Riley jumped, waking up from an uncomfortable sleep. She blinked her eyes and yawned. She was leaning against the cot, she had nodded off without realizing it. She sat up and turned to the cot, her heart skipped a beat. Mac was gone.
"Mac?" She called softly. Riley peeked out the door. The torch was down to red smoking embers and barely lit the hallway. Riley put her hand out and moved toward the main room. She found Mac sitting outside on the steps. "Hey, you ok?" She asked softly. He looked up and smiled.
"I feel a lot better, thanks." He said. Riley sat beside him. The air was so thick and still. Above them the sky was the color of a dark bruise. "Almost dawn." Mac added answering her unasked question. Riley studied him as a torch carrying man passed.
"Beloved." The man said. Mac sighed and shook his head. He rubbed his temples. She could still see a sheen of sweat, but he looked a lot better. He was wearing a clean set of the bulky clothes. He had a far away look in his eyes as he watched the continuous walking of the torch carriers. Mac frowned and looked at Riley.
"There's something not right about them." He said softly. Riley followed his gaze.
"No kidding." She said. She reached out and put her hand against his forehead. He jerked his head back startled and glared at her. Riley smiled. "You still have a fever, but it isn't as bad as it was."
"You could have just asked." Mac said. Riley rolled her eyes. Yup, back to driving her up the wall. Mac looked down at his hands as he fidgeted with the leather braid tied around his waist.
"What's wrong?" Riley asked worried. He was quiet and Riley could almost see him sucking into the depths of his ginormous brain, as Jack called it. Riley frowned. She'd seen Jack work him until he spilled, but Riley didn't know how, and quite frankly didn't have the patience. She smacked him across the arm. Mac winced his hand going to his arm, a look of surprised betrayal on his face. He opened his mouth to complain, Riley cut him off, "I asked what's wrong?" Mac glared at her a long minute before rubbing his arm. "Oh like that hurt, please!" Riley said. Mac smiled and looked down the road at the pond. In the gray gloom of morning it looked like a dirty mirror.
"I'm just thinking about Henry...and Derek." He said softly. Mac looked at Riley, "I told you my first three years, Mr. Anderson and Gramps took me?" Riley nodded. Mac looked down. "Well the last four, Henry Travers took me." Mac smiled fondly, his eyes lost in memory as he spoke.
"Derek...he was always an ass, and a budding serial arsonist, I think. He was always working on cleaner burning fuels. Some of his work was really good too. There were lots of times it came down to him or me." Mac trailed off a sad look in his face.
"What was your project?" Riley asked. Mac smiled.
"Robotics, there's a reason the project Bozer and I are working on is an android." Mac chuckled, "You should see Jack, did you know he tried to punch out Sparky?"
"What? Why?" Riley asked putting her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing too loud.
"He's afraid they are all going to 'rise up' he calls it the Robocalypse. He uses a weird mix of the Matrix, Predator-"
"Terminator?" They both laughed.
"Of course...I wish he were here." Mac said softly. He absently wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his shirt. Riley agreed, to keep Mac talking she asked,
"So what happened? Derek seems like an asshole." Mac's jaw flinched. Riley could see his hands ball into fists.
"Yes, yes he is. I suppose part of that is my fault…" Mac sighed. "After my dad left, Gramps wasn't able to take me. I had just done a prototype of a robot that was based on a cat, except I couldn't figure out how to get its tail to offset its momentum when it ran. Made a lot of holes in walls." Riley chuckled. Mac shrugged. Henry was a rich...eccentric I guess you could say."
"Nutcase." Riley added. Mac looked at her sharply.
"No, well not then he wasn't. He was more like...like a crazy uncle, but in a good way. He designed a lot of the animatronics we have today. He reminded me of Gepetto."
"Who?" Mac raised an eyebrow.
"Pinocchio's maker?" He said. Riley shook her head. Why would he assume she would just know that off the top of her head? "Anyway, he had a great workshop...you could make anything in there…" Mac smiled.
