A lot can happen between the planting and the harvest. And since it is your first time, yields will be poor to begin with.”

“So you're saying we should just keep it?” she asked. “You will support me on this?”

“I'm saying you should do what you think is right. He'll survive just fine,” Dunn said. “Besides, don't you think he owes us something?” He waved a hand to indicate their surroundings.

Trinika nodded thoughtfully in reply but didn't say anything more. Nothing else was needed to be said.

------*------

What are you up to now?” Brian asked Vance.

“Making smoke,” Vance said through his respirator.

“Okay...and why?” Brian asked. He looked around the lab. It Ducky's lab, but the other man was nowhere about. Most likely he was off with Maggie in the barn...or somewhere else.

“Paul. They've been having animal issues. Ducky and Maggie suggested smoke grenades. I've got the recipe, but it's not...oh shit!” Vance said, stepping back as the ingredients finally came together properly and then began billowing brown smoke. “Shit!”

“The fire alarms you dork! Put it out!” Brian said, trying to find something to cap the smoke.

“Too late!” Vance yelled as the klaxons began to wail. He sighed. “My ass is grass,” he grunted.

“What?” Brian yelled.

“I said...oh never mind!” Vance replied, waving him off.

------*------

Sandra found Cassie talking animatedly with a new face. She frowned, annoyed. She hadn't known who had been coming in, something about a medic but she'd thought it had been Jason about that rash. Apparently not.

“Oh, Mom,” Cassie said, catching sight of her. She shot to her feet. “Doctor Sandra O'Connell- Chambers, Doctor Schwartz,” she said, indicating the male in the borrowed medical smock. “He's a doctor from Hungary originally, Mom, family practice,” she said.

“Ah,” Sandra said, nodding. She'd had a late start but she wasn't completely daft. “Doctor Schwartz?”

“Please don't make any jokes about
Spaceballs
, the doctor said, shaking his head.

Sandra's lips pulled back in an almost smile. “I wasn't going to. Tempting now though,” she said.

He shook his head. “Believe me, they are old. Sometimes I wish Mel Brooks ill,” he said. “Not something to think of for a Jew about a Jew, but it happens,” he said with a shrug.

“If you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?” Sandra said.

“They say laughter is the best medicine,” Cassie interjected. Both doctors looked at her. “Um, just saying,” she said, now decidedly uncomfortable. “I'm ah, off shift so I'm...um, going to go eat and check on Vance,” she said. Her mother nodded as Cassie retreated.