by Adair Hart
Dr. Snowden woke up forty minutes before he was to meet up in the conference room. He stared at the ceiling with dull eyes. The previous night with Jane had calmed him down, but the deaths on the habitat ate at him.
Many scenarios ran through his mind as he tried to sleep the night before. He could have grabbed Naomi and pulled her back. Or maybe he could have gone first, used his shield to block the fire, and taken down the robots. Then there was Sap. There were doubts about Sap’s intentions, but nothing that would indicate a massacre. Sap had used him. He prided himself on making good decisions based on an objective analysis, but he failed this time. With a sigh, he got out of bed and headed off to get cleaned up.
After getting dressed, he checked his PSD. It showed it was almost 9:00 a.m. His first thought was about V and his new orb. His throat constricted as he considered where he would have gone mentally if V had been lost. There was not much he could have done to stop V from doing what he did. Jane might have been injured if V had not reacted as quickly as he had. Dr. Snowden shook his head. How in the world did Evaran handle these types of things on a regular basis?
When he got to the conference room, he noticed Evaran at the head of the table as he always was. Jane sat to his right with V to her right in his new shell. Two segmented metallic arms acted as legs, while the other two hung out like arms. Emily was running her hands over V’s arms and talking to him alongside Jane.
“You are up. Did you sleep well?” asked Evaran.
Dr. Snowden glanced at Jane. “It was okay.” He gestured at V, who flew over to him and planted himself at the edge of the table. “Glad to see you’re up and about. I’m liking the new design.”
V jutted his orb out and put his hands into a teapot formation. “Thank you, Dr. Snowden. I feel like two million bucks.”
“Two million?”
V’s top lights flickered for a moment. “‘Feel like a million bucks’ was the phrase I intended to use. I doubled it.”
Dr. Snowden chuckled. “Okay, got it.”
V extended one of his arms.
Dr. Snowden shook it. “I’m glad that you’re safe.”
“As am I. Are you going to get something to satiate your meat desires?”
Emily snickered.
Dr. Snowden shook his head. “I think a cup of coffee is in order.” After he got a cup, he took a seat next to Emily, who sat to Evaran’s left.
Evaran interacted with the table console. “Good. I am glad everyone is here. Yesterday’s events were unfortunate, but now we have an idea of what we are dealing with. While you all slept, I investigated the space habitats.” The projection changed to show the sun and only sixteen habitats. “There were one hundred twenty-two structures in the Dyson bubble in the old timeline. There are now sixteen.”
Jane drew her head back. “Where’d the others go …”
“Unknown. I am not sure who built them, but based on the design, I do not think it was Advanced Dynamics. To discover what the timeline differences are, we should dock at Corunus. I will need access to a console there.”
Dr. Snowden could see Jane fidgeting with her hands. He knew this was a rough time for her. It did make him wonder if there were duplicate versions of himself and Emily on Earth. Something he would need to ask Evaran about later.
“Once everyone has had their breakfast, head to the command center,” said Evaran. He tapped at the table console, causing the projection to shut off. As he walked to the room exit, he turned his head sideways. “V, take us in to Corunus.”
V’s lights brightened. “Acknowledged.” He flew off behind Evaran as he exited the room.
“You ready for this?” asked Dr. Snowden.
Jane gulped. “I hope so. I thought I wouldn’t sleep last night, but it was like the bed was comforting me. It was almost like … a presence. A comforting one. It was unusual. Not that I’m complaining. It was just … unexpected.”
“You know … sometimes I think the Torvatta has a mind of its own.”
Jane smirked. “I guess it does sound kinda silly.”
“Given what we’ve seen, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out it’s alive or something,” said Emily.
“Maybe,” said Dr. Snowden. “What I do know is, we should head to the front or Jane is going to explode.”
Jane snorted.
Emily rose and swatted Dr. Snowden’s arm. “Flirt on your own time.”
Dr. Snowden’s eyes widened.
Jane glanced at Emily and chuckled. “Let’s go.”
