Voyagers!: Asylum

A/N: My sequel to 'A Voyager in need.' Voyager Lilly Morgan returns!

Chapter 1: Sticky Circumstances

The weather was unusually warm for a January day in downtown Boston; at least Voyager Lilly Morgan thought so as she pulled at her blue, woolen dress to fan herself. But she always felt overheated after a tough voyage. She hoisted her black knapsack higher. There weren't many places around here to change to her favorite comfort outfit – jeans, a peasant blouse and brown vest. It wasn't like she could anyway without eliciting stares in this era.

Lilly was thoroughly exhausted from playing nursemaid and Vivandiere to the Union soldiers. Her last assignment was in 1861 and the Civil war was in full swing. With the omni red, she had to make sure that Miss Ella Gibson was chosen as the "Daughter of the regiment" for the 49th Ohio regiment at Camp Dennison. Lilly initially had a rough time trying to figure out the cause of the red light. She'd never heard of Vivandieres, but she quickly learned their small, but vital role in that Civil war history.

The ideal Vivandiere was an attractive young woman – perhaps the daughter of an officer or wife of a non-commissioned officer. She flounced around wearing a fine dress and bravely cared for wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Nursing was the most important job. She'd carry a cask of spirits or a canteen of water, giving a wounded or sick soldier immediate attention. Some of the Vivandieres were armed for self-defense and carried a sword, pistol. Lilly reluctantly carried a sword in her belt, but was thankful she never had to use it.

Ella Gibson was the Colonel's daughter. She was a too haughty for Lilly's liking, but history was history, a Voyager learned fast that they wouldn't necessarily like or admire all the people they met on a voyage. Lilly had to convince Ella not to fall for a Confederate soldier, because it turned out to be his ploy to get the Colonel's battle plans. That was easier said than done. Ella accused Lilly of being jealous and picked a big fight.

Lilly strongly believed that she invented woman's mud wrestling that day. The soldiers had a ball watching them duke it out. They clawed, scratched, and dunked each other until one kind gentleman had the decency to break it up. Lilly won fair and square. But she'd broken her vow to never be a muddy mess after the wagon collapse with Calamity Jane a year ago. Regardless, the plot was uncovered and the Colonel wanted Lilly to participate in the parade. She disappeared before it actually started.

"At least Miss Hoity Toity made it to her parade in one piece. Daughter of the regiment indeed." Lilly muttered. "I went easy on her."

Lilly didn't tell Ella that her Confederate sweetheart had more than a passing interest in her too. One day he'd gotten injured in a minor skirmish and Lilly nursed him back to health. He tried to woo her, but she refused him. He was, after all, a traitor and playboy. Those were traits she had no patience for.

"A traitor that looked like George Clooney." She grumbled and kicked at the sidewalk.

Wagons passed her by, loaded down with burlap sacks of sugar and other freights. Lilly rolled up her sleeves and tied back her long, coppery hair. The omni read January 15th 1919. The air was brisk, but not frigid. But the aroma in the air was sickeningly sweet, though most of the passerby barely took notice. The majority of the people in this section of Boston were working class men and women, many were Italian immigrants.

"Who's eating Aunt Jemima's?" She held her nose. "Maybe they'd like a little pancake to go with all that syrup." She mused.

Lilly cast a look around. To her left was an elevated railway and to her right was an open field with smaller buildings scattered around. The area was known as "Copp's Hill," a harbor town and Navy yard. As she'd guessed, it was home to Boston's "Little Italy" section. On the right of the buildings sat a giant, crudely painted, grey tank about five stories high. A gust of air blew on her and she realized the syrupy odor wafted from the structure.

"Oh cool, that's a molasses factory. They used that in WWI weaponry. I'd love some pancakes right now, but not Ihop, they aren't so hot, the pancakes at VHQ were delicious." She rambled as she strolled into town."Maybe waffles, even better! Syrup, cashews, fruit, whipped cream…" She tried not to think about food after her stomach growled.

