Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. Mg* ped 1st cons rom inc preg anal oral mc ScFi Author: YAWN - Yet Another Writing Newbie. Copyright 2010-2011 YAWN Electronic distribution permission granted to asstr.org. Permission for any other use must be obtained by contacting the author via asstr.org. If you can't tell this is fiction from the copyright date and the story dates, you're either not old enough or not smart enough to be reading it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunday, 16 August 2015 05:00 Brrt! Brrt! Brrt! Brrt! Is it 5AM already? Seems like I just put my head on the pillow. Had a shower last night, so shave and dress and check with Mason. Then back to wake Molly. "Molly? Molly, Honey? Good morning, daughter!" "You said 'Honey' and 'daughter' both! I feel so loved!" "I'm glad you do, Molly. Time to get up and go eat. Remember that food service here is on a military schedule - they stop serving breakfast at 7AM. If we go now, they might still have pancakes or waffles." "Pancakes! Yummy! Let's go!" "You're still in your gown, silly girl." "OOPS! I'll get dressed real quick!" Less than a minute. She really wants those pancakes! "Do we stand in the long line, Daddy?" "No, honey, today we'll eat at the Officer's Mess where there's almost no line." "It doesn't look messy to me." "Molly, 'mess' is the military name for an eating area. I know, it sounds funny, but it's been called that for a long time. Do you want me to help you research where the name came from?" "Yes, Daddy. But when will we have time?" "Put it on your list of things to do after we get to North Carolina." "OK." "You didn't write anything down." "It's in my head - for Saturday of next week, because there won't be any school on Saturday." "Very good, smart girl." "Can I really have that big stack of pancakes?" "Since it may be the last hot meal we have for a while, I think you can manage most of it." "What's that funny-looking thing on your plate, Daddy?" "There are some soldiers here from England. They have some breakfast foods that we don't and this is one of them. It's a fried tomato." "That looks weird. What does it taste like?" "I'll let you try a bite after we sit down." "OK. I don't see any apple juice." "Sorry, Honey, but your choices are milk or orange juice." "I'll have milk, Daddy." +Look behind us, Molly. There comes Captain McGregor with Beth and Jane. +You said he might be carrying Beth and he is. +We'll sit at this big table and they can sit with us if they want to. +OK, Daddy. "Morning, Colonel. May we share your table?" "Of course, Captain." "Put me down gentle, Daddy." "OK, Beth." "Ouch!" "Is Beth OK, Captain?" "Just sore from all the time in the car seat in the truck sir." "We all know it doesn't ride like a limo." "Beth, do you want pancakes like Molly has or would you rather have eggs and bacon?" "Pancakes, Daddy. And orange juice." "We'll be right back." "Did your Daddy really say you could have that many pancakes, Molly?" "Yes, Beth. He knows that I love them and I know that we may be eating cold stuff out of the cooler for another day or more." "We'll be in the truck that long?" "Beth, didn't your Daddy tell you how long it would be?" "Yes, Mr. Wilson, but when he said a 'day', I thought he meant we'd be there tonight." "Sorry to make the trip longer, Beth, but getting there today is what we hope we can do. Things could happen such that it takes longer. Does that change how many pancakes you want?" "I'll eat the whole plate of them!" =Molly, can you hear me? +When you're this close and I listen hard. =Did you hear someone yelling really loud in your mind last night? +No. =I did something bad and got yelled at. Daddy and Jane heard it too, but they don't know who it was either. I think maybe I should be nicer to other people and listen better to Daddy so I don't get yelled at again. +That's probably a good idea. "Here's your breakfast, Beth." "Thank you, Daddy." "Daddy, can I get a shower this morning?" "Yes, Jane, but you'll have to be quick. Colonel Wilson and I have an early meeting with General Stratton and we'll be leaving immediately after that. You may have to help Beth with her luggage." "I'll be quick. Beth, what do you need me to help you with?" "If you put the luggage on the bed, I can stand up and put stuff in it." "OK, I'll help you." "Thank you, Jane." +Daddy, did the scare make them nicer to each other? +Yes, Molly. +That's