The Time Refugee: Book 4 of the Evaran Chronicles

by Adair Hart

  Ambassador Okon rubbed his chin. “I can see the logic, but that seems so … brutal.”

  Evaran nodded. “When your back is against the wall, and you are fighting a losing battle, all options come into play.”

  “I suppose … I can’t see myself resorting to violence.”

  “Perhaps the deaths of so many Kalesh changed your views,” said Evaran.

  “Maybe. Nonetheless, what do you know of Billozein?”

  Jane perked her head up. “He’s responsible for creating and distributing the illegal augments. We learned that he isn’t human. Definitely not Kalesh. He is some … strange alien that was converting humans and Kalesh alike into something else.”

  Ambassador Okon furrowed his eyebrows and touched his fingertips together as they pressed up against his lips. “This is a disturbing development. Advanced Dynamics has one of the most well-equipped militant groups on the planet. If what you say is true, that would explain why they seem … unusual. However, I’ll grant you access. I can get what you need from here.”

  Evaran pulled out his UIC. “If you can get us in past the AI, all I will need to do is place my universal interface card on your desk.”

  Ambassador Okon focused on the UIC. “And what exactly does that do?”

  “My UIC allows me to access any technological system, with some caveats.”

  “Oh,” said Ambassador Okon. He interacted with his table console, and after a moment, the desk shot up a projection of various documents. “There you go.”

  Evaran placed his UIC on the desk. After a moment, the blue light between it and the desk stabilized. He perused his ARI. “It appears the earliest record of Billozein is when Advanced Dynamics was formed seventy-five years ago, five years before the conclusion of the Voss Imperium war. That is where we should go.”

  Ambassador Okon narrowed his eyes. “You’re going to travel back in time …”

  Evaran nodded.

  “If you do, from what I understand, and the past changes, won’t the future change, maybe even this meeting?”

  Evaran placed his fingertips together in front of him. “It is possible. However, Billozein represents a threat to the continuity of this timeline in this region. I do not believe he was ever meant to be here.”

  Ambassador Okon peered at Evaran for a moment. “So if you remove Billozein, what happens?”

  “Everything will be as it should be.”

  Ambassador Okon took a moment to ponder Evaran’s words. “This is a lot to take in. I was around back in those days, but I suspect we had not met. Otherwise I would know of that event. You will need various security credentials. I can provide those if it will help.”

  Evaran dipped his head. “It would be appreciated.”

  Ambassador Okon interacted with his desk. After a few moments, a humanoid robot guard walked in with various card-sized passes. “These should be all you need. They grant you high-level military clearance. You will need to masquerade as United Planets personnel. During the Voss Imperium war, United Planets advisors were not uncommon. These credentials should serve as everything you would need to go anywhere.”

  Evaran stood along with the others. He extended a hand. “Thank you for your help.”

  Ambassador Okon stood and returned the handshake. “I feel like Advanced Dynamics is even bigger a threat than the Voss Imperium ever were. I wish you the best of luck.”

  Dr. Snowden and Emily also shook hands with the ambassador.

  Ambassador Okon looked at Jane. “The Roeth you speak of sounds immeasurably better than the one I know, even if I’m a warlord.”

  “It was. I already miss it,” said Jane. She shook his hand. It was hard to compare Ambassador Okon to Warlord Okon. They seemed like two completely different people. There was also the possibility that Warlord Okon was this way too, and she did not know of it. It brought up the question in her mind of what her duplicate must have been like. She peered back at the ambassador as she followed the others out of the room.

  Dr. Snowden had observed Jane on their way back to the Torvatta. When they returned to the command center, she had taken a seat next to him. As surprising as it was for him to see Warlord Okon as an ambassador, it must have been bewildering for Jane. Maybe it would help her come to grips with everything she knew being gone.

  Ambassador Okon surprised him. He seemed reasonable and nonviolent. Dr. Snowden knew the situation had been bad on Roeth in the old timeline, so the transformation into Warlord Okon must have done something mentally. Perhaps it was a rash of bad decisions. Dr. Snowden harrumphed.

