Chapter 2: Week of Decisions

Sunday the 15^TH

I woke with my bladder full, and screaming for attention. Throwing the blanket off, I stumbled to the bathroom as I unsnapped my pants. Standing there, I pissed like a racehorse as I picked up the bottle of Advil, and popped the top off.

I fumbled a couple of tablets out and slipped them in my mouth, as I finished pissing. Flushing the toilet, I snapped the lid back onto the Advil. I bent down and took a drink from the faucet. Shutting the sink water off, I reached over and started filling the tub, as I stripped and walked into the kitchen.

Going to the fridge, I opened the door and pulled out the milk. I took another big drink, and then put the container back. Looking in, I noticed I would have to go shopping this morning for staples. I pulled out the half-block of Monterey Jack cheese. Pealing the wrapper down, I took a bite, and walked to the tub.

The tub was almost to the halfway mark when I reached over and shut off the water. I grabbed the bath pillow and sat down in the water. Placing the cheese on the small table I kept nearby, I picked up the new western by William Johnston. I sat back, reading for while, as I soaked my old bones.

I had been sitting there in the hot water for about twenty minutes when my cell phone started ringing. Setting my book down, I reached over and snagged my pants by the pant leg, and dragged them to me. Digging through the pockets I found my phone and opened it and looked at the number.

"Hello?" I said.

"Remember what I said Walter. You must make up your mind quickly," said a woman voice.

I looked at the phone and closed it and sat back in the water. Picking up the block of cheese I took another bite out of it and lay back chewing as I closed my eyes. Using my toes, I let the some of the water out and then refilled the tub with more hot water.

"That was rude, Walter. You could have at least said something," said a voice.

My eyes flew open. I sat up quickly, and looked around. The girl from the night before was suddenly sitting on my toilet, looking at me. I grabbed the nearest thing, and had my pants on my lap.

I snapped, "Who are you and how did you get in here? How did you do that?"

"I told you last night I am Rala and I am here to offer you a deal," she said as she looked at me.

"GET OUT!" I yelled, and watched her get up and walk out of the bathroom.

Pulling the plug from the drain, I stood up and picked up my wet pants and dropped them in the sink. Reaching over to the rack, I grabbed a clean towel and dried off and then went into my bedroom and over to the dresser. I went through the drawers and pulled out some clean clothes to wear.

Once dressed I took a deep breath, and walked to the head of the bed. I reached under the pillow, and picked up the little snub nose .32 I had hidden there. I walked out into the living area.

"Your primitive weapon won't work on me," Rala said as she sat at the kitchen table that was covered in food.

She noticed me looking at the food and added, "I made you some food. I hope you don't mind, but I noticed your supplies were low. So I had some sent down from my ship."

I looked at the pistol, and put it away in a nearby drawer and sat down. Looking at the food, I filled my plate and started eating potatoes, eggs, sausage, toast and grits. "You know this is going to kill me," I said as I ate the high cholesterol food.

"No, you're going to die at 10:12 pm Friday 20^th when you pull another dead man's hand. The pot will be nineteen thousand dollars, and you will have a massive heart attack while you're collecting your winnings..." Rala said as she took a sip of her drink.

"No one knows when they will die, so knock that crap off," I snapped in anger.

"Really?" she said and a paper appeared in her hands. I noticed it was the Elko news and I opened it up once she handed it to me. On the front was my picture and saying I died after getting aces over eights at the Stockmen's Casino and Hotel.

"Nice trick, not sure how you made it appear, but seen preprinted papers before in movies," I said.

"What does it take to convince you?" Rala snapped at me.

Secretly, I believed her. I was giving her a hard time just for the fun of it. Hell, I was sixty-three years old, and was dying from liver failure from the booze I had been drinking. I was mad at the world and I didn't care anymore.

"I don't know, take me to your ship and show me around," I replied with a smirk.

"I can't do that," Rala gasped out in surprise.

"Just what I thought," I said as I picked up my milk and drained it.

Rala stood up and snarled out, "OK, you want proof, I will give you proof."

Grabbing my arm she yanked me to his feet and said, "June 6^th 1944, 6:20 AM, Omaha Beach."

Before I could say anything a bright green beam descended over us and we vanished from the inside of the RV.

We appeared on a lonely beach. The sea was rolling onto the beach and then a high-pitched whine sounded and I hit the deck as a loud explosion erupted behind me.

"INCOMMING!" I screamed as I covered my head and rolled into a ball,

Rala still stood as she watched the American fleet continued to pound the German forces behind them.

"Get up, Walter, they cannot hurt you," Rala said.

"Fuck you! That's live ammo they are firing. Where the fuck am I?" I shouted over the explosions, as I looked up at her.