weird. +Not really. They don't know who yelled at Beth and they're scared other people will find out what they're doing with their Daddy and maybe take them away from him. The only people they can really trust are each other, so they have to be nice. +I understand. They want to stay with their Daddy like I want to stay with you. +Right again, smart girl. "Molly, time to finish packing. We'll go back to housing and you can brush your teeth, get pink blanket and Georgie Bear, and any books you want in the truck for the rest of the trip." "OK, Daddy." "Captain, the sooner we leave, the more likely we are to get to our destination today." "Yes, Colonel. We'll go back and pack also." +Daddy? +Yes, daughter? +Can we do kissy-face? +Yes, but just kissy-face. I can see by your face that you want to do more, but we need to leave very soon. We'll have lots of time when we get to North Carolina. +Then take off your shirt and hug and kiss your naked daughter! +Not so loud. Even General Stratton might hear. +Sorry, Daddy, but I want to do so much. +Me, too, Honey, but we'll do what we can now and more later. You probably won't get the good feeling, or at least only a small one. I need you to be awake so we can leave in about 10 minutes. +OK. I don't like it but I understand. Kiss me? +Yes, little love monster. +Rub my butt? +Only a little - you have to stay awake. +I know - and I see the 'candlestick' in your mind. I'll be good. +Thank you, Molly. +Kiss me some more? +OK, just a minute or so longer, then you get dressed and head for the truck. +Mmmmm. I don't ever want to stop. +I don't "want" to stop, but we don't have a choice. +OK. I know you're keeping me safe instead of giving me the good feeling, but let's do more soon. +We will, and thank you for keeping your 'voice' down. Knock! Knock! "Colonel, we're ready. I know you've gotten more supplies. Is there room for luggage in the back of the truck or should it be in the trailer?" "In the trailer, Captain. We're also on our way out." 600 miles to go. I'll drive the first half; Ian will drive the other half. With a little luck, we'll get one hot meal today - hope that base stays in military hands. Mason's updates this morning were that the ash cloud is moving a little slower than expected, so our travel time today should be OK. He'll send a drone for message transfer if anything changes. Ian has the radar screens and the infrared - so far no threats. "Colonel, the drone is back." "Switch to the alternate Comm channel." "It's from Colonel Mason." 'Ash cloud moving faster than expected. Turn on your lights and siren and drive as fast as you're comfortable with. I requested military police escort, but the closest base is under attack and can't spare people or vehicles. The State Police are waiting to provide escort when you cross the next state line, but you're on your own until then. I'm using the drone with satellite capability to secure our communications. With several bases overrun, other methods may be compromised. We'll be in Durham in about 8 hours - from your position, it looks like you'll be there shortly after that. Be safe and see you there.' "Then we'll use lights and siren and supercharger and hope that higher speeds don't hurt fuel mileage too much." Blip!Blip! Blip!Blip! Woop! Woop! Woop! Dee-doo! Dee-doo! Dee-doo! "Turn it off, Daddy! It hurts my ears!" "Sorry, Molly. We need to go faster because the ash cloud is moving faster. We may get a police escort in about 100 miles, but you'll have to listen to their sirens also. Look in the pocket on the left door and see if there are earplugs." "Found them!" "Then all you girls put them in." "Yes, Daddy." "Yes, Mr. Wilson." "Colonel, you sounded like a drill sergeant, but you didn't raise your voice. How did you do that?" "Practice from when I was a drill sergeant." "County law enforcement is signaling for us to pull over." "Sorry, but we aren't slowing or stopping until we get to Durham." "He's shooting at the tires!" "No problem. They have foam in them, not air. Fire the top machine gun under his car and take out his outside tires." Roar! "He's gone, but what about that tank up ahead?" "It has National Guard markings. I suspect some county sheriff wants to 'score a big one' after seeing this truck on YouTube. You'd think he'd be smarter than to challenge a vehicle equipped with Sidewinders. The tracking radar will give the trajectory of the shell if the tank fires, so