Wealth of Time Series Boxset

by Andre Gonzalez

  “Of course not. She’s charming and can radiate her authority over those who don’t know better. You should hear the way she’s perceived over in Europe.”

  “How’s that?”

  “Let’s just say when news broke out about your gift—keep in mind, the first of your kind on this side of the pond—almost all of leadership started making jokes about how Strike would blunder the situation. We were all watching the footage of Chris getting shot by Andrei. We all saw him rise like he had only been punched in the chest. But we all had a feeling, in the back of our heads, that there wasn’t going to be a different outcome. No way Strike would ever be the one to end Chris.”

  “Is that why you all came out here together?”

  Steffan nodded, brushing a hand over his chin. “I’m afraid so. There are plenty of capable scientists here who could conduct this experiment, but we were afraid Strike would try to lead the way with them. With us, she’s happy to take a back seat since we’re the visitors who came all the way from Europe. She doesn’t want to do anything to step on our toes and warrant an angry call from Commander Blair.”

  “So then what’s really the plan?”

  “We’re going to keep running experiments. We want to know why you are able to resist time freezing, but I’ll be honest, I think it’s sheer luck. There’s nothing concrete that stands out about you compared to this old man smoking his cigarette.” He gestured to Martin’s friend playing with the radio. “Commander Strike has one year left of her term. We’re going to try and wait her out and hope that someone more decisive can get elected and set a plan in stone.”

  Martin crossed his arms and stroked his chin. “I didn’t realize this was so political.”

  “Oh yeah, more than you know. All of our leaders are elected by the people, for the people. Everyone is on a one-term, two-year limit to ensure ideas are kept fresh. That alone cuts all the nonsense out of the politics; no one really bothers campaigning extensively for such a short term and never has to worry about re-election.”

  “Are you ever going to run?”

  “Nah, it’s not for me. I like conducting my research and contributing to the big picture that way.” Steffan looked around again at the frozen cars in the middle of the road. “We should head back in. Not nice leaving everyone frozen while we have all the fun.”

  Steffan howled laughter to the sky and turned to go back up the stairs to their office.

  Martin followed, still trying to figure out how all of this Road Runner business worked. Apparently, Commander Strike wasn’t taken seriously by her peers, something he’d need to keep in mind in his future interactions with her.

  97

  Chapter 4

  Returning inside, Steffan had unfrozen time as they walked back down the stairs to the office. The bustling floor of Road Runners remained oblivious that they had just been frozen, and continued with their work as normal, paying no attention to Martin and Steffan as they strolled back to the conference room.

  The scientists asked Martin what he thought of the experiment, hanging to his every word as he explained the experience. They had a brief chat about the next steps, which included them all returning to Europe to analyze the data and review the video footage. Aside from Brigham, they all wished Martin safe travels into the future, and offered him a place to stay should he ever end up in Europe. They left with hugs and handshakes before departing.

  Strike, Tarik, and Martin returned to Tarik’s office, where the space felt welcoming again with the large crowd gone. Brigham posted up in another office down the hall to work on research.

  “We need to swear you in under our official oath,” Commander Strike said as they settled in. “If you plan to go to the future with other Road Runners, you need be an official member of this organization.”

  Martin agreed to the terms, and mentally pushed away all of the negativity Steffan had said about Strike. Was she really as clueless as he made her sound? From his personal experience, she seemed a savvy leader with all the traits of a demanding presence and powerful voice that one would expect of her position.

  Maybe she was different in certain situations, but that didn’t have to discount the work she had already done. She did authorize the mission that would’ve killed Chris; it wasn’t her fault Sonya was already three steps ahead of everyone else.

  “When should I expect to leave for the future?” Martin asked when Strike closed the office door.

  “As soon as you’re ready,” Tarik said, sitting down behind his desk, his brown eyes studying Martin.

  “Let’s do this oath, and you can head there right now if you want,” Strike said, remaining by the door. “Please stand and face me, and hold your right hand over your heart.”

  Martin obliged, standing in the middle of the room like a schoolboy ready to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

  “Please answer my questions,” Strike said. “Do you, Martin Briar, vow to uphold the integrity of the Road Runners by never putting yourself above the greater good for your own personal reasons?”

  “I do.”

  “Do you swear to use your abilities for the improvement of the world, and not for the collapse of modern society as we know it?”

  “I do.”

  “Do you vow to kill Chris Speidel, should the opportunity ever present itself?”

  “I do.”

  “Do you vow to do as instructed by the Road Runners, no matter how difficult the task?”

  “I do.”

  “Last, and most importantly, do you vow to keep the secrets of our operations from anyone outside of the organization, with the exception of immediate family?”

  “I do.”

  “Perfect. With that said, welcome—officially—to the Road Runners. You are now cleared to go on missions on our behalf.” Strike stuck out a hand to officially seal his membership with the team.

  “Thank you.”

  “Normally we have a small celebration, but we can postpone that until you come back,” Tarik said. “Now that you’re ready, let’s discuss the year 2064.”

  Tarik gazed at Strike as she crossed the room to stand beside him.