"I'm guessing the closer you two got, the more Derek went…"
"Insane? Yeah." Mac looked down at the ground, Riley frowned. He'd just fallen into a deep sadness.
"Mac?" He looked up at her then back down again.
"Henry would let me stay with him for weeks before a fair and help me get my presentation ready, he would pay my entrance fees, board, airfare...everything. And his wife Linda...and his two little girls...Lilly and...Sarah? I think. When I was with them it was…"
"Like being in a real family." Mac met her gaze and nodded. They both sat silent a minute. "But Derek?" Riley prodded.
"When I was with him, it was more like facing down the bullies at school." Mac's voice took on an odd tone, anger mixed with grief? Riley leaned in closer. Mac rubbed his hands together. "I got kicked out of two STEM fairs because of him…" Mac stood up and caught himself to keep from swaying. Riley was at his side in an instant. She held out her hand, but didn't touch him. He looked up at her and started to slowly walk on the sidewalk. Riley walked beside him, her worry spiking at every wobble. The sky was now a light pewter, metallic and soulless like a musket ball.
"So what happened." Riley asked. Mac stopped and leaned against the railing of the bungalow next door.
"I finally won and got a full ride on my 7th fair...I was…" Mac looked sad. "I was hoping that Henry would be excited for me…"
"He wasn't?" Riley asked, her eyes wide. Mac kept shuffling forward.
"No, I mean he would have been, but he was dead, or at least I thought he was dead." Mac said softly, his breath was becoming slightly labored.
"What?"
"There was a house fire, Linda and the girls died and Henry...I assumed he'd died too." Mac stopped and leaned down on his knees catching his breath. Riley put a hand on his shoulder to steady him. She looked up, several of the torch carriers were hurrying their way. Riley felt a small tug of relief. If Mac face planted, she'd need their help. He stood up taking a deep breath. He began to walk again. Riley glanced back. The cult members slowed, and walked behind them in silent formation. Riley could feel the hostility in their blank gazes. She shuddered and moved closer to Mac.
Mac didn't seem to notice her or their sudden large entourage. "I could never prove it, but I'm almost sure Derek lit that fire." He said breathlessly, a hand to his wounded side. He stumbled. Riley steadied him and walked him to the next set of broken cement stairs. Mac sat down, his elbows on his knees, his head in his hands. Riley rubbed his back as he sucked in air. Mac looked up at the silent expectant mass of cult members watching him.
Mac sat up studying them thoughtfully.
"Animatronics." He murmured. Before Riley could ask what was bouncing around in his brain, Michael appeared at their side like a puff of smoke.
"Beloved, are you well?" Mac looked up at the man's distraught face.
"Yeah, just needed to stretch my legs." He said. Michael smiled and ducked his head.
"Of course, Father is at breakfast, if you are ready?" Mac shot Riley a nervous look. Michael misread the expression. "Unless you need transport? I can carry you…" Mac looked over at Riley daring her to say a word. Riley rolled her eyes.
"I'm fine, lead the way." Mac said gruffly. He levered to his feet swaying a moment with his eyes closed. He took a steadying breath, wiped his forehead and nodded at Michael to lead the way. Riley paced her friend. She wasn't surprised and didn't say anything when he put a shaking hand on her shoulder. Without a word, she snugged up beside him and put her arm around his waist being careful of his side. Mac put an arm across her shoulders.
"Thanks Riley." He whispered.
"Of course, Beloved." She joked. He glared down at her, unamused. Riley nodded in apology. She looked up and her eyes widened. The large number of people that had been following them seemed to evaporate back into the one or two randomly walking up and down the street. "They are creepy as hell." She muttered. Mac murmured his agreement. They were silent as they trudged toward the largest of the quonset huts. Mac leaned heavily on Riley by the time they arrived. Riley could feel him shake, wet with sweat. Mac watched his feet, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other.