I can avoid the round. If he fires, take it out." "Yes sir. His aim is high and to the right. No evasive action needed." "Fire!" Whoosh! Boom! "Aren't you concerned about taking out a military target, Colonel?" "As I said, a county mounty looking for fame. The National Guard tank group in this area has taken the highest awards in marksmanship for three years running. Had it been one of their guys, he wouldn't have missed - on the other hand, one of their guys would not have fired on an obviously important mission. He would have known that a deuce and a half pulling atrailer at 90MPH isn't like anything in their motor pool." "Won't the state police here be after us?" "Probably not, Ian. They're likely glad to see these jerks gone." "State line 20 miles ahead." "The highway curves to meet the bridge at the state line. Watch for a roadblock just before we get there. Take it out by whatever means necessary." "How many missiles do we have?" "Seven more." "Colonel, the drone is back. How fast can that thing fly?" "About 160. See if there's a message from Mason." 'Heard there was a problem. Four problem solvers coming up behind you now.' Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! "Helicopter gunships?" "Probably from just across the state line. I don't think we'll be delayed." "You in the Sherriff's cars. You are obstructing a military mission essential to national security. Move your vehicles or we will take them out, starting from the outside edges." Universal digital signal from the drivers. "We are proceeding to clear the road." Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! "Colonel Wilson, the right shoulder is blocked by burning debris, but the two primary lanes are clear. I don't think you'll have further problems, but two choppers will fly escort until you reach your destination. Welcome to North Carolina." "Thank you, gentlemen, but your craft are in danger from the ash cloud. You have about four hours to get to safety." "We're aware of the situation, sir. With proper escort, you should be in Durham in a little over 3 hours. We have ash-proof hangers there." "Three more hours, Daddy? I thought it would be much longer." "Molly, it would have been longer if Colonel Mason hadn't told us to hurry. We've been driving much faster than usual, so we're getting there sooner." "Does that mean that the bad stuff is catching up with us?" "It's moving faster than expected, but we're moving a little faster than it is. We should be safe soon." "In a Survival Building?" "Yes, Honey." "What about school? And a library? And a place to play soccer? And ride my bike?" "We'll have all those things. I'll show you in the morning." "Daddy, will we see Grandpa Ed?" "Yes, Beth. He'll probably get there about the same time we do." "Can we go with Molly to see where things are?" "You girls are welcome to explore with us, but your Grandpa Ed may want to show you around." "Colonel Wilson, the State Police escort cars are ready to join you about a half mile ahead. We'll stay with you, one of us ahead to scout for trouble and the other behind to help take it out." "Thanks again." "Daddy, you were right." "About what, Molly?" "All I can see is dark patches along the road." "I'm sorry we won't be able to explore tomorrow. It may be a very long time before we're outside again." "I really wanted to go swimming in the ocean with you." "And I wanted to swim with you, Honey." "Is there a place to swim in the Building?" "Yes, but it doesn't have sun or wind or waves or a sand beach." "I just want to be with you, Daddy." "For as long as we can, Molly." "Are we there yet?" "Very close, Honey - and I'm surprised that's the first time you've asked that question." "I remembered that you said it might be after my bedtime, so I knew we wouldn't be there until after dark." "Very good logic, smart girl." =Daddy, I didn't ask because you said not to. Molly really is smart, isn't she? =Yes, Beth, she's very smart. Even though you're almost a year older than she is, she may be ahead of you in the new school. Grandpa Ed said that the school places kids by what they know and what they can do, not how old they are. =So I might be back in first grade and Molly might be in third grade? =Yes. =But that's not fair! =You told me about playing Molly's new game, where you had to do arithmetic in your head - and that she did things much faster than you did, even when you were counting on your fingers. Would