"You're standing where history for your world was formed. You're standing... " She looked down on me and then continued, "Well, lying, on Omaha Beach. The date is June 6^th, 1944, and the American forces are getting ready to come ashore to free Europe from Hitler's occupation. Now, stand up and see history unfolding," Rala replied as she lifted her hand and a dozen small balls flew away from her. Each ball was a miniature sensor and recording device and would record everything that happened on the beach.

I looked around and noticed the debris from the explosions was being deflected away from us. Slowly, I stood up and looked around. I gasped out in surprise. Off the coast I could see several battleships firing towards us while destroyers and cruisers moved into position.

"That is the USS Arkansas, and the other is the USS Texas," Rala said as she pointed at each ship.

I knew the old Texas well. I had gone on her fifteen years ago as part of a tour for the first time, and went back several times over the years. She was one of the last of the predreadnaughts built around World War One. Looking around, I watched as the LCVP landing craft ran ashore and started discharging their cargo. I watched the ramp come down and the men charge out onto the beach. I turned and puked, as they were ripped apart before they could take three steps.

"Get me out of here," I said after I regained control of my stomach.

"As you wish," Rala said and touched her ear.

The green haze settled over us again and I found myself back in my living room. "My god! They were butchered coming ashore like that," I said.

"Yes, they were, but they died for a reason," Rala said as the door was opened.

Mike

I opened the door and stepped inside and said, "Hey, Walter, let's..." I froze as I saw the silver woman. At first I thought it was a suit, but then I realized her skin was silver.

"AH SHIT!" Rala said as she looked at me.

"Who and what are you?" I said as started to back out of the room.

"Come in, Mike. Pull up a chair and have something to eat. This is Rala," Walter said as he went into the bed room.

"Uh, hi. Uh, what are you?" I asked as I stood there by the door.

"My name is Rala, I am here recruiting Walter for a project of my people," she said as she stepped back and gestured for me to come in.

Stepping in, I went to the table and looked at all the food. My mouth started to water, because I was hungry.

"Go ahead, I made plenty," Rala told me and handed me an empty plate, and some silverware.

I took the plate and piled the food on. Grabbing the bottle of hot sauce, I poured it on my potatoes and eggs and then mixed it all together. Walter came in pulling new shirt on as I said, "This is good!"

Rala

"Thank you," I replied as I tried to figure out how to get out of this mess. Walter sat down across from his friend and started drinking his coffee.

While they were eating, I reached and touched my ear and sent a message to Kalib, 'Sir, I have a problem.'

'What is the problem, Rala, ' Kalib replied.

'Walters's friend Mike came in just as we came back from the past. He must have just unlocked the door, when we appeared. He has seen me. Sir, what do I do?' I sent back to him.

'Hmm, give me a second to pull up his file, ' Kalib replied.

'Yes, Sir, ' I said.

I looked at the two men and made a carafe of coffee appear in my hand. Pouring them each a cup, I set the pot on the table. Walter was telling Mike about what just happened.

Mike turned to me and said, "You took him to Omaha Beach?"

"Yes. He was being stubborn. He wouldn't believe me, so I took him to see something that would make him believe ... or I hope he believes me now," I said.

"Damn, what I would do to be in a B-52 at Pearl loaded with cruise missiles. I would sink the entire Japanese carrier fleet before they could launch," he said.

"You cannot change history. You cannot interact with them," I said as I sat down in Walters Lazy-boy chair.

"Oh! Why not?" Walter asked.

"Because, if you go back and alter the time line and save let's say Joe and he was supposed to die, because he gave his life to save three friends and one of those friends granddaughters was to invent a blood supplement that would save lives. It wouldn't be invented because the girl would never be born. Do you see what I am saying?" I asked.

"I see what you're saying, it's like if we stopped the assignation of JFK, his brother would never had ran for president and been killed as well," Mike said.

"Correct ... Just a second," I said as Kalib contacted me.

'Offer the chance to Mike. Same agreement, ' Kalib sent to me.

'Yes, Sir, ' I replied. With a smile I looked at Mike and Walter and said, "Gentleman, I have a proposition for both of you. That is if you both want it."

"Uh, oh. That sounds like the government to me," Mike replied as he set his coffee down.

Walter

"What is it? I know you told me some things last night, but it wasn't very clear to me, or I wasn't listening very well," I said as I looked at Rala.

"What we want to do. Is reverse your age to where you were when you were eighteen. We will make you healthy, and we'll fix any genetic problems you have, like your hereditary diabetes, Walter. We will improve your strength, stamina and dexterity. Just like the old TV show, we will basically rebuild you better than before. We will give you a week to buy any supplies you want. Weapons, food, camping gear, and survival gear. Whatever you think you will need. You have free reign. We will supply you with an unlimited credit card to make your purchases. You may take whatever you can attach to your motor homes, or store inside..."

