The Time Stone (The Time Stone Trilogy Book 1)

by Robert F Hays

  A beeping sound from Amy’s upper pocket interrupted Redmond’s talk. “Damn they found us,” she said, leaning back in her chair.

  “Who’s found us?” Jim asked, momentarily confused.

  “I do not know. It’s a long range listening device. It’ll take them about thirty seconds to lock on.”

  “That’s why I arranged this meeting at the hospital instead of the lab,” Redmond explained. “The lab has no security for such intrusions. This place does not either, but it’d take them longer to find us.”

  “Who’s them?” Jim asked, waving his hands.

  “It could be anyone.” Amy removed the device from her pocket and placed it on the table. “Industrial spies, political spies, possibly the government or factions that could be disadvantaged by publication of the facts. Right now, the information you have could be the most valuable commodity in the galaxy.”

  “Should we just talk B.S. for a while so they don’t know we’re on to them?”

  “No. Stress analysis of our voices will tell them we know.” The beeping changed to a low buzz. “They’re now locked on.” Amy tapped the device and it stopped buzzing.

  “Afternoon assholes!” Jim called into the air. “What do you call a fish with four eyes?... A fiiiish.” He then changed to a softer tone. “Dumb joke I know, but it’s all they deserve.”

  Redmond gave Jim a curious gape. “Ah... That was a joke?”

  Amy, who had very little in the way of a sense of humor, gave one of her rare smiles. “No, I think it was a counterintelligence procedure from Old Earth. If it was a joke, I doubt that I could sell it.”

  Jim shrugged and turned to Redmond. “Ok Doc, the Chinese scientist?”

  “Discovered... ah... a way to access parallel space, in 895 AE, that stands for After Exodus. Year zero is 2048 AD the year migration started. Communication became almost instantaneous and travel, which would’ve taken two hundred years, was cut to only a few days. Are you understanding this so far?”

  “Yes, in fact I’d like to go back to tell a few science fiction writers they were right.”

  “Good. Then a bit of intrigue followed. The powerful De Poulet family monopolized the discoveries. It’s thought that over two thousand people were murdered in the process. The family more or less held the inhabited planets to ransom and installed what they called ‘The Second French Empire’, renaming their home planet Waterloo.”

  “Waterloo?” Jim exclaimed. “Why would a Frenchman name a planet Waterloo?”

  “That was about the first thing I looked up in your encyclopedia.” Redmond was becoming extremely animated in his delivery. “Their version of re-written history asserts that Waterloo was the final battle between France, on one side, and England with her allies on the other. That battle brought about victory and world rule by France.”

  Jim again called into the air. “Taking notes? The battle went the other way.”

  “So I noted from my readings, that’s why I’m now convinced that it was the De Poulets that destroyed the remaining caches of information on Earth. They claimed that the time of the first French Empire was the golden age of Earth. It ended at the battle of Verdun in 1916 AD when Napoleon the fourth was overthrown by a barbarian consortium of Americans, Germans, English, Russians and Chinese...”

  A second interruption, Amy’s device beeped again. “It seems that we have more flies on the wall,” she announced.

  “I will make the rest brief.” Redmond said. “The De Poulets blamed the non-French of the world for Earth’s destruction. They claimed that once released from the strict ecological rules they had imposed; the barbarian’s uncontrolled industry and lifestyle did the damage. They also claimed that due to the divine right given them by history, the French were destined to rule the galaxy in a second empire. Under De Poulet leadership I...” A buzz from Amy’s detector indicated the second lock on.

  Jim tilted his head back slightly. “Asshole one, meet asshole two, couldn’t you go watch 3V or something?”

  This time it was the doctor’s turn to speak to the unseen guests. “You’ll hear all this on 3V soon anyway.” He chuckled to himself then returned to the narration. “Yes, the De Poulet family produced volumes of documentation to prove that they were descendants of Napoleon.”

  Jim thought for a moment. “But Napoleon’s family name was Bonaparte.”