The sky was now a grimy blue, and she could see for the first time how pale he was. Riley gritted her teeth, but gave no other sign of how heavy he was. Michael held open the door, then automatically lifted Mac's other arm and draped it over his shoulders.
Mac huffed in frustration, but knew it wasn't fair to make Riley carry his full weight. He smiled his thanks at her and removed his arm, leaning towards Michael. Riley scowled, but couldn't hide the relief in her eyes as she stretched. Michael led them through a cafeteria with two long tables with identical folded chairs spread along both sides of both tables. Riley wrinkled her nose. The tables had a thick visible layer of dust and cobwebs hung from the chairs. She glanced at Mac who was looking at the floor. It was polished cement and she could see scuff marks under each chair, but they too were covered with a thick layer of dust. Riley frowned trying to see why Mac thought that was important.
Michael led them to a large pantry covered with shelves of food, all canned and boxed goods also draped heavily with cobwebs. Mac stopped in front of a huge walk in refrigerator and put his hand on it. He raised his eyebrows and looked at Michael.
"You do have electricity."
"Yes, Beloved. The mine that once worked here has a single remaining line that was strung through the canyon wall. It is very frayed so Father has decreed only necessary things to be electrified. Mac nodded and staggered a step. Michael easily steadied him. "Through here." He directed Riley. Riley led the way into a small dining room. The room was perfectly square and had flames painted on the wall, on the ceiling was a detailed mural of various gods, apparently fire gods. She glanced at Mac who was staring at a chandelier hanging over a round white draped dining room table. It looked like an upside down pine tree only black with literally hundreds of small candles on it. The wax formed a high mountain of droplets made of different colors.
Mac swallowed glad that Riley didn't notice what the light fixture was made of-burnt human bones. Mac felt his knees turn rubbery and everything lost a shade of color. He blinked surprised to find himself in a chair facing the burnt, twisted face of Henry Trevers. Mac gasped and recoiled. Henry's blue eyes which had once reminded him of the Mediterranean's perfect blue, were now emotionless lapis.
"Henry? I thought you'd died." Mac said, blinking sweat out of his eyes. Henry smiled, his teeth were oddly perfect and looked like they had been nailed in a sculpture of bark.
"No, Mac….well yes I did, but I was returned for a purpose. A purpose for both of us...first, come eat. Today is going to be an important day." Mac looked over at Riley who's eyes were wide, she'd picked up the same undertone of menace. Whatever madness this cult was building to, it was culminating today. Michael pushed Mac's chair against the table and waved at Riley to sit in a seat across from Mac. Henry took his seat at the head of a table. He sat staring at Mac, his elbows on the table. Mac swallowed and looked down at the dingy white table cloth.
Everyone looked up at Derek as he entered. Mac and Riley shared nervous glances. Henry sighed in annoyance.
"Father, I'm sorry if I'm late. No one notified me."
"Did you ever think that there was a reason for that?" Henry asked mildly. He looked over at Michael and nodded. Michael snapped his fingers and a group of cult followers swarmed around the table bringing plates, and dishes. Mac was pleased and surprised to find most of them were fruit. He smiled at Riley who took an orange. Mac reached into a bowl of watermelon and pulled out a large piece. As he nibbled that, Michael piled food onto his plate. The smell made Mac's stomach flip-flop. It looked like typical cafeteria eggs, sausage and potatoes. Mac ignored it and slurped at the watermelon. He had to get in as much fluid as he could. Michael poured a tall glass of orange juice. Mac nodded at him and greedily drank it. It was processed, but cool.
Mac glanced at Henry who sat and watched him intently. Mac squirmed uncomfortable under the man's gaze. It had a hypnotic depth that made him uneasy.
"Aren't you going to eat?" He asked around a bite of watermelon. Henry leaned back.
"I find I don't each much...since the fire." Mac turned at the sound of a soft snort at the other end of the table. Derek didn't try to conceal his hatred for Mac in the least. He smiled as he shoveled a huge spoonful of eggs into his mouth.
