Roachia 03 Before Dawn Page 5

  "Does this feel like just a dream, or perhaps a memory?"

  Abandoning any pretense of eating, BT returned Jim's gaze with a haunted look of his own. "A memory?" Jim guessed. Who is this Sam? A friend? A cousin? A brother? A foster brother?

  BT shrugged, but Jim could see the truth in his eyes. Quickly, he typed, /If it is a memory, then what happened to Sam?/

  The three older men exchanged looks. "Only you can answer that," Dr. Mike gently told him. "Once you regain your memory."

  Rafe smiled encouragingly. "You remember hearing a voice, touching a hand, and you are here now. Most likely, this Sam got out, too. You just have to hang onto that thought until you remember."

  BT turned back to Jim. "Rafe's right. This Sam may be looking for you right now. We'll just have to wait and see." As BT went back to picking at his food, Jim glanced at Dr. Mike for support. "I do have another question for you."

  BT looked up. Jim was hit by the trust in the big blue eyes. This is the right thing. "Until this Sam or your family finds you, would you like a temporary guardian?" The blue eyes turned puzzled. "Since we don't know if you are 21, a temporary guardian would help you make decisions and get through any paperwork until your family is found or you are back to full strength." Jim gave him a reassuring smile. "In addition, anyone like Dr. Katts would have to go through the guardian in order to get to you."

  "It can be really nice," Rafe added. "Colonel Pendergrast was my temporary guardian after I was in the camps. He and his wife helped me a lot until I could take care of myself again."

  BT gave Rafe a sharp look, then typed, /You were in the camps?/

  "Both Rafe and I were," Jim explained.

  BT thought for a moment, then typed, /Who?/

  "Who would be your guardian?" Jim asked. At BT's nod, Jim responded, "How about me?"

  Jim had his answer as the blue eyes lit up in joy.

  That night

  Jim opened his eyes. Leaves? Why was he lying in a pile of leaves? He took a deep breath, smelling the lush vegetation and humid soil. Just like, well, just like when he had been hiding from the Roaches after escaping from the prison camp. Glancing around, Jim realized he was back to that area. This had to be a dream, or a nightmare. Standing, he spotted a large black cat, like the ancient Earth's panther that graced his unit's emblem. With a flick of the tail, the cat turned and started to run. Jim raced after it, crashing through the underbrush and ducking under limbs. The forest opened up to a clearing, revealing a tall staircase of stone. Someone was sleeping on the next to the bottom step. Jim skidded to a stop. It was BT. A snarl drew his attention back to the cat. Only the panther had changed into a man.

  After a moment, Jim responded. "I remember you. You told me how to stay out of the Roaches' way until I could meet up with Pendergrast's patrol."

  "That is right, young sentinel."

  "Why did you bring me here? I haven't been here since I was hiding from the Roaches."

  "You took your first step onto the path of the sentinel then. Now, it is time for your next one."

  Jim glanced back at his sleeping friend. "Is BT my guide?"

  "Each sentinel is provided with a guide. This little one has been ordained as yours."

  Jim unconsciously stepped between the spirit and the young man in a protective gesture. "But I've been told there are no more guides or sentinels."

  The man laughed. "There are still plenty of seeds for the sentinels and the guides in mankind. Only the teachers of old became arrogant. They thought they could determine where the talent laid, yet they could not. They were warned of the growing evil, but felt themselves out of reach. They were wrong and paid the price."

  "Then how can we, with no knowledge, do what is right?" Jim felt so out of his depth.

  "Three on this side possess both the seeds and the knowledge of the guides. Together, they are strong. The evil of this world has tried many times to destroy them and failed. However, it has finally pulled them apart. This little one is the most vulnerable now. He falls under your protection so he can grow into his destiny."

  "Will he recover?" Jim quietly asked. Even here, the young man looked too pale and too thin.

  "Oh yes, he will recover to fulfill his role as your guide, as long as you protect him from the evil. As he heals, you will find him to be brave, strong, and wise beyond his years. He will lead you well as long as you listen, protect you if you allow him. He is now your brother. His path and yours are linked."

