The Garden

by Craig W. Turner

  “I don’t know that I want to know.”

  Dipin held up one finger. “Don’t assume that a deal means that both sides didn’t leave believing they got the better of the other.” He paused. “This is my speculation. We still have plenty to learn about what’s going on and, unfortunately, not much time to learn it.”

  “Well, this gives me a whole new perspective,” Robert said, deflated. “The idea that this was really about Eden was too far-fetched. You should have seen Reilly dramatically toss Landon’s paper across the table at him. But that’s what happened, isn’t it? He orchestrated us through the selection process. And Keegan’s the perfect patsy. It’s like Christmas morning for him.”

  “As far as I know,” Dipin said, “Dr. Tripathi is opposed to the Eden mission.”

  “Well, a lot’s happened in the last few hours. He’s being steamrolled.” He thought for a moment.

  “Perhaps I should talk to him,” Dipin said.

  Robert laughed. “I don’t know what kind of access you’ll have to him, but if you can make it happen, I don’t think it would be a bad idea. Just so he can see it coming. Poor kid. Though, I don’t know if there’s anything he could do at this point.”

  Dipin was shaking his head again. “No, Robert, the mission is happening. Reilly will see to that. My only hope is that you’re all ready for what you’ll find.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “Answers, I’m afraid.”

  CHAPTER 25

  Senator O’Neill had mercifully ended her briefing – which had destroyed Landon’s long-held belief that a “briefing” was supposed to be brief. The last few hours had been among the most confusing of his life, and he had yet to be afforded a minute to himself to reflect on what was happening. Notwithstanding, the amount of work that still had to be done.

  The Senator had arrived at SATP unannounced and been secretly shepherded with two of her handlers up to their conference room to meet with Reilly and the team. She’d walked them through a series of scenarios, mostly giving them information they already had, but also dropping a few nuggets on them in her notes, the most important being that while Robert was the one being named, every one of them – including Landon, himself, for some reason – was “of interest.” She’d then left as abruptly as she’d arrived.

  As the rest of the team got up from the conference table and began engaging each other, Landon sat firmly, his hands clutching the arms of his swivel chair. No sooner had Keegan spilled the news to him that he would be making the trip with the rest of the team had the conversation taken another direction with O’Neill’s entrance. To Landon, unfortunately, her report for the most part had been superfluous drivel. They were hours away from embarking on the most ambitious journey that mankind had ever undertaken. The politics of the day were perhaps the least important thing they could be discussing. Landon knew that he’d feel the same way about that whether he was participating or not.

  Now, Reilly had sent them away with orders to get a few hours of sleep. While Landon couldn’t argue with the logic, he also knew it would be impossible. For him, definitely, but probably for all of them, which only increased the danger they were facing. They were already approaching the mission with insufficient preparation, and not getting enough rest, on top of everything else, would deny them acuity as they took on the unknown challenges that lay ahead.

  Robert’s disappearance was also a concern for him. Landon didn’t know the man well, of course – he hadn’t had the time – but his abandoning the team during their preparation for the trip was extremely disconcerting. The others didn’t seem to be fazed by it. Given the circumstances, though, if he was in Robert’s shoes, he knew the first maglev out of town would have seemed mighty attractive.

  By now, people were filing out of the room, presumably toward their apartments to try to get some rest. Based on the intelligence O’Neill had been able to gather, Reilly had given everyone five hours, which would have them regrouping at 3 a.m. They all knew it was not enough, but it would have to do. There was plenty to accomplish before the launch, which had been set for 6 a.m., but Reilly believed with his timeline they’d be able to get everything done and be on their way before the U.S. Attorney General showed up with whatever enforcement he was bringing with him. For Landon, a big part of his own qualms about the next several hours was his feeling of being vestigial to the operation. He had plenty of skills and lots of smarts, but zero know-how about the inner-workings of SATP. Why they would even want him with them at this point was a mystery.

  That very idea finally got him out of his seat. Besides him, just Reilly and Keegan were left in the room, and they were standing, talking. Landon sidled up to them, standing a few feet away – not close enough to eavesdrop, but close enough to let them know he was next in line.

  It didn’t take long. Reilly nodded to Landon, then stepped away from Keegan. He walked slowly over to him and turned, setting his backside on the conference table. “What’s on your mind?” he asked.

  “General, I think you know what’s on my mind.”

  Reilly shook his head. “You don’t want to go.”

  “I-” Landon stopped himself. He didn’t know how to answer the question. Of course, he wanted to go, in his science fictional, schoolboy imagination. Who wouldn’t want to have the opportunity? But in real life, when people were putting themselves in danger, no, he had no desire to go on this mission. “General,” he said, composing himself before continuing, “it was very clear to me and to SATP that my involvement would be limited to research and support for the missions. Never was the idea raised in any of my conversations that I would be called upon to participate in any of the missions. Am I mistaken?”