  Jane looked at him. “I miss something?”

  “No. It’s … an unusual situation is all.”

  “Yeah.”

  Evaran pointed at V. “V, take us out to low orbit and then back seventy-five years. Once there, engage stealth.”

  “Acknowledged,” said V.

  The Torvatta flew out a bit from Corunus. Everything around the Torvatta faded from view, then faded back in.

  “Analysis. We have arrived at Earth-date July 16, 3029, at ten fifty-four a.m. Torvatta stealth mode engaged,” said V.

  “When we go through time, is it like the portal, going through a dimension?” asked Jane.

  Evaran raised a finger. “Not quite. Think of it as … exiting the timeline, and reentering it.”

  Dr. Snowden rubbed his chin. “So … when it fades to black, we’re actually outside the timeline?”

  “Yes. In the void between nonintersecting timelines.”

  Jane exhaled from her nose. “And when everything fades back in, that’s the Torvatta reinserting itself into the timeline.”

  “Very good. You two work well together,” said Evaran.

  Emily fought a grin.

  Dr. Snowden raised an eyebrow and shot Emily a look.

  Evaran cleared his throat. “According to the information gathered from Ambassador Okon, Advanced Dynamics is on the southern continent near a town called Guuz Nash. They have an office in a compound on the outskirts of town near a mining facility.” He faced Jane. “Do you know anything about this area?”

  “I’ve never been there, but I heard that whole area is sort of lawless. At least it was in my time period.”

  “A perfect spot for Billozein to start Advanced Dynamics,” said Evaran. “It will take us twenty minutes to get there. V, take us in.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  After twenty minutes, the Torvatta landed outside in a forest clearing near the walled compound. Everyone exited the Torvatta.

  “Analysis. The Torvatta is reporting a vehicle with Kalesh approaching us.”

  “Then let us meet them,” said Evaran as he strode forward with squared shoulders and everyone in tow. “V, scout mode.”

  “Acknowledged. Scout mode engaged,” said V. He shimmered and flew off.

  A four-wheeled vehicle that reminded Dr. Snowden of a jeep pulled up. Four heavily armed Kalesh disembarked.

  One of the Kalesh with white hair on his snout and a grizzled appearance stepped forward. “This is a restricted area.”

  Evaran pulled several passes from his belt that Ambassador Okon had given him. “We are authorized to be here.”

  The Kalesh took the passes and flipped through them. “United Planets, huh? You have the clearance, it seems, but why are you here?”

  “We have reason to believe that Billozein of Advanced Dynamics is not who he appears to be.”

  The Kalesh narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean exactly?”

  “He is a shifter of some type, and I aim to show his true form. If you wish to accompany us, you are more than welcome to.”

  The Kalesh glanced back at the other Kalesh, then faced Evaran. “We will join you then. I’m Skar.”

  Evaran pointed around. “I am here with Dr. Albert Snowden, Emily Snowden, and Jane Trellis. What’s the situation here?”

  Skar grimaced. “Military and police have centralized to the bases and major cities to defend against the Voss Imperium. They left these
more remote areas to us, the local militia.”

  “I see. Are you all there is for this area?”

  Skar shook his head. “Several other groups roaming around. Me and my crew watch this compound and nearby mining facility.”

  “Will there be any problem with us going inside the compound?”

  “There shouldn’t be. Advanced Dynamics has a few offices there. They don’t own the compound.”

  “Very well. Let us head out.”

  Skar waved for his men to move forward.

  Evaran walked alongside Skar as Dr. Snowden, Emily, and Jane walked behind him. “How is the effort against the Voss Imperium going?”

  Skar spit on the ground. “Filthy dogs.” He glanced at Evaran. “We’re pushing them back, but they continue to raid Roeth. With the United Planets weapons and aid, we’re beginning to finally make some progress. They still slip in smaller ships from time to time. That’s where we come in.”

  Dr. Snowden wrinkled his eyebrows. “Why would they raid the planet instead of attacking from space?”