  “They claim descendants through the only daughter of Napoleon the fourth who married a De Poulet. Her grandson was said to have been Jean-Luc Picard De Poulet, the so called first man in space. By the way, the French saved the human race by pioneering space travel. They have fragments of old video they say is of this Jean-Luc person in command of a later spacecraft.”

  Jim grinned and thought he’d like to know which Star Trek episode their clips came from. “So what does that have to do with here and now?”

  Redmond’s voice turned serious. “There are quite a few fanatics that would like to see a third empire.”

  “I take it that that’s not good.”

  “The second empire was bad enough. They ruled by terror and the murder of millions. They kept the secrets of technology to themselves, slowing progress. Even after the empire collapsed they refused to share the knowledge with anyone. We had to go out and rediscover things they already knew. It was such a waste of time.”

  “How long did the empire last?”

  “Four hundred years followed by a hundred years of war as areas broke away from their control. All that’s left of the empire now is the French Confederacy.”

  “Is the encyclopedia under security?” Jason asked.

  “Yes, full security in the university’s main library. That’s why we did not go there for this meeting. It takes half an hour for even me to get in.”

  Jim thought of the boys playing outside, unprotected in the open. “So, the French don’t like me. Are we in any danger?”

  “It’s only a small minority. Most just want to forget the whole thing and there’s nothing the fanatics can do anyway. The truth’s already out. The danger could be from other quarters.”

  “What? The Albanians got it in for me as well?”

  “We do not know yet how many groups or individuals will be harmed by the truth. We have to be careful.” Redmond sat back and looked down at his own pad. “We’ve covered everything that is, or soon will be, public knowledge. Shall we make ourselves a moving target to our electronic friends?” The doctor stood and adjusted his suit. “Up to a walk Jim?”

  “Sure. Don’t know what they shot me full of, but I feel like running the Boston marathon.”

  “You’ll feel like that for a couple of hours and then fall flat on your face. We’d better get you home before that happens.”

  * * *

  The university, in itself, was a small city. The east entrance of the campus hospital was across the park from Redmond’s lab complex. They walked back past the two ornamental lakes.

  Jim stopped to examine an orange colored blossom in one of the numerous flower beds. “I know you told me that the population was mostly a mixture, but there are French planets, are there any exclusively American planets?”

  “Well, sort of,” Redmond said. “This sector is a mixture. British, American, Canadian and Australian, mostly English speaking. There is a planet where the population is about eighty percent. New Columbia, established by one of the last colony ships. The colonists were made up from the hierarchy of the old United Stated government and their families, politicians, officials and high ranking civil servants. They try to act out what they think were the traditions of old America, rather pathetic actually.”

  “There was a court case,” Jason said, tapping the bottom of his pad and reading the appearing text. “In 1748 AE. New Columbia vs. the Mon Hong Corporation. The company found an Old Earth satellite, quite worthless. New Columbia claimed that, as it was American and since they were legitimate heirs to the U.S. Government, it was their property. They got it. The Commonwealth supreme court must have gone senil
e that year.”

  Amy was looking at Jim who had paused again to look at another bed of flowers, this time pink. “I can tell what you’re thinking. I suggest visiting the place, but I guarantee you’ll be disappointed. You’re better off in this sector.”

  “You could be right. I don’t like the sound of that place. What’s this Commonwealth you keep referring to? This planet isn’t independent?”

  “This planet is autonomous,” Redmond said.

  “You govern yourself?” Jim said. He realized that trying to sum up an entire political complex in as few words as possible would be difficult.

  “Yes, but there’s a subtle difference. Internal matters are dealt with by the Batalavian council and we have a representative in the lower house of the Commonwealth council. The planet is also part of the English Speaking Union, which has representatives in the upper house. Under the constitution, the Commonwealth only handles matters of an inter-factional nature and the ESU handles interplanetary matters within the union.”