  By this time, Keegan had rejoined them, standing three feet away and listening with his hands crossed behind his back as he rocked on the balls of his feet. Landon looked up at him. His face was serious, though he detected a hint of a smile. It annoyed him, for a moment, that Keegan would feel he had the right to impose on a private conversation, but he dismissed it. His frame of mind was so far from dealing with social protocols that he could ignore it.

  “You’re right,” Reilly said, nodding. “You’re right. But drastic times call for drastic measures.”

  “Drastic times-”

  “Landon, this situation was never talked about with any of the members of the team while they were considering joining SATP,” he said. “Robert didn’t know he was going to become the focus of an investigation spearheaded by the U.S. government. I think if he could come in here and say, ‘No, I didn’t sign up for this,’ that would be the first thing he’d point at. Keegan joined as an engineer. He’s now participated in more than a dozen missions.”

  “Yes, but Keegan was avid about participating,” Landon said. “As was Robert. I am not.”

  “Keegan participated in his first mission because the program asked him to, and because he had the skills necessary to do so. We’re asking you to do the same.”

  “And if I refuse?”

  Reilly sighed deeply. “Is that your plan? To refuse?”

  “Depends on the repercussions if I do.”

  “I have to imagine it would be something along the lines of elimination from the program, being sent back to India in disgrace, only to find it impossible for you to find a job in any scientific field,” Reilly said. “For starters.”

  “Elimination from a program that might not be here in the morning?” Landon said, probably more defiantly than he meant. He was simply trying to make a point. “I may just take my chances.”

  “Will you?” Reilly smiled.

  “Landon, we need you,” Keegan said, jumping into the conversation. “I understand this whole thing comes as a shock to you, but when you signed up for the program, didn’t it enter your thinking that you’d be called upon to participate at some point?”

  “No, not really. Dipin Chopra was never asked to participate.”

  “Dipin Chopra participated in a number of missions while he
was at SATP,” Reilly said.

  “Nonsense,” Landon said. “That’s not in any records-”

  “Do you think that every mission SATP undertakes is in the public records?”

  “They’re supposed to be,” he said. “General, this is going from bad to worse.”

  Reilly put up his hands. “Alright, alright,” he said. “Let’s pull things back for a moment. You’re not happy. I get that. And no one wants to force you to do something you don’t want to do. Am I right, Keegan?” Keegan nodded. “But we need you, Landon. You are the only one on the team who has put any time into researching the theology of the Creation story.”

  “But that’s not true,” he said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch him name, but the gentleman from England. He’s the head of your Research Department, and he’s already agreed to go. You have what you need.”

  “Chester?” Reilly said, shaking his head. “No. He’s studied the history. He has book knowledge of the various Creation stories. Your paper offered intuition. You’re the one who will know what to do if the stories are true.”

  Landon shook his head. “Then you should be fine without me.”

  “Why do you say that?” Keegan asked.

  “Do you honestly believe that we’re going to time travel to the place that’s described in the Book of Genesis? Really? I thought we were scientists. What happened?”

  “But your paper…” Keegan said. “You laid everything out. Do you not believe what you wrote?”

  “I don’t think this is the time to get into who believes what,” Reilly said. “SATP covers all bases. Which is why we need you.”

  Landon knew that arguing further would yield no results, so he sighed deeply. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to get some sleep.”

  “Good idea,” Reilly said, before Landon turned and walked out of the room.

  Partly from fury, but partly from not having yet memorized the path, Landon got lost three times after leaving the conference room and finally had to ask a random person for directions back to his building. When he reached the hallway leading to his living quarters, he stopped and exhaled. After walking all that way, it turned out the apartment wasn’t where he wanted to be. Where he wanted to be was far from there. In fact, it was safely back in his cubicle in Mumbai, where he was left to his studies, his analyses and his theories. Where there was no threat of having his atomic particles scrambled in the misguided pursuit of some bureaucrat’s political agenda.

  He thought briefly of fleeing, as he suspected Robert had done, but knew that wasn’t an option. While he had a distaste for the situation, he also felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to try to protect SATP, and his new colleagues, from themselves. He hadn’t figured out how he would do that, but knew that locking himself alone in his apartment would give him, finally, the time and the focus to think.

  He took three steps toward his door when a similar-looking door to his right opened sharply. A person about his height emerged quickly. Strong hands grabbed him, pulling him forcibly inside.

  CHAPTER 26

  Keegan had sat through Senator O’Neill’s briefing with a smile of amusement at Landon’s expense on his face. It was unfortunate that Landon had learned the way he had that he was going to be one of the team members on the mission, yes, but Keegan defended himself for what was a completely inappropriate remark by reasoning that if he’d been in charge, he would’ve gotten that discussion out of the way long before. He wished it hadn’t happened the way it had, but now that it was done, he found it a little funny. It was bad enough being told by your boss that you had to fly to Seattle in the morning. How about being told that you have to travel halfway around the world 10,000 years in the past?

  As O’Neill, who Keegan had always thought was kind of hot for an older lady – probably some Irish connection they had – had droned on, Keegan’s thoughts had gone to Robert, who’d disappeared an hour or so earlier. It was not unlike him to be unpredictable, but it was unlike him to take off when he was the team leader, even under the circumstances. Robert was a traditionalist, and a man of significant honor, who believed wholeheartedly that the captain goes down with the ship, a premise he’d referenced on nearly every mission they’d had ever taken together. If he felt the need to leave, it was likely with good reason.