"Just a second," Mike said, "where are we going?"

"We are going to transplant you, and your belongings to a new world that is the equivalent of 20,000 years in your past. We want you, to help the natives build a civilization..."

"What about women? Should we take some with us? I mean I like Mike, but I just don't swing that way," I said.

Rala laughed and smiled as she pictured the two men making advances on each other. "The natives are the same as your Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals. So they are quite compatible to you both. I'm sure you will find suitable mates," she replied as she formed another glass in her hand and took a sip of her Sprite.

"That's a neat trick. Can I have it?" I asked.

"Unfortunately, no. My body has microscopic nanobots in them. They allow me to summon things from my ship. Like my glass of Sprite here," I said.

"Damn, that would be cool to do. Can we get a set of those glasses, could you make my wife's crystal set do the same thing?" I asked.

"Hmm," she said and stood up.

Rala

I got up and went over to the cabinet and looked at the crystal. I knew that Gail and Walter had picked it up in Germany when they were there twenty years ago on their tenth anniversary. I didn't see anything wrong with helping them out.

I turned and said, "That wouldn't be a problem. I can make them so all you have to do is request what drink you want. I will even modify your vehicles for you, to do the same, as well as anything that holds a liquid. So I assume you both want to go?"

"I'm in," Mike said as he stood up and offered his hand.

"Me too," Walter added as he offered his hand to me as well.

I shook hands with both of them, and summoned Walter's package. I handed it to him and said, "Mike, I need to make yours. I would suggest you buy a new motor home. Yours is a little old."

"Ok, I will, you said whatever we can attach to the motor home. I was wondering if a large trailer was ok?" he asked.

"Yes, just like I said. If you can attach it to the motor home, you can take it. Hell, if you want, hang hundreds of duffle bags from the sides, and pile more on the roof. Just be ready in one week," I said.

"We will be," they said together.

Walter started grinning and I wondered what he was up to as I activated the transportation nanobots and teleported out of the trailer.

Walter

I looked at Mike and said, "This will be fun. Let's go get you a new truck, and a Seneca ZX 'toy hauler' motor home."

"If I get a motor home, I won't need a truck," Mike replied.

"Yes we do, we both need brand new 4x4 off road trucks. One for me, and one for you to tow, the trucks will have to last a life time for us and our old ones won't last more than ten years. Can you give me a ride to my truck; I left it at the casino?" I said as I picked up my hat.

"Your truck is outside," Mike replied.

I looked and was shocked. I had left it at the casino, or I thought I had.

Shrugging my shoulders I walked over to my truck and unlocked the doors. Handing Mike the keys, we climbed in and headed for town and I was thinking the whole time as I was going through the packet of stuff Rala had given me. The notes said we would have a water turbine to supply power, and that it would last for a long time. We would also have three back up wind turbines, and a dozen solar setups on the cliff above the caves they had hollowed out for us. A kernel of an idea was forming as I closed the packets, after I removed the credit card. Looking at the card, I saw it was in my name. It was already activated, or so the note said, so I stuck it in my wallet.

"Hey, Mike, you still have that twenty acres outside of town?" I asked.

"Yea, I do, why?" he asked as we turned onto the main road.

"I want to move the motor homes out there so we can work on them and get everything ready. That way no one will pay attention to us," I said.

"Yeah, good idea. I wonder what the area looks like. Do we need anything special?" Mike asked as we pulled into the Dodge dealership.

"We can ask Rala next time we see her, but I know we should get some horse equipment. Once the trucks break down, it's walking or riding and the pamphlet on game says lots of horses there ... oh wait, we will be near the ocean," I said.

I put the stuff that Rala gave us in the glove box, and opened the door. We stood there and looked at the trucks, but nothing hit us as we walked around the front parking lot.

We walked around the parking lot and finally stopped at two 2008 Ram 1500's that were just unloaded from the car hauler. We examined the outside of both trucks, and then looked inside. Closing the doors, I dropped and checked the bumpers, as the salesman came over.

I told him what we wanted. What we wanted on the trucks and asked how long they would take to do two of them. We went inside and I filled out the paperwork, and paid for the trucks. I got them to pay the registration and taxes, since I was paying them off. Mike and I were happy that we would have the new trucks by Wednesday. We then drove to the RV lot.

We were disappointed with what they had at the lot, but the salesman said he could have what we wanted delivered by Monday from Salt Lake City. We went through the brochures and settled on the 40-foot Seneca ZX. We ordered two of them, with trailer hitches. I slid the card through the reader and the man was surprised when the card paid for both of them.