Copp's Hill was mostly a business territory, but she admired the children that ran happily thorough the streets as they played stick ball and kicked cans. She was very tempted to join them, but tried to keep in mind an edict of the Voyager code – 'Never linger too long in a green-light zone, because your mere presence is making cosmic changes in the flux of history.'

Sometimes the code taxed her, because it meant jumping from one critical situation to the next without much time for R&R. It was the same for all Voyagers. She decided to wait on changing her clothes, however, she needed a rest. In a small park, she found a row of benches under a statue of Paul Revere. Old men sat huddled in shabby coats and gloves, arguing in Italian over checker games. She smiled at them and one of the men kissed his fingers and threw his arms in the air.

"Una bella ragazza! Una bella faccia! Una bambola di bambino!"

Lilly laughed and continued people watching. The molasses odor was stronger now and her stomach growled again. She was going to be strict with herself and skip a meal; she'd eaten well with the Colonel's cooks and even shared some recipes. Most came from the Kentucky Fried Chicken menu she remembered. Lilly's memories of her life in 2007 before being plucked had returned in recent months but she didn't bring the matter up to anyone at VHQ. After a little investigating, it turned out that the VHQ Medical Unit decided to lower the dosage of the memory suppressant. This move was implemented after a certain trial with a Voyager and his young partner. That Voyager was Phineas Bogg.

At the mere thought of him, Lilly blushed. Phineas Bogg and Jeffrey Jones had accompanied her on some rip-roaring adventures when she was still a rookie in the field. They learned that it was partly because VHQ were testing out their new 'three light' omni. She opened hers and ran her fingers over the interior. The yellow light was a signal light. VHQ wanted all Voyagers to work more fully as teams, so they instituted the Voyager's Assist or VAP program.

Phineas and Jeffrey were her temporary helpers. If she ever ran into a situation where she needed them, she could press the button above the yellow light. It would signal on Phineas' omni with a series of steady beeps that could even be heard when it was closed. Pretty much like a 20th Century beeper. His omni would adjust its settings and lock on her location. As soon as they could, the boys would show up to assist her. It'd been a while since she'd seen them. When they first met, Phineas seemed brusque and irritable. However, he turned out to be fun, kind and charming, just as she'd imagined when she would gaze at his happy pictures in displays around VHQ.

Phineas Bogg was a busy young man since taking the role of a father-figure to twelve-year-old Jeffrey. Whenever she met up with him it was like seeing a favorite cousin or brother after a long hiatus. That didn't quell the butterflies in her when they were together. Lilly wondered if she were his type. When she'd heard he liked blondes she let him in on a secret. She was naturally a dark blonde, but preferred to experiment with browns and reds.

Contrary to all the Bogg rumors, Lilly realized that Phineas appreciated women of all types. Then she wondered about her height. He was a good three or four inches taller, but her five-ten frame was always a source of embarrassment for her. Especially throughout history where men tended to be shorter. She'd often contributed that to less integration of races and cultures. Phineas made her feel special on a few occasions by referring to her "pretty eyes." She'd heard through the grapevine at VHQ that he thought she was very 'pretty,' but he said it with as much admiration as if it were the words 'beautiful' or 'gorgeous.'

Lilly felt possessive whenever other female Voyagers expressed their interests and desires to know Phineas. Yet, she adamantly refused to make claims or assume they had any relationship other than friends. Sometimes she was jealous of Olivia Dunn when she thought of how those two carried on a little romance after the Titanic adventure. Olivia was a tough cookie, but even she crumbled under Phineas' charms. When the other women teased Lilly for her jealousy she laughed it off and said that Phineas was just rebounding from losing Mabel Hubbard. Afterward she realized how cruel it was to say, but was thankful Olivia never found out.

'Even across the cosmos, us women are so stinking catty.' Lilly thought.

