Chapter 198: Back to Twin Pines

Sunday, July 4, 1971

I noticed that they had the big wagon with all the seats decorated for the Fourth of July holiday with red, white, and blue bunting as an excited Anna pulled alongside the loading platform. After shutting it down, Anna jumped from the tractor onto the platform and into my arms.

“I missed you!” she whispered as we embraced. Then she kissed me again before turning to greet her pregnant sister and the others. I introduced her to the newbies as my doctor and soon-to-be mother of my children. Aida just stared at her like she was the sheriff coming to evict her. I could feel the jealousy welling up inside her.

“Do we have a problem here?” Anna asked me.

“It seems like Aida may have one,” I replied. “But she can either get over it or get out. And to quote Rhett Butler’s famous line, ‘Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn!’”

“I guess it clear she’s not one of those that you really love?” Anna asked. “Why is she here? Is she with you?”

“Yeah. And she panicked last night when we did the icebreaker,” I thought to Anna. Then I quickly shared all the memories of my encounters with Aida. Anna was one of the ones who could process my memories fairly fast, so it didn’t take long for her to be up to date.

“Go easy on her, Michael. It looks like she just hasn’t had the time to get used to your unique lifestyle yet. And I’m certain you can remember how disconcerting your first visit to a nude resort can be. I’m sure she’ll come around.”

With that, Anna moved over to Aida and offered to help her with her bags as they talked. As usual, the ones who hadn’t been to the ranch before carried the most luggage.

On the way back to the ranch, Anna nodded as we passed a large barn way off to our left. I sensed that that was where the salvaged parts were being kept, but nothing else was said. At the Reception building, Anna stopped the wagon long enough for Sandy to hop off so she could go visit her mom, then we headed down the trail past the sign warning guests to ‘keep your britches on’.

Finally we came to the sign that said it was okay to get naked. Anna stopped and passed out the bags for our clothes and we all began to strip. At least those of us who had been here before. The newbies just kind of stared at first, then finally joined in.

“This is where we usually give the welcome speech. But since my sister isn’t here to give it, and I don’t have it memorized, I’ll just say welcome to our ranch. I hope you have a good time. If you need anything while you’re here, be sure to let one of the staff know.” And then she sat down and started the tractor again as we headed towards the ranch.

Hanna and Grace, who were sitting on either side of Aida, comforted her, reminding her that removing her clothing was an option. But it didn’t appear that Aida was consoled. She wouldn’t even look up. Finally, Grace looked over at me.

I just shrugged my shoulders and turned away. I hadn’t scanned Aida and for some reason, found myself avoiding doing it.

Anna took us all the way to the lodge, since she didn’t have anyone to help her with the luggage.

“Michael reserved the whole lodge so everyone pick a room and put your stuff in it. They’re serving breakfast down at the Dining Hall,” Anna told everyone. “I’ll be back to join you after I return the tractor.”

“Can I tag along?” I asked her.

“C’mon,” Anna replied with a smile. “We can check on the trailer while we’re down there.”

We had to dress before we could return the tractor and wagon to the reception area. Since it was a holiday, they were glad to have it back. Then we took a golf cart over to the back part of the ranch that was used for receiving and storing supplies, the main stables and corrals, and dorms for the ranch hands. It was a busy place with almost a full staff of part-time, mostly college kids, working for the summer; which happened to be the ranch’s busiest time.

Anna had instructed them to park the trailer in a remote barn that was used for storing hay. Since it was the middle of summer and they had not put up much hay yet, there was plenty of room. Waving to the deputy that was on duty, Anna and I entered the barn.

The trailer still had the seal on the rear door, so I didn’t bother it. I just placed my hands on the door and closed my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I exhaled slowly and began to sense the trailer, and finally its cargo.

I had just wanted to know that the cargo was there, but when I felt it, strange visions began to come into my mind. Most were of where the parts had been, but a few involved what I would call ‘programming’, much like the programs on computers of the future, but still different. I found myself captivated by the strange programs and was starting to study them when Anna asked if I was alright.

“I’m fine,” I said as I opened my eyes and removed my hands. “It’s there. And it’s fascinating! It felt like there was some programming in some of the stuff, and it appeared crystalline in nature. Maybe I’ll have time to study it when we get it moved.”

“Our next challenge is how to get it to the cave,” she said. “I know Sandy said we could transfer it to the wagon and use the tractor to pull it up, but who can we get to help load and then unload it?”

“I don’t know. You got any ideas?” I asked.

“I don’t think it would be safe to use the ranch hands. I’m sure it would raise their curiosity. And then we’d have to explain how we got into the cavern and all about the cavern itself. These are just college kids and I wouldn’t trust them to keep it quiet,” Anna said. “I thought about having the Army come back, but it would still be the same scenario.”

“I see what you mean,” I told her. The twin rings on my finger were humming and I found myself wishing I had worn my sword.

“C’mon. Let’s get some breakfast. I think better on a full stomach.”

