by Agster, Joe
“I wish my mom was here, and my brother,” she admits, “I’ve pushed them away for so long, but no more.”
“Call her,” Friend suggests.
Suddenly Max approaches the van, and both Friend and Cassie get up to greet him. Friend shakes his hand, thanking him for everything since the beginning, from the bunker cards to arranging to space flight to the asteroid. Cassie is intently engaged in a conversation on her device, before she hangs up to give Max a hug in celebration.
Cassie and Friend look at her device, and see that there are ten minutes to go.
“My mom is at the New Hacienda. Let’s go get them,” she jubilantly declares as she grabs his hand and they disappear. They arrive at the hotel lobby, where within a few seconds she spots her mother. She runs to her, so happy to see her, as tears flow down her cheek. She kisses her brother and the three are in a total embrace just as Friend walks up. She introduces them to Friend, but he’s met them before as he explains. At her urging, they teleport back to their sealed off area.
“Cassandra, we saw you on the broadcasts. Are you okay? How did you get wrapped up in this?” Her worried mother is beaming with elation, yet hoping for a quick explanation.
“It was father. When he died he told me about my future. I have been preparing for this day for a long time.”
Cassie and her mother continue to embrace, reconnecting a heartfelt bond that only a mother and daughter can feel. She then turns to introduce her mom to Max, with whom they’ve had a distant relationship as both being employed by NASA. They shake hands and talk shop for a couple moments, before Max’s phone rings. He speaks up for a minute, his face lighting up.
“My ex-wife and sons are here too. Apparently when she got the news about the terrorists and that I was assisting the FBI and CIA, they all got on a private jet.”
Friend watches the others, relishing in the fact that everyone is getting what they want. He figures Prast is probably watching the sky as it is early evening by now on his island.
Five minutes to go. Friend and Cassie return to their seats on the rear of the van, holding each other. People continuously stop by to greet them, government officials, celebrities, and others of importance that are allowed in their area.
Four minutes. There’s cautious optimism now, and Friend is anxious. What will he do if this fails? His hideout is compromised, Foenix will want revenge, and Prast will be bolder and more prepared than ever. Mason warned him of this, just like Katalia he may find himself in a checkmate.
Three minutes. Friend starts to realize these may be his final days on Earth. With the asteroid gone, his mission will be a success. But he never figured out who he is. He stopped caring eons ago, during his training with Mason, as he had been focusing solely on the mission.
Two minutes. In his quest he has learned a lot about this current society. Despite their propensity for violence, when the chips are down they reach deep down and pull out generosity, and pour out love. Is he one of them? Is he a time traveler from the future? But what future? Hundreds of years in the future? Thousands? A million years? All he knows is it’s a future where humans have evolved, not just in intellect but in emotion. Anger, jealousy, hate, these are traits of animals, he constantly reminds himself.
Sixty seconds. Everyone is counting now all around him, on the Strip, and beyond. Friend feels he is starting to remember who he is. Yes. Thousands of years ago, during the time of Greece and Rome, humans were obsessed with conquering other civilizations. Violence was the norm. Then, in this current society, violence is more compartmentalized, but it’s still part of the fabric of civilization. Guns, armed police, conquering armies, in Friend’s world these aren’t needed. There is peace because everyone desires peace.
Thirty seconds. Cassie grabs his hand. She squeezes tight. Everyone stays silent now as they wait in a gripping anticipation. He feels a sudden sense of déjà vu. Has he been here before? Is what is unfolding now his preordained destiny? Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. 5. 4. 3. A rush of adrenaline permeates through his veins.
The timer hits zero, but nothing. Everyone falls silent, the people in the sealed off area, the people crowding the streets of the Strip, the commentary of the news broadcasts. It feels like the whole world went silent, quiet enough to anticipate the ultimate proverbial pin drop. As they stare at the holographic screens, the meters high and wide broadcast projecting a perfect view of outer space and the asteroid, they can do nothing but wait… and stare. They wait and wait, and each millisecond that ticks they become more consumed with the possible horror that this was all a big lie, a big failure… a farce.