"Got to love winning the lottery back east," I said as we signed the paperwork, and made plans to have the two RVs delivered to the property,

We left the RV lot, and went to lunch at the steak house and we talked some more. We made a list of the weapons we wanted and how we could get them. For heavy hitting weapons, we settled on the Barrett M82A1 -M107.50 BMG sniper rifle. Mike wanted M-2's or BAR's for our primary hunting rifles and said both. We went with colt 1911/A1 pistols and I tossed in three more .44 Desert Eagles.

9 Zodiac boats, 4, 6 and 8 man ones with paddles and motors

"Think we can get one of those portable saw mills?" I said as I looked up from my writing.

"I think we would have to order one and the parts for them," Mike said as he finished his hamburger.

"Yeah, I think you're right," I said and slid the list to Mike who went over it and started adding to it as I ate the rest of my lunch. Paying for our lunch, we headed over to Wal-Mart and grabbed the shopping carts. We filled a dozen baskets with things we needed and then checked out.

Driving home, I looked at the sky turning dark and said, "We will have to hurry. It looks like another storm coming in."

"Weathers been screwy lately. Did you hear about that F-5 tornado that ripped through that house down by Reno?" Mike asked.

"Yup, saw it on the news last night. Killed five people," I said as I patted my shirt and then reached into the glove box and pulled out my tin of Skol. Placing a wad of 'bacca' in my mouth, I stopped and backed into my parking spot.

Mike jumped out and unlocked the doors, and we started carrying the bags into the trailer. It took thirty minutes to unload the truck, and just as we set the last bags down, the sky opened up again and the rain started coming down in buckets. With the awning extended, we left the door open. I pulled out a couple of cans of stew and heated them up for us as Mike grabbed a couple of beers. As the stew heated, I sliced up some of the Wal-Mart French bread and buttered it.

Mike went to the computer, and started looking up the guns.

He came back and said, "Walter, some of the guns we can't get. They have been banned in the US and are unavailable to civilian population unless they were here before the ban.

I stirred the stew and checked it as I was thinking.

I spit the 'bacca' into the garbage and said, "Only thing I can think of, is that we ask Rala for help. Hand me the bowls."

"Good idea," Mike replied as he grabbed two of the big bowls and set them beside me.

"Thanks," I said as I poured the stew into bowls.

I placed the buttered bread and placed it in a bowl and we sat down and continued doing the lists as we ate. We had just finished when Rala appeared and set a similar pad of information in front of Mike.

"Rala, we need your help," I said.

"Oh? What do you need?" she asked.

"We have some weapons that we want to get, but we can't find any for sale," I said.

"Hand me a list and I will see what I can do," Rala replied.

I quickly wrote the guns down on another piece of paper. I added another weapon with five thousand rounds for it. I also added a dozen other items that I thought we would need and then handed the list to her.

"Here you go!" I said.

Rala looked at the list, her eyebrow went up.

She nodded her head, as she replied, "No problem I will have them ready. When we leave you on the planet, they will be crated for you and left beside your vehicle in a trailer. I will also supply the ammo and have it boxed. Good luck, Gentleman. I will pick you up in one week."

"Not here, we will be on Mike's property outside of town. We plan on moving my trailer over there Thursday if that is ok," I said.

"No problem, I will find you. Goodbye," Rala said and vanished.

"Thank you, Rala," I replied as she vanished. Turning to Mike I said, "This is going to be so much fun."

"We going to the casino tonight?" Mike asked.

"Yup, or I am. Remind me to give your five thousand back before we leave, but for now let's work on these lists," I said as I started writing again.

Mike picked up his pen and started writing his list and we spent the next two hours going over the list after we finished. At eight, Mike went home to clean up, and I did the same. Thirty minutes later, we were back at the casino. We sat at our table waiting for some more pidgins to show up.

We played for several hours after three guys showed up, two dropped out and two more sat in. Mike and I raked them over the coals. Between the two of us, we took them for forty thousand.

The final hand was at sixteen thousand and I glanced at the clock and it was ten minutes to one. I yawned and said, "Guys, I think this is my last hand. It's been a long day."

"Ok, Walter, it was nice playing against you again. Are you folding? Or are you going to play the hand?" Mike asked.

"I will finish it; I got five grand in it," I said.

I watched the cards drift across the table, and a shiver went up my back as I looked at the pair of Aces and an eight. With the single eight in my hand, I had another dead man's hand.

Flipping the cards over, I took my winnings and left the casino, my mind was heavy again with death.

Edited By TeNderLoin