Cha'Nara's Gift

Chapter 22

Chapter 22 Devil's Den

Emily Picks up the Story

Even with my Marine corps training, I've never been so scared in my life, It simply amazes me how Deak can let this stuff roll off his back. I couldn't get used to the screaming of men dying like that. Shooting them didn't bother me so much, "Been There, Done that!" After Deak fired the claymore's you simply couldn't see s**t, someone could be creeping right up on you, and you wouldn't know it. I could only see Deak and Ben through my night vision device, I was pretty sure Deak was enjoying this; young Ben however was probably as scared as I was. We maintained our positions until daylight, Deak de-activated the last mine, together he and I crept out with Ben covering our rear to view our handiwork. What I saw, I never want to see again, sometime later I happened to describe the scene to Sheriff James; he told me I witnessed a typical Civil War battlefield in miniature. The poor devils hit by the mines were just blasted apart, blood and gore covered the trees, I threw up at the sight, and I think Ben did as well, but he apparently did it where nobody could see him.

We found the remains of five men, all dead, Deak couldn't even "salvage" anything off them, once we confirmed everyone was dead, we quickly left, Deak posted a note on a tree reading, "f**k with the bull, you get the horns" Several months later, I read in an old copy of the Georgetown paper, there was speculation the men were killed by artillery fire. This sort of thing is really starting to bother me, Deak claims it's necessary, and there's nothing else we can do, I always agree, he's usually right, but still…

Back in Deakstown we thought there might be repercussions, I even had the "girls" keep their ears open, other than just general talk, we never heard any more about the incident.

Deak Continues

We ended leaving one God-Awful bloody "battlefield" never found out who they were, just more nameless men laid out for the buzzards. I know Emily is deeply troubled by this kind of violence, even with her Marine training, and after having witnessed death in Afghanistan, it still bothers her, we discuss it sometimes, she always agrees with me that it was necessary, but I know she's deeply troubled. My biggest worry is that someday some drunken miner or saddle tramp is going to go after her or one of her "girls" and she won't do anything, lately I've been hanging around the saloon on Saturday nights watching her react to situations, I've made up my mind that any hesitation on her part, we're out of here.

While we were in Georgetown, I ordered building materials and lumber for my "box" and a small building we plan to use as a "hospital" I told the people at the yard to send along a man or two to help with construction. During the second week of May, we started construction of the "Box" and our hospital, I told Ben and Ned I've "borrowed" the idea from one of my favorite "plays" about men on a southern chain gang, "Cool Hand Luke" "Any man don't return his empty pop bottles spends a night in the box! any man loud talkin' spends a night in the box! any man sittin on his bed with dirty pants on spends a night in the box! You got questions, you come to me, I'm Carl the floor walker" Both thought it was funny, but thought a regular jail might be better. The "Box" I built was a double, stone floor, around nine feet high, no windows, only enough room to stand up we would put a small bucket in with the prisoner for his "toilet" the only clothes allowed were the man's long johns. I also located it far enough away so people wouldn't be disturbed. Once in awhile, troublemakers still found themselves visiting the "chute" but for most, a "night in the box" usually did the trick.

The other building Emily liked much better was our little one room "hospital" basically just a single room equipped with two narrow beds storage for medical supplies, a desk, a small sheet metal sink with a hand pump and room for a small stove for heat, and heating water and sterilizing medical instruments. It was painted white inside and kept locked until we needed it. The only thing I was sorry Deakstown never had was a post office; somebody was always going to Georgetown or Russell Gulch so they took any mail to the post office in either place and picked up anything for us.

Emily Picks Up the Story

Deak and I began to talk more and more about traveling home again, he wanted to sell the gold and give Ben a chance to see the future, even though things would get a little crowded we agreed that we could take one more, but who? At the next meeting, I posed the question, "Before we get started, I want to say that Deak and I have decided to make another trip to our home in the future, Rachel's already been so she can't go but anyone else interested?" There was a titter of voices then Jenny said, "Miss Emily, I've talked to Rachel quite a bit about her experience, it sounds interesting but I will defer to others who wish to go more than I do." "Thank you Jenny, anyone else?" Annie then spoke, "Miss Emily, I think I would like to go," "All right, how about you Sarah?" She thought for a moment, "Yes, I am Interested," " Well since Ben Miller has already put in a previous bid, only one of you can go, we'll flip a coin OK?" They agreed to that, I gave Rachel a silver dollar to inspect as being an ordinary silver dollar. Having passed inspection I asked each lady what they wanted, "Heads" said Annie " Tails" said Sarah. "Toss it" Rachel tossed the coin and let it hit the floor, "Heads!" I called, "Sarah, are you OK with this?" "Yes Miss Emily" OK then, If we should make another trip after this, you're on the list to go." She agreed to that. "Well Annie, we'll let you know when we're leaving, so just be ready, you won't need to bring anything. Might want to talk to Rachel some more, get a real good idea of what you're heading into."