BOOM! Suddenly, the most spectacular explosion anyone has ever seen is on full display, the nuclear blast scatters tiny bits of the asteroid in every possible direction. The brightness of it is so vivid that it can now be seen in the distant sky, even with all the lights drowning out the prefect view. The crowds erupt in the most fanatical celebration anyone has ever witnessed. For this one moment, the peak of human elation is achieved.
“We did it!” Cassie cheers as she jumps into Friend’s arms, wrapping her legs and arms around him in the biggest celebratory hug she’s ever given him. He can do nothing but hug her back, and does so intensely. With her mother, brother, Max, Stewart, and everyone else looking on, she plants him a big kiss, then another, then another. She holds her face to his and stares in his eyes, then final lengthy and drawn out kiss to cap the moment.
She eventually un-clings herself from Friend, landing on her own two feet before hugging her mother. Her mother can be cold but she gives her an incredibly warm hug, an accumulation of emotions built up after years of being estranged and in a bitter, silent feud with each other. She gives her brother a warm hug as well.
“Cassandra!” a woman calls out. Friend looks on with peaked interest. This particular friend doesn’t look familiar, but Cassie lights up seeing her. Initially being kept away behind a barricade and the guards, Cassie runs up to let her in, the guards relenting once in Cassie’s presence, not challenging her in any way. Friend walks close behind, hoping it’s who he thinks it is, someone he felt terrible for before.
“Lila!” Cassie shouts, hugging her longtime best friend and academic rival. Friend is ecstatic.
“You’re alive… I mean… hi Lila!” he shouts and as she extends her hand for a handshake. He cannot help himself but grab her and squeeze her tight, in the knowing that they didn’t get to her this time. Cassie looks on with a strange jealousy, but Friend quietly assures he will explain why he is so happy to see her later on.
As the night goes on, there is little to suggest that the atmosphere is subsiding in any way, if anything it continues to ramp up. On this night on December 26, Las Vegas is experiencing it’s largest swelling of party goers it has ever seen. New Year’s Eve is days away, and yet the celebration on this night already blows away anything this town has ever seen.
23:19
Vyxx Nightclub
The gang all crowds the one place where it all began: The Vyxx club at the Metropolitan. Despite the mostly cosmetic damage to the tower above, the hotel allows guests to enter. The club is accommodating enough to block off an entire section, providing free drinks to the famous, revered crowd. Alaina and Wyatt eventually show. So does Max’s ex-wife Julianna and their two sons, Simon and Nolan. Friend can see the look on his face that this is the happiest he’s been in years. He realizes this is the perfect moment to extend his gift to them.
“Max,” Friend calls out. He turns around to shake Friend’s hand once more, with his sons to his side. “I have something here… something you wrote a long time ago. I committed it to memory then so I can recreate it now.”
Friend pulls the letter from his inner jacket pocket, recreated from Max’s own penmanship. Max takes the letter with a bit of reluctant curiosity, studying its words in utter awe. It’s his writing for sure—his words, all his emotions, poured onto this piece of paper. His two sons walk over to see what the fuss is about, and they see a
brief look of torment on their father’s face. As they join him in studying the letter, they realize what it is: written for them. And within, a subtle hint, one that sets off a spark of massive curiosity.
“Thank you, Friend,” Max stutters, as his sons embrace him. Simon then extends his hand to shake Friend’s, then Nolan.
“So dad, what’s in the capsule then? And where is the park?” Nolan inquires.
Max grins, knowing full well that they are his boys, that they share in their father’s ability to decipher clues. The letter is much more than a letter it turns out, as the clues to capsule’s whereabouts are deeply embedded in his words. Max puts his arms on both their shoulders, replying, “Go find it.”
