Migration: Beginnings

By Walter Hopgood

Bombings in Europe leave the whole world in chaos. But amidst that chaos is an old family riddle that could lead Earth's population not just to a better place, but to another planet.

Migration: Beginnings is the story of newlyweds Rhys and Jason, and how a necklace and accompanying story handed down through the generations in Jason's family has the chance of bringing hope to a chaotic world. If only their search for the long-hidden device wasn't being sabotaged at every turn by a madman, who will stop at nothing to get his hands on it in an effort to control the world. It's a race against time for Rhys and Jason to solve the riddle, and bring hope to a population that's lost so much, it's all they have left.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Walter Hopgood
• Release date: Feb 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370342891

Walter Hopgood

Walter Hopgood is a geek by trade, working in healthcare information technology by day and trying his hand at writing by night. He has been writing for years, and so far has both a non-fiction as well as a fiction book under his belt. While work is always crazy, writing is a pleasure that Walter undertakes whenever he can. He lives out in rural Oregon with his husband, Patrick, and a four-pound cat that demands as much attention as possible, usually around 3am.For as vast as this world is, the experiences are there to be treasured while you explore as much as you can.

Book preview

Prologue

Tell me, Mr. Makota, Gareth demanded. What would your organization need with so many nuclear weapons?

Lately, it seemed as if terrorist organizations were a dime a dozen. They filled headlines but rarely guided any meaningful, long-term goals. Gareth Roderick had fought his first instinct, which was to have the two men standing in front of him killed. But there was something so intriguing about the request for weapons that Mr. Makota had made, as well as the broad scope of what he had indicated the use of the munitions would be. It was why he took the meeting. Gareth glanced up at his assistant, the barest hint of a headshake reassuring him, then turned his attention back to the strangers. As he clasped his hands together, he leaned forward and narrowed his eyes as he studied his guests. His family had always relied upon unrest to seize what they wanted, be it power or money. And the world had been entirely too peaceful as of late.

What business is it of yours? the second man, Rustikov, responded.

The smallest of smiles began on Gareth’s face.

Before Gareth could speak, Makota raised a hand. He turned and glared at his companion, then whispered something in their shared tongue. Makota nodded his head, then turned back to Gareth. My apologies, Mr. Roderick, Makota said, my companion seems to have forgotten his place. Rustikov’s face turned to a dark shade of red. His whole body shook as what seemed to be vitriol spewed from his mouth, all aimed at Gareth and his bodyguards. Gareth watched with slight amusement and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe away the few drops of spittle that had landed on his notebook. As he tucked his handkerchief back in his pocket, both Makota and Rustikov’s voices boomed throughout the room.

Gareth opened his desk drawer. As the shouting came to a crescendo, he reached in and pulled out a revolver, which he placed in front of the angry pair. Their attention suddenly focused on the weapon.

Mr. Makota, Gareth said, though his eyes stayed planted on Rustikov. When he finally turned his attention to Makota, he smiled. We have already agreed upon a price, which I think is quite fair.

Both Makota and Rustikov nodded, though their eyes darted back to the revolver before they focused on Gareth once more.

Very well then, Gareth said. I just have two additional terms.

Makota nodded. And what would those be?

Gareth nodded to his bodyguard, who stepped toward the door. His cold eyes turned to Makota once again. First, you will give my associates and me twenty-four hours to vacate the continent.

Done.

Gareth rose from his chair and buttoned his suit jacket. He adjusted his cuffs and took a few steps toward the door.

And what is the second term? Makota asked.

Gareth turned back toward his desk. He picked up the revolver and handed it to Makota.

Please dispose of your companion.

Makota and Rustikov’s yells shattered the silence, though Gareth ignored the scuffle. He snapped his fingers and let his assistant open the door. He walked through as the yelling continued, then waited until his assistant was once again at his side. Mr. Iago?

Yes, Mr. Roderick?

A shot rang out, and the voices behind them became quiet.

Gareth smiled. He turned to his assistant. I hear Cairo is beautiful this time of year. Would you get my jet ready?