After assembling in the command area, Dr. Snowden noted that V was not in body mode. Instead, V hovered in front of the console, with all four arms interacting with it. He suspected V enjoyed having the ability to interact more with the environment without requiring body mode. With the new defensive measures in the shielding, repulsion, and stun blasters, V was quite formidable beyond hologram distractions.
Dr. Snowden took his seat and watched the Torvatta approach Corunus on the front left screen. Corunus looked slightly different than what he remembered. Instead of being spherical, it had a hexagonal shape. The ring around it that had extended arms reflected the more straightedge approach.
“V, disengage stealth mode,” said Evaran.
“Acknowledged,” said V. His extended arms manipulated the interface. “Torvatta stealth mode disengaged.”
Several flattened disc-shaped ships approached them.
“V, Torvatta scan profile two.”
“Acknowledged,” said V. After a moment, he said, “Torvatta scan profile two activated. Shields weakening now.”
As Dr. Snowden expected, a beam shot out from the lead craft and washed over the Torvatta.
“Communication protocol established. Transferring visual,” said V.
The front screen showed an android in a United Planets suit seated in a command chair. Humanoid robots, augmented humans with visible lines on their heads like circuitry, and several Kalesh manned workstations around the android. The android tapped at his chair console. “I am United Planets Bureau of Law Enforcement Agent G2. You have entered Kalesh space. Please identify yourself.”
Jane stood with a hand down toward Evaran. “I’m United Planets Bureau of Law Enforcement Agent Jane Trellis.”
G2 focused offscreen for a moment, then looked back up. “Agent Jane Trellis was killed on duty.”
Jane gulped as she sat down.
Evaran tapped at his chair console. “Sending you credentials.”
G2 paused as he focused on something offscreen. “Your credentials are valid but have not been issued yet. That is not possible. However, it appears they have now been validated. Curious. I am sending you regulations to be observed on Corunus. Please read through them prior to docking.”
“Thank you.”
“Regulations and landing coordinates received,” said V.
G2 tapped at his chair console, and the screen went blank.
Jane swiveled her head toward Evaran. “So … I’m dead it seems. Maybe Chris is still alive here …”
“It is possible. However, with the timeline change, there may be another one. When this is resolved, we can check on Chris,” said Evaran.
“I understand. This is so strange,” said Jane as her eyes searched the ground.
“Let us find out more. V, take us in.”
“Acknowledged.”
The Torvatta reached the hangar bay with an opened hangar door. A semitransparent light-blue shield stretched across the entrance. Once inside, the Torvatta landed, and the external door slid shut.
Evaran raised a finger. “Before we go, make sure you do not have the wristbands from our first encounter.”
Dr. Snowden verified he had no wristband on, then followed Jane and Emily to the research lab. He decided not to use the survival suit. Jane used what she had on, but left some components in suit storage, as did Emily.
After Emily and Jane were suited up with all their pieces, they met Evaran outside the Torvatta. V flew around in orb mode.
“Analysis. It is the same hangar bay, different designation.”
“That’s … odd,” said Dr. Snowden. “Makes me think this one is reserved.”
After the decontamination sweep, they exited into a tunnel and walked down a hallway. When they reached the end, they entered a room with a Kalesh sitting at a desk. Several humanoid robot guards stood off to the side.
The Kalesh bounded up to them.
Dr. Snowden narrowed his eyes as he pointed at the Kalesh. “Let me guess. Your name is Jax, and you’re our registrar.”
Jax jerked his head back. “That’s right … how did you know that?”
“It’s a long story.”
Evaran motioned a hand out. “If you give us our wristbands, we will not take up your time. You will see we have clearance.” He pointed at Dr. Snowden and Emily. “As you have already detected, Dr. Snowden and Emily have nanobots, and Jane Trellis has augments.”
“Oh. It seems like you’ve done this before,” said Jax.
“It is not our first time. Is there someone we can speak with who has a deep understanding of this area?”
