Migration: Beginnings (Migration Series Book 1) Read online

  “Done,” she says, keying up a document to print. Jason and Rhys stand there, wondering what just happened when the major stamps the paper, then puts it down on the table, handing Jason a pen. Once he signs it, the major feeds it through an automated scanner and hands the original back to Jason. “You are officially Jason Conrad Frost-Tambor, sir.”

  Rhys and Jason look at each other, wondering what just happened when the major asks, “And the little one? Who is this?”

  “Uh,” Rhys starts, but Jason cuts him off. “We found him right after we got off the Nimitz,” he says, pointing back at the ship. “We asked another officer, but he said it’s been happening here…a lot?”

  Nodding her head, Major Callahan says, “Unfortunately, yes.”

  As the major silently considers the couple, Rhys finally comes out of his stupor and says, “Jase, the note.”

  “Oh,” Jason says, pulling the note from Rhys’ pocket. He hands it over to the major, who carefully scrutinizes it.

  “Are you two willing to become foster parents for little Liu here?” Callahan asks as she scans the note into her computer before handing it back.

  “I’m sorry,” Jason responds, quickly glancing at Rhys before shaking his head. “I don’t think we can right now.”

  Callahan nods, and then goes back to her computer. As she types, she turns her head and calls over her shoulder, “Marsh!” She turns back to Rhys and Jason, and asks, “Lots of kids have been abandoned here. We’ve had to set up a makeshift orphanage.” When Marsh appears at her side, she nods her head to Rhys, who is almost reluctant to hand over the child. “Standard abandonment,” she says as the private pulls the baby to his chest. “Oh, and put this in the file. Paperwork should already be printing,” she says, handing over the note.

  “And sorry about the smell, but he just filled his diaper a few minutes go,” Jason manages, bringing Rhys out of his quiet contemplation. Whatever hesitation he’d previously had about becoming a father is rapidly approaching nil.

  As the private leaves with the child, the major turns her attention back to her computer, scrutinizes the screen and then asks, “Doctor Rhys Tambor of the Oregon Department of Environmental Safety?”

  “Yes, that’s me,” Rhys replies. He chances a glance at Jason, and then asks, “Everything okay?” He tries to look over at the table at her computer screen, but the glare is bright and the angle is all wrong.

  Shaking her head, Callahan says, “Yes, sir. Just that your record was flagged. You’ve been expected to report for work due to recent changes in the State Department of Environmental Safety nationwide. It says here that details have been mailed to your home in Portland.”

  Before he can respond, Jason bumps him in the shoulder and asks, “He still has a job?” When Rhys looks at him, he says, “Hey, I’m the one who gets to sit home and eat bonbons all day long.”

  “Work has picked up quite a bit for scientists worldwide since the incident,” she says, almost clinically. “But you know, Mister Frost-Tambor, if you’re looking to get off that couch, there are plenty of organizations up in Oregon you can volunteer at. But they all take more considerable skills than watching TV and eating chocolate snacks.”

  After a wink to Jason, Major Callahan’s demeanor changes, and as she begins to speak, Rhys figures it’s probably because she’s said the same thing thousands of times already. “Keep your paperwork and supplies with you. Make your way to the area over there,” she says, pointing to the other end of the tent that seems to be a supply area, “and grab some bottled water and some snacks for your trip. Then make your way to the end of that line,” she says, pointing, “and board the next available bus to Vandenberg, where you’ll be put on a train up to Portland.” Pushing the hair out of her eyes again, she says, “You’re actually lucky you’re a scientist,” as she nods to Rhys. “Otherwise you’d be put on a bus.” Jason and Rhys share a somewhat horrified look, and she adds, “Medical personnel and other emergency workers fly, families with small children and those in important jobs like you take the train, and single people and those without children take the bus.”

  Rhys doesn’t know about Jason, but the longest he’s ever been on a bus was between Boston and New York when he was an undergrad; it’s not something he’d like to experience again. Ever. And seeing as how it took over eighteen hours to drive just between San Francisco and Portland when they’d done what they called their ‘epic road trip’, he was glad he wasn’t going to be stuck on a hot, slow bus for two or more days.