With Stewart and his agents enjoying themselves alongside the group, Friend admires that for this one night everyone has come together to put their differences aside and enjoy the moment.
“Sir,” an agent calls to Stewart, “The president has arrived. He wishes to speak with all of you.”
“Where?” Stewart asks.
“Here,” he replies.
Stewart looks near the entrance and through the doors to main casino floor to see the president and his staff, surrounding by a large contingent of secret service agents headed directly this way. The entire floor stares his way as enters into the club. The president looks much older in person to Friend, as he’s only seen him through a hologram. He is nearly hairless, just a grayish buzz for hair remains. He is tall and built healthily, wearing a charcoal gray suit and sporting a large American flag lapel.
“So you are the mysterious Friend,” he extends his hand as Friend shakes it.
He then turns to Cassie, “And you are Cassandra Whittle.”
Cassie tears up, for the first time feeling like she has accomplished something truly meaningful in her life. She regains her composure, diligently seeking to project an aura of strength. She does feel strong, and brave. Just a day ago she couldn’t see herself as esteemed as she is now, although she felt it coming.
Al enters the room, embracing Friend with a powerful hug. “Friend, great work man.”
“Dr. Maxwell Pond, thank you for your service, not just to NASA, but for all mankind.” The president tells Max. He had been briefed in full by both Stewart and Fisher, who have both vouched that Max knew the ADS effort was doomed and secretly hatched another plan.
“Thank you Mr. President,” Max replies, offering his hand. “But we’re not finished as you know. I’m returning to Houston tonight to coordinate the launch of the ADS, so we can deflect the remaining larger pieces.”
The president then turns to Friend, asking, “I understand you have supernatural powers. We’d love to have you come to Washington, perhaps tour our great capital. I think it would be beneficial to all mankind to understand where you get your power.”
There is a tiny feeling of abrasion in the president’s voice. Perhaps the president feels that having someone with supernatural power cannot fly in their society. After all, this is a society that prides itself on maintaining order through violent means, and not being able to control him may make him an enemy of the state. But for the time being, Friend feels it is best to play along, as he knows his time in the world is coming to a close.
“I think that would be great,” Friend replies. “I think your world can benefit from that, despite myself having no memory of who I am.”
The president asks to speak to Friend a little away from the noise, to the dismay of his secret service agents. He lowers his voice, asking, “How can we learn from you?”
Friend doesn’t have to think of his answer. He has always loathed how this great leader before him never stood tall as a protector of his people, but respects that he is well regarded in his nation. In one word, he answers the president. “Evolve.”
“Evolve?” The president asks for clarification.
“Yes, evolve. Your society is great, so profound. But you need to learn to solve problems without violence. People are inspired by courage, hope, and love, not by endless laws. A great leader empowers his citizens to do good. Justice should be pervasive and equitable for all; it shouldn't be reserved for the powerful elite. Realize that despite politics, and money, and power, despite your differences, there is only good and evil in this world. Do that Mr. President, and your society will evolve. When you evolve, you will achieve an ultimate peace.”
The president laughs lightheartedly as he responds, “You are wise Friend. This asteroid calamity is our wake up call. We will be better as a nation. Thank you.”
They rejoin the rest of the group. The president says his final goodbye to everyone, saying his final words, “Now if you’ll excuse me I have a speech to make.”
He walks out along with his contingent of guards. The group continues their celebration into the night. Later, the president gives a passionate yet scripted speech, in full display on the monitors in the club. His speech starts with high prose and rhythmic rhetoric, seemingly prewritten by his staff. Halfway through his speech, he pauses, no longer looking at the prompting device where he reads his words. He then talks from the heart, giving a heartfelt plea to evolve as a civilization, to embrace love and reject evil in all of its forms. The simplest message any leader could give, but one the people desperately needed to hear.