Jax scratched his snout. “That would be Ambassador Okon.”
“Okon!” said Jane.
Jax stepped back. “Uhh … yeah … is that a problem?”
Jane gulped. “Umm … no. Sorry. I was surprised is all.”
“Ambassador Okon has represented the Kalesh with great dignity.”
“Right… … didn’t mean anything by it.”
Jax wiggled his nose for a moment, then retrieved the wristbands. As he handed them out, he said, “I suppose then you all know what these are and how they work?”
“We do,” said Evaran. “And to answer the question you are wondering about, we come from far away.”
“How did … ,” said Jax with furrowed eyebrows. He shook his head. “This is very unusual. Yes. Very. Nonetheless, I’ve marked Ambassador Okon’s office. He should be there now.”
“Very well. Let us go,” said Evaran.
Dr. Snowden smirked. Having been through this before, he wondered if this was something Evaran had to deal with a lot. Poor Jax would be scratching his head for days trying to figure it out. Meeting Jax and seeing a new timeline version made thoughts of the deaths he caused seem far away. Jane was right. This was a new timeline, with new opportunities, and he felt like he had a second chance. Hearing Okon going from warlord to ambassador was a new twist.
Emily swatted his arm. “Want me to get you a seat?”
“No, I was thinking.”
“I know,” said Emily with a grin.
Dr. Snowden’s eyes softened. Despite everything going on, it was good to see Emily in a more upbeat mood. He caught up with Evaran, Jane, and V.
It did not take them long to reach Ambassador Okon’s workplace. Jane imagined it would be grand, but it was similar to Andrew’s office on Da Nesh. Peering in, she saw it was a medium-sized room with a center table and Ambassador Okon sitting behind it, facing the door. Two robot guards stood outside the room. She still had a rough time believing that Okon was an ambassador, not a warlord.
One of the robot guards stepped forward and scanned them. The second dipped into the room temporarily, and then they both stood to the side.
Jane noticed that as they entered, chairs slid out from the walls, similar to Andrew’s office. If anything, the technology seemed to be about the same. She took her seat alongside Evaran, Dr. Snowden, and Emily. V landed in Emily’s lap.
Ambassador Okon swept his head from left to right. “So … the Evaran Protocol.” He glanced at Evaran. “You must be Evaran.”
Jane clasped her hands as she examined Ambassador Okon. It was him all right, except he had the typical elegant robe of an ambassador. While she thought that maybe things would not be that different, this was living proof right in front of her.
Evaran pointed at the others in turn. “Yes. I have with me Dr. Albert Snowden, his niece, Emily Snowden, and Jane Trellis, and the orb is V.”
“I see. Welcome to Corunus. I’ll admit … I’m a bit curious as to why you want to see me. Jax notified me of your arrival. I’m only a Kalesh ambassador.”
“That is correct. We are new to this area and wanted some information on current events.”
Ambassador Okon sat back in his chair and laced his fingers. “How can I help?”
“It may make sense to start with the Kalesh relationship with the United Planets.”
Ambassador Okon raised his eyebrows. “We do have a relationship with them,” he said, waving his arm in an arc. “This station and the habitats are a testament to that.”
Jane scooted to the edge of her chair. “Does Da Nesh have a United Planets Bureau of Law Enforcement office?”
“No … there are no United Planets installations on Roeth,” said Ambassador Okon. “Aliens are not generally welcomed on Roeth. However, we have allowed them to build space habitats and, of course, this station as a joint venture, but that’s about as far as it goes.”
“So … Advanced Dynamics didn’t build the space habitats?” asked Jane.
“Advanced Dynamics?” asked Ambassador Okon, leaning forward. “What would they have to do with space habitats? They’re an augment corporation.”
Evaran narrowed his eyes. “Is that a Kalesh corporation?”
“Of course they are. There’s a lot of scrutiny on them, though. They’re under investigation for creating and distributing illegal augments.”