  “Do you have any questions?” Major Callahan asks as she starts to motion for the next group of people to come up.

  “No, no, we’re good,” Jason says, reaching for Rhys’ hand. He walks toward the supply area, Rhys in tow, and says, “I knew my mom was right when she said to marry you.”

  “Aww, Jase. You just love me ‘cause I kept you off the bus,” Rhys playfully adds, giving his husband a wink.

  Rhys watches as Jason grabs a couple bottles of water, and leads him to where the throng of people stands, waiting for their transportation up to Vandenberg. He watches as Jason glances out at the line of buses and people and lets a few people get in front of them. “What are you doing?” Rhys asks.

  “You’ll see,” is all Jason responds, rocking back and forth on his heels.

  It takes fifteen minutes for them to get to the front of the line, where they manage to get on a touristy-type luxury bus instead of the city and school buses that have been so prevalent. He follows Jason to the back, sinking into the worn cloth seat and letting the air conditioning flow over him. With a sigh, he looks at Jason and says, “You know, you’re pretty ingenious, Mister Frost-Tambor,” as the bus leaves the crowd behind to head for the train station at Vandenberg.

  “You may be the egghead in this relationship, Doctor Tambor,” Jason playfully says as he leans against Rhys’ shoulder, Rhys automatically putting his arm around his husband and pulling him close. “But I’ve got street smarts.”

  Chapter 3

  The train ride up to Portland is more pleasant than Rhys would have imagined. It takes about eighteen hours, which Rhys and Jason spend either holed up in the sleeping car they somehow scored, or grabbing a quick meal in the train’s dining car. And more often than not, Jason helps to entertain the young children, which the train seems to be full of.

  They’re sitting in their compartment, Rhys reading a journal as Jason grabs another nap when there is an overhead announcement that they are nearing Portland Station. Rhys rouses Jason and watches as the scenery becomes more and more familiar as they approach Union Station.

  The train is barely at a stop when Jason bounds off to the concrete platform, streaming for the exit. Rhys takes a gingerly step on the concrete walkway and waits, careful since his inner ear still thinks he is moving and he wonders how his usually klutzy husband is managing so well. It takes just a few seconds for his equilibrium to settle, and he quickly makes his own way to the entrance.

  Following as close as he can, Rhys turns the corner and aims for the arrivals hall as he hears Jason call, “Mom!” from somewhere ahead. Rhys tries to increase his speed but still keep his footing with all the belongings that he carries. He gets to the exit and scans the area, and soon spots his mother-in-law (again, something he was going to have to get used to) squeezing Jason with all her might.

  “Save some for me!” he calls ahead and Donna Frost glances up, grinning at him. He’s at their side a beat later, and Donna pulls him into a hug, kissing him on his cheek with tears running down her face.

  He didn’t realize how much he missed Donna—how much he missed home—until Donna held both him and Jason tight, not seeming to want to let them go. He finally breaks their embrace, kissing Donna on the cheek as he squeezes Jason’s arm and feels his heart ache when he watches Jason wipe an errant tear from his mother’s face. “Let’s go home,” Jason says, and Rhys could not agree more.

  Donna fills them in on the changes that have happened since they left
for Hawaii weeks earlier. Donna was never one for an empty house and reports that she’d “taken in a few strays,” which Jason translates as feeding half the neighborhood.

  “No, just a few of the kids,” she defends. “Oh, and I’m watching little Ainslie—you know, Leslie and Scott’s little girl.” Rhys chances a look in the rear view mirror as Jason turns to his mother.

  “What’s going on with Leslie and Scott?” he asks, his voice anxious. After everything that’s happened in the world the last few weeks, he’s wondering if his next-door neighbors were somehow impacted.

  Shaking her head, Donna says, “Oh no, no, no. Nothing like that. Well,” she hesitates. “Leslie went up to Seattle to check on her parents, who were vacationing in Europe, and Scott is working twelve-hour shifts at the hospital. I’m just watching little Ainslie until Leslie gets back.”