About a week later Deak and Cha'nara decided to go, Thursday morning seemed OK I informed Annie who met us over at "Hanger 51" "All set?" I asked, Annie feigned a smile "Yes I am" "Well without further ado!" chuckled Deak, we entered the building we kept Cha'Nara's "unit" in Cha'Nara was excited that Ben was going, I wasn't sure what she had up her sleeve, but I could tell Ben was very nervous, even though he was attempting to pretend he wasn't. Cha'Nara and I entered first, taking our seats in front, Ben and Annie went next. Deak brought up the rear, sitting in the very back with his back up against the rear bulkhead. Cha'Nara and I went through the checklist, double checking everything, finally she pronounced everything good to go, and initiated the "unit's" drive, five minutes later the data said we were in 21st century Colorado showing the coordinates for the "crate" Before Cha' Nara opened the hatch, I half turned and said, "Ben Annie, right now it's about a week and a half after New Year's 2013 it's winter out there and probably be cold as hell, the house isn't that far away but be sure to throw on coats before you leave this craft.

"Oh and one other thing, the man and woman you'll meet are my parents, Joseph and Holly from the data here it looks like it's around 2:30 in the afternoon ,so as Deak says, without further ado, shall we go inside, Oh I almost forgot, welcome to the 21st century!'

Emily Continues

As we stomped through the back door, I noticed my mom at her usual post in the kitchen, "Hi mom! Got some more "waif's and stray's," she looked past me focusing on Annie and Ben. "Mom, this is Annie Sullivan, and Ben Miller, Annie works for me, young Ben here is Deak's right hand man." Both offered their hands to my mother, "I'm pleased to meet you all, I'll make a fresh pot of coffee, or would any of you rather have decaf?" Both of them gave her puzzled looks. Suddenly she realized her mistake and admonished herself for not thinking. "Where's Deak?" she asked, "Oh he's out in the barn re-charging the power tube for Cha'Nara's spacecraft," I said. "Cha'Nara's out there as well." "Well everybody have a seat!" continued mom, I took their coats and hats and stuck them in the closet. "I'm afraid I don't have much around for supper dear, I haven't been to the store yet," said my mother, "Not to worry mom, we're going into town in a little while for pizza and beer, plus I've got to go in again tomorrow, I'll be glad to get anything you need." "That's wonderful dear, I'll make a list."

Both Annie and Ben didn't say much, they just kept looking around the kitchen, both stared at the ceiling lights, trying to figure out how a candle or wick fit in them, and where was the smoke?" I noticed them staring, and casually remarked, "They're operated by electricity, nobody's used oil lamps in over one hundred years, everything runs on electricity." As mom was pouring the coffee, Deak and Cha'Nara came stomping in as well, mom caught the cold look on Cha'Nara's face, and said, "Hot chocolate for you young lady, coming right up." Cha'Nara had become "addicted" to hot chocolate and drank it every chance she could. Cha'Nara scooted in next to Ben, and tried to warm herself up against Ben, drawing my mother's interest.

Deak announced that the power tube was charging nicely, the new generator/converter was working like a charm. With Ben and Annie still scoping out the future, such as it was, I made an announcement.

"Ben, Annie, since both of you already have somewhat of an idea of what the future holds from talking to Rachel, and in your case Ben, talking to Deak, we're going to, in a manner of speaking, throw you into the 21st century headfirst. The main obstacle for you, is that we've plucked you two from point "A" brought you clear across here, and suddenly dropped you here at point "Z" skipping everything in between, you two are smart, ask your questions, but basically take your cue's from Deak and I, If something doesn't bother or interest us pay it no mind, the situation may appear dangerous to you, but if we're not bothered, don't you be."

We gave Ben and Annie the home tour, Annie and Cha'Nara would bunk together, Ben by himself in what used to be a "sewing" room, barely enough room for a cot, but he said it wasn't a big deal; it was warm and cozy though. Modern plumbing was next on the tour; Annie understood the concept almost immediately, having been briefed at considerable length by Rachel. All Ben knew was that there was hot water at the turn of a handle, he didn't care where it came from, just that it was there. Each had to flush the toilet several times pronouncing it the "wonder of the age" Annie was up for showers, Ben voted to stick with baths. Although each was aware of TV and radio actually listening to, and seeing it were something else, I was mildly surprised by Annie's reaction, she guessed right off there weren't people inside the devices, maybe she and Rachel discussed these things a little more "in depth" than I thought.

