The Voyager's Aide Finale: A Road not taken
Story III
Chapter 8: Majestic Loyalties
Jeffrey rubbed his eyes and sat up fast, hoping everything he'd experienced was a nightmare and he was back at VHQ. The rotten odor on his clothing told him otherwise. He gagged a little. There'd been many times he and Bogg dealt with foul surroundings and soiled clothes, but this was the worst. He thought back to Kayla's rant about their dirty living quarters. If he returned to his own dimension, he'd make sure that his part of the apartment was kept spotless. Jeffrey wouldn't be surprised if Bogg never wanted to see him again after all the hurtful things he had said. He heard movement in the kitchen and froze, realizing this Bogg was not sleeping beside him. He stood up and crept to the couch, within reach of the machine gun. He wouldn't even know how to use it.
"Bo...Bogg? Is that you?" He called out.
Bogg came into the living room; he was cleaned up and wearing fresh clothing, dark blue jeans and a black tee shirt. All the dirty refuse had been wiped from his leather jacket; he tossed it on the easy chair.
"I wondered when you'd would get up, I was just about to wake you myself. I set you up a bath, there's a shower, but go easy on the water because everything's metered. When you're ready I put some clothes out, probably a little big, but I managed to find some close to your size in Artie's old Voyager closet."
"It smells good Bogg, I'm kind of hungry."
Bogg forced a smile. I cooked us breakfast, but you gotta be quick. The food dropping starts around noon and it's already close to eleven. We aren't too far from the area."
Bogg tossed himself on the easy chair and thumbed through an old magazine. Jeffrey was grateful for all Bogg had done for him and tried to make his bath as fast and thorough as possible. His wound felt better, and he bandaged the shoulder on his own with the supplies Bogg left out. He put on jeans and a sweater and dug into the simple breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. Bogg stood in the doorway with his jacket on and ready to go.
"C'mon, kid. I don't want to make this an all day project. Out there you really just want to take your share and get moving. If you linger too long, someone will try and kill you for it."
It was very chilly outside and Jeffrey bundled up in a gray-hooded sweatshirt with a denim jacket. He felt around his pockets and looked on the floor.
"Bogg wait! Where's my omni?"
Bogg pulled it from the inside his jacket. "It'd be very unwise to be seen walking around with this, since they want Voyagers dead. But I'm not about to leave it here, in case we get visitors. I'm holding onto it."
Jeffrey didn't protest that arrangement. The Scavengers, although human, frightened him. He seated himself on the bike. Sunlight beat down rays of hope, but also shed light on the ruins. Buildings lay toppled over and buckled into gutted, burned out shells. They rode for a few minutes and Bogg stopped the motorcycle. He wheeled into the doorway of one of the many tourist shops along Times Square.
"I hope no one takes it. It's a pain to find others. I'm attached to this old Ducati. Take a look around, kid, this place seem familiar? People are looting like crazy every day. In most of these buildings you'll find corpses still in…"
Jeffrey stepped in front of him and put his hands up. "Please, Bogg! I don't want to hear anymore! I get it! It's a nightmare…let's just…get the food. I see the crowd forming where the ticket booth used to be."
Jeffrey stormed ahead and Bogg caught up to him. He grabbed his arm tight.
"Don't you walk away from me! You might be able to use this tactic on the other Phineas Bogg, but I'm not gonna put up with childish nonsense! Stick close by me because if I lose you, that's it." He lied between gritted teeth.
Jeffrey pulled himself from his grip, fuming. "Fine, let's get this over with then!"
Bogg knew that he'd never give up searching for Jeffrey if there were a chance he was alive. He wouldn't talk about the city. Jeffrey was never good dealing with death; it brought nothing but painful memories of his parents. Bogg wished he could get his hands on a normal omni. He'd take himself and the kid back to his parent's time to live out the rest of their days in peace and destroy the omni before they tracked him to that time zone. That was one of his better plans that would probably never to come to fruition.
~Oo~
The young man glared at the copters and airlifts hovering like a swarm of angry bees. Silver army tanks rolled in from the main street. They served as crowd control and quelled the inevitable riots. Not a time went by during these food drops where someone didn't lose their life. He pulled his black cap tighter over his ears as the wind picked up. He buttoned his black coat as far as it could go and lifted the collar high around his neck. Blowing into his hands for warmth, he strode to the side of Avenue. They always used him for the food pick-ups; he was swift, and could outrun the fastest of the soldiers.
The crowds pushed in, and the smell was often unbearable. Jeremy Saunders was glad his nose was cold so he wouldn't heave too much. It wasn't like he smelled any better, but his team had plenty of hygiene cleansers in stock. He stood on his toes waiting, and the bullhorns went off.
"Everyone at attention! Get off the streets and onto the sidewalks. We will drop the food accordingly! Attention! Off the streets and onto the sidewalks!"