Chapter 1

Rhys had slowly pushed away the cobwebs of sleep when he heard a loud thump from somewhere in the house. For the first time in months, he was letting himself sleep in, and he basked in the warmth of the light down comforter and decadent cotton sheets that covered the bed and flowed past his long, muscular legs. Though his job had been demanding as of late, he had scheduled a week’s vacation. He’d even decided to leave at lunchtime the day before vacation started, though that was more Jason’s idea than his.

Rhys heard Jason, his partner—now husband, he considered with a smile—bounding up the stairs. And while he was not unhappy about his husband’s intrusion into his sleep, he was not quite ready to leave the warm comfort of their bed.

Even with his head still buried under the pillow, he heard first a stumbling at the threshold of the room, then the gentle swoosh of Jason’s socks against the hardwood floors. A second later, the bed dipped as Jason sat down.

Boo? Jason whispered. Rhys felt a hand snake under the covers and connect with his shoulder. You gotta get up.

Rhys dared to pop his head out from under the security of the pillow. He glanced up at Jason, who was a fuzzy shadow of gray, with a mop of dark bed-head hair at the top. But even though he was blurry, Rhys could still make out his husband’s smile—a smile that could brighten even the darkest moods it encountered.

C’mon, Rhys. Wake up, Jason leaned into a ray of sunshine that spilled into the room as he retrieved Rhys’s glasses from the bedside stand. Here, Jason offered.

Rhys turned over onto his back and donned his glasses. He blinked the sleep away a few times before he focused, and smiled at Jason’s disheveled look. Jason’s emerald-green eyes gazed back at him—the same beautiful green eyes that Rhys had once compared (out loud) to the color of the leaves of the mighty birch tree. You know, just before autumn sets in, with beautiful deep greens, and flecks of brown and gold? Jason knew the birch was Rhys’s favorite tree and took it as the high compliment it was intended.

Rhys yawned, and memories of the previous day flooded his mind. The two of them running into the Multnomah County courthouse just before closing time, not knowing county offices closed early on Fridays, offering a wad of cash to the tired looking clerk as they asked to be squeezed in before the office closed for the weekend—all because they finally could. Rhys leaned up and grabbed a kiss, trying not to exhale due to morning breath, then eased back onto his pillow with his arms tucked under his head. Good morning, he said.

Mom called, Jason said as he reached out, nimble fingers tangling with his own. Rhys gave Jason a questioning look, so Jason clarified. "My mom called. I kinda…well spilled the beans. Though it wasn’t really a secret, especially after you posted it on Facebook last night." He winked at Rhys.

Well, we were gonna have to tell them anyway, Rhys said with a yawn. Might as well have gotten it over with. He reached up and scrubbed his face. How did it go?

Jason shook his head. Actually, better than I thought it would. She’s still mad they weren’t here to at least witness it and take us out to dinner to celebrate. Hell, you know my mom. She’s probably been planning our wedding for years.

Rhys grinned. Dinner? You mean to take us and half the population of Portland out to celebrate? Jason’s parents lived to lavish attention on family and friends. His father had been one of the founding members of a gigantic software conglomerate and had retired early. He had cashed out his stock options and bid the business world adieu, exchanging it for a life of leisure and philanthropy with his wife and two children. And when Jason had brought Rhys home to meet the family for the first time, he had been welcomed with opened arms.

Yeah, well since they couldn’t be here, they got us a present.

Rhys cocked his head and gave Jason a curious look.

Jason’s grin never left his face. Two first class tickets are waiting for us at the airport. We have a private bungalow at some fancy-schmancy resort. His voice sounded modeled after a game show host when he finally announced, Maui!

Maui? Rhys asked as he leaned into a stretch, though not too much. Deep stretches had the unfortunate side effect of making an old injury twinge. He smiled, knowing he should have been more surprised, but life with Jason and his extravagant family had brought him more surprises than he could remember. Jason’s parents did everything to spoil their children, while still managing to keep their feet firmly planted in reality. But I thought we were going to stay home next week and just veg? he asked. Even as the words slipped from his mouth, his inner monologue told him that train of thought was quite stupid. He wasn’t really complaining about going on vacation to an island paradise.