The world learns that the United States and China have settled their differences as they enter into a new pact, promising to cooperate with the other nations of the Earth to ensure that space exploration is forever safe. They have also vowed to investigate the Lindenberg Society, and bring all of its members to justice.
January 1, 0:03
Friend and Cassie finish celebrating the New Year, walking down the Strip as the party has been going nearly nonstop for six days. They have been enjoying their celebrity status, meeting and greeting with countless numbers of people, granting interviews with the news media and signing autographs. It has been a whirlwind, an almost nonstop roller coaster. They hold hands now in this moment, walking along the Strip at the base of the Metropolitan hotel.
Friend starts laughing at the thought. Across the street, just outside the Planet Real, is the spot where they got married. He can’t contain his sense of nostalgia as he snickers, remembering it every detail, from the preacher’s words to their ‘first’ kiss.
“What is it?” she asks.
“We were married once. Over there,” he points as he jubilantly reiterates the experience to her. He then expresses sadness, “Our marriage lasted four hours.”
She holds him close, replying, “Says who? Did another me divorce you? Now take me on our honeymoon!”
They return to their suite in the Metropolitan on the top floor, provided free by the hotel. The sexual tension had built up enough, making Cassie especially stir crazy. After all those countless days, maybe months, he can finally embrace her again, as it is their last time. He knows it, even though she denies it. It only takes moments for them to rip off each other's clothes.
They kiss each other continuously in the cover of darkness, the only lights in their room being the colorful glow from other building nearby. They can’t let each other go, almost keeping their bodies glued to each other in a passionate, harmonious resonance. With what little light they have, he studies her every curve, every imperfection of her skin, every human cell of her body, feeling as if he is the luckiest man alive. He delights in the salty taste of her tongue complimented by the sweetness of her lips. But it is her that is made to feel alive, his moves bringing her to the pinnacle of her womanhood. Their togetherness in this moment is consummation of their perfect love.
As the night prolongs, Friend feels his time coming to an end. He feels its presence like he feels the presence of his double, beckoning like a pulsating rush of adrenaline. He knows where he must go: the same spot in the desert where he wakes up each time.
They bundle up as this final day has always been the coldest, especially in the early morning hours, outside in the freezing dry desert. They teleport to the elevated
location, looking down at the perfect view of the city from the mountainside, it being more illuminated and colorful as ever.
As they enjoy the view from their vantage point, they watch as the meteor shower slowly ramps up, tiny fragments of that killer asteroid reduced to mere pebbles burning through the atmosphere. As she holds him tight, he feels it is time to tell her.
“Cassie, my time is coming, probably in the next hour. I can feel it.” He tells her as sympathetically as he can, hoping she’ll believe him this time.
She stays speechless, realizing in his tone that he cannot be guessing, that he is not simply being a pessimist. She has to accept the reality that he is from a different world. As much as she would sink into sadness and longing, as if a piece of her is going away, she is instead embracing it, even as it makes her cry. For the next few moments little is said, just waiting for this end to come, in whatever form it will come.
It’s about 4:20 on his watch and he stands up, the meteor shower in full display as it is reaching its peak. Hundreds of shooting stars continue to streak across the sky, shooting down from West to East, all pieces from what remains of the asteroid. It’s so bright that the stars are barely visible as they are covered up by endless red and white lines.
Suddenly, a powerful white light shines a few meters away, in what appears to be a doorway of some kind. It is a solid confirmation of his beliefs, and for the first time he sees closure on the other side. Maybe, she thinks, he will return. She clings to that hope, knowing that as long as she is alive, and he is alive, they are forever linked across space and time. This provides her comfort.
“I have to go now, Cassandra.” They stand up. He caresses her cheeks with his outstretched hands. She loves it when he calls her that, even when she hates it from everyone else. He looks one final time into her eyes, mesmerized by her gaze. He doesn’t want it to end, but he must go. He prolongs this closeness for as long as he can, touching noses for a moment before he finally reaches in to bring her lips to his.