Jane snorted. In any timeline, it would seem, Advanced Dynamics was corrupt. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
“They are the reason there are no United Planets installations,” said Ambassador Okon. “After the Voss Imperium war, the United Planets tried to place some installations, but the terrorist attacks by superpowered augmented Kalesh shut that down pretty quick. Politicians crumbled due to threats, and the United Planets treaty was renegotiated. Public opinion is very anti-alien. Billozein is a very powerful Kalesh, and so is his corporation and small army.”
Evaran raised his head a bit. “Billozein. You said he was a Kalesh?”
“What else would he be?”
“I was simply checking.”
Jane sighed. “Leave it to Billozein to sow discord. The Kalesh I knew in Da Nesh were warm and friendly.”
Ambassador Okon raised an eyebrow. “When were you in Da Nesh …”
Jane’s eyes widened. She wondered how Evaran and the others were able to keep their stories straight if they were hopping around timelines.
Evaran raised a finger. “I can answer that. Before I do, how much have you read of the Evaran Protocol?”
“I glanced over it.”
Evaran gestured toward Ambassador Okon. “Please, take a deeper look at it.”
“Okay … ,” said Ambassador Okon. He interacted with his table console. His desk lit up as a multitude of documents appeared. He ran his finger across the desk, moving between the documents. After several minutes, he looked up. “I’m not sure how I missed it in my first review, but it says you’re a … time traveler.”
“That is correct.”
“And some of these events are—”
“Do not need to be discussed, per the protocol.”
Ambassador Okon narrowed his eyes. “Okay … Why is it important for me to know this?”
“We need some very detailed information to go after Billozein, in particular, his history. I am aware that the Kalesh have detailed security logs that I would need access to,” said Evaran.
“I can grant that … but it has to be for a very good reason, especially since my name will be on the request. The security AI is fairly aggressive. In addition to that, this protocol says to help you if asked, but this is a United Planets protocol,
not a Kalesh one.”
“Understandable. As you now know, we are time travelers. The timeline has changed once already. To us, this is the new timeline. Do you understand what I mean by that?”
Ambassador Okon narrowed his eyes. “I understand basic temporal mechanics from when I taught at the Gunz Tahl Institute. Although, if this is the new timeline, what was the old timeline like?”
Evaran gestured at Jane.
Jane cleared her throat. “The United Planets had offices all over Roeth. I am … was … a United Planets agent stationed in Da Nesh. Relations were good. Advanced Dynamics was run by Billozein, a human, and there were one hundred twenty-two space habitats built by them. I joined up with Evaran to investigate the illegal augment trade coming from the habitats.”
Ambassador Okon extended a finger toward Jane. “So you’re not a time traveler, but someone from the old timeline. Intriguing. And one hundred twenty-two habitats? And now you see sixteen, and they are run by the United Planets. Absolutely fascinating. Why didn’t you disappear when the timeline changed, assuming that’s how it works?”
“Temporal shielding, thanks to Evaran’s ship. Everything I knew is now … gone.”
Ambassador Okon lowered his head. “I’m sorry to hear that. This must be difficult for you.”
Jane let out a breath. “Apparently, in this timeline, I’m dead.”
Ambassador Okon’s eyes popped open. “Oh … I can’t even imagine. Did any of you know of me in the old timeline?”
Jane chuckled. “Of course. Warlord Okon. You tried to kill us.”
Ambassador Okon’s eyes popped open. “What!”
“I understood your reasoning,” said Jane. “Roeth was being flooded with illegal augments, and aliens were coming through Follisat and changing Kalesh culture. Politicians were bought by Advanced Dynamics, as it seems they are now, and you took a stand against it.”
“Oh … ,” said Ambassador Okon, glancing at Evaran.
Evaran met Okon’s gaze. “When we arrived, the Evaran Protocol was initiated. Apparently, everyone in power seemed to know of it, including you. We went to meet you to get information on the illegal augment trade, and you wanted to send a message that Roeth was not safe for outsiders.”
