A Paradox of Fates

by Rebecca Hefner

  “Goddamn piece of crap!” she screamed, seconds after the apple exploded, sending shards of wet pulp flying across the room. “I swear to god, I’m going to destroy the damn thing myself!”

  “Hey,” Zach said, rushing from behind the console to clutch her wrist as she marched toward the Sphere. “Calm down, Lainey. It’s been a long week for all of us. Edison failed a thousand times before he invented the lightbulb.”

  “Well, at least he got it to work,” she said, head shaking in frustration. “And Tesla was a much more prolific scientist than Edison. At least compare me to him, will ya?”

  Zach grinned as his shoulders released their tension, and Lainey reminded herself to stay calm. It was vital to her team’s mental wellbeing. “Sorry,” she said, smoothing Zach’s shaggy brown hair behind his ear. She’d never wanted children of her own but had always felt maternal toward Zach. Although he was in his late twenties, he reminded her of a scraggly teenager, gangly and sweet. She wished Claire would pull the wool from her eyes and realize he was madly in love with her, but for some reason, her best friend had a blind spot where the whip-smart mathematician was concerned.

  “I’ve been a pretty big a-hole this week. Are you guys over me?”

  “No way, Lainey,” Zach said, so endearing as he smiled down at her from his six-foot, two-inch height. “It’s been tough for all of us. We’re so close—I feel it. Just a few more tweaks to the equations, and we’ll have it.”

  “I appreciate your confidence,” she said, glancing at Claire, who stood behind the console. They were both so young, both still in their twenties. Zach had come to live with them when he was still a teenager. His mother had noticed he had unusual abilities for calculating the right amount of grain to plant for harvest and the exact quantities it would produce. Lainey was grateful for her foresight, as the man was a bona fide genius. The woman had left him at the hub in exchange for bushels of food and fuel for her gas lamps, understanding he would have a better life. She’d returned to her home on a small compound hundreds of miles north, with her five other children, and Zach hadn’t seen her since. Lainey often wondered if he missed her or felt abandoned in any way, but if so, he never seemed to show it.

  Claire was actually a distant cousin of Lainey’s, and Lewis and Mara had taken her in after her parents died when she was sixteen. Lewis had trained her in the same scientific methods as Lainey, and she was an exceptional scientist. Perhaps it was embedded in their family’s DNA.

  Observing them both, she felt such sadness in her heart. They’d never truly gotten to live. Never gotten to thrive or love or exist anywhere besides the utilitarian scientific compound. If it was seized tomorrow, they might perish having never experienced the freedom they all craved.

  A sudden rage enveloped Lainey’s body, vibrating through her as an insane idea formed in her mind. Why should they cower to the enemy? Didn’t that mean they’d already lost? Rebelling against that idea, the words escaped her lips before she could stop them.

  “What do you say we take the night off? Claire says I’m an old fuddy-duddy who never has any fun.”

  Claire stiffened behind the console, staring at her as if she’d just announced she had three heads. “Sorry, boss, but it sounds like you just said we should take the night off and have fun. Do you want to try that again?”

  Lainey sighed, rubbing her forehead with her fingers. “I’m so tired, guys. Tired of living in fear, tired of failing…hell, I’m tired of seeing you guys work yourselves to the bone and never get to experience normal human activities. Mom and Dad used to take me to visit your parents at Solera when you were just a baby, Claire. I remember the music they played by the bonfires and how everyone would dance and laugh. We never do anything like that around here, and I’ll be damned if we keep living as if we’re already dead. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. I want to live a little today.”

  Her two protegees gaped at her, infuriating her even more by proving they thought her incapable of having one night where they acted like humans instead of scientists. Spurred by their disbelief, Lainey cemented what was, perhaps, only the second spontaneous decision in her life.

  “We’re going to open the alcohol rations and light the bonfire tonight. Not just for cooking this time, but to give us light while we take a few hours to have some damn fun.”

  “Ohmygod,” Claire exclaimed, rushing to Zach’s side. “Really, Lainey? Can the soldiers hang with us too? I could hook up your mom’s old speaker to my iPod so we can dance!”