On the way back we talked some more, and decided not to try moving the cargo until tomorrow when there would be fewer people around to watch.

“There you are!” Eve called out when Anna and I entered the Dining Hall. We got our breakfasts and joined their table.

“We were wondering what the schedule is,” Eve asked.

“Well, we’re here until next Sunday, so you’re free to do anything you want. Just don’t go anywhere alone, and definitely don’t leave the guest area without Anna or me with you. Other than that, you’re pretty much on your own.”

“Can we take Jimmy and Allie on the horseback tour?” Abby asked.

“Of course. Remember, their parents will be here on Wednesday, and the crew from New York is planning to arrive late Thursday. I’ll have to check with Sarah or Debbie to find out when they’re getting here,” I told them.

They had just gone back to discussing their plans when I interrupted them again.

“Oh. And I may need to borrow some of you tomorrow morning to help me move some things.”

“What’re you moving,?” Jimmy asked.

“Ah-h-h..., I think we should pick a better place to discuss that. Okay?” I thought to him and smiled.

Jimmy just nodded his head. Without his clothes, you could still see where his skin had wrinkled, but evidently, he didn’t need much physical therapy. He seemed to be moving just fine.

I had just got back from getting my second cup of coffee when the General walked in.

“Daddy!” Anna cried. “This is a pleasant surprise! I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Washington is a zoo with all the tourists in town for the holiday, so I decided to get out. I have to be back on Tuesday, though,” he told her. “Besides, I wanted to talk to Michael, if I can.”

“Well he’s got a busy schedule this morning. Why don’t I bring him to the house for lunch? Say twelve-thirty?”

“That will be fine. I’ll just grab me a cup of coffee and go see Jaye.”

After he was gone, I looked at Anna.

“What busy schedule?” I asked.

“Oh, you’re going to be VERY busy this morning. We have some ‘parenting issues’ to discuss.” Then standing, she grabbed my hand and led me out of the Dining Hall.

“Don’t wear him out!” Jessica called after us.

“What can I do for you, sir?” I asked as we sat down at the dining table in the main house. The general was wearing khaki slacks and an olive-drab Army t-shirt. Anna had gotten us robes before we came downstairs, so everyone was covered.

The General finished putting the sandwich makings on the table and directed Anna to bring in the potato salad from the refrigerator when she went to get us some iced tea.

“Help yourself, son. I don’t generally fix for anyone except myself,” he said.

While we ate, Anna engaged both of us in casual conversation, mostly about my visit to the White House last Tuesday. But we also discussed what I had been able to glean from the four NSA agents sent to pick up the two aliens.

“So far, they haven’t gotten anything from them. There seems to be a communication barrier,” he told us with a smile. “So they’ve mostly kept them asleep while they study them.”

Pushing back my plate after two sandwiches and three helpings of potato salad, I looked at the General. I had scanned him the moment he sat down and had a good idea what he wanted, but for some reason, I wanted him to work for it.

“Son, you remember I said that there would be something that you could do for us, from time to time?” he asked.

I just nodded.

“Well, this is one of those times,” he said.

“I can’t go back to New York this weekend. You know that we’re supposed to fly out to Tapato,” I said.

“What ... how did ... oh, yeah, you can read my mind,” he muttered absently. Then, “Well, I’m sorry about your trip. You’ll just have to push it back a day or so. The Princess and her party are flying home on Sunday, then you can go.”

“But we’ve already bought almost fifty tickets out of Albuquerque,” I whined. While it wasn’t exactly true, I had made arrangements for a special charter to handle everyone.

“Look, my people have heard some rumors lately, and while we can’t be sure, we think that somebody may try to kidnap the Princess while she’s in America this weekend. It’s our intel, but the FBI has jurisdiction. Normally, we’d just let them handle it, but we really need the Prince’s cooperation right now on some ... er, other matters, and we’d hate for anything to happen to his wife and daughter while they were in our care, so to speak.”

“Princess Grace, huh?” I asked. “In New York?”

“Yeah. Her and one of her daughters are going to be there. She’s been invited to speak at the United Nations on behalf of that charity of hers.”

“It’s not her charity. It’s called UNICEF, and she’s the honorary chair-person. It’s one of the oldest and largest charities in the world and their focus is feeding hungry children,” Anna told him.

The General raised his eyebrows, but didn’t argue. I could sense him wondering how she knew all that.

“Well, anyway, she’s going to be in New York and I don’t trust the FBI not to fuck this up. So I’ve arranged for you to be part of her traveling party. That way, while the FBI protects you, you can protect them.”

“And how would I do that? I don’t have the time to fly to Monaco and then fly back to New York.”

“Their flight will stop in Atlanta for fueling before going on to New York on Thursday. We’ll simply slip you on board there.”

“I’ve got a better idea,” I told him. After all, I’d had a while to consider his plan. “Why don’t you arrange for them to meet the Prince and Princess from Tapato, shortly after they arrive? Then, you can have them ask us to join them for the weekend. I’m sure I can arrange a sizable donation to UNICEF while we’re at it.”