Jeremy sprinted to his usual spot and jumped on a crooked lamppost for a better view. The crowds surged around him with their arms crossed in salute, ready for the drop.
~Oo~
Jeffrey and Bogg remained in their area. Jeffrey glanced at the sea of misshapen and irate faces and he moved nearer to Bogg. The majority of them wore dark shades and the rest braved the sunlight with hats and hoods. He felt a few hands reaching for his coat and pockets and he swatted them.
"Hey! Lay off me! This is mine!" He shouted to the group of teens.
They backed off when they saw Bogg scowl through his dark shades and left to find another unwitting victim to rob. The food plummeted to the streets in giant crates. They smashed open to reveal tightly wrapped canned and dried goods. The crowds cheered and shoved forward. Jeffrey saw of a large package of rice and beans just within reach and ducked between the people to dive for it. By the time Bogg realized he was gone, the hordes had pushed him farther away.
"That damn kid! I told him to wait! Jeffrey! Jeffrey where are you!"
Jeffrey snatched the food and held it up. "Bogg! I'm over here! I got some! Come look!"
The food disappeared from Jeffrey's grip as fast as he acquired it. Jeffrey didn't think and took off after the fleeing thief. Bogg lost sight of him again.
"Jeffrey stop! Let it go!"
"Give that back! I found it!" Jeffrey screamed and lunged for the man's legs.
They both fell hard to the ground. The bean cans tore through the wrapping and the rice bag exploded. A hungry rabble approached and began scooping up what they could and pushing and shoving each other over the cans. Jeffrey pounced on the man and knocked his sunglasses off. His eyes were pitifully sunken in and his pallor a pure white. The man opened his mouth, revealing a row of gnarled and sharpened teeth and he attempted to bite Jeffrey's arm.
"I'm starving!" He yelled.
Jeffrey socked him in the cheek and rolled off. He was thrust down again from another swell of ravenous people. This was what Bogg meant about groveling, and now Jeffrey felt he was no better than the rest.
"Aughhhhh! Bogg! Help me! Bogg!"
~Oo~
Jeremy did a double take at the young boy fending for his life in the streets. The voice, the hair, and the cries for Bogg cinched it. He was Jeffrey Jones. This wasn't time to linger; he needed help. The Scavenger shook off Jeffrey's punch. The boy had destroyed his last chance at getting food and now he would pay. Jeremy darted to the scene and pulled a taser from his pocket.
"Leave him alone, monster!"
Just as the Scavenger sprung at Jeffrey, Jeremy zapped him in the back. The Scavenger's body twisted and he fell to the ground and quivered. It wasn't Jeremy's intention to kill him so he didn't fire again. He pulled Jeffrey up.
"Hey, kid! Are you al lright?"
Jeffrey couldn't believe Jeremy Saunders that saved his life. There was no time reunions. The mob fell into a panic seeing the laser. A frantic woman pointed at them.
"Voyagers! They're Voyagers! Kill the Voyagers!"
Jeremy and Jeffrey backed away surrounded. Bogg shoved his way through the crowds, but it was too late to reach them. Soldiers ran to the scene ready to fire.
"No! No! Jeffrey!"
Another soldier pushed the crowds back, he butted his gun handle across the faces of the disobedient onlookers.
Jeremy clutched Jeffrey. "I'm sorry, kid! I wanted to help…if we break for it now they'll shoot us down."
"I know you tried, Jeremy! Thanks!"
A bearded soldier shouted to the crowds. "What claims have you that they are Voyagers? Speak now!"
The woman pointed at Jeremy. "Him! He has a Voyager's weapon! I saw it!"
The soldier seized Jeremy's coat. "Empty your pockets now!"
Jeremy refused. "No! I have a right to privacy! You can't take that!"
He was hit across the cheek with the back end of an assault rifle and fell to the floor, blood dripped from the side of his mouth. Jeffrey pulled on the soldier's gun.
"Leave him alone! He was helping me from that dirty Scavenger! Over there! He tried to eat me! He stole my food!"
Jeffrey held Jeremy's arm and hoisted him upright. "I'm okay, kid, it's just a little bruised, but I still have my teeth."
The other soldiers accosted the Scavenger before he could flee again and their guns went off. Jeffrey looked on shocked. He hadn't meant for the starving man to be murdered.
"But…why did you…" He held back tears.
"That takes care of him! Now, empty your pocke…"
"Raymond! I'll take it from here! Step away!" Another soldier shouted.
"But Lieutenant, they're accused of being Voyagers!"
"I'm well aware of that, step aside. I'll handle this, get the crowds out of here."
"But sir we have orders to kill all…"
Brian O'Neill's eyes flashed. "I give the final orders, now do as you're commanded!"
"Yes, sir!"
Brian circled Jeffrey and Jeremy, hiding his astonishment at seeing Bogg's young sidekick alive and well. He knew Jeremy was always around and had seen him often, but never apprehended him.