  Lainey almost chuckled at the sincere plea in her friend’s eyes. Encouraged she was doing the right thing, she grinned. “Let me talk to Cyrus. His report this morning was that no one was within forty miles of the hub, but I think a speaker might be a bit much. But yes, we’ll invite Hunter’s men. Tell Marie to whip up a big batch of stew, and we’ll open the vodka and whiskey Alora delivered on her last visit.”

  “Woo-hoo!” Claire yelped, jumping up and down as she clapped, alternating green and orange fingernails glowing under the soft lighting on the Sphere room’s ceiling.

  Happy she could grant such happiness to her dearest friend, Lainey headed to find Cyrus. He was outside, in the large meadow beyond the dense trees and foliage surrounding the hub, leading target practice with several of the men.

  “Hey,” Lainey said, approaching his side. “How’re they doing?”

  “Good,” he murmured, arms crossed above his firm pecs. “They’re good soldiers. I like our chances against a possible occupation.”

  “Glad to hear it.” She bit her lip and attempted to look contrite. “Soooo… I kinda just had a brain fart of epic proportions. After yet another failure with the Sphere, I had a moment of intense realization that we waste a lot of time attempting to save humanity without really taking the time to be human.”

  “I don’t like where this is going,” Cyrus muttered.

  Lainey kicked the grass with her sneaker, attempting to look penitent. “I kinda promised the team we could take the night off. Claire wants to hook up the speaker and have all sorts of dancing and debauchery. How much do you want to kill me right now?”

  Cyrus glanced down at her, lips pressed together as an incensed eyebrow arched. “You do know we’re in the middle of a war, and you’re the most valuable asset on the planet, right?”

  “My brain is the asset, and it’s tired, Cyrus. I think we all desperately need this. But if it’s too dangerous, I’ll put the kibosh on it. Safety always comes first. You know that.”

  Hunter chose that moment to approach, toothpick firm between his teeth. “Everything’s been surveilled,” he stated in his smooth voice. “Nothing for miles. We’re safe for now.” His silver irises darted between them under the late-afternoon sunlight. “Uh, am I interrupting something?”

  “Lainey wants to have a party,” Cyrus grumbled.

  Hunter’s eyes swung to hers, then to Cyrus’s, then back to Lainey’s in a maddening dance. His firm lips pursed, and his shoulders began to quake as he struggled to hold in his laughter.

  Observing his amusement, Lainey felt her exasperation grow. “Excuse me, but what the hell is so funny?”

  He shook his head and rubbed his forehead with his fingers. “Sorry, you’re just the last person I expected to request a party. You’re kind of serious, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

  “I’m perfectly capable of having fun,” Lainey said, hearing the pout in her voice. “I’ll have you know, my mom and I used to sing and dance all the time.”

  “Really?” Hunter asked, arching a brow, the gesture adding a mischievous glow to his handsome face. “Did you sing about equations or rocket fuel?”

  “Oh, screw you,” she said, infuriated at his chiding. Dismissing him, she redirected her attention to Cyrus. “So, what do you think? Yea or nay?”

  Cyrus sighed. “As much as I’d like to tell you no, I honestly see the logic. We’re all tired and on-edge, and that’s definitely not conducive to your work. Getting out of the rut of failing with the
Sphere each day, if only for a few hours, might actually help.”

  “Ouch. Thanks for the failure reminder,” Lainey teased.

  Smiling, Cyrus cupped her shoulder. “You say your team needs this, Lainey, but I think you need it most of all.” He studied her for several moments. “Fine. Tell Claire I’m sorry, but no speaker for the music—although she can play it softly through the speaker of the iPod. That will be low enough to still allow people to hear. And we can do a bonfire, but only one. More than that will alert the enemy we might not be using it for cooking. Clear?”

  “Got it. But you have to be the one to tell Claire about the speaker.”

  Cyrus shot her a glare. “Fine.”

  Joy consumed her, as it so rarely did, and she beamed at the man who’d protected them for so long. “I love you. You know that, right?”

  “Go on,” Cyrus said, motioning toward the hub with his head. “Tell Marie to use the wooden spoons and bowls. Less noise.”