  “Martin,” she said. “I need you to understand that everything we’ve mentioned about the future is not an exaggeration—it’s a dangerous time. We suggest you always cover as much skin as possible. Wear gloves, hats, scarves, whatever you need to make sure no one can see the glow of your skin. They will shoot any known Road Runner without hesitation. We suspect they have orders to not kill you, seeing as Chris wants you to himself, but we can’t afford to assume that is completely true.”

  “Why is it so dangerous?” Martin asked, sitting on the edge of his chair.

  “Between now and 2064, Revolters infiltrate the government, both locally and nationally. They spark fear into their supporters. Fear of anyone not like them.”

  “Fear of who?”

  “Poor people, minorities, handicapped people. Basically anyone who isn’t rich or prominent in society. Every government program that was designed to assist those in need has been erased by 2064. The country basically runs on the wealthy and leaves the rest to kill each other in the streets; they literally deliver crates of guns to the middle of these poor neighborhoods just so everyone can shoot each other.”

  “That’s sick.”

  “It’s a war zone. You need to always be wary of your surroundings. If you walk down the wrong block, and they recognize you as an outsider, they’ll jump you and likely kill you for your wallet. No police patrol these areas; no one cares.”

  “You’re going to give me something to protect myself, right?”

  “Yes. Protection is always provided. We’ll give you a handgun to travel with, but when you get there you’ll want to head over to one of our weapons warehouses—they’re in discreet locations just like our offices. You can go there any time for more ammunition or if you want a new weapon.”

  “I’d recommend the most powerful gun they have,” Tarik said. “In the areas that do have
police, you’ll see them with fully automatic Uzis.”

  “Don’t have any run-ins with the police,” Strike said. “They will throw you in jail for any reason, and if you have to face a judge, you’re toast. The legal system has also been overtaken by Revolters—they actually started there before moving to the political stage.”

  “So what can I do?”

  “We’ll have someone with experience in the future lead you. Save any specific questions for him, as he’ll have a more concrete answer.”

  “Okay. I get it, but are we going to talk about an actual plan for getting the medicine?”

  Strike looked to Tarik, who returned an uneasy stare.

  “We don’t really make plans for missions this far into the future. Plans require research, which require Road Runners to spend time in that era,” Tarik said.

  “We don’t send Road Runners to any time period after 2050 unless they specifically request it,” Strike said, a hint of irritation floating beneath her voice.

  “So then who’s coming with me?” Martin asked.

  “We put out an offer for volunteers. There are still plenty of Road Runners who want to conduct research in the future and know the risks associated with it.”

  “You’ll be fine, Martin,” Tarik said. “You’ll be with a group of experienced Road Runners who are prepared for this mission. Stay aware of your surroundings, confirm your decisions before doing anything, and you’ll make it.”

  “What if Chris finds me?”

  Strike paced around the desk and faced the door, her back to Martin and Tarik as she seemed to look for words to fall out of the sky. “I don’t want you to worry about Chris. We have our eyes on him. He’s in his mansion. If we think you’re in any danger, we’ll send word for your return.”

  Martin remained silent, remembering everything Steffan had told him about how no one actually knew where Chris was. He thought he heard doubt in Strike’s voice, but chalked it up to the new knowledge he had just learned.

  “I’ll have to trust you on that. Is it possible he’s hiding in the future if we have no presence there?”

  “He’s in his mansion,” Strike snapped.

  Martin knew Chris could time travel through simple mind power—the old man had admitted as much. But was Strike in so much denial that she thought everyone else was too dumb to know that as well? Her adamance frustrated Martin, so he dropped the topic before he said anything he might regret. Besides, he didn’t have any proof of Steffan’s claims. When did trusting gossip ever work out for anyone?

  “When will I get to meet the people I’m traveling with?” Martin asked.

  “They’re in town already. Whenever you’re ready to go, we’ll call them all in for a brief meeting and you’ll be on your way. We have very specific instructions about traveling into the future, and we need to make sure everyone is on the same page. For safety reasons, of course.”

  “Well, I’m ready. I have nothing else to wait for.”

  Strike looked to Tarik with her eyebrows raised, tossing her blond hair behind her head before returning her gaze to Martin. “Look, Martin. We know you’re anxious to get there, but we really need to advise you to tie up loose ends here at home. Do you even have a written will for all the money you have? Have you said goodbye to your mother?”

  “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

  “It’s not our business, but we’ve witnessed enough instances to know that these types of matters should be addressed before going into the 2060’s.”

  “It’s like you’re going off to war,” Tarik chimed in, his fingers rapping nervously on his desk. “This isn’t some glory trip back to the 1920’s to experience prohibition and try all the underground moonshine. There is no glory in the future, and you’ll see that within five minutes of arriving.”

  “And we’re not saying you’ll get killed,” Strike added. “But you should understand that the odds of that will increase dramatically.”

  Martin’s fingers started to fiddle on his leg. All he wanted to do was get the medicine and come home. And all they wanted to do was provide him a never-ending list of reasons to not go. My mind is made up, people. I’m not backing out.

