by Adair Hart
“Not surprised about the timeline talk,” said Andrew, gesturing at Evaran. “Your journeys are well documented, and I’ve studied all I could about them. Studying all these mysterious protocols is kind of a passion of mine. In regards to Billozein … he’s well-known around here.”
“Elaborate,” said Evaran.
“Well, for starters, he armed every empire around the United Planets with technology superior to ours,” said Andrew. “We lost ground to the Drodalian Hegemony. The Tartark Federation crushed us at the battle of Kirus. At Roeth, one of our fleets was demolished by the Voss Imperium. These are all battles we should’ve won. We’ve caught up technology-wise thanks to our intelligence efforts, but the United Planets lost over twenty-five percent of what it was before.”
“He has been busy, it seems. His goal is to build an army. That would be easier with one of the stronger empires weakened.”
“Not only that, he has also flushed illegal augments throughout the United Planets. Crime has shot through the roof.”
Evaran rubbed his chin. “We came from Roeth. In the previous timeline, the Voss Imperium had lost that war. Obviously, it is now occupied in this timeline, so we believe Billozein is working with the Voss.”
Andrew chuckled. “Well, you came to the right place. We don’t know exactly where he’s at, but have a general idea.” He tapped at his desk, causing a projection of a galactic map to appear. He pointed at a swath of nine blinking red dots. “There. Nine facilities deep in Voss Imperium space. He could be at any one of those. These were identified because we traced the illegal augments to there. Anyways, if he’s at any of them, we have no way of getting there.”
“Hmm,” said Evaran, rubbing his chin. “So he decided to use the Voss this time. Since they are already warlike, he would save some time.” He tilted his head. “How did you come across this information?”
“We lost quite a few undercover agents getting it to us. One of the odder things mentioned in common in the reports was that some of the workers there seemed … to move in an unusual manner. They were like they were androids, but they weren’t. They didn’t act like how a Voss would normally act. If you’re headed to these facilities, it’s not going to be easy, even with a ship like yours. These are all heavily guarded.”
Evaran placed his fingertips together. “My UIC can transfer any information you have on it.”
“UIC … that’s the card thing, right?”
“That is correct.”
Andrew gestured at his desk. “Have at it.”
Evaran placed his UIC on the desk. After a moment, it stabilized. “We will determine a course of action after studying what you have given us.”
“Of course,” said Andrew.
“Do you know where the information broker is?”
Andrew jerked his head back. “Haven’t heard that name in a long time. No one knows where she is.”
“A female this time,” said Evaran. “And yes, once this is all over, I will give you a tour of the Torvatta.”
A grin crept onto Andrew’s face. “I’m guessing I must have asked that question before.”
“You did.”
“Can I at least see it from the outside for now?”
“If you wish,” said Evaran.
Jane swallowed hard as she looked at the other Jane. There were so many questions she wanted to ask.
As if on cue, the other Jane tapped Andrew on the shoulder. “Why don’t you go with Evaran. Jane and I can catch up.”
“Oh … sure,” said Andrew. He stood and paused to shoot a look at Jane, then exited the room with Evaran, Dr. Snowden, and Emily.
The other Jane sat in Andrew’s seat. “I bet you have a lot of questions, as I do.”
Jane exhaled from her mouth. “This is … so unusual.”
“I bet,” said the other Jane. “I’ve listened to Andrew talk about Evaran since—”
“He got security clearance to read about them,” said Jane.
They looked at each other and laughed.
The other Jane tapped her fingertips together. “So … were you and Chris together …”
Jane looked down. “We were. He was killed six years ago by Billozein while working on a space habitat in the Riemens system.”
“And you got a posting on Roeth to investigate,” said the other Jane.
Jane gulped. “I did and asked Andrew to get me a posting out there and used up all of my political capital to get it done. Evaran came along and … here I am.” She sighed. “Are you and Chris …”
The other Jane smiled and nodded.
“Can I … see a picture of him?”
“Sure,” said the other Jane. She tapped at the desk, causing a projection to appear of Chris and her together with two little girls.
Jane grimaced as tears welled up in her eyes. Her body trembled as she saw what could never be. It was not fair. Chris was a bit older, and resembled Dr. Snowden in a lot of regards. She sniffled and pointed at the girls. “Lauren and Meghan?”
The other Jane swallowed hard.
Jane and Chris had a list of baby names picked out. If it had been a boy, it would have been Seth. She ran her fingers across her wet eyes to clear them out. “I … I’m sorry … was not expecting to see all of this.”
The other Jane looked away and exhaled through her mouth. “If I was in your position, I’m not sure I could go on.”
Jane’s eyes softened. “You could. I have, anyways. It took me a long time to get over Chris’s death. I was lonely, but … I had to know. When Evaran appeared, I knew that was my opportunity to find out what happened to him.” She smirked. “In the second timeline, the one we just came from, that version of me … well, us, was dead. I suspect Billozein had a hand in it.”
The other Jane shook her head. “He will pay for all this havoc he has caused. If you’re going after Billozein, we can provide some help.”