  He also knew he shouldn’t have stayed for the conversation with Landon. Right from the outset, he knew that it wouldn’t be productive, but for some reason felt compelled to interject himself. Instead, all he accomplished was wasting precious moments that could have been used for sleep.

  Of course, Reilly’s mandate that they got some rest was a pipe dream. None of the others would be able to sleep. Not only would the mission itself keep their minds churning, but there was also still an awful lot to do in preparation. Reilly was cutting it close by telling them to report back at 3 a.m. – especially with Robert’s disappearance – but he’d seemed confident that it would be enough time. As long as everyone knew their roles. And as long as they could get Landon’s head in the right place.

  Keegan, however, was a different kind of animal. For some unnatural reason, he could fall asleep even under the most trying of circumstances. He always justified it as his body and mind fully understanding the value of rest, and not once in his entire life had he had trouble falling asleep. He also slept quite a bit more than other members of the team, trying to maintain a 10 p.m. curfew for a 7 a.m. wake-up, unless it was crunch time on a project, for which he’d adjust. That level of conditioning could have been the difference, as well, but he was thankful because he’d be alert and ready to go by zero hour. All he could really control was himself.

  Though, when he made the last turn into the hallway leading to his apartment, he realized that wasn’t going to be the case. Claire was sitting on the floor outside his door.

  To Keegan, this was about the worst entanglement that could possibly happen. What on Earth could she be doing there? It had been nearly six weeks since they’d officially ended what had ultimately been a failed pilot project on a relationship, and at this point, he thoroughly felt that his responsibility to her was that of a colleague and borderline friend, and that was it. Colleagues and borderline friends did not sit outside your apartment door waiting for you to get home when they’re supposed to be in their own bed, sleeping.

  She saw him immediately, so he didn’t have time to even roll his eyes, which would’ve set whatever conversation was about to happen off to a very bad start. Besides which, he immediately found that his mild annoyance at her presence quickly turned into concern. Not of a romantic sort, or even empathy for someone in a tough place, but that of leadership. Even innately, with Robert incapacitated to some degree, it kicked in that his role had become that much more important on the team. And Claire was a member of the team.

  By the time Keegan reached her, she’d stood and was facing him. But in front of him wasn’t the Claire he usually knew – the confident, self-sufficient feminist who couldn’t be shaken by anything from international politics to a workplace break-up. This Claire was vulnerable and meek and unsure. It was a sight to see for him.

  “You’re supposed to be getting some sleep,” he said. “You’ve already missed a half-hour.”

  Claire nodded. “I know,” she said. “I know.”

  “What are you doing here, Claire?”

  “I’m not sure,” she said. “I wasn’t sure where else to go.” Keegan raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to go on. “I’m scared,” she finally admitted.

  “It’s always scary when we go on a mission,” he said. “But we know how to channel that fear into positive-”

  She was shaking her head. “It’s not that.”

  “What is it then?”

  Claire looked back at the locked door. “Can we talk inside? I really don’t like standing here in the hallway.”

  “Instead of talking, what we really should be doing is getting some sleep.”

  “I won’t take long,” she said. “I promise.”<
br />
  Keegan looked at her face, trying to read what she was going to say without her having to say it. Reluctantly, he succumbed to the fact that she was going to end up staying at his place to sleep before they had to report again. The question was where she thought she was going to be able to sleep. To “not be alone” – meaning could she crash on the sofa – was one thing. But Keegan had dated enough women to know that the big, muscular arms of a 6’7”, warmhearted guy were a nice place to hide out when the world seemed a little bit off. He guessed she might pull a “last night working together” ploy. This woman was not to be trusted.

  Even so, he opened the door and escorted her inside. Somehow, before the door slid shut behind them, she was already on the sofa, her shoes off, and her legs curled up in that crisscross position that he loved so much. Used to love so much. He offered her something to drink, which she refused, then got himself a water from his refrigerator and sat down across from her in the easy chair. “So, what’s up?” he said.

  “I want you to know, this is not some scheme to stay here so I don’t have to be alone,” she said.

  “Well, that’s a relief.” He didn’t know how else to answer.

  “Don’t mistake me for a ‘damsel in distress.’”

  “Okay.” He nodded.

  “And I’m not sure what my issue is,” she said. “It’s not the trip, itself. Though you know how I feel about it. How I’ve always felt about it.” She paused. “And I wasn’t thrilled to find out that you’ve been prepping all along.”

  What was he going to say? Was he supposed to feel bad about it? “I understand,” he said. “You’re concerned about SATP?”

  She started to say something, but stopped, thinking. She took a breath. “No, it’s not about that, either. If something happens to the program, we’ll all find our own way. We’ve had a good run that, in truth, with what we know, I’m kind of amazed it lasted as long as it has. We’ve been irresponsible.”