  “Whew,” Jason says, turning back to face the road. “For a minute there, I thought we might have lost the person who drinks all of our rum.”

  Rhys knows he’s joking, but the car grows silent as the joke falls a bit flat. He reaches over and squeezes Jason’s leg as their SUV shoots down the highway. As they near their exit, Jason says, “Look; it’s quiet,” as they drive past one of the local malls in the Portland metro region.

  “Lots of changes,” Donna offers from the backseat, and Rhys looks back at her. “Your boss has called a couple times,” she says to him, “and you’ve got some official looking envelopes in the mail. Sounds like your job duties have been changed around a bit. No doubt because of the…” she says, gesturing instead of actually speaking the words.

  “Harvey?” Rhys asks which Donna nods at. “The military told me a little bit but didn’t have much information. Did he say anything specific?” Rhys responds as they pull up to a red light a few streets away from their home.

  “Something to do with natural resources and population stabilization. At least that’s what I remember him saying when he called,” Donna offers before glancing back out the window. “There’s a big packet waiting for you at home.”

  “Speaking of home,” Jason says, as the car pulls forward through the now green light, “Mom, do you want to stay with us a little while? You know you don’t have to go back to Eugene until you’re ready.”

  “Darling, why do you think I’ve settled into the guest bedroom and moved half my stuff up from Eugene?” she asks. “The only way you are going to kick me out of that house, for the next six months, is if your father comes home.”

  “When Dad comes home,” Jason corrects her, his voice defiant. “When, Mom.”

  Rhys glances back as Donna looks out the window, a hint of a tear starting to form at the corner of her eye. “If…” she repeats softly.

  Unloading the car, the first thing that Rhys and Jason spot as they walk into the house (besides Baxter, who is happily sleeping in a puddle of sunshine in their front window) is a teenager and little Ainslie sitting in the living room with a pile of toys.

  As Rhys heads back out, he meets a small group of teenagers, ranging from about ten to fourteen. They’re standing by the car, helping to unload things. “Umm…” he says. He’s pretty sure at least one or two are from the neighborhood, but he’s not certain.

  “Mrs. F. has been taking care of us while our parents work; making sure we eat healthy, and have someone there if we need them,” the youngest one says as he’s handed a suitcase. “I’m Brandon, and this here’s Dillon and Freddie. Amy’s inside watching the munchkin,” he adds as the two oldest carry things into the house. “Mrs. F. is cool,” he says, as Brandon hands over a bag to Dillon. “Plus, she makes a killer lasagna,” he adds as he pushes the hair out of his eyes and starts to follow the others into the house.

  “Cool,” Rhys says, as he realizes yet another change from the life they used to know. As he walks into the house, he notices there’s a pillow and blanket on the sofa. “Donna, I thought you had the guest bedroom?” he asks.

  “Oh, that’s for the boys,” Donna says, as she peers around the wall from the kitchen. “Sometimes Dillon and Brandon stay over if their dad has to work a double shift. Sometimes Amy, especially now that her mom and Leslie had to go up to Seattle.”

  “Oh…” Rhys replies. Suddenly he’s wondering where they’re going to put all of these people. He wipes at the frustration that must be showing on his face; yes, this may be their new reality, but it’s still something he has to get used to.

  “I put an air mattress in your office, Rhys,” she says, giving him a look that seems to convey that she’s sorry for the intrusion. “Oh, and your mail is in here, including that thing from work.” She disappears back into the kitchen.

  Rhys follows Donna into the kitchen and starts to separate their mail into three piles: his, Jason’s, and junk mail (which, surprisingly, there was very little of). With a morose thought, Rhys considers that if the world had to change so drastically, at least there was an upside. Jason, who took over watching Ainslie from the blonde streak of Amy, who heads out to her own home, joins him after a moment and hands the junk mail to Ainslie, saying she can open it.

  With the pile separated, Rhys picks up the large envelope marked ‘Oregon Department of Environmental Safety’ and pulls out a handful of papers. Studying it, he opens the letter in the front of the packet. He reads it and furrows his brow at the contents.