  “You’re a saint,” Lainey said, blowing him a kiss. “See you in a bit.” After surrounding him in a warm embrace, she almost skipped back to the compound, her footsteps lighter than they’d been in years.

  * * * *

  Hunter crossed his arms and tilted his head up to address the man who’d just made Lainey’s year. “You did a good thing just now,” he said, tongue rolling against the toothpick.

  “Yeah, it’s not often we see her happy. She carries such a burden. If I can help ease that, even if only slightly, then I’ll consider it a win.”

  “Have you two ever…?” The words trailed off as the question lingered in the air.

  Cyrus’s full lips turned up as amusement entered his eyes. “No way, man. She’s like my sister. I couldn’t see her that way if I tried.”

  “Really?” Hunter asked, slight surprise in his tone. “It’s obvious you have a deep connection. Just figured I’d ask.”

  “Lewis recruited me from the Old Rebellion when she was still a teenager. I’m only a few years older than she is. I was still a child myself in so many ways when he brought me here, but she never got to be one. She was bred from the time she was born to save the world. Sometimes, I feel sorry for her. She’s determined to go back in time, prevent her grandfather’s actions, and live in that timeline for the rest of her life. Alone, in a time that isn’t hers, surrounded by strangers. I think the least I can do is grant her the ability to let her hair down for one night.”

  Hunter thoughtfully ground the stick between his teeth as he looked upon the field where the men were shooting at various targets. “Has she always been resigned to that? Doesn’t she want more? Kids? A family? A partner?”

  “She never has,” Cyrus said, shaking his head as he kicked the ground with the toe of his army boot. “She swears it’s her choice, but I sometimes wonder if she even had a choice. I’m not sure Lewis ever gave her one.”

  “A damn shame, if you ask me,” Hunter said, spitting the toothpick on the ground. “A woman as fiery as her should be taken to bed as often as possible.”

  Silence stretched, causing Hunter to glance at Cyrus. “What?”

  “I just…” Cyrus shook his head. “It’s weird to think of her that way.”

  “Sorry, but in my mind, it’s weird not to. I’ll always love my wife, but I would joke with her that I was married, not blind. A gorgeous, passionate, intelligent woman is hard not to notice for any warm-blooded man.”

  “I guess,” Cyrus said, shrugging.

  “How about you? Any sordid affairs in your past?”

  Cyrus gazed across the meadow, features drawn together as he considered. Finally, he said, “Not to be an ass, but none of your business, man.”

  “Fair enough,” Hunter said, patting him on his back. “One day, I’ll get you to tell me. For now, I think we have a festivity to safeguard.”

  “That we do,” Cyrus said. Inserting his thumb and forefinger into his mouth, he gave a loud whistle, calling the men back to the hub.

  As the sun set over the distant mountains, they headed back to the compound, both sensing their tentative respect was growing. Hunter would count that as a small victory. Hopefully, in time, he might even befriend the massive, brooding soldier.

  Chapter 10

  Lainey spent some time getting dressed for the party that evening. Not because she wanted to impress Captain McHotty Pants, as Claire called the infuriating man. No, she didn’t give a fig what the man thought of her appearance.

  At all.

  In reality, she hadn’t actually taken the time to feel feminine in so long. Rolling through life as a staid, unexciting scientist didn’t incite the need for makeup and perfume, but for some reason, she just felt different tonight. Maybe it was the urgency spurred on by the knowledge the Australian hub had been seized. This meant the war was closer than ever. They could be so perilously close to losing their freedom, they might as well enjoy some moments of happiness.

  Spending time on one’s appearance represented a massive waste of time in her book. It seemed pointless to someone as practical as she, but tonight, the desire to expend some effort was present in her gut, and she saw no harm in honoring it even if she couldn’t quite place her finger on why it was there.