You know my family. Go big or go home, Jason said. So get up and pack a bag and I’ll cook you some breakfast. Plane leaves in three hours.

Rhys was out of bed before his mind could catch up. "Three hours? He untangled himself from the sheets, secretly happy that he wasn’t as klutzy as his husband or he would have surely face-planted into the floorboards for sure. Are you serious?" He dashed toward the walk-in closet, but the sudden movement caused his side to spasm. He couldn’t help it when he reached down and covered it with his palm.

You okay? Jason asked.

Rhys forced a smile as he tried to bury the memories of that day. I’m fine, he said, even though the ache continued. He glanced up at Jason, who looked concerned.

Okay…Your suitcase is over there, Jason said as he bobbed his head at the well-worn bag sitting on Rhys’s dresser. Got it out after I talked to Mom, and you were still dead to the world. Jason stretched then crossed to Rhys and grabbed a kiss. I already started you some coffee, sweetpea, so get a move on. He gently whacked Rhys’s backside, then disappeared back down the stairs.

As soon as Jason left their bedroom, Rhys’s thoughts tinged dark at Jason’s ‘dead’ remark. He pushed down on the scar on his abdomen with the heel of his hand, the sensation bringing back memories. When he was twelve, and sure that his father’s disapproval grew greater each day because he wasn’t like other boys, Rhys had done what he could to try and earn what little respect he could. Unfortunately, that childhood decision had led to a dangerous situation. When he and his little sister were walking home from school one day, they had been jumped by a maniacal-looking guy with a knife. Rhys tried to stand up to him, but seconds later found himself falling to the ground, the rusty knife jutting out of his abdomen. As he laid there, sure that the tears streaming down his face washed away what little regard his father held for him, he felt certain he was going to die. Welcomed it, even. So when he’d woken up the next day in the hospital, he wasn’t sure if he should be happy to be alive, or upset that he was still above ground.

His father’s distance after he was discharged from the hospital had done nothing to help those feelings.

Rhys took a deep breath, then put the thoughts out of his mind, even if that one incident stayed fresh in his mind. When a crisis hit, he sometimes froze as his mind spiraled back to that fateful day. He tried to cover it up, but Jason knew him better than anyone—and could spot it even before Rhys knew he’d begun to spiral.

But today was to be different. It was their honeymoon, and he’d be damned if he would let dark thoughts ruin his and Jason’s special time together. So instead of dwelling on the past, he forced himself back into the moment. He busied himself as he dug through the drawers of the antique dresser, which Jason had carefully restored and gifted to him when they bought the house. As he pulled out a week’s worth of clothes, including a couple of Jason’s T-shirts that he’d been trying to snag, he considered his life. For being in his mid-30s, he was still in pretty good shape, even if he was messed up a little in the head. Though he wasn’t as well built as Jason, his fieldwork as a biologist before landing his current job with the State of Oregon had always kept him active and lean. The morning runs and evening walks with Jason didn’t hurt, either.

He made his way downstairs after packing and deposited his overstuffed suitcase by the door. Jason greeted him in the kitchen with a cup of coffee. He sniffed, then sipped the rich, warm brew and sighed. Have I ever told you I love you? he asked, then stole another kiss.

Jason winked and handed him his breakfast. "You’d better, he said. After all, you did marry me yesterday, Dr. Tambor."

Rhys couldn’t help but smile as memories from the previous day replayed in his head. "Well, you did ask me, Mr. Frost-Tambor, he replied. And I can’t think of a better way to spend a Friday afternoon."

They made eyes at each other like teenagers, not like a couple that had been together for going on eight years. And for all their differences, they seemed to complement each other perfectly. Rhys, a scientist with the Oregon Department of Environmental Safety, was equally at home on a computer doing research as he was out in the wilderness doing fieldwork. Jason often took temporary jobs, like the six months he spent opening a gallery for a friend or working special events. Rhys had grown up an Army brat with a very distant, militaristic father and a schoolteacher mother. Jason, who was brought up as a free spirit, had taken his time through college and had finally decided on an art history and business administration double major. But while their backgrounds were entirely different, they fit together perfectly. They had initially bonded over their love of the outdoors, their dissimilar familial history, and a love of Italian food. But as soon as they started to get to know each other, after a happenstance meeting, they realized they had more in common than they had initially thought.