  Jim slapped his side in aggravation. “Then how can that man, De Poulet, interfere with things here? I’m only on one planet.”

  “He claims that the information you have affects all planets and unions, hence comes under Commonwealth jurisdiction.”

  “Do they have a military to enforce their decisions?”

  “Oh yes, quite a powerful one. Their fleet is more than a match for any individual political unit. The Home Guards, as we refer to them, have only local capabilities.”

  “You say that the French planets are part of this Commonwealth. If they’re the direct descendants of that evil sounding Empire I should think someone would object to them.”

  “They did and still do, especially La Raza and the Bund Confederation where the Empire’s tyranny was most evident.”

  “The Bund? German?”

  “Yes.”

  Jim tried to conceptualize the organization. After pondering for a short time he decided that it was similar to a very powerful United Nations.

  Amy leaned over to Redmond. “Tal, can we get to the interview, it’s important?”

  “Oh yes, Doris has recommended that you take a week off. You should relax and get used to your new surroundings. But, we could have you interviewed on 3V. Good PR for university funding...”

  “And good for business?” Jim looked at Amy. She nodded.

  “Yes,” Redmond continued. “That friend of mine, Carl Nagel, the one that interviewed your boys, I’d strongly recommend him. He is quite well known and very easy on novice interviewees. Not like some of these smut merchants who try to trick you into saying something embarrassing.”

  “Your advice has done well for me so far Doc. Ok, how many people would watch this?”

  Amy tapped the bottom of her pad. “During the interview with your children over fifty eight billion 3Vs were on that channel. I’d think there’d be more in your case.”

  “Can we get this over and done with? How ‘bout tomorrow afternoon?” Jim asked, overwrought at the thought of such a horde watching and analyzing his every movement.

  “A little too soon,” Redmond said. “Thursday was suggested by the network.”

  “What’s today?”

  “Sunday,” Amy said.

  They crossed the road in front of the lab. Redmond made a turn in the direction of the underground parking lot. “This way Jim.”

  Doris and the boys joined them. Inside the parking lot, rows of vehicles sat. To Jim it looked just like the parking lots of Old Earth. He was getting accustomed to using that term now. The lack of wheels on the vehicles reminded Jim of his next door neighbor’s car after a nocturnal visit by a thief.

  “This is yours,” Amy said, pointing to a blue one close to the entrance. “It’s a Fargo transit. Got it from the dealer at cost.”

  “At cost?” Jim turned around, his eyes wide open.

  “Yes, the dealer now has a sign outside his lot which reads, ‘Jim Young owns a Fargo’. Keep it a while. When you decide on what you really want, sell it privately. People will pay extra if they knew you owned it.”

  “My transit’s over here,” Redmond said, taking a couple of paces to the right.

  Jim nervously looked around. Everyone, except the boys, seemed to be leaving. “Ah... How do I operate it?”

  Doris turned and walked off toward her own transit. “The boys’ll show you. Enjoy your new house.”

  “No one’s going to show me how to… uh… do things?”

  Doris turned and smiled. “I was observing you for two weeks and it’s my professional opinion that you’re a very competent person best left to figure things out for yourself.” She turned and continued to walk.

  “Ok, so I’m to learn how to swim by throwing me in the lake.”

  Jim and the boys were now standing alone. He walked around the vehicle to give it the once over. It was the shape of an overturned bath tub, blue at the bottom with a clear dome on top. A close inspection revealed the almost invisible seams in the blue base and the transparent bubble. They seemed to outline the doors on either side.

  “This thing’s rad,” Michael said. “Watch, open left door!”

  Jim jumped as the door popped out then slid up and over the top. The width of the entrance was three quarters the length of the transit.

  Colin ran around to the other side. “Watch this. Open right door.”

  The other side popped out and slid up and over the first, forming a sandwich on top.

  “Mr. Young?”

  Jim turned to see the speaker. A tall man in a dark casual suit approached. Jim didn’t recognize him. “Yes?”

