Fourth Birth: The Oakmont Saga, Book 1

“Mr. Raughlin, please explain to this committee how you managed to run a covert program, spending millions of taxpayer dollars, kidnapping children and then attempting to kill people, all without the knowledge of any committee or without any Congressional oversight?” Senator Riley, the head of the Senate’s Homeland Security Committee asked.

“Sir, I was tasked with running a training program for children with unique gifts, given to them through their parents. Everything was done with full knowledge of the parents prior to being administered the serum, which granted the abilities,” Raughlin replied.

“Then how do you explain Subjects, 11325 and 11326?”

Raughlin, with a pleasant smile said, “There were some in the early days of the program that were willing to forego some of the basic requirements of the program. They have since been removed from the program.”

“And what do you propose to do with the children of those two subjects, who had no prior knowledge of this experiment they were unwitting participants in?” the Senator asked.

“Those children pose a risk, both to the security of this country, but also to those around them. Their abilities are too dangerous to be allowed in the general public, without proper guidance and training.”

“And I assume you feel you can provide that, in spite of the disaster that has taken place?” the senator asked, with a sarcastic edge to his voice.

“We can, Senator.”

“Even after two of those children escaped your high security compound, a number of agents and scientists dead and lots of property damage, not to mention the near death of one of those children during her time at the Oakmont facility? From the reports, that child has still not recovered any observable ability,” the Senator said.

Raughlin, with his continually pleasant smile, replied, “Dr. Trasker wrested control of the school program from me. All of those egregious events occurred as a direct result of his mishandling.”

“It’s incredibly convenient that Dr. Trasker is no longer with us to provide testimony,” the Senator said, but looked frustrated. “What do you propose, then?” the senator asked, after looking at his papers.

“Give me absolute control, obviously answerable to this committee and the proper executive authority, and I guarantee that you will have a successful and safe program that will provide a safe effective environment to insure these unique children will not fall into the hands of our enemies.”

Senator Riley looked at the man for a long time, not saying anything else.

“Do any of my colleagues from the Senate Homeland Security Committee or the House Internal Intelligence Committee have any questions?” the senator asked.

“I have one question, if you will indulge me,” Representative James Brach of Georgia responded.

Mr. Raughlin inclined his head, graciously. “At least two of the children, and one of the unknowing recipients of this serum…what is it…ah, X3…are from my district. What are your plans for them?”

Mr. Raughlin smiled a little broader. “Representative Brach, one of them is still in the custody of the interim handlers. I believe the CIA has established a temporary facility for all of the children. There are two that are still outside of CIA control. I would propose attempts to repatriate them with the program, but I would not suggest anything spy-like or dangerous to do so. No guns blaring or anything like that, sir,” Mr. Raughlin said with a humorous smile. “We can use the legal system to bring them back to the program, where we can train them and prepare them to live in society, without being a danger, both to themselves and those around them.”

“I have no further questions, Senator Riley,” Representative Brach said.

“Mr. Raughlin, this joint committee will assess the merits of your proposal, in addition to the charges filed against you, which include child abuse, allowing the sexual assault of children, attempted murder and a sizeable list of other charges,” the Senator said, surveying a document he was holding in front of him.

“Senator, although I do not wish to make light of those charges, I have seen no evidence of any crimes committed by myself, or any of my staff, during my tenure as Headmaster. All of the charges came during the period that Dr. Trasker removed me as Headmaster. Just prior to that, I had been given preliminary evidence of a sexual assault by an older student, but I was unable to pursue the charges due to my removal. That student was used in the assault in Alaska and has still not recovered. You will also note the removal of the Chief of Security, Brian Stone, during that period. He is by far the most capable Security Chief to preside in the program, yet he was removed from duty. The majority if not all of the charges happened after his removal,” Raughlin said.

“Yet, he has refused to return to the program, should we allow it to be reconstituted. Regardless, all of that will be weighed in our decision process. Thank you for your time, Mr. Raughlin,” Senator Riley said.

Robert Raughlin left the chamber with a very large smile on his face. Even if he didn’t get the program back, he knew his name was cleared. Even though this committee process was irritatingly slow, now taking more than six months, he believed he had a really good chance of full reinstatement.

Those children needed proper training and he was the best tool the government had to do the task, regardless of whether they liked it or not. With a little bounce to his step, he walked the entire trip to his hotel.

What was even better was that those idiots in Congress would never know that he pushed them a little. They needed a little help to make what really was the right decision.

Rebecca Stone sat in front of her tiny class, admiring the drive and intelligence in front of her. The brother and sister challenged her to find material that would challenge them, one clearly far surpassing her already, the other heading there rapidly. Her third student, though not as advanced, was exceptionally intelligent as well, and was finally beginning to make the most of it.

When she decided to offer her services to a homeschooling coop, she didn’t think this was what she’d be doing, but here she was. She knew she wanted to work with Melanie and Aliyah, but this was not exactly what she had envisioned. It was actually better.