I’m gonna go get a shower, Jason said as he ran a hand through the messy mop of dark hair on Rhys’s head. Eat up.

Rhys took a bite as he watched his husband disappear from view, the sound of thunderous footsteps exploding through the quiet. As he chewed, he wondered how lucky he was to have found such a great partner. His thoughts ran away from him as he pondered first their shared past, and then their boundless future.

Rhys’s phone pinged, and he grabbed it from the kitchen counter. He checked his email and breathed a sigh of relief at the lack of messages from work. Then he clicked over to the news app that had gotten his attention in the first place, and read the headline, White House: Terror Alert Levels Increased Due to Unspecified Threat. He clicked the link and got so engrossed in the story that he started when Jason appeared at his side. He smiled as he pushed a wet strand of hair off of Jason’s forehead. It reminded him of the time Jason had accompanied him as a last minute substitute intern on a department work trip to complete an environmental survey. They had found their way into the remote wilderness near Klamath Falls, and along with the rest of the team, had spent two weeks being entirely drenched by the never-ending rain. The thing was, Jason said he loved every minute of it. It was soon after they had started dating, and that trip was the one when Rhys knew Jason was the only man for him. They worked well together, and Jason had held his own with the other interns. Even when things had gone fubar, like on the chilliest day when half the team fell into a lake, or when they lost a backpack of supplies to raccoons, Jason kept a smile on his face, his happy attitude infectious to the other team members.

Rhys held the phone so that Jason could see it and pointed to the headline. He drained his coffee cup. Might be a rough travel day, Rhys said. I’m gonna shower.

Jason shrugged the headline off. Because of his background, Rhys was used to being around during security issues, but Jason didn’t seem too concerned, though he was engrossed in the article. ‘Kay, boo.

He crossed to the staircase, but almost missed the first step as his mind wandered over the details of their trip. You want to leave the car at the airport, or take a taxi? But before Jason answered, Rhys blurted, Oh! What about Baxter?

As if on cue, the ancient orange-haired cat slowly meandered into the kitchen. Baxter had been a small, helpless kitten that Jason had adopted back in college. The cat adored Jason and usually tolerated Rhys.

He watched as Jason put down the cellphone. Mom said they were sending a car service for us. That’s why I got you up. They’ll be here in about twenty minutes.

Rhys smiled as Baxter stretched, then batted his head against Jason’s knees. And Baxter?

Relax, Jason said. Mom’s coming up to house sit while we’re gone. My dad’s heading to Europe tomorrow for a few days to attend some conference, and she said she needed something to do. They’re going to come up this afternoon, and he’ll leave from here in the morning. Besides, it’ll do Mom good to get out of Eugene for a while.

Rhys nodded in agreement.

Now go! Jason said. The car should be here soon.

Rhys took the briefest of showers, then put on a pair of jeans and his Portland Timbers T-shirt. He had quickly learned on their first trip abroad that shirts with buttons, while professional, did not allow him to get comfortable in restrictive airplane seats. He headed downstairs and sat on the bottom step to put on his shoes.

Car’s here! Jason called from the small living room. He walked in, Baxter cradled in his arms. He gave the cat one last loving cuddle, then put him on the floor and watched as he scurried away. You ready to go?

Rhys smiled. Absolutely. He stood up and grabbed his backpack and suitcase. And with one last stolen kiss, he and Jason locked up the house and started on their honeymoon. At the airport, they got their boarding passes and made their way to the security area. Since it was a Saturday, the lines were sparse. They reached the front of the line in no time, handed their boarding passes over, and wished the agent a good weekend before they stepped toward the inspection area.

Excuse me, sir, an angry looking TSA agent called, but you’re going to have to take that off. It’s going to set off my alarms. The agent was pointing to Jason’s ever-present triangular-shaped metal necklace, something that Jason hardly ever took off. When Rhys had asked him about it years before, Jason told him that it was something passed down from his grandfather, and he had promised to never be without it. And to Jason, a promise was everything—especially when it came to his beloved grandfather.