A Voyager lived a life of sacrifice and if that meant giving up potential love interests, Lilly concluded she would try her best. VHQ had given her a second chance at life and she sincerely desired to help keep history on the right course.

Lilly looked at a clock on one of the storefronts, it was 12:25. "Just five more minutes, and I'll be set to go." She sighed.

The smells invaded her senses. She desired everything sweet and craved Boston baked beans. She imagined the tons and tons of molasses in the vat, churning and bubbling. She opened her omni and was about to leave when she heard a noise. – A distinct, but muffled rumble. Every head turned and watched in horror as the vat's weak bolts popped one by one. They shot through the air like mini cannon balls. Brown goop forced its way through the edges, and the entire vat burst open.

Chunks and shards of metal went flying like shellfire. They knocked the support beams of the EL line train track. A large chunk rammed into a freight house and Lilly screamed, realizing that men were inside having lunch. It flattened instantly, killing all of them. In the distance the EL Line collapsed. The train pulled its brake to a halt just as it reached the destroyed part of the tracks. Lilly and everyone else froze and shrieked as a forty-foot wave of molasses soared toward them. The force of the wave flattened buildings and crushed a woman to her death tending her laundry on her porch.

"Oh my God! The kids!"

Lilly screamed hit the yellow light button and she ran as fast as she could. Her biggest concern were the children about to be swallowed into a syrupy grave.

~Oo~

Phineas Bogg and Jeffrey Jones had just exited the Civil War, May 1863 – The Battle of Chancellorsville. They'd assisted Union General Hooker across the Rappahannock River to attack General Lee's forces. Lee split his army, attacking a surprised Union army in three places and almost completely defeated them. The South was triumphant that time, but it was a costly battle with many Confederate casualties. Jeffrey was upset that Phineas stuck around to aid the wounded Confederates. That night he was given a prime lecture on the value of human life when they set up their tent.

"You have to understand something, kid. We can't travel through history expecting everything to be laid out in black and white. We can't wear rose-colored glasses and white-wash history. As much as I try to shield you from the bad stuff, I know you've seen more than any kid your age should ever have to."

Jeffrey knew his partner meant business when Phineas knelt down to his level and placed a hand on his shoulder. His blue-eyed gaze was steady and firm.

"Look, Jeff, these soldiers may have been fighting for the other side, but they're still people that need our help on an individual basis. I wouldn't deny that to anyone if it were in my power."

"So you'd help murderers and criminals and people like that?" Jeffrey replied tartly.

"I didn't say that, Jeff. We don't know all the intricate little details of the time zone, the history, or the nature of the person for that matter. In fact, I've come across many fine Southerners in my early Voyager missions. We can only presume on what we've learned and what the guidebook tells us. What I mean is, sometimes we have to make judgment calls and be good Samaritans."

Phineas was on his last nerve and tried not to scold him harshly again. The battle had worn him out, as well as witnessing all the senseless deaths. Earlier in the day, Phineas demanded that Jeffrey remain in a tent far from the battlefield, but he sneaked out. That decision nearly proved fatal when Jeffrey was caught in the range of canon fire. Phineas risked his life plowing through the battle lines and dodging explosions to bring him back to safety. Jeffrey didn't move a muscle after Phineas yelled at him for his disobedience.

Jeffrey decided to agree with Phineas and end the conversation. He understood a little more, but still clung to his childish views. Ever since they had the omni upgrade, VHQ made sure they didn't leave without the guidebook. For some reason, Jeffrey felt like that in itself was a red light. He'd gotten completely used to not having it. But he would've been lost with no knowledge of this particular battle and a few other previous voyages. Phineas was right, correcting history wasn't an easy task and a seventh-grade history level would only carry them so far.