  They watched him juggle his thoughts, face scrunched into what probably appeared as confusion, but was actually anxiety trying to blow through his head.

  “I don’t want my mom to worry. I’ve already told her I’m going to get this cure for her. Why is this such a concern for you?”

  “Because if she doesn’t know, then it falls on us to deliver the news. We’re adamant about providing support to the family members of our team. In a distant way, they’re a part of us.”

  Martin imagined a world where he dies in 2064, leaving his mother alone to care for herself while her mind fades to darkness. The final days of her life would be spent in a confined room, staring at the walls, having no memory of her son, her family, her life. She would’ve lived an entire life—a full life—only to have no recollection of any of it by the time the reaper came to escort her to the abyss.

  “Give me three hours,” Martin said. “I’ll go home, and I’ll be back here in three hours. I don’t want to waste another second.”

  “We can do that,” Strike said. “We’ll place the calls to those joining you on this trip and make sure we’re all ready to meet here.”

  “Thank you. I’ll see you then.”

  Martin stood and left Strike and Tarik in the office without another word.

  98

  Chapter 5

  Martin pulled into his driveway half an hour later and scrambled into the house. His mom lay on the living room couch, a romantic comedy playing on the TV.

  “Marty,” she said, jolting up, clearly startled. “I didn’t know when I’d see you again. Are you already back from your special trip?” Martin watched his mother stand, her body frail and thin, her left arm twitching as she dragged her feet toward him. She still managed a smile, though, and he recognized the beauty he’d always remember her for.

  “Sit down, Mom,” he said, meeting her and helping her back to the couch.

  Her mind had already taken a turn for the worse by the time Martin checked in to the Road Runners’ training program. He had told her where he was going and that it was all so he could get her medicine. He explained this numerous times, as she forgot everyday leading up to his departure. She was still functional, simply an extremely forgetful mind. He had no plans of stopping home until he had the medicine in hand, but here he was having to explain himself once more.

  “Not yet. I’m leaving in a couple hours.”

  “Oh. Did you forget something?”

  Martin feared she hadn’t even realized ten weeks had passed since they last saw each other. She spoke relaxed, as if he had just left the house this morning.

  “Not really. I just wanted to come back and say goodbye. Everyone has assured me that this is a dangerous trip and that I should come say goodbye in case anything happens to me.”

  Tears immediately welled in her eyes, giving them a glossy coat over their redness. “Marty, if I’m the only reason you’re doing this, then please don’t. It’s not worth it.”

  “You’re worth it; I don’t need any other reason.”

  “Marty, I’ll be fine. There are medications that slow the process down.”

  “All that does is drag out the inevitable, Mom. I can’t sit by and watch you fade, knowing I could’ve done something to stop it. I’m going, and I didn’t come here for a discussion about it.”

  The tears that had pooled in her eyes now streamed down her face in moist trails. “Can I tell you something, Marty?”

  He nodded and sat down next to her on the couch.

  “You sound just like . . . ” she continued.

  “Like who?”

  “Your father.”

  Martin’s heart skipped a beat; she had rarely spoken of his father since his death.

  “How do you mean?”

  “He had that same look in
his eyes that you have now. Now that you’ve lost weight, you look like him.”

  As blank of a mind as she had shown over the past weeks during their phone conversations, a new tone took over as she spoke about her late husband. In it, Martin heard years of familiarity, as if his father was someone her mind would never forget, no matter how bad the Alzheimer’s advanced. Her voice came out confident and strong.

  “Mom, I don’t understand why you’re saying all this. Dad’s been gone for over forty years and you’ve never told me anything about him.”

  “There’s plenty I can tell you, but none of it matters anymore. Your dad was two different people. There was the man I fell in love with, and the man I didn’t know. I have a confession that you should probably know before I forget it all.”

  Martin subconsciously sat on the couch next to Marilyn and inched closer to her, a fruity stench oozing from her freshly washed hair. “What is it?” The thought of traveling into the future now seemed so distant. His mother had wrapped him in the claws of a story he thought he’d never hear.

  “Your father didn’t die from a heart attack, Marty. The truth is, I don’t have any idea what happened to him.”

  “Wh-what do you mean? Is he still alive?” Martin’s throat suddenly felt as if it were being clenched shut by a heavy fist.

  Marilyn shrugged. “He could be. I have no idea. But what you said, Marty, is the same thing he said to me before he left forever.”

  “What did I say?” he asked in a defensive voice.

  “The medicine. The last time I saw your father, I had a bad cold: runny nose, fever, all the bad you can think of. He insisted to go out and get me some medicine. I argued with him for a bit, but I didn’t have the energy. So, he left. Off to get me medicine, and I never saw him again.”

  Martin’s jaw hung open. “I don’t understand. Why did you tell us he had a heart attack?”

  “I couldn’t bring myself to admit the truth, especially at your young age. I battled a lot of demons in those following days. I felt like a complete failure for marrying someone who would just walk out on his family like that. I figured pretending he had died was easier to explain. If I didn’t, it would have been nothing but a life of questions and doubt for all of us.”