Code 47 to BREV Force Cracko

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 6

The storm was still raging and the rain was fiercely cold as the wind blew the water at him with a vengeance. Martin was drenched just crossing from the Cottage porch to the car. Once he got in, he commanded, "Increase temperature to seventy-two degrees and dehumidify. All dryer blowers on."

Lightening illuminated the campus as Martin began the drive home. Parks Hall Communications Center, one of the newer buildings on campus, looked starkly modern in contrast to the Norton Science Building, which stood tall and proud as the oldest structure on campus. Thinking about everything that had happened during the day, these buildings and their connection of past and present gave him hope for the future... the old blending so well with the new. That's my greatest hope that the work Vivian and I do will be continued by Brad and Evie

That thought triggered his concern for the twins. I'm sure they're home by now. He decided to call to be sure. The small microchip that powered his C-tel was aligned to his brain waves. All he had to do was think his I.D. to engage the system. Everything after that was voice activated. "Call home!" he instructed.

He heard a beep beep sound — and then the message—"atmospheric disturbance is interfering with this transmission, please try again later."

Martin couldn't believe it. With all his advanced technology, he still couldn't get the call through. He tried his on-board network patch to Rosie but that also couldn't make a connection. Oh great! This is what I get for allowing this system to be put in my car. What good is having these privacy interrupters? They sure work well when other people are trying to reach me but as soon as I need to call out...

The day's events were contributing to his annoyance and he knew it. Okay Martin, he admonished himself, enough of this! He immediately stopped the banter in his mind and turned his thoughts to reason. Probably the magnetic instabilities from the storm are blocking satellite reception. I should've called before I left the Cottage.

The night ride home was treacherous. Emergency sirens wailed all around him and the traffic was more stop, than go, even at the above ground elevation. While he waited to cross the busy intersection at Patterson and Elm, Martin visualized arriving home.

He could see Vivian coming toward him with outstretched arms. Her reddish-blonde hair would be flowing softly around her face and her blue eyes would be sparkling. And when she smiled, she had the most incredible dimples. Although petite in size, Vivian always stood ten feet tall in Martin's mind. She was a wonderful mother, an incredible friend and a remarkable wife, co-worker and partner. Whenever he thought of Vivian, he realized that even after all these years, he was more in love with her, than ever.

The traffic began to move but only at a snail's pace and Martin was relieved that he only had a few more miles to go.

Finally, he was descending onto his street and was approaching the circular driveway that led to his old Victorian house. He and Vivian had fallen in love with the house the first time they saw it. That was a bright beautiful day, now the October winds whipped colored leaves from the trees across his windshield.