After setting up the tent and hunkering down for the night, Phineas awoke three times to care for a dying Confederate soldier named Thomas. He sponged and treated his wound and tried to quell his shivering, and the man kept moaning odd tidbits about a nurse named Lillia, fried chicken, and female mud fighting. Phineas tried to humor him by asking questions. The soldier demanded nurse Lillia's care and described her in starry-eyed detail. She was 'statuesque and shapely, with exotic green eyes and hair like an autumn leaf.' Phineas was very curious about her and in the soldier's dying breath he said her full name, 'Lillia Morgan.'

His curiosity was satisfied. Only Lilly and mud would be used in the same sentence. He wondered how Lilly fared out in the field by herself. He often wondered the same about a lot of his female Voyager friends. Phineas helped bury the soldier before the dawn and passed into a fitful sleep. He dreamed of a wintry train wreck and a collapsed Incan Rope Bridge. Those were two adventures where he, Lilly, and Jeffrey barely made it out alive. His fading dreams by morning were dancing with Lilly in a decorated ballroom, and she wore a stunning, emerald dress. Cold water splashed on his face just as they kissed.

"Time to go, Romeo!" Jeffrey said crankily, rubbing his eyes. "You kept me up all night with your moaning, I thought you caught dysentery or something."

Phineas wiped the water off and sat up in a huff. "Stop exaggerating, Jeff. I wasn't even in the tent all night."

"Yeah, yeah. Bogg, c'mon, the camp is pulling out. I think we should get going too."

Jeffrey clutched the omni and grabbed his arm before he could protest. Within a blink they were through the cosmos. Thanks to the new landing feature, they instantly appeared in the next time zone.

~Oo~

It was a sunny, hot day and the omni was green – a big relief to the Voyagers. Jeffrey was still getting used to not landing on their tubas and sometimes wished Phineas still had his old model. However, that relic had outlived its usefulness. They nearly fell to their deaths with Lilly on the rope bridge because the circuitry died. On the other hand, the instant voyages were a joy to Phineas. He was tired of having to twist and contort just to avoid knocking out Jeffrey's teeth with his boot or flailing arms. The kid was getting bigger by the month, and his landings on Phineas were becoming painful. The new omni feature prevented them from dropping in undesirable places, like quicksand, or the midst of a raging war.

"Where are we now, Bogg?"

"It doesn't really matter, we got the green so we can leave."

"So fast? I'm starving, we didn't have breakfast!"

"According to this nifty clock, it's way past lunch time here, and hey, don't blame me, you're the one who omnied us out."

"All right, but still, can't we eat something? Please?" He begged. "You kept mumbling about chicken in your sleep and it made me so hungry, why can't we ever land near a Kentucky Fried Chicken?"

Bogg walked toward the dirt path and tossed up his arms with a shrug. "Beats me! I don't even know what that is. Last time we landed in a chicken coop I nearly broke my knee." He checked his omni. "This is London, 1835."

"Kentucky Fried Chicken, It's a fast food joint, it's awesome!"

"Ya see! We were in the South before, we could've had some of their food, same thing." Bogg muttered, still moving forward.

"Naw, it's not the same, besides, they rationed it. It was a war. Forget it, maybe this road leads to town and we can find a restaurant or something. I hope we don't run into pickpockets again! You better hide the omni. It's way prettier than the old one."

Phineas fastened it to his belt and passed a brown, carryall bag to Jeffrey. Lilly had convinced him to keep a 'bag of tricks' and it came in handy on their travels. He stuck a piece of spicy beef jerky in his mouth and chewed noisily. Jeffrey passed on it as usual.

"I want to find an Inn and catch a nap. Lets keep moving before I change my mind. We'll follow the river, there's always bound to be people near water." Phineas said.

The Voyagers enjoyed the cool air and admired the nature. Phineas suddenly put out his arm.

"Hold it. Do you hear that? It's almost inhuman."

Jeffrey walked ahead and peered down the center of the road. "Yeah, it's coming this way too!"