it be fair to make her sit through a year of arithmetic lessons when she already knows how to do it? =I guess not. Will I learn to do arithmetic faster in the new school? =I'm sure they will help you be as fast as you can. =OK. "Sir, the GPS indicates a right turn in 1/2 mile, but there's nothing on the local maps." "Look for an area with some serious fencing - it may look like fencing for a prison or a zoo. When we get close to the turn point, use the red remote on the dash to open the gate." "Slow down, sir. We're 100 yards from the turn but I don't see a gate." "Anything that looks like a driveway?" "Maybe." "Press the 'Open' button on the remote." "That's a big gate!" "Daddy, does this one work like the one in California?" "Yes, Molly." "Then the gate will close when we drive over the circle in front of us?" "Right again, smart girl?" "Do we lock the gate this time, Daddy?" "Since I see Colonel Mason in front of us, we can lock the gate. Hit the 'Lock' button Captain." "Glad you made it safely, George. Pull your vehicle into the Survival Building and I'll close the doors." "Will do, Ed." "Captain, get your girls out. I know they want to see their Grandpa Ed!" "Grandpa Ed! Grandpa Ed!" "Hi, Jane. Hi, Beth." "Hi, Lacey." "Hi, Beth." "Would you like to eat? It's not fine dining, but it's hot - take out from Antonio's Pizza and Aunt Sue's Fried Chicken." "Thanks, Ed. I'm sure everyone would like hot food, regardless of what it is." "Daddy, they have cheese, sausage, and pepperoni. Do you want sausage?" "Yes, Molly - and I'm sure you want a slice of cheese and probably a chicken leg and some mashed potatoes with gravy." "Can I have both?" "These are big slices. You may have both if you finish the slice of pizza before you start on the chicken." "Yes, Daddy." =.Daddy, Molly is so little - can she really eat that much? =Colonel Wilson apparently thinks she can, Jane. "George, Ian. While the girls eat, we need to get your truck and trailer unloaded. Would it be simpler to take them down on the freight elevator and unload to your quarters?" "Yes. Where are we staying?' "9th level down. So far, we're the only ones here, so we can have our choice of accommodations. George, you're in #3 which is the same type quarters as in California. Ian, you and the girls are in #11, which is just across the hall from me in #12. Beth and Jane are always welcome to visit." +The 'honeymoon suite', Daddy? +Yes, Molly. +I can't wait. +Me either. Thank you for remembering to keep your 'voice' down. +It's hard to do. I just want to yell how much I love you. +I know, Honey. We'll do it with words later - these quarters are soundproof, but not 'thoughtproof'. +Is 'thoughtproof' a real word? +Maybe not, but is it a good description? +Yes, teacher. +I'm glad I have my smart student. "George, Ian. Here are RFID tags for each of you and each of the girls. Ian, you'll use this for entry into all areas and for 'buying' items in the Commissary - I think George said Molly called it the 'store', which is a good enough description for the other girls. Ian, there is no food service, so it's whatever you prepare or one heated MRE a day and whatever you can scrounge for the other meals." "Daddy said he would teach me to cook all the things I like. I already know how to do hot dogs and burgers and pancakes." "I understand that your Daddy is a very good cook, Molly. Maybe he can give lessons to all of us?" "If that's what you want, Ed. We will need some kid-sized implements - preferably with wooden handles so they don't get burned by grabbing a hot spoon. If there are none in the Commissary, I can probably make something in the shop. We also need stools to get them high enough to reach the counters safely. I can build those if there aren't any." "Whatever you need, George. I'm looking forward to a meal cooked by my granddaughters." "Daddy, I'm tired. Can we go to bed now?" "As soon as we get all our stuff out of the truck and trailer, Beth. You and Jane come help." "Yes, Daddy." "We need to get our stuff, too, Molly." "Yes, Daddy. Do we have to carry it or can we use one of the big carts from the store?" "That's a good idea, Honey. Let's take Captain McGregor, Beth, and Jane up to that floor and let them see what's in the Commissary and we can bring back a couple of the big carts." "Have you been here before, Molly?" "No, Jane, but we were in the Survival Building in California for a little while. The