She also didn’t expect to have Stone ask her to marry him so soon after announcing he cared for her, but he did. Unlike anything she’d ever done in her life, she agreed. That single decision was one of the best she’d ever made.

Now, she sat watching the two Brager children and Aliyah Draper, with a content smile on her face. Aliyah had excelled since leaving Oakmont. For that matter, so had Melanie. A lot of Melanie’s success came from the simple fact that she couldn’t remember any of it. It was the one good thing that came out of that battle.

There were times she saw very haunted looks come into the girl’s eyes, but they usually passed without any further outward display or issue. Randy and Becky told her periodically of Melanie waking up screaming, curled into a tight ball, crying profusely.

Even with all of that, she was so much better than she had been, even when she first arrived at Oakmont. She played like a normal kid, always with Aliyah as her counterpart. Rebecca definitely would not call her a sidekick. Aliyah actually had the more dominant personality, but they were so much alike it was almost scary. It was almost like they knew what the other was thinking, which was a frightening thought with these children.

There had been no evidence of Melanie being able to use any psychic ability since the battle, but she wondered sometimes. Could Melanie have still been hiding it, in spite of having no need to do so?

Along with forgetting all of her time at Oakmont, she had forgotten periods of time before that as well, along with many everyday skills. She had to relearn how to write again, which was very frustrating for her. She knew she should be able to, especially since she could think out complex essays and incredibly advanced math and science, but she didn’t know how to write any of it down. It took several frustrating months for her to relearn that simple skill.

During her recovery, which took over a year after waking up, she also had to relearn other everyday skills, such as how to drink through a straw. Odd things that seemed commonplace became the most difficult tasks for her, yet she could successfully argue with the author of a mathematical thesis, which she had done since the accident. Hank Stuben had been insistent with wanting to see how Melanie was doing. Rebecca suspected that there was equal interest in delving into her incredible intellect.

Now, her mind had fully recovered, as much as it probably ever would. There were little things about her that someone not familiar with her would miss, but Rebecca saw them. She sometimes forgot how to tie a shoe, usually just one, but the memory, or ability, always returned later.

One of the worst things that remained was the addiction to the SHD, along with an unwavering fear of anyone looking like a doctor. Anytime she saw any liquid that looked like orange soda, she broke into a sweat and started shaking profusely. Sometimes she tried to get whatever it was, even to the point of being combative. The Brager’s had banned any orange liquid in their house, as a result, including orange juice.

The first time they took her to a doctor, she went into a fit, ending up in the corner screaming, crying and shaking. It was hours before they managed to calm her down enough to go back home. Now, when she went to the doctor for anything, they’d call ahead of time and the doctor’s office would make sure no one was dressed in the stereotypical white lab coat. They also wouldn’t let her participate in Halloween any longer, for fear of a kid dressed like a doctor.

There was always a concern that people associated with the Oakmont program would come for them, but there were people continuously fighting for their freedom and privacy. The former Headmaster was reinstated, which shocked her. She had no idea how Raughlin managed to avoid any criminal charges over the affair, but somehow he had. What also shocked her, and Stone, was that he covered for the entire staff.

Randy Brager had actively gone to work again, his entire focus was on undermining the Oakmont program and keeping the girls and Ben safe. He had made attempts to rescue Abby Draper, but she had adamantly refused to leave.

The Brager’s adopted Aliyah within the first year. Rebecca was still not sure how they managed that, considering Aliyah Draper was legally considered deceased, along with the fact that her parents were still alive and had no strikes against them. Randy managed it, though. She assumed his pull as Assistant Director of the Wildlife Protection Division probably made it possible. What an odd name for what was basically a spy program.

As she was watching them, and lost in her own thoughts there was a knock on her classroom door. Of course, it wasn’t much of a classroom considering it was in her house, but it was more comfortable than any classroom she’d ever taught in. Brian had converted their garage into this classroom, providing everything she needed, and more.

The door opened and a man with a cane entered, with a woman hanging on his arm and a little girl beside her holding her hand. They looked for all the world like a stereotypical southern gentleman and his lady, even though the clothes were modern. The little girl was absolutely adorable, in a cute frilly, full length dress, in the southern style. She even had a little bonnet on her head, her raven black hair spilling out the sides and back in curly ringlets.

All of the kids looked up, but the look on Aliyah’s face was unlike anything Rebecca had ever seen from her. She just sat there, as tears ran down her face in a rush. Rebecca was about to go to her, but saw the unbridled happiness behind the tears.

Aliyah seemed to break her paralysis and ran to them almost tackling them in her effort to wrap her arms around them. Rebecca started to usher the Brager kids out, but the man stopped her, “You needn’t do that ma’am,” his southern accent deep and very endearing.

Looking at him, the connection to Aliyah was unmistakable. She was the female version of this man standing there. There were little things of the mother in her, but her father was where her looks came from, but with the necessary feminine touches.

