Chapter 21 #3
“Hullbeck is not your typical training base. The military has hired and housed several scientists here to develop inventive weaponry, training, and military tactics that can help our men not only survive in combat but also win wars. That is why you see our men doing unusual exercises around the base. We are to help test out new weapons and fighting tactics. It is the first of its kind, and if it succeeds, I imagine it will not be the last.”
The hairs on my back rise as Private Frederick details the true nature of this base.
I struggle to contain the panic and fear forming inside me.
Instead, I cling to what composure I have left.
This explains what I saw when we first arrived: the soldiers must have been testing out an invention the scientists have come up with.
But how did my father spearhead this research base? And more importantly, why?
“But you already know this, Mrs. Ashford, don’t you?” Private Frederick asks, providing us with much-needed answers.
I shake my head. “I’m sorry, no. There is a lot about this side of my father’s life I do not know about, including what he does at Hullbeck.”
Private Frederick nods, getting the picture that my father and I aren’t as close as one may typically think.
“Is that what’s in the guarded building off the northeast?” Henry asks, intentionally steering the conversation away from me as the focus. Through his nervous glance at me, I can tell he is starting to feel scared by this information as well.
Private Frederick turns to look at the building guarded with soldiers and barbed wire off in the distance. “Yes, that is where the scientists work. Only the top officers are allowed in for deliberations and demonstrations. It’s to be guarded twenty-four seven.”
“Do you happen to know why my father created this effort?” I ask.
“To be prepared and well in advance for the next great war, ma’am,” Private Frederick answers swiftly, as if it were a default answer for all the soldiers to reply with. “Hullbeck is revolutionizing the offensive and defensive methods we’ll be able to use to protect crown and country.”
“The military is preparing for another great war?” I ask, disturbed at the idea. I hear the fear in my voice.
“Best to be prepared for one, then not,” Private Frederick assures.
He takes out his pocket watch, noting the time.
“I must apologize, but I do need to head inside,” he gestures to the building beside us.
“I don’t want to be late for my appointment.
” He clicks his heels together and curtly bows once more.
“Enjoy the rest of your stay here at Hullbeck, at least as much as you can. Please let me know if you need anything.” Then he turns away and heads inside.
I glance at Henry, panicked. Dumbstruck fear is all over his face. I place a protective hand over my bump. “Henry…” I whisper, attempting to speak, but fright takes control of my voice.
I place a free hand to grip his arm once I’ve gathered myself together. “If my father ever finds out about what I am and the power I can wield…”
“I know,” Henry assures, patting my hand in comfort.
My legs feel weak, as if the ground beneath my feet is shaking. I can see the trees and buildings around me are solid in place; it’s only that my world has been shaken once again. Hullbeck was supposed to be our sanctuary, our place to no longer be buried in fear and paranoia.
Now that we know what this base is truly for, how can we stay when it’s anything but a place of safety for us?
They create weapons for goodness sake, and I don’t believe that means simply guns and knives. If their mission is to be highly advanced in munitions and military tactics, something tells me the scientists must be thinking unconventionally—radically, even—in their designs.
I know the artifacts, and I would be the grand novel design they could only dream of. I’ve handed it right to them—served on a silver platter.
The deadliest weapons to ever exist.
Who knows what grandiose ideas the military, or my father, will conjure if they get their hands on them. But that is a worry we need to save for later; we need to figure out what we are to do now that we know of this.
“Henry, are we still safe here? Should we leave and find another place to go?” I ask, hoping he may have a solution to our problem.
Henry shakes his head. “I don’t think we can leave. It would raise suspicions after all the obstacles Lord Claremont went through to get us here. Besides, we don’t know what Dr. Richmond and those alike have in store for us outside these walls.”
He nods, as if he is agreeing with himself. “Yes, if your father never finds out about the artifacts, we will be fine. Let’s hope it doesn’t take the others too long to find out answers.”
Oh, bloody hell.
How are we to face my father now that we are trying to hide something from him?
Henry and I are not the best actors, nor am I a good liar. We can at least sell the idea that we are a married couple, thanks to our brief time as the Abbotts. Though I am not sure we are capable enough to hide the artifacts under the British Army’s nose without raising suspicions.
For now, our stint of being Mr. and Mrs. Ashford will have to do. Our expecting child is the only way we can ensure the artifacts will not get discovered and land in their hands.
Never would I have thought I’d be thankful for our oversight at the docks of Dover. I could have sworn it would eventually cause us grief, coming back to haunt us. Yet all along, it has not only helped us but protected us as well.
I glance down at my wristwatch and curse under my breath. It’s time for us to meet with my father.