  "What of the others?" Jim asked, wondering if they could help.

  "They fight their own battles with the evil. Eventually, they will all fall under your protection. Together, you will lead mankind out of this place of evil and to the place of light."

  "Evil? Do you mean the Roaches?"

  "They are only one of the physical manifestations of the evil on this world. You together will fight many."

  "What do you mean?" Jim asked. Suddenly, the scene swirled around him. Next thing he knew, he was waking up in Simon's chair, hand still lying on BT's shoulder.

  Hundreds of miles away

  A young man in his late teens sat on the bed of the tiny room, rubbing his brown eyes. This was the only place where he could get a few moments of privacy. The only place where he could be himself. Running a hand through his straight brown hair, he twisted his neck trying to relieve the tension.

  Glancing around the spartan room, another wave of homesickness and grief swept over him. Without Dad and Blair, he really didn't have a place to call home. Sure, several family friends would take him in, but it just wouldn't be the same. Plus with his current assignment, he couldn't even use his real name. That certainly ruled out contacting anyone. He sighed. Uncle Pete and Grandma Tess were really going to ream him when this was all over.

  He tensed again, thinking of the unfriendly, selfish people he was currently working with. Any one of whom could be responsible for what happened to his family. It was starting to get to him, having no one to trust. Yet he had to do it. He carefully slipped a picture out of his shirt. Gazing at the faces, he drew strength in knowing he had to do this, HAD to find out what happened.

  "MAXWELL! GET YOUR BUTT IN HERE!"

  With another sigh, the young man slipped the picture back into his shirt and stood up to find his employer.

  Next morning, Front Ridge Base

  Slowly opening his eyes, BT was disoriented a moment. Then the events of the previous day crashed around him. Oh man, he was in Major Banks' office. Surely the Major couldn't be too happy to lose it to a wuss like himself. The thought of Dr. Katts sent a shudder through him. Sure didn't handle that well. It still scared him to think of what he may have said to the Roaches.

  But Jim claimed it wasn't his fault. He shuddered again, reviewing Jim's description of what had happened to him. Why couldn't he remember any of that? How could he know if that really was what happened?

  Because he trusted Jim. And Rafe said that he and Jim had been in the camps. Shoving aside his own fears for a moment, BT pondered that fact. He vaguely recalled the scenes of the battered and starved men that had been rescued. Remembered learning about the tortures they had endured, on top of the devastating losses of their families and homes. That had happened to Jim and Rafe? It hurt to think of the two people who had always been there for him going through that. Was that why they protected him? Why they always seemed to understand? Suddenly, BT realized just how personal Jim's description of the Roaches' torture must have been. Jim had never mentioned the camps. How much did it hurt to think about it, just to help him?

  Yet Jim had done it. Not only that, Jim was willing to be his guardian to protect him. Again, BT was flooded with the warmth of that action. Somehow, BT knew he was of age, yet for right now, he knew he wasn't ready to be on his own. It felt good to realize Jim understood that, to know that Jim would stand between him and Dr. Katts. Somehow, he had to find a way to repay this man the huge debt he owed him. But first he had to find the bathroom.

  Upon returning, BT
found Jim and Joel in the front room. "There you are," Joel greeted him warmly. "How are you feeling?"

  BT returned his smile, waving his hand in a 'so so' manner.

  "How's the head?" Jim asked, still studying him with a frown.

  Shrugging, BT held up a finger. He really didn't feel the headache as long as he didn't think about it. The older man didn't look totally convinced. But then, BT realized he had given Jim quite a scare yesterday. Heck, he'd given himself a scare.

  With a sigh, Jim picked up BT's coat from military surplus and tossed it to him. "Major wants us to meet him in the briefing room." At BT's puzzled glance, Jim shrugged. "Yes, he wants you there, too."

  "We don't know what is going on, either," Joel added. "The Major was in a meeting with the Colonel most of yesterday. I suspect this is when we find out what they were discussing."