"Give me the taser and you and your people will live to see another day."
The Voyagers glowered at each other and Jeremy tossed Brian the taser. "Fine! Take it! Now what are you gonna do with us?" He demanded.
"Now…you're free to go. If you cause another disturbance, I will not be responsible for the punishments meted out."
"That's it? You're letting us go?" Relief washed over Jeremy's face and bright, blue eyes.
"Did you hear me? Get out while I'm still feeling generous! Take the boy with you, that's an order!"
Their gazes met with a mutual but awkward understanding and Jeremy tugged Jeffrey's sleeve. "You heard him, kid. Let's go!"
"But Jeremy, that's Brian! Why's he working for Paradox, what's he doing? I need to find Bogg!"
"Don't ask questions now, kid, run!"
He and Jeffrey took off down the side streets of Fifth Avenue. Lieutenant O'Neill stood at attention and turned to the angry throng.
"Have no fear, this matter will be reported to the Sovereign and dealt with accordingly! We have seized the Voyager's weapon!"
~Oo~
Brian scanned the crowd and saw a very disturbed Voyager Bogg. "You're all dismissed! Gather the last of your foodstuffs and get out of the area!"
Brian followed Bogg as he raced to his motorcycle. He grabbed his shoulder and Bogg jumped, his manner skittish.
"Brian, whatever you do, don't hurt the kid, please! I'm gonna to find him."
Brian dropped his pretense and held Bogg steady. "Listen to me, and listen good, Bogg." Brian gave a quick check for bystanders, but they were alone. "I know where Jeremy went, the Majestic Theater, 245, West 44th Street, side entrance."
Bogg grabbed the handlebars. "Thanks, I gotta get Jeff back."
Brian gripped the bars. "Wait! There's more. That's the meeting place; Pioneer's still in existence. I know for a fact that John Henry, Bernard, Bobby, Tina and Kayla are there. The Sovereign has Regina as a prisoner, but last night we talked, she's not a traitor like everyone thought. I'm sick of this world, Phineas! I want out too and I'm gonna to help them, but…we need you!"
Brian took a deep breath and stepped back from the confused Voyager. "Don't back out again, man."
Bogg shook his head. "Pioneer doesn't need me! How do I know this isn't a trick, O'Neill? You're the one who's a traitor for Paradox!"
"If I wanted to destroy you, I would've done it already. I could've stormed in and killed them all, considering I know where the hideout is! What they're doing is treason to Utopia! I don't know where that Jeffrey Jones came from, because I know he died on the bridge. I won't press further, if we have a working omni, it can only be a good thing. There's big developments at Utopia, Bogg, something's wrong with the Sovereign, but I'm not sure what yet."
Bogg straddled his motorcycle, his mind in a tailspin. Within one night, his world was thrown upside down again, and this time it was because Jeffreyreturned. The omni brushed against his chest. He wasn't going to tell Brian that it existed. That he'd take to the Sovereign himself. It was only a matter of days or hours before they picked it up on the radar and he was still unsure what to do. He revved up the motorcycle.
"I'm gonna get Jeffrey…this better not be a trap!"
Brian halted him from riding off. "Listen, I'm sorry. I became misguided…just as disillusioned as you. I put my confusion into action for what I thought was the winning team. Now I know that was a big mistake! Pioneer did great taking down the evil elements. We had a lot of success with Charles and you were proved yourself to be a great leader too. I used to question why they picked you, Phineas, but now I know. You're loyal and steadfast, and your heart's in the right place no matter what the situation is. Don't give up on them!"
Brian had Bogg's full attention; his words stung him as much as they lifted his spirits, just as Jeffrey's did the night before. Brian had more to get off his chest.
"When you killed Drake, I almost couldn't believe that you'd do something like that. We all hated him, but you always had that control and you never swerved from doing the right thing. I don't blame you, if it were me I would've killed him too, probably long before you ever did, but people would've expected it of me. Maybe it's too late to change the past this time, but we can sure as hell change the future and I want in!"
Brian came to attention. The tanks were ready to roll and the soldiers waited and looked on curiously. Brian grasped Bogg's jacket.
"Play along!" He whispered.
Before Bogg could react, Brian whacked him across the face and he nearly fell off the motorcycle. He lifted Bogg up and shoved him against the storefront window.
"Let that be a warning! Don't ever defy our authority again! Is that clear?"
Bogg wiped his mouth and dusted his coat. "Yes!"
Brian slapped him hard. "I didn't hear you!"
"I said, YES!" Bogg thundered. He hung his head with the Sovereign symbol of conformity and didn't shift his position until Brian walked away.
"Okay, men! Move out! We're done here!"
When Bogg looked up, the tanks pulled out and two large food packages lay at his feet. He felt his pockets. Brian had slipped him Jeremy's taser. He smiled with a new-found optimism. Securing the food to his motorcycle, he sped away to find Pioneer.