A train of carriages charged at them and the deafening wails of children resounded from inside them. The driver shouted and whipped his steeds faster. Phineas and Jeffrey leaped onto opposites sides of the road. Jeffrey stumbled backwards and lost his balance. With a shrill yell, he tumbled down a rough embankment and he splashed into a torrent.

Phineas watched horrified as Jeffrey disappeared. When the carriages finally passed, he raced to the edge and clamored down the hill. Jeffrey's head popped up from the water and he grappled for tree branches and rocks. He saw Phineas by the edge of the stream.

"Jeffrey! Where are you? Jeffrey!"

"Bogg! Help me! I'm here! Bogg!"

Phineas took a running dive into the cold waters. He allowed the surge to push him in Jeffrey's course. The closer he came, the further Jeffrey went.

"Jeffrey! Keep your head above water!" Phineas shouted, noticing him drop under a few times.

"I'm trying!"

Jeffrey couldn't reach him. The water became rockier and he was banged around.

"Bogg! Please! Hurry!"

He turned his head and noticed a drop over a jagged edge.

"Waterfall!" He screamed.

Phineas didn't hear him. His body careened into a jagged stone. The force stunned him and he lurched backward. He sank underwater.

"No! Bogg!"

Jeffrey flew over the waterfall edge. It was not too high, but he landed hard into a deep stream. He rose sputtering and swam to dry land. He tore the grass with aggravated cries. He was about to run to the river when a gnarled hand grabbed his shoulder, pressing hard on his nerves.

"Oww! Let me go!"

"Well, lookie here! Owen! I found another one of these runaway scamps. I told you they wouldn't get far!"

Jeffrey couldn't shake out of his grasp. "Let me go, you jerk! I have to help my friend!"

He kicked the man in his shins. Jeffrey took off for the woods but was halted by the crack of a whip just an inch from his head. The man with the whip smiled deviously, revealing a row of blackened teeth.

"You're not goin' anywhere but back to Brocklehurst Asylum where ye came from!"

The other man crept behind him and tossed him over his shoulder.

Jeffrey pounded his back. "Put me down! I don't belong with you! I'm not from here! I have to help my friend! Bogg!"

The hunters carried him to the carriage waiting by the roadside.

~Oo~

Phineas splashed into the stream but didn't rise right away. He swam around searching for Jeffrey. When his lungs were about to give out, he burst from the water. Jeffrey could've only come in this direction. Phineas kept diving under and deeper, checking every crevice and behind every floating plant or shrub for his lost partner. He finally gave up and crawled to the land. Jeffrey was nowhere. But he was grateful he didn't drown.

Phineas lay back in the grass and laughed. "I forgot, the kid's a Junior Lifeguard. But those rocks could've…"

In the distance he heard the wild carriages again. His body ached, but he rushed up the hillside and to the road. A giant cloud of dust encircled him. Shielding his eyes, he saw the rear of a large carriage. It looked like a prisoner stagecoach, with black steel bars on a square window. The distressed voices drifted toward him and he distinctly heard Jeffrey's cries.

"Bogg! Where are you! Bogg! Help me!"

Phineas was too far behind to make a successful chase and he fell to his knees, pounding the dirt. "No! No! No! Stop! Jeffrey!"

Phineas thought he'd never shouted so loudly in his life. He choked on the dust, his throat went hoarse. He stood with a burning rage, nobody was going to take his kid away from him like this. As he forged up the road his omni beeped without letup. He flicked it open and found both his red light blinking and the yellow one pulsing. He ran a hand through his damp hair irritated.

Boston, January 15th, 1919

"Of course! Of all the times! I only imagine what's she's up to! That accident prone, klutz! She's aharebrain…a…" Phineas calmed his anger, it was not entirely true and Lilly would be very hurt if she knew he felt that way.

"All right! I'm coming for ya, Lillia! Then you're coming with me and we're gonna find Jeff!"

Phineas hit the yellow light, totally unprepared for what was to come.