  Skar chuckled. “Who knows? There are plenty of minerals and resources in the Gazier cloud around the solar system, so it’s not that. The leading rumor is they want slaves and want to populate this planet. Probably as a forward military outpost.”

  Evaran extended his hand. A projection shot up from his ring, showing a seven-foot purple-skinned humanoid with digitigrade legs and a jackal-like head. The bone-like mask that sloped back into a set of horns stood out to him. It had slender fingers that ended in claws, wore heavy armor, and wielded unusual-looking weaponry. “This is a Voss.”

  “It kinda looks like Anubis,” said Emily.

  Skar glanced at Emily. “What’s an Anubis?”

  “It’s something from Earth’s history. I don’t think they’re related, but look similar.”

  Skar harrumphed.

  They reached the arched entrance to the compound. Two guards in a booth waved them over.

  Skar talked with the guards, and after a moment, he motioned for everyone to follow.

  After entering the largest building in the sprawled layout and going up three levels, they reached Advanced Dynamics’ main office.

  Dr. Snowden looked around. He noted that the building’s floor layouts seemed to be a series of stairs that ran to each floor, and some large office at their exit. This one had a small Kalesh female sitting behind a solid white counter. The familiar smell of something resembling donuts perked his nose up.

  The Kalesh female’s eyes popped open. “Umm … Skar … what is this?”

  Skar stepped forward. “I need to see Billozein.” He crooked his thumb at Evaran. “Highest clearance.”

  The Kalesh female looked down at her desk for a moment, then back up. “He’s in his office now. I don’t think he was expecting anyone, though.”

  “Good. Don’t let him know we’re coming.”

  “Okay,” said the Kalesh female. She pointed to the left. “He’s down that hallway on the end.”

  “Thanks and … uhh … looking good.”

  Dr. Snowden could not tell if Kalesh could blush, but he definitely saw a slight color change on the Kalesh female’s face. He figured with this being a small town, Skar probably knew everyone.

  They headed around the counter to a hallway. When they reached the office door, Skar motioned for two of his guards to stand on opposite sides.

  “Don’t let anyone in,” said Skar.

  The two Kalesh guards saluted.

  Skar opened the door.

  “Who is it?” said a voice from inside the office.

  Skar stepped in with his other guard, followed by Evaran and the others.

  Dr. Snowden noted that Billozein had some device covering his face and seemed engrossed with whatever he was doing. He sat behind a desk with various screens on the walls. Seeing Billozein as a Kalesh seemed strange to Dr. Snowden.

  Skar motioned at Evaran.

  “We meet again,” said Evaran.

  Billozein ripped the device off his head. His eyes widened when he saw everyone in his office. He looked at Skar. “What’s the meaning of this?”

  Skar gestured at Evaran. “He seems to think you aren’t who you say you are. Given his credentials, that’s a serious claim.”

  Evaran pulled off his utility handle, which then extended into a baton. He aimed it at Billozein.

  A blue beam shot out from the glowing blue end and encompassed Billozein. He convulsed for a moment, then went limp.

  “What’d you do?” asked Skar.

  “Give it a moment,” said Evaran.

  Billozein trembled, then appeared to dissolve into a cylindrical gelatinous blob with a bulbous head. Tentacles sprouted around the base and raised the body up. Other tentacles sprouted out near the top. In a gargled, disembodied voice, he said, “You couldn’t leave me alone!” One of his tentacles tapped something under the desk.

  A basketball-sized orb shot up from the side of the desk. The middle of it pulled in, and small rods extended all around it.

  “Get down!” said Skar.

  The orb began to spin and sling green fluid.

  Billozein shot a tentacle to the window and propelled himself out of it.

  The fluid hit the face of Skar’s guard. The guard’s face began to melt as he tried to scream out. Another strand of the green fluid flew at Emily.

  Jane stepped in front of her and Dr. Snowden and activated her shield.

  The fluid hit the shield and slid down.

  Evaran jumped in front of Skar and raised his shield.

  As the orb danced around flinging fluid, Evaran hit it with a stun beam.