  “What is it, boo?” Jason asks as he tosses two bills onto the counter where they keep their keys and phones while at home. “Everything okay?”

  Rhys turns to Jason and shows him the letter. He leans over, putting an arm around his husband and says, “All state departments of the environment have been merged into geographic clusters, and I’m now leading the Western Cluster, number fourteen,” he says. “And as for the foreseeable future, all departments are to focus our efforts on finding space and resources for up to 175 million new residents in North America.”

  Jason whistles.

  “My region is from Southern Idaho, Western Wyoming, and Eastern Utah,” Rhys adds as he paws through the materials, eventually pulling out a map. “See?” he offers.

  “You don’t have to move out there, right? Just travel occasionally?”

  Reading further in the letter, Rhys says, “No…mostly videoconferences, directing people out in the field—that kind of thing. Okay, maybe a trip or two a month if they find anything promising, but otherwise, it’s work here in Portland.”

  “Good,” Jason says. “And I can stay here and give Mom a hand until Dad gets back.”

  Rhys leans over and kisses Jason on the cheek, then squeezes Donna with a reassuring hug before heading to his office to read the packet of information about his new job.

  Chapter 4

  Rhys is surprised at the easy rhythm that is maintained throughout the household, even with so many people coming and going, and with Leslie’s little girl Ainslie underfoot. He digs through his email and spends his first full night home back at work, poring over the status reports his teams have been sending in. Each one of the six teams has been working for weeks already, waiting for Rhys to start his new job. He’s had one team in Southern Idaho (the most promising region due to the availability of fresh water and plenty of wide open spaces to allow the government contractors to build new homes), one team in Wyoming that is exploring the possibility of natural gas extraction, and the other four teams in Utah, split between looking at housing options and scouring for previously unknown natural resources.

  After a delectable dinner (Rhys watching Ainslie and the teenagers as Jason and his mother work side by side to get the meal together; they had been feeding half the neighborhood since getting back), Rhys goes back to his office to check on the day’s progress. Heading to his desk, he steps on a couple abandoned Lego bricks and curses silently; abandoned Legos were better than crying jags (which Ainslie was prone to, missing her mother), which he was not able to deal with. He sits down, boots up his computer, and checks his email.

  Team Idaho hadn’t reported back yet
, but Team Wyoming had put together a promising document on the ready availability of natural gas, with easy extraction methods available that wouldn’t affect the local water supplies. He skims the other email’s subject lines and glances up as Jason enters the room, talking in slow, quiet tones as he brings Ainslie in and starts to put her into bed on the air mattress. Ainslie holds on to him tight, obviously not wanting to be alone. “Tell me a story,” she stalls, burying herself as close to Jason as possible, and Rhys smiles. It was Ainslie’s coping mechanism, though she was usually out before the story was finished.

  “Hey, hey, hey,” Jason says, as he gives her a comforting squeeze and then drops a kiss onto her cheek. “It’s okay. Uncle Rhys is right over there,” he says, and Rhys looks up in time to give her a little wave before going back to his work.

  Jason settles them on the bed and tucks the little girl under the covers. Ainslie first grabs at the few chest hairs that poke through the top of Jason’s shirt, then grasps onto the triangular metal figurine that hangs around his neck.

  “What’s dis?” she asks, letting her small fingers tangle in the silver chain and around the metal pendant.

  “Well this,” Jason says, “belonged to my grandfather, who got it from his grandfather, who got it from his grandfather a long time ago.”

  Rhys has heard the story a thousand times and turns his attention back to his email, where he sees the subject ‘Interesting find near the Anasazi caves’ from Utah team three. He clicks on it and quickly reads over the report. While there’s nothing too distinct, or even all that interesting at first about the report, his eyes are captivated by the couple of pictures it contains. He clicks on the first one and notes that it’s a long piece of metal with some markings embossed on it, though he’s not sure what exactly the markings are. He zooms in to get a better look as he hears Jason’s singsong voice coming from the other side of the room.