It never has before, Jason replied, then countered the agent’s aggressive stance. Rhys reached for Jason’s arm and gave it a gentle squeeze, an unspoken plea for Jason to back off. Rhys traveled enough to know that there were some TSA agents who you didn’t mess with, and he hoped that the broad-shouldered man giving them a death glare from inside the magnetometer wasn’t one of them.

One of the agent’s lips raised in a mock snarl. "You know you don’t have to travel today, sir."

Jase, Rhys said. He turned to the TSA officer. Rhys knew, after spending time with everyone from Air Force enlistees to high-ranking officials, how to try and neutralize a tense situation, so he took a deep breath and then forced a smile. Look, sir, he said in an attempt to divert attention from Jason. He never takes it off, ever. And it’s never been a problem before. Can’t you just scan it with your wand or whatever and let him through? When the agent refused to budge, Rhys added, We’re on our honeymoon, sir.

The agent’s expression lightened slightly. He sighed, then motioned for another uniformed officer to join him so the two could share a whispered conversation. When they broke the huddle, the original agent motioned to Rhys. You, come on through, he said.

Rhys walked through the magnetometer, and the agent’s eyes never left the readings. Then he motioned to Jason. Now you.

Jason walked through the device, which did not alarm, just as Rhys had promised. But before he could join Rhys, the second agent stepped forward. Excuse me, sir, the agent said in a monotone voice, but you have been selected for additional screening. The agent quieted his voice and continued, Sorry about him, as he bobbed his head towards the original agent, who was now gruffly staring down an elderly woman with a cane. He’s a little hard-core.

Both Rhys and Jason smiled. Don’t worry about it, Jason said.

Once the agent grabbed Jason’s backpack and shoes from the X-ray machine, he directed Jason to a side table and began a long-winded explanation of the additional screening procedure. When his spiel was complete, he asked, Do you understand what I’m about to do, sir?

Is it okay if my husband watches? Jason asked. Rhys grinned. The agent blushed even as he, too, smiled. Pointing to Rhys, Jason continued, He’s into voyeurism and all sorts of kinky shit.

The agent’s face blushed an even darker shade of magenta. He shook his head and took his place behind Jason.

Rhys loved it when Jason was in his element and understood why Jason liked to try out for the local community theater group. It wasn’t something he would ever do, but Jason lived for it.

After he gathered his previously forgotten backpack, Rhys stood back and watched the spectacle. He laughed as Jason moaned ever so quietly when the TSA agent snapped his latex gloves. It was then that Rhys realized Jason had an audience—something that usually egged his husband on even more.

Okay, beginning, the agent said as he kneeled behind Jason. Jason moaned quietly, then whispered, Oh yeah, at the first pass—all the while making crazed-looking sex faces across the lobby at Rhys. Each grunt, groan, or moan was met with guffaw from those nearest, be they a member of the general traveling public or a TSA agent. When Jason’s agent stepped in front of him and reached forward to begin the second half of the examination, Jason stopped him. Hold on a sec, he said, then bobbed his eyebrows at Rhys. Don’t worry baby; I’ll be thinking about you the whole time. He broke his gaze as Rhys busted out in laughter, and then looked down at the now-kneeling agent. Let’s do this.

By the time Jason’s pat down was completed, there were hoots of laughter, and even a round of applause from those who watched. Jason took a bow and then bounded over to where Rhys stood. He accepted his backpack, then took Rhys’s hand.

Did you have fun, sweetheart? Rhys asked.

Jason bobbed his head enthusiastically. Whew. I think I need a cigarette, he said as he leaned forward to kiss Rhys’s cheek. Settled, he pulled Rhys toward the departures board to find out when and from where their plane was leaving.

The couple headed to their assigned gate but got derailed by a couple of side trips. First, Jason aimed them for one of the kiosks. Gum. Remember how your ears can get.

Purchase completed, they again headed for the gate but were derailed as