He had a dark complexion with black hair and a wiry build. There was an air of confidence about him, similar to Randy, but subtly different. He was an incredibly handsome man, despite the grey at his temples, or maybe they enhanced the already existent qualities.

Then there was the little girl, who looked like a younger Aliyah, but a little more petite, comparatively. She was almost as petite as Melanie, now that Rebecca thought about it. Then she saw the eyes. They were almost identical to Melanie’s, as odd as hers were.

“I assume you’re Mr. and Mrs. Draper,” Rebecca said, extending her hand, and putting her observations aside.

“We are indeed and it’s a distinct pleasure, ma’am,” he said, grasping her hand tightly and shaking. The woman did exactly the same when he was done, but didn’t say anything, only inclining her head politely.

Her actions didn’t look like she was a dominated woman, but more she knew who she was and was content with it. “And this is my youngest, Eliana,” he said.

A moment later, Randy and Becky came in, with big smiles on their faces. Randy took Rebecca to the side, Becky going with him. “I’m sorry I didn’t give you advance notice, but I wasn’t sure I would be able to arrange this, and I didn’t want to crash her hopes, if it didn’t happen.”

“It’s no problem. What complications will come of this, though?” she asked, worried about the possibilities this posed for the other side.

“Right now, none. They know the entire situation, other than some confidential details of the program. For everyone’s safety, they’ll operate in the capacity of an aunt and uncle. Aliyah will have to maintain that fiction as well, but we’ll handle that tonight.”

“Speaking of tonight, would you and Brian come over for dinner?” Becky asked.

“Wouldn’t you prefer a family reunion?” Rebecca asked.

“You and Brian are part of the family,” she replied.

“I suppose we would then, thank you,” she said.

“I suppose class is over today,” she announced. They all sat around for a long time, letting Aliyah get to know her parents again.

It was a wonderful day with Aliyah getting to see her parents for the first time in years, and her sister for the first time ever. I would say new sister, but Shalom was five years old. After the initial reunion, we went out to the Nature Center for a nice hike and some ice cream afterward. Couldn’t have asked for much better than that.

I couldn’t help but feel the pull of the drugs quite frequently, but I’d gotten to where I could manage it. At least I could as long as I didn’t see anything that clearly reminded me of them, such as the orange liquid in the vial at the doctor’s office recently. No one allowed orange drink around me anymore, under any circumstances. Even our AHG troop had become very careful with drinks, thanks to me. Of course, none of them knew why, but they went along with it without any questions.

Just thinking of orange liquid made me start shaking again, the urge for the stuff coming on really strong, really fast. With an effort, I fought it off though and continued my musings, forcing myself to calm down. That was how I’d learned to control this need, simply force my mind onto something else, which wasn’t always easy. That stuff had a tight grip on me, and the addiction had never gone away. Thankfully, the worst of the withdrawal had, but I still got some of that once in awhile.

It was kind of funny, thinking about all of the adults around me. None of them had any idea that I could use my powers, not even Momma and Daddy. I was pretty sure that Mrs. Wilde, well Mrs. Stone now, suspected, but she didn’t know. At least, I didn’t think she did, and Aliyah and I wouldn’t read someone without a very strong need, which hadn’t happened since we left Oakmont.

Aliyah and I decided to keep it secret shortly after I started talking to her mind, when I woke up. That was a little tense at first, since she remembered all kinds of things about me and I couldn’t remember anything about her, but she was patient and it didn’t take long for us to become as close as we were before all of that stuff happened. We might have actually become closer, as I thought back on those times.

That was another thing I was keeping secret from them. I remembered almost everything, but it didn’t have the effect on me it did, thanks to the holes that were still there and maybe the way I woke up from the battle. It was odd, how I was able to look on those memories like they weren’t real, even though I know they were.

Sometimes, the memories hit me really hard and Aliyah has to help pull me out of them, which she is very good at doing. She usually just tickles my mind, which is a really weird thing and totally freaked me out the first time she did it.

That first time it happened, she could somehow tell what was happening. She was desperate to help me and did this little thing which I still couldn’t describe, it felt so weird. It brought me back though, and had ever since. Those times seemed to be getting less as time went by, I thought...hoped.

Regardless, we thought keeping my powers secret might help protect us, and Aliyah was viewed as weaker than me, so they weren’t as interested in her. They had no idea what she was capable of though, which also helped to protect us.

I was sure they were watching, even though Daddy was protecting us. How solid his protection was still worried me, even though I had a lot more understanding of what he did than I had in those early, dark days just before and during the escape from Oakmont.

As for our abilities, they were in for a big shock when they discovered the truth, and I had no doubt that the day would come. They still wanted to study me, and I was sure they still wanted Aliyah as well. The fight wasn’t over...not by a long shot. In fact, this was only the beginning and I’m looking forward to the coming fight.