Jane looked down. “I think this is something we have to do ourselves. Evaran wouldn’t want anyone else to be put in harm’s way. It’s just who he is.”
The other Jane looked Jane over, and after a moment, she said, “I understand.”
Jane’s natural instinct would to have been to assemble a strike force, but given the nature of the Torvatta’s temporal shielding and the potential for loss of life, she knew Evaran would not go for that. It was a sign that she was becoming used to being around Evaran.
The other Jane stood and smiled at Jane. “Well, my doppelganger, care to get something to eat at least?”
Jane chuckled as she stood. She met the other Jane’s gaze.
“Chocolate ice cream,” they said in unison. They laughed, then exited the room.
Jane pondered the last few hours as she approached the Torvatta. She had spent it with the other Jane, comparing and contrasting their lives. It was obvious to her now that she did not belong in this timeline.
If she stayed, it would have to be with the knowledge that Chris was alive, with children. Although the other Jane had said that it could be set up that Jane was an unknown twin sister to the kids, Jane knew she would not be able to be around Chris if she could not be with him.
The other Jane was exclusive with Chris. Although Fredorians could have open family groups with multiple members, some chose to be monogamous. Jane had been that way with her Chris. With a sigh, she entered the Torvatta.
Her clock said it was around 9:00 p.m. With a quick survey of the command center, she noticed it was unusually quiet. Maybe everyone was still out. She had let Dr. Snowden know she would spend some time with the other Jane.
V’s and Evaran’s voices rang out from the research lab.
Jane peered into the room. Evaran was at a workstation, moving his hands around as he focused intently on a projection in front of him. V hovered to his side and was shooting lights at the projection. It seemed to her they were engaged in some type of planning.
Evaran swiveled his head. “You are back. How was your visit?”
Jane walked
over and stood next to them. “It was interesting. The other Jane has a full life. Married, kids, a great job with potential, and … she’s happy.”
“And you are not?”
Jane sighed. “I’m trying to be. Everything I know is gone.” She waved her hand in an arc off to the side. “The Torvatta, you, V, Dr. Snowden, and Emily are the only constants in my life at the moment.”
V’s lights glowed a bit. “A time refugee.”
Jane snorted. “That’s me all right, and not by choice.”
Evaran placed his palms together and pressed the top of his hands against his lips. “What do you intend to do after Billozein is captured?”
“I don’t know. I can’t stay in the timeline, especially if there is a duplicate of me and Chris.”
“You could travel with us. Dr. Snowden and Emily have spoken highly of you and expressed an interest.”
Jane swallowed hard. “I wasn’t going to mention it but … I’d be interested. I mean … I enjoy being around you all. There is a lot to see and explore, and based off this one journey, I can see it’s never a dull moment.”
“I prefer the dull moments myself, but unfortunately, what I do and where I go tends to involve complexity.” Evaran stood and extended a hand. “Very well. As Dr. Snowden would more than likely say, welcome to Evaran and the gang.”
Jane’s eyes lit up as she stepped forward and shook Evaran’s hand. Her heartbeat raced as she contemplated this new chapter in her life. She stood back and exhaled sharply. “So … is there a handbook or anything I need to read or …”
Evaran walked over to a table. “V calculated a ninety-seven percent chance you would be interested. As such, I have constructed another personal support device for you. It is the same one Dr. Snowden and Emily have. Part of your journey with us will be to learn how to use it.” He picked up the PSD and handed it to Jane.
Jane inspected the PSD as she flipped it around in her hand. She looked back up. “I will not disappoint you.”
“I do not think you will, Jane Trellis.”
“Are there any rules I should follow, outside of the ones I’ve seen?”
Evaran rubbed his chin. “The main rule we try to follow is to not volunteer information to those who should not have it. I know the example with Okon back at Roeth appears to be a violation of that, but given that the timeline will eventually be reset, no harm.”
“I understand,” said Jane. She cocked her head. “The Evaran Protocol … it had a lot of information on you. Andrew … well, my Andrew … let me see a copy of it.”
“Yes, and you know more about my future than I do, at least at a high level.”
“I won’t mention any of those events. You have my word,” said Jane.
“I take you at your word. I did not ask before but … how much of it covered who I traveled with?”
“There wasn’t much. On some events it did, but it was mostly a list of events, places, and times. Oh … and of course the rules, although it seems tracking all that information violates one of the rules.”
“I figured as much,” said Evaran. “I will need to deal with that after all this is over. Other than that, there are no hard rules. You will need to keep an open mind, as you will see things that may seem new and unusual. I do not suspect you will have a problem with that, given what I have observed of your interaction with us on this current journey.”
“Of course.” Jane motioned toward the projection she had seen Evaran and V at earlier. “What were you working on?”
“I was compiling all the information that Andrew gave us on what they know about the Voss Imperium. There is a lot to go through. I plan to spend the rest of the time going over it until we meet tomorrow at nine a.m.”
Jane shook her head. “Andrew is the same, it seems, in any timeline. He’s always willing to help when needed.” She gestured at the projection. “Find anything interesting so far?”