RFID tag opens the doors you're allowed into and it's like a credit card when you get things at the store. You put it on the pad, then you swipe the stuff you want across the scanner - with the bar label against the scanner." "Like the self check lane at the supermarket?" "Yes, Beth. But it has different stuff from what a supermarket has - no muffins, no bread, the milk and potatoes are powdered - you pour it out of the box and add water - there are clothes and shoes and maps and other stuff, too." "Can we go, Daddy?" "Yes, Jane. We need soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and something for breakfast." +Daddy, I need some bigger underwear and pants - these are too tight - and I want some pickles. +OK, Molly. We can get clothes for you and breakfast items for both of us. Pickles? Are you sure? +Yes, but sweet pickles, not the sour ones you like. Is this store like the one in California? +Probably. +Then I know where all the other things we need are and I can use the "Search" button to find the pickles. "Can I push the buggy?" "Yes, Honey - at least until you put so much in it that you can't push it anymore." "You're silly. I won't get that much." +I really, really want to get a shower with you and sleep naked with you. +Me, too, Honey. You're doing a good job keeping your 'voice' down - especially when I can see how excited you are. Here's a sour lemon lollipop. +Yuck. But I understand. We know what they're doing, and they probably have an idea what we're doing, but we don't have to tell everyone. +Yes, Molly. Part of being in control of a situation is controlling how much other people know. If you know more than they do, it's always an advantage for you. +Are you teaching me how to be a soldier? +Sort of - but knowing these things can also help you in dealing with other people for the rest of your life. Remember that Grandma and Grandpa Sloan were going to try to adopt you? Before they were arrested for income tax evasion, I was collecting information about them that would help me adopt you. Your Mommy's Uncle Charles told me that your birthday wasn't on Grandma Sloan's calendar with the birthdays of her other grandchildren. +She really didn't care about me. +You're right, Honey. Mister Albert also asked his drivers if they ever took Grandma or Grandpa Sloan anywhere. Several said that they took Grandma Sloan home drunk from some bad parts of town. If she's so drunk she needs a cab, she's not able to care for a child. +So you were going to the judge with more information about them than they knew that you had? +Yes, smart girl. +I'm glad you love me so much, Daddy. +More than I can tell you. +I know - I can feel it in your mind hug. "It's the pancake aisle, Molly. What do we need?" "They don't have pancake batter in a squeeze bottle. Do we get the box?" "Yes. What other things do we need to make these pancakes?" "Milk and eggs and oil. Oil? Like in a car?" "No, Honey, cooking oil. It can be any vegetable oil - canola, sunflower, etc." "There's no oil on this aisle. Pick me up so I can use the search panel on the buggy." "Umph! You're getting heavier. Search for vegetable oil or shortening." "V-e-g-e-t-a-b-l-e o-i-l?" "Good spelling, smart girl." "It's one aisle over, with the flour and stuff. Can we get flour and other things to bake a cake?" "A cake, Molly?" "Yes, we need to celebrate being in our new 'house' and being safe, so we need a cake. We can invite the other people to celebrate with us." "That's very sweet of you, Honey. What kind of cake? What kind of icing?" "A yellow cake with chocolate icing. Beth and I love chocolate; Jane likes some chocolate but doesn't like chocolate cake. This would make everybody happy." "OK, there's yellow cake mix on your left." "Got it." "And chocolate icing is on the shelf above it. Can you reach it?" "Got that too." "What other things do we need?" "Milk and eggs and oil for the cake mix. The icing says 'Ready to spread'. Does that mean we don't have to do anything but open the can?" "Correct. Where are the powdered eggs and powdered milk?" "Eggs on aisle 6, milk on aisle 8." "Where do we find soap, shampoo, and toothpaste?" "They're all on aisle 9. But the sign doesn't match the search screen. It says 'Personal Care'." "And where are those items used?" "On my body. Oh, that means taking care of my person - me!" "Why are you so excited, Molly? It's just another supermarket." "Not when I'm with my Daddy