  “Wait a minute; I want to talk with you.”

  Jim instantly felt uneasy. He didn’t know why. His intuition told him something was wrong. “Not right now. We’re going home.”

  “Just a minute of your time.”

  “Make an appointment with Dr. Redmond. I’d be happy to talk with you then.”

  The man reached inside his jacket and slowly drew a knife.

  “Get in the car and lock the doors!” Jim commanded the boys.

  “I’ve got a pen phone,” Colin said. “I’ll call Dr. Redmond.”

  The man advanced. His face tightened in a sneer.

  Jim assumed a karate defensive stance. A bright blue flash made him blink and the man staggered and fell. Jim stared at him trying to figure out what had happened.

  “Are you all right?”

  Jim turned to see the speaker, a short slender man with a bushy beard. He was dressed in the uniform of the university security. Jim relaxed. “I’m ok.”

  “I’ve been chasing this man all over campus. Mentally disturbed. Lost his job here and he’s been running around doing all sorts of damage.”

  The security man lifted Jim’s assailant to a sitting position and proceeded to haul him over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry.

  “He came at me with a knife.”

  The security man stood and started to walk away. “Yes, he’s been waving that at a number of people.”

  “Well, thank you for showing up when you did.”

  “Part of my job,” the man said and disappeared around a corner.

  * * *

  “You said a blue flash?” Redmond said.

  “Yes, it was blue.”

  “Sounds like a stunner,” Jason said.

  “That’s impossible,” Redmond said. “Campus security does not carry stunners. They just call the police if something happens.”

  “Whoever he was, he saved me from being skewered.”

  Redmond scratched his head. “Very strange, very strange.”

  Doris stepped forward. “Get the boys home Jim. They can do without the added stress. We’ll contact the police and ask if they’ll watch your house.”

  “And make the report for you,” Jason added.

  “Ok.” Jim turned to the boys. “Get in the car, we’re going.”

  The boys climbed in. Jim, by force of habit, sat in the left front seat. He
knew they were driverless, controlled by a main city computer, but that’s where he always sat.

  The interior was light blue with comfortable contoured seats. Colin sat in front with his father; Michael was in back leaning over the front seat between them.

  Jim looked around. “Seatbelts?”

  “Doesn’t have any,” Colin said, climbing to a kneeling position. “Doris said that the last time a transit crashed while on the main was eighty years ago.”

  “Yeah,” Michael said in Jim’s ear. “A satellite fell on it.”

  Jim felt a touch of anxiety seeing Colin in what was, to him, a potentially hazardous position. “Colin, did she let you sit like that?”

  “Yep. You don’t feel anything when it goes, even on corners.”

  “Well... ah... I suppose it’s all right. What now?”

  “Main...” Colin announced.

  “It’s my turn!” Michael shouted and slapped Colin on the shoulder. Jim caught his hand before a second blow came.

  “Michael not so loud in my ear. Who did it last time?”

  “Colin did, so it’s my turn.” Michael hesitated then directed his voice to what appeared to be a dashboard. “Main, home.”

  The transit lifted and moved slowly out of its parking spot. Jim grabbed the armrests. It pivoted right and glided between the rows of brightly colored vehicles toward the exit.

  “Is that all there is to it?”

  “Yep, just sit and it takes you home,” Colin said.

  They were on the road traveling at a slow, steady speed. Jim was starting to relax. “I guess we’ll see a bit of the city on the way.”

  “We don’t see much dad,” Colin said excitedly. “This takes us by the express tube. It’s underground; we go at four hundred k.p.h.”

  “Oh. Well, I guess it gets us home... Hey!!” Jim’s right foot jumped to the nonexistent brake peddle. His head snapped around to look at the crossroad they just passed. “Doesn’t this thing slow at intersections?”

  Michael looked back. “Doris said we can’t run into anything.”

  “That’s right dad,” Colin added. “It’s all controlled by a main computer system.”