"Terrible thing, such a bright pretty fire." Derek said with a crocodile smile. Mac raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Henry. Henry scowled at his son, but his attention remained uncomfortably fixed on MacGyver. Mac glanced at Riley who was sipping her juice and met his gaze with her own worry.
"Mac, you know it was your destiny to come here, now...you are my true son, not this...thing." Henry said. Derek sprang to his feet and tried to come over the table, fork in hand. Moving faster than a large man should be able to, Michael grabbed Derek's hand and shoved him back into his chair. Derek wailed,
"Father, how could you?" Henry stood up and slammed his fist on the table.
"How could I? You murderer!" Henry hissed stalking around the table to his son. Mac shot Riley a glance. She mouthed 'awkward' Mac's mouth quirked in agreement and he slowly turned. No one else was in the room. He leaned forward as if intently watching the family drama, while surreptitiously sliding a sharp fork into his sleeve. His eyes darted over to Riley and he could see she was doing the same thing.
"Y...you knew?" Derek babbled cowing before the storm of his father's rage.
"Of course, do you think I'm stupid." Henry leaned closer until he was eye to eye with his son. "I've spent the time trying to decide what to do with you, what punishment would be worthy of the deaths of your mother and perfect sisters...I was going to kill you." Henry stood up and smiled. He walked behind Mac and put his hands on Mac's shoulders. Mac closed his eyes and forced himself not to flinch. The man's hands felt like corded leather. "But then you brought me my true son. It's MacGyver that you owe your life to." Henry patted Mac's shoulder. Mac almost sagged in relief, he put his hand on his head taking steadying breaths.
"But today…" Henry drifted off as a woman carrying a silent toddler entered. Henry leaned closer and smiled as she spoke into his ear. The child turned to face Mac studying him with deep brown eyes.
"It's time. It has finally come." Henry breathed. He looked at Mac, who did not like the bright light in the man's cold blue stone eyes. Mac glanced over at Riley who was ready to go into action. "Michael." Henry nodded at Mac. Before Mac could move, Michael had him by the arms, stood him up and was walking him out the front of the quonset hut. Mac looked up. Black smoke was pouring across the smear of gray sky. It looked like ink spreading in water. Firebrands and sparks came flying over the canyon landing on buildings and starting fires. Mac struggled to break free. He twisted to find Riley but couldn't see her. He was lifted off the ground and let loose a howl of pain as Michael's hands dug into his side. Everything started to dim. He shook his head trying to stay awake.
"My friend!" He yelled trying to squirm free, he could feel fresh blood run down his side.
"Is no longer a concern." Michael said calmly. Mac gasped trying to arch away from the agony of the man's hold. Evidently his comfort was also no longer a concern. He was dimly aware of being lifted high, like a trophy. All of the eyes of the cult members watched him with the same expression of worship on their faces. Mac's breathing came faster and faster. He tried hitting and kicking, but he might just as well be a baby wailing for all the good it did. The tide of the cult brought him to the odd shaped temple at the end of the road. He bit his lip to stay awake, but everything was going dim. He felt himself lifted by uncaring hands and shoved into a cage that smelled of soot and burnt flesh. He heard the lock click behind him.
Mac curled into a ball, closing his eyes against the movement of the cage as it was carried to a wide darkened pit. Mac looked down and felt the watermelon threatened to reemerge. Below him was a deep chasm full of burnt and half burnt human bones. He closed his eyes, slumping against the bars.
"Jack...please…" He whispered as darkness swallowed him whole.
Riley was dragged along with the excited, but oddly still silent tide of people. She watched helplessly as Mac cried out in pain while being carried along like a log in a river. Riley managed to duck to the edge then out of the group sliding into a doorway. She pulled out the fork she had slipped up her sleeve and braced for a fight. No one seemed to notice her, but they did block her way out.