and he teaches me things on every aisle." "Being with a teacher is fun?" "It is when the teacher is my Daddy. "But what can you learn in a supermarket?" "What bread is made from. He had me read the label on the flour container and I used the search screen to find all the ingredients we needed." "Make bread? Doesn't it just come from the store?" "Did you see any bread here, Beth?" "No, but I can't see the top shelves." "Bread doesn't keep very long, so there's no bread here. The things bread is made from can be stored for a long time though, so we have the ingredients to bake our own bread, or muffins, or cake." "My Daddy said we might not have cake again for a long time - not even for my birthday next week." +I think your idea for a cake came at just the right time, Molly. +Can we make it a surprise party? But what about gifts? We don't know what she wants and she can get almost anything at the store with her RFID tag. +I'll ask Captain McGregor and Colonel Mason. They may have some ideas. +Thank you Daddy. I love you. +I love my sweet, thoughtful daughter too. "Everyone have what they need?" "Except for the cooking skills, George. I really need a crash course in practical cooking." "Ian, you need to visit the library. They have books and videos on everything. If something isn't clear, feel free to call me. I also need to talk with you on a secret matter. Can you meet me in Comms in about an hour?" "Yes, but where is ...? OK, I see the sign at the end of the hall. What about Beth and Jane?" "If they're not asleep, I'm sure Ed will be glad to watch them." "What about Molly?" "She'll be OK." "I'll be there." "Beth, Jane. I have a meeting with Colonel Wilson in an hour. Before you ask, you can stay with Grandpa Ed while I'm gone. If I'm away past your bedtime, you can sleep there." "Yes!!" "Take something to sleep in and clothes for tomorrow, just in case. And fresh underwear - Grandpa Ed knows you both need to bathe before bed." "OK." "Get your stuff and scoot." "Good night, Daddy." "Good night, Beth." "Good night, Daddy." "Good night, Jane." "What's this about, George? "Molly and Beth were talking in the store and Beth was sad that she wouldn't have a cake for her birthday next week. Molly wants me to help her bake that cake." "A cake? Here? How?" "Mr. McGregor, all the ingredients are in the store and we have a kitchen in our quarters. I've cooked other stuff on the grill and now I want to try a cake." "That's very sweet of you Molly, but why are talking about this here?" "I want it to be a surprise. And I want to know what Beth might want that she can't get at the store - we all have RFID tags and can get almost anything there." "Beth would love a surprise party. What does she want? Probably a small dollhouse that that looks like the house I grew up in." "Do you have a picture of the house?" "Yes. I can give it to you tomorrow." "There's a complete machine and wood shop on the 10th level down. Molly can help me build the dollhouse. What color was the house?" "Very simple: white siding, brown shingles on the roof, red brick walkway." "Any trees or flowers in the yard?" "A big oak tree in the front yard with a tire swing on one of the branches." "Can you make a tree out of clay, Molly?" "I think so, Daddy." "Then I think we have a gift for Beth. Sorry that there won't be any ice cream - non-fat powdered milk doesn't work well because ice cream needs some fat." "George, after all that's happened, I think she'll be so excited by the party that she won't notice whether there's ice cream or not." "Can you tell Ed what we're planning? I'm sure he and Lacey would like to be involved. The Commissary doesn't have much in the way of decorations so maybe Lacey and Jane could do streamers and a 'Happy Birthday' poster or banner? We can arrange a place for them to work while Beth is doing other things. Maybe the two of you could ride bikes for a while everyday, Molly? There are bike paths on level 6." "Yes, Daddy. And I'll try very hard to keep the secret." "I know you will, Honey. Thanks, Ian. It's Molly's bedtime, so time to go back." "Thanks, George. Beth will be thrilled." +Can we do kissy-face tonight, Daddy? +Only a back rub and enough kissy-face to get you to sleep. You look tired and I want you in bed - sleeping - at your bedtime. +But Daddy .. +Candlestick - I can also feel that you're more tired than usual. If you're better tomorrow, we'll do more. +Promise? +Promise.