“Disturbing more than interesting,” said Evaran. “It appears Billozein has been busy. What concerns me is I do not know how he is changing the timeline. Although we may get a quantum beacon on his ship, I do not know if it is his ship, or maybe even a trait of his species. The quantum beacon should at least tell us where he goes when he jumps.”
“We’ll get him,” said Jane.
“That is the plan. If all goes well, then in the finalized timeline, you will get to see a third version of Andrew when he tours the Torvatta.”
Jane chuckled. “After knowing three versions of Okon, two versions of Andrew, and even meeting my other self, I can handle that.” She looked around. “Well, I’ll let you get back to it.”
“Are you going to rest now like Dr. Snowden and Emily?”
Jane shook her head. “I thought I’d go to the holo room and test out the PSD.”
V’s lights glowed a bit. “Would you care for some company?”
“Sure!” said Jane. She had a soft spot for V after he had saved her from the mutant attack.
Evaran gestured at Jane. “V can also go over the survival suit should you choose to use it.”
“If I’m going to be using the PSD, it might make sense to switch over to that. Dr. Snowden showed me how it worked on his suit. I’m more comfortable with mine, but open to it.”
“It has a lot of capabilities similar to what you have, and then some.”
Jane’s eyes glowed. “I’ll learn it all.”
“I am sure you will,” said Evaran. With a final nod, he sat back down at the desk he had been working at.
Jane exited the research lab with V in tow. “C’mon, V, it’s time to see what this PSD can do.”
“Acknowledged.”
For the next hour, Jane tried out the shield, repulsion, stun, and several of the survival options on her new PSD in the holo room. Flipping between options was easier than she had thought it would be. Although her eyelids were beginning to droop some, her mind was still lit up.
V helped her pull up different scenarios to test out her PSD. He had set the environment to a large concourse on a spaceship. Creatures that resembled spiders and other assorted insects were targets for her stun and repulsion beams, but also gave her a chance to use her shield to block blows. Some did get through, but their attacks were superficial for training purposes. After learning how to adjust her shield size, she took a break, leaning against the concourse’s side wall.
“You have paused the simulation,” said V.
“It’s a lot to take in, and I wanted a break.” She focused on V. “I … know I said it before, but I wanted you to know that I really appreciate what you did to help me with that mutant that jumped me.”
V’s lights glowed. “My calculations showed that if I did not act, there was a ninety-eight-point-two-percent chance you would be severely hurt.”
“You acted selflessly. I mean … you could’ve died.”
“It was possible. However, I could not stand by and let you get hurt.”
Jane grinned. “You’re a noble AI.”
“Acknowledged.”
Jane chuckled. “Evaran has rubbed off on you, but I’m glad you are who you are.”
“Thank you,” said V. “Are you okay with the current situation?”
Jane shrugged. “I don’t know yet. I’m glad that I didn’t fade away, but then again … maybe I should have. You know?”
V hovered in front of her and touched two of his clawed arms in front of him. “It is the past. You have a future to look forward to.”
“I bet you told that to Emily too,” said Jane, tilting her head.
“Your analysis is correct.”
Jane liked talking to V and could see why Emily did too. V was that friend you could always rely on. He may not have all the answers, but he listened and did not judge, a trait she admired. She stood and wiped her brow. “Well, I guess I’m gonna call it a day. I’m going to get some rest.”
“I am knowledgeable in several massage techniques should you need them to relax.”
“Be careful,�
� said Jane. “You might make Dr. Snowden jealous.”
“I apologize. That was not my intent.”
Jane laughed. “I know. Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll be okay.”
“Acknowledged.”
Jane exited the holo room and went to her living quarters. When she got there and looked in the mirror, she noticed bags under her eyes. Maybe the stress of everything happening was making her more tired than she realized. She swallowed hard as she ran a hand through her hair. This was going to be an interesting ride.
Dr. Snowden’s eyes opened as his PSD chirped at him. He rolled to the side and grabbed it. A quick check showed it was 8:00 a.m. With a sigh, he slid his legs off the side of the bed. He had wanted to see Jane last night, but after almost three hours of talking with Andrew and the events prior to that, he decided to go to bed instead.
The discussion with Andrew had been enlightening. Andrew had been visibly excited when he saw the Torvatta, but Evaran was firm on not letting him in until the issue with Billozein was wrapped up. Dr. Snowden figured that if there would be another timeline change, Andrew could suffer the same fate as Jane. He trod off to get cleaned up and dressed.
After forty minutes, he exited his room and checked out the command area. It was quiet. He figured Evaran and V were probably already in the conference room, and Jane and Emily were cleaning up from their morning training session. One day he would need to join them. He smirked at the thought of already thinking of Jane as a traveling companion. Hopefully she would ask Evaran about it once this was all over.
After entering the conference room, he saw Evaran and V as expected. He admired their lack of sleep requirements, but he did not think he would ever want to lose that capability, not just for physical reasons, but mental ones as well. He grabbed his usual morning cup of coffee and sat at the table. “It was a busy day yesterday.”
“It was. We have come a long way since we initially began the investigation into this summons.”
