1899- Journey to Mars
Page 103
Billy thought on it a moment, “How about Roberts. It’s a common name, and Billy Roberts rolls easy off the tongue.”
“You would need a nickname as well, I think.”
“You do, do you? And what would the nickname be?”
Dakota ran up at that moment and showed them a large green lizard he captured. “Look at this one. It’s bigger than a mountain boomer! I caught it over there in that vacant lot where it’s real brushy.”
Ekka smiled and tapped Billy’s arm. “Brushy. Brushy Billy Roberts.”
Billy said, “I could live with that.”
“Where shall we go? We cannot live where we were before.”
“I know we can’t. And I have no idea where to start looking.”
Dakota played with the lizard as he said, “Can we stay here for a while? I like all the green everywhere, and the water is warm and nice.” He looked at the volcano in the distance. “And we could be close to Bixie, at least until I don’t miss her so much.”
Ekka said, “It is all right with me if it is with your father.”
Billy tousled his son’s hair as he let his eyes rest on Kilauea in the distance. “For a while, then.”
EPILOGUE
(January 17, 1911)
[ 111 ]
The tanned man stepped down from his steamcar onto the flagstones before the front walkway of the estate. He tasted the dry Southern California air, lifted his hat and ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing his long locks into place.
He turned and said, “Stay here, Grayson. I’ll not be but a few hours. You may shut down, if need be, to conserve power.”
“I am well above half capacity, sir,” the voice stated. It was a gentle, conservative voice. “I will bide here and watch for any sign of danger.”
“As you will.”
The man stepped up to the front door and rang the chime.
After a minute the door opened.
“Who is it? I’m busy at the moment and I can’t...”
The man raised an eyebrow as the other at the door hesitated.
“Is that...? It can’t be. Dakota? Dakota Gostman?” the man at the door underwent a dramatic change. His eyes lit up. A slow smile spread across his face.
“It is I, Mr. Burroughs. But the last name is Roberts, now. Remember?”
Edgar Burroughs embraced Dakota and lifted him off his feet in a great bear hug.
“I remember.” Burroughs released him. “I remember. Dammit, man! Come in! Come in!”
Dakota wiped his feet on the welcome mat and stepped inside.
“What of your traveling companion?” Edgar Burroughs stated. “He is welcome here as well.”
“Grayson is my robot companion. He would prefer to stand outside and watch the perimeter.”
“Ah yes. You were always partial to the mechanicals. What brings you to California?”