Annie was also struck by the picture of me on the fireplace mantle in my Marine Corps Class "A's" taken while I was still in basic, but I looked very serious and "professional" in the brown dress uniform.

After the tour, I thought it was a good time to head for town, although it was late afternoon, there was still plenty of light left to view the "wonders" of the 21st century.

Deak and I "donated" clothes to Ben and Annie so they didn't look so conspicuous , their 19th century cloths were not the greatest, and might draw to much unwanted attention. Again Annie surprised me by readily accepting a pair of jeans cowboy boots and a denim shirt. Ben got pretty much the same, but didn't say a whole lot either. As we approached our truck, Deak said, "Pip you and Ben crawl in back there, Annie, you sit between Emily and I." Our truck drew a whole lot of interest, especially from Annie, "Is this what Rachel told me she "drove?" "It sure is, I can teach you as well Annie," I said. Ben cut her off with, "Beggen yer pardon ma'am, but I'd sure like to know how to drive this thing!" Annie gave Ben a disgusted look, "I think I would like to learn as well, if you don't mind," she grumped. I chuckled, "Miss Emily's driver education class is now open, pay attention students, I'll walk both of you through the process every sixteen year old in Colorado learns." Both of them looked at me like I had lobsters coming out my ears. Deak opened the hood and showed them the engine, "Three Hundred and fifty Horsepower under there, that means this engine has the pulling power of three hundred and fifty horses, again, both seemed stunned. "Aww, that's impossible, sneered Ben that motor thing as you call it sure don't look like it has the power of three hundred and fifty horses." Deak ruffled his hair, "I hate to disappoint you son, but believe me it does, I'll show you some proof later on."

I walked them around the whole vehicle pointing out various features, then ordering everybody inside, although Ben and Cha'Nara were a bit scrunched in back, both were smiling, Cha'nara pulled a wool blanket over both of them, until Deak ordered her to keep their heads where we could see them. As we proceeded out on the highway, I said, "Both of you pay close attention to what Deak is doing, I know it's a little hard back there Ben, but do the best you can." I pointed out the instrument panel, and explained what the gauges did, the various knobs and buttons, the radio, heater, and everything else in between. Both Ben and Annie were nervous at first regarding our speed, and the uneasy appearance of oncoming vehicles. "Like I told you, if Deak and I don't get upset, it's normal," Deak then said, "Ben, remember when we told you we didn't know how to hook up a team of horses, much less drive one, well this is the same thing, driving a car or truck is no big thing to us, we learned when we were kids, been doing it ever since, time and experience, are all you need to be a good driver."

The closer we got to town, the more freaked out both Ben and Annie got, they were witnessing so much, their brains couldn't process the information fast enough. "C'mon guys, hold it together, remember what we said, roll with it, just accept it for now, we'll explain later," I remarked. Both stared out the windows in absolute amazement, Annie's mouth hanging open, I casually remarked to Annie, "I'll bet you thought Rachel was putting you on didn't you?" Annie slowly shook her head, "She told me, warned me even, but this is absolutely incredible, I can't even begin to understand even a small part of this, how do you people cope with all this?" "Well Annie, you just grow up with it, your current understanding of "All This" is the equivalent understanding of a toddler. Stick around here long enough, two years tops, you'll understand it all, aint no big thing!" Annie continued to gawk at the passing scene, just shaking her head. Ben had been rather quiet so far, until he quietly said, "Mr. Mathers, I want to humbly apologize to you and Miss Emily, I know you told me all about all of this, most of the time I thought you was funning me, I can see now you wasn't, I will never doubt your word again." Deak chuckled, "Well now that we've made true believers out of you, whose ready to move here?" Surprisingly no one said a word, "No? Oh well, you just got here, you just need time for all of this to soak in," chuckled Deak. "Ah, we're here!"

We had arrived at "Eddies Pub N Pizza" not much to look at on the outside, but people drove clear from Kansas to chow down on their incredible pizzas. Before we went in I said, "Be advised Ben and Annie, although this place is a saloon, now they are now called tavern's or pub's. It is in no way a "Bad Girls Saloon" type place, watch your language, and be on your best behavior, let's go eat some pizza!" both of them gave me funny looks not realizing I was teasing them.