  Her closet was full of boring sweaters and comfortable jeans, but she did manage to find a flowy deep brown sweater dress her mother had passed down to her. It was casual, and the fabric was light. Pairing the dress with sandals, she located the small box that held the handmade cosmetic palettes Alora had gifted her over the years. Frowning, Lainey wondered if she even remembered how to apply them. The last time she’d worn makeup was most likely when she’d been with Dalton. Red lights of warning flashed in her mind at the remembrance of that disaster, and she pushed the dark thoughts away. Lifting the eye shadow palette, she tentatively began to apply the powder atop her eyelid as she stood in front of the rectangular bathroom mirror.

  A few minutes later, she’d had enough. Studying her reflection, she wondered if she looked like a goddess or a clown. Or maybe both. She’d applied eye shadow, mascara, and blush. More than enough, in her opinion.

  Throwing her long, wavy hair in a bun atop her head, she left her chamber to join the festivities. Upon exiting the hub, the sounds of laughter and soft music could be heard. Lainey observed Hunter’s men, most with cups in hand that she assumed held some of their alcohol rations. Some sat around the scattered tents, eating the stew Marie had lovingly prepared. The woman flitted back and forth between the men, scooping out large helpings from the massive pot attached to her hip. Every so often, she would pat one of the soldiers on the cheek, informing them they only had to ask if they wanted extra helpings. Such was the way for Marie with her generous heart.

  Lainey spotted Cyrus speaking to Sara and Luke and strolled over to join them.

  “Wow, Lainey,” Sara said with a warm smile. “You look terrific.”

  “Thanks,” she said, shrugging. “I don’t get many occasions to lose the casual attire. Figured I’d switch it up.”

  “This is great, Lainey,” Luke said, hugging Sara to his side as he motioned around with the cup in his hand. “I think everyone needed a break from…well, life, I guess.”

  “We did,” she said, taking the cup Cyrus thrust toward her.

  “It’s not the fancy Malbec, but it tastes pretty good,” Cyrus said.

  “I’ll take it,” Lainey said, imbibing a sip from the wooden cup. The thick liquid doused her tongue, reminding her how much she enjoyed wine. Perhaps when she lived out the rest of her days in the 2035 timeline, she’d buy a winery in Italy and cultivate the vines as she passed the time. The image evoked a warm feeling of contentment in her chest.

  The sentiment was dashed, however, with the approach of Captain Rhodes. Sidling up beside her, he extended his hand to Luke.

  “I don’t think we’ve met yet. Captain Hunter Rhodes.”

  “I’m Luke Sondham,” he said, shaking his hand. “And this is my wife, Sara.”

  “The nu
rse, right?” Hunter asked. When she nodded, he said, “My wife was a nurse. You’re a tough breed. I’m sure she keeps you on your toes, Luke.”

  “Every damn day,” was Luke’s good-natured reply, and Sara elbowed him in the side. He responded by placing a peck on her upturned lips.

  “Nice to meet you, Captain Rhodes,” Sara said. “We’re all thankful for your protection, especially now the rest of the hubs have been overtaken. We know Lainey’s going to solve the equations and save the world, and we appreciate your help in getting her there.”

  “Hopefully,” Lainey muttered, sipping the wine as frustration bloomed inside. “Sometimes, I think I’m working backward.”

  “You’ll do it, Lainey,” Sara said, reaching over to squeeze her hand. “We all believe in you.”

  That’s what makes each failure so hard. The words flitted through her brain before she could stop them.

  “Well, if you all don’t mind, I’m going to dance with my wife. She might be able to keep up if she tries real hard.”

  “Oh, you’ve done it now,” Sara said, laughing as she tugged him toward the area where Claire had situated the iPod atop an old stump in the brush.

  Lainey watched them trail off, so happy they’d found each other. Even though she was skeptical of love herself, their connection was palpable.

  Cyrus mumbled something about refilling his glass, and suddenly, she was left alone in the company of the man she didn’t quite trust or like—yet. The bombshell about his wife and their subsequent chat had softened her a bit, but she was still a cynical scientist. Only time would tell if his intentions were really true.

  “Cheers,” he said, lifting his cup to hers.

  “Cheers,” she replied, taking a drink as she maintained eye contact.

  “So…” He cleared his throat, causing Lainey to wonder if he was nervous. “I’m sorry about today. I didn’t mean to make fun of you for throwing the party.”