  Walking between the two much bigger men, BT pondered why he would be called, too. He wasn't a member of the Panthers. Was the Major going to tell him that the unit was leaving, and he would be left behind? BT fought down a wave of panic. He didn't know anyone else besides the med staff. Where would he go? What would he do?

  Then a large hand comfortingly squeezed his shoulder. BT looked up into Jim's strong face. Everything would be all right. Jim would help him sort it out, whatever was going on.

  Soon, they and the rest of the Panthers were seated in the metal chairs of the briefing room. Sheree was also there, with the same puzzled expression that BT was sure graced his own face. Looking around, he noted the large white board at the front and a rolled up screen hanging above it. A flapping noise drew his attention to the ceiling. Plastic canvas covered where the roof had been damaged.

  Then the Colonel, with Major Banks a step behind him, entered the room. The unit around him immediately stood up from their chairs. BT, slightly lost, stood up a beat behind them and tried to copy the attention stance.

  "At ease," Colonel Pendergrast called out. After everyone was sitting, he began. "As you know, the vulnerability of our research establishments has recently become all too clear. Much work has been lost in the past few months, work we can not afford to lose and win this war. Thus, some of the more critical work groups will be moved to more remote bases, deep in our territory. However, to insure that these groups are protected from the Roaches, various military units will be stationed with them. Since the Panthers recently proved their worth in protecting this base, you and your support have been selected to accompany one of these groups. This includes Dr. Jackson and a couple members of her staff that she may chose," Sheree nodded back. "And BT, since he, too, helped in the defense."

  BT blinked. How did he help, except by trying to keep up by hanging on to Jim?

  The Major then stood up. "Since this assignment will be well behind the lines, families will also be included on the base." Simon traded a smile with Joel. Both men missed their families. "However, the area will be remote, with few leaves granted. To prepare for such, you will all have a two week leave in Manhaven." Now smiles stretched across Janson and Brown's faces as well. The large city of Manhaven, deep within the northern safe zone, had been so far untouched by the war. "The plane will leave tomorrow morning at oh six hundred. Dismissed."

  Two days later, Manhaven shopping district

  "Do you have everything?" Henri asked, holding open the door.

  BT looked up and nodded, a content smile on his face. He shifted his packages in order to help hold the door for Rafe behind him.

  "How's the head?" Rafe inquired once they were on the city street.

  BT smiled back at him as he shifted the bags off his weaker left wrist. After a good night's rest on the soft, warm hotel bed, followed by the best breakfast he could remember, BT felt better than he had in a long time. Only a dull ache in his knees reminded him that he wasn't use to this much walking.

  Rafe studied him a moment more. The lines that had graced the young man's face the last two months were mostly gone, making him look even younger than normal. Apparently, he was handling the shopping so far. They had found some of the items the kid would need on their future assignment. However, since BT was starting out with practically nothing, they still had a lot more to buy. Rafe had promised Jim not to wear the kid out this first time.

  Henri glanced at his watch. "Well, we have about 45 minutes before meeting Jim for lunch. What do you want to do now?"

  After another glance at the younger man, Rafe lifted his head. A nearby sign reminded him of another pressing need BT had. "Hey BT, how about we check into getting you some decent boots?"

  Jim took a deep breath as he stepped out onto the sidewalk, trying to shake off three hours of planning meeting. He, the Major, and Joel had hashed out some of the details, but it was hard when they had so little information to go on. They still weren't sure where they were going, or even what project they were protecting. Hopefully, they would have more facts when they met with the science team in a few days.

  Checking out the clear autumn sky above, Jim decided to walk to the diner instead of taking a taxi. Stretching his legs at a ground-eating pace, he unconsciously reached out with his senses. It felt so good to be out in a modern city's bustling streets, instead of the bombed out ones from their recent missions. He could take comfort from the tall, glass skyscrapers and the shorter, older buildings with blue-green creeping plants covering their sides. The sights and sounds of people were almost comforting.

  As he turned to walk across the street, he took another deep breath. Suddenly, he was slammed with memories. Memories of the camps, of the Roaches' cruelty, of pain and stench and hunger. Jim instantly zoned out on the remembered horror, unaware of the truck that had turned and was heading his way.

