The Argo Goes West

100, Red Human

Nearly 100 Argo crew members were unable to enter Sacramento. They encamped at the exit of the city gate.

Their leader was Hawk "Man of Iron" Galloway, Chief of Artillery. He had a stern look that resembled a military academy instructor, and with his hands folded behind his back, he warned his subordinates of their untidy clothing.

"Why is he the leader?" grumbled Sergeant Paul Reisman. Riseman thought he would be chosen as leader. However, his subordinates thought Galloway was a better leader than him. The reason was that Riseman was short-tempered.

"Please line up in a row."

There was a long queue for the distribution of boeuf bourguignon prepared by Hercule Giraud, former chef of Delmonico's. The taste was exquisite. Deke Anderson, the harpooner, asked for a second serving, but was refused as they were supposed to have one plate per person so that everyone could have one.

After dinner, Jerry Baxter, the conductor, served hot coffee to everyone. Over coffee, the Wright brothers discussed further improvements to the Wright Flyer.

Joe Arbogast, a New York Times reporter, noticed that Pat Garrett's Rough Riders were missing and asked Baxter about it.

"They were sent out as scouts," Baxter replied.

"Where? San Francisco?"

"I think so."

"How far is it from here to San Francisco?"

"About eighty miles."

The distance from Philadelphia to San Francisco is 2,500 miles. About 3% remain. Arbogast suddenly felt deeply moved at the thought that the journey would soon be over.

Arbogast turned west toward San Francisco. It was pitch dark and he could not see anything, but he hoped to tell the reader as soon as possible what had happened there.

"What is this?"

Doc Morton groaned as he peered into the screen of a Carl Zeiss brass compound microscope.

Roberts wondered if it wasn't like the always cool Doc, so he asked him.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Yes. Look at this."

Doc Morton stood up and directed Roberts to look through the microscope. Roberts thought he wouldn't understand when he saw it, but he did what Doc told him to do.

On the screen of the microscope, small round grains gathered together and trembled.

"Please explain," Roberts asked Doc Morton.

"Her red blood cell count is too high."

"Is she sick with something?"

"It's a wonder she's still alive."

"But she is alive."

"You are right."

Doc Morton looked up at the ceiling with a troubled face.

"Maybe the doctors in this town noticed something wrong with her red blood cells, but they didn't try to find out why, because it's not common sense."

"Can you explain if you think outside of the box?"

"Even you who are not a doctor can do it."

Roberts took the plunge and said, "Maybe she's not human?"

"I don't think so," said Doc Morton. "She is a new species of human. A species of primate called Homo rubrum, i.e. Red Human, that is different from Homo sapiens."