Riley glanced behind her. A dimly lit workshop spread out behind her. She saw benches full of all kind of tools, a row of welding tanks stood like shadowy guards along one wall. Beside them was a screen door leading outside. Riley ran out the door. An arm grabbed her around the throat, she was slammed into the metal side of the quonset hut with bruising force.
She looked up into the grinning angry face of Derek Trevers. Riley didn't hesitate she kicked with her knee as she swung the fork with all of her strength. She managed to drive the fork deep into his neck. Derek screamed, putting his hand against blood spurting out of his neck. Riley shoved past him and took off running. The smoke seeping into the canyon made everything hazy. Heavy ash fell to the ground slowly, like heavy depressed snow.
Riley found herself in a dark dirt alley that ran along the length of the canyon wall behind the quonset huts. She leaned against the cool stone breathing hard. Her hands shook and her knees felt rubbery. Riley looked in the direction they had taken Mac. Tears stung her eyes. What could she do?
Riley heard a scrape beside her and hands again grabbed her. She whirled out the grip and held her fist back ready to let loose, when she froze, her jaw hanging down.
"Oh my God, Jack!" She cried. Before Jack could say a single thing Riley threw her arms around his neck. Jack glanced behind him. Freddy, Oliver and his faces were all wet, running with sweat, red from the quick run they'd made and the fast climb down the cliffs. The fire had been way too close for comfort.
"Ri, where's Mac?" Jack asked gently pulling away from her. Riley took a deep breath and straightened.
"This way! Hurry." She said turning in the direction of the temple. She could hear the clank of the heavy gear as the men ran behind her, but none of the three lost pace. Riley ran past the place she had stabbed Derek, there was no sign of the man other than a smeared bloody hand print dripping on the metal. She heard the mumbled static of a tac radio. Jack put a hand on Riley's shoulder to stop her. Riley stood facing them.
Freddy listened carefully, then looked up his green eyes grim.
"The path between us and the airfield is on fire. We're trapped." Riley felt her heart sag. Freddy put his hand on his father's shoulder. Oliver bowed his head, his eyes sad as he accepted the inevitable. Riley turned to see Jack's face split into a grin.
"Nothing to worry about, we go get my boy and he'll figure a way out." He said confidently. The other two men stared at Jack in disbelief then turned to Riley who nodded. Freddy and Oliver looked at each other and shrugged. They nodded to the others and started running along the narrow dirt path.
The cult members all stood in silent concentric circles around the temple, their eyes masks of bliss as they watched the sky above them darken with a thick pall of smoke. They were oblivious to the hot sparks and firebrands landing among them. Jack frowned watching as a larger spark landed on the head of a still baby. There was a sizzle. The baby didn't move. Jack felt his heart triphammer in his chest. The baby's hair burst into a little fire. Jack felt sick. Then the baby's scalp melted away revealing a crown of gleaming metal underneath.
"Oh hell no!" Jack said. He looked at the others and realized the truth. They were all robots. He looked over to Riley's horrified expression. "Robocalypse!" Jack hissed. He swallowed, suddenly finding himself in one of his worst nightmares. Jack tamped down on his fear and shoved his way through the crowd still as mannequins. None of them seemed to notice the four as they pushed through the edge of the crowd toward the temple.
Jack felt himself breath in relief. These were nowhere as sophisticated as the one Mac was making at Phoenix. He was about to reach the temple, when he realized how wrong he was. The ones in the closest ring around the temple turned, their faces contorted in rage as they reached out to attack him and the others. Jack shrugged against his last remaining oxygen tank. It had taken one whole one to follow Riley's trail to the canyon. Jack grunted as he swung the tank with all his strength. He his hard enough to tear at the plastic flesh, but the robots were unfazed.
"Son of a bitch!" He yelled. Fear shivered through his bones. They didn't have time to waste fighting fucking terminators! He yelled swinging the tank again, only to have it captured by a woman Riley's size, pulled out of his hands and slammed into his own skull. Jack fell unconscious among a tangle of angrily stomping feet.