  In spite of his aching knees, BT's feet felt bouncy in the new boots. He couldn't wait to show them to Jim. Henri flashed him a grin as he bounced ahead, anxious to get to the diner. Then Henri turned his head back to Rafe. BT smiled as he listened to Rafe's tale of searching for the best food in the city.

  Glancing ahead, BT spotted Jim just about to step across the street. Wondering how to catch the older man's attention, BT saw the terror suddenly fill Jim's face before going slack. As Jim froze in the street, BT spotted the truck rolling towards him.

  "JIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Henri and Rafe looked up in surprise as BT shouted, racing ahead. With all his meager strength and slight weight, the kid tackled Ellison. The other two watched in horror as the truck drove over them. It wasn't until a shaky BT sat up that they could take another breath and dash over to help.

  Jim shook his head. What happened? He saw the truck stop a few feet ahead of him. Then he realized that he had just been under that truck. Hands gently grabbed his arm. He turned, and saw BT looking at him with frightened eyes.

  "Are you okay, Jim?" BT asked in a hoarse voice.

  "BT?" Jim questioned. Since when did the kid start talking?

  The hotel room was in chaos when Dr. Mike entered. Voices talking at once, bodies moving, pacing, confronting. Knowing the players as well as he did, the situation was easy to decipher. Major Banks was in the center of the room, furiously trying to get answers. Brown, still shaken, was rearranging a pile of shopping bags while trying to talk with Taggart and answer Banks' questions. Rafe, also shaken, was trying to talk with a pacing Ellison, who was still in a state of denial about what had happened. A glance at Jim's haunted expression pulled Dr. Mike up short. More was going on here than a simple zone out. Finally, sitting cross-legged on a bed towards the back of the room was BT. Wrapped in a blanket and holding a mug in his hands, the young man was lost in thought. Dr. Mike could almost see the wheels spinning in his head, trying to make sense of everything. Oh well, it was about time someone brought some order to this scene.

  Across the room, BT had tuned out everything around him. He wasn't even thinking about regaining the voice he had so sorely missed. Instead, he was concentrating on what had happened. He had been so scared, seeing Jim pause in front of that truck and knowing he was a
bout to be hit. Knowing Jim didn't see it, wasn't going to move. How did he know that? Why did Jim just freeze?

  Suddenly, the warm voice of his good dreams softly recited in his head. The drop in air pressure and the changes in the wind reminded Harry of that time when he was a child, petrified as a tornado bore down on him. He froze, overwhelmed by the sensations and the terror. By his side, Keegan realized that this was a zoneout, more intense than others from the look of fear on his sentinel's face. He had to pull Harry out of it quickly, to learn what danger they faced so they could combat it. BT thought about the horror on Jim's face before it froze. Remembered the distance Jim was able to read his data padd that day in the tent. How Jim led them out of the pitch-black tunnel. The way Jim seemed to know who was approaching before BT even knew someone was there. Could it be?...

  Dr. Mike shouted across the room, "QUIET!" Everyone paused to look at him. The easy-going doctor rarely raised his voice.

  Before he could continue, a small, hoarse voice quietly stated into the silence, "You are a sentinel."

  Surprised, Jim turned to find blue eyes staring intently at him. He ignored the shocked gasps around him as he gazed back. Knowing there was no way around it, Jim softly replied, "Yes, I am."

  "You zoned in front of that truck." There was no question in the voice.

  "Yes, I did." The rest were quietly watching Jim and BT, wondering where this was going to lead.

  BT then briefly broke eye contact as he glanced around the room, studying the team around him. Looking back into his older friend's eyes, he asked, "Who is your guide?"

  Leave it to the kid to notice the stumbling block. "I don't have one."

  "What!" BT's eyes widened in alarm. "Jim, it's dangerous for a sentinel not to have a guide! Look what happened today!"

  "I know," Jim sighed, not wanting to think about it yet. "But the Center was destroyed years ago, kid. The team looks out for me, but there is no one else to help."

  BT sat his mug to the side and pulled his legs up close, mind spinning as he grasped vague memories.