  The orb crackled with blue arcs for a moment, then crashed to the ground.

  Skar ran over to his injured guard. The other two guards came in, and Skar gestured at them. “Take him to the hospital! He’s been hit by some type of acid.”

  Evaran scanned the downed Kalesh with his ring. He sighed. “He is no longer with us.”

  Skar bared his teeth and uttered a low growl. “What!”

  Dr. Snowden noted that the acid had not just melted the Kalesh’s face, it had gone all the way through the head. It did not escape him that Jane had put herself in harm’s way to protect him and Emily, although he thought they could have blocked it. Still, it was heroic of her.

  Skar exhaled sharply from his mouth as his eyes searched for signs of life. After a moment, he slammed his fists against the ground and stood. He gestured at one of the guards. “Secure the area. Contact groups two and three.”

  The guard saluted and took off.

  Skar faced the other guard while pointing at the dead one. “Get the burial transport and load him. We will give him the proper rituals once this situation is resolved.”

  The guard saluted and exited the room.

  Skar faced Evaran. “What the hell was that thing?”

  Evaran furrowed his eyebrows. “I do not know. Whatever Billozein is, I have a friend following him. He is headed to the mining facility, and we are going after him.”

  Skar growled. “I’m going with you.”

  “As you wish.”

  Dr. Snowden scrutinized Skar. If Evaran had not jumped in front of him, Skar would have been dead too. Billozein’s transformation and the orb’s appearance happened faster than Skar could react. Dr. Snowden gulped as he recalled what Billozein had transformed into. It was nightmare fuel and reminded him of a large bacteriophage with additional tentacles slapping all around. The sloppy slush sound was not something he would forget. He shuddered.

  Jane squeezed Dr. Snowden’s shoulder. He smiled back at her. Emily was looking around and met his gaze. Her lips drew flat. He noticed that her shield had been out as soon as the orb had appeared. He would need to train more to get his reaction time the same as hers. Maybe he would join her and Jane in morning training. That was for later. For now, the hunt for Billozein was on.

  Dr. Snowden surveyed the landscape as he followed Evaran and Skar. They had l
eft the compound and were on their way to the mining facility where Billozein had fled to.

  He had his helmet down to enjoy the environment. Clouds of dirt swirled around each footstep, causing him to cough a few times. The smell of the forest the path cut through was pervasive. It reminded him of wet clothes that had been left in the washer for too long. High-pitched warbling noises that emanated from the forest on both sides made him rub the goose bumps on his arm.

  The slick and familiar feel of sweat greeted him when he touched his arm. With a tap at his neck guard, a helmet shot up around his head. He loved the internal display inside the transparent face shield. After lowering the suit’s internal temperature, he focused on the display being projected from V. It showed V in front of a large steel door that looked like it was split down the middle.

  Emily tapped Dr. Snowden’s arm. “You see it too?”

  “Yeah,” said Dr. Snowden. He hustled up to Evaran. “It looks like we have a sealed door on our hands.”

  Skar harrumphed. “The mining facility has been abandoned for years. I remember when it was shut down, so it’s not unexpected that the doors would be closed.”

  “Sure … but V is showing that Billozein went under the door,” said Dr. Snowden.

  Skar snapped his head toward Dr. Snowden. “What?”

  “Given Billozein’s form, it is possible that he could do that,” said Evaran.

  “Well, Billozein is going to pay for killing my guard.”

  Evaran cast a sidelong glance at Dr. Snowden.

  Dr. Snowden knew Evaran would not let Skar kill Billozein, and Skar had a look on his face that conveyed that intent. The thought of what to do with Billozein if they did capture him crossed Dr. Snowden’s mind. The timeline anomalies were caused by Billozein, so he wondered if they would need to go further back in time to stop him when they found when that was.

  After a brisk twenty-minute hike, they reached the mining facility entrance.

  V shimmered into view. “Analysis. Billozein flattened himself and slid under the door.”

  Skar stepped back and pointed at V. “What … is that?”

  “I am a variable utility artificial intelligence orb. My shortened name is V.”