“What about the whole timequake thing?” asked Vicky.
“Cassie said the ability of Chronos’ armor to regulate the tachyons is what prevented him from causing temporal calamities,” said the Analyst.
“So it could work?” asked Glenn.
“In theory, yes. Except I have a larger problem with this course of action.” The Analyst rested his gaze on Chronos. “If you were to do this, could you still travel back in time?”
“That’s the wrinkle,” said Chronos. “We’re taking it on faith that the chronal emitter will work the same way given the technology is from two different periods. It’s kind of like—damn, I can’t even think of a good comparison.”
“Replacing a V8 with a horse?” asked Alex.
“Maybe? I don’t know,” said Chronos. “I do know it’s a risk.”
“Then shouldn’t we send him back now?” asked Tuwa.
“What about us?” asked Glenn.
“‘Us’? You’ve been out of a cell for ten minutes.”
“So what? My life’s on the line here, too.”
“Settle down, both of you,” said Jim. “Maybe we should put it to a vote?”
“No way.” Chronos approached the table and leaned over it, placing his hands on the surface. “It’s my armor. I’m the one who decides what to do with it.”
“It may be your armor, but it’s our timeline. We were here before you,” said Jim.
“What about those of us that this could possibly affect?” asked Reina. “What if we’re never born because of this time travel nonsense?”
Vicky looked at her parents. “Is that true? Is that…a risk?”
“Not that simple, kiddo,” said Koji.
“Sure it is.” Vicky rose to her feet. “I was born in one of those camps. If you two were never captured…would you have even ended up together? Would you have had me?”
Chronos avoided looking at Vicky’s eyes. He’d wondered about that himself. After getting to know Vicky, was it possible that undoing the past, fixing his mistake, would it erase her from existence? Was that a sacrifice he was willing to make? A few months ago, he would say absolutely. He was willing to erase his own history if it meant defeating the Kotharians. Never being born would be preferable to growing up as a slave with only a number instead of a name.
Vicky wouldn’t necessarily feel the same about it. And what about Koji and Erin? By doing this, was he ruining their chance to be together? Or did he bring them together in the first place by unleashing the Chaknaar?
He wished the Progenitor were here. He could tell him what to do. Tell him what the best course of action would be, teach him to separate his human emotions from the mission.
“Well?” Vicky threw up her hands in exasperation. “Is anyone going to even pretend to humor me?”
The Analyst rubbed his eyes and finally looked up, although he avoided Vicky’s gaze just as Chronos did. “It’s a question of priorities, Victoria. Do we sacrifice the future so that one girl can be born?”
The room grew deathly quiet at the blunt statement. Vicky turned away to hide her watering eyes and stormed out of the room. “You sonnuva bitch!”
“Hey, Vic!” Reina moved to go after her teammate, but Chronos put his hand on her shoulder to stop her.
“I’ll go,” he said. I kind of know what she’s going through.”
Once Chronos left the room, Koji angrily spun on the Analyst, changing into his shark-form as he pounded his fist on the table, causing it to jump just a bit.
“Are you outta your goddamn mind? Where do you get off talking to my daughter that way?”
“This is something we all knew was a possibility,” said the Analyst. “It’s not my fault you didn’t think to inform your daughter of the consequences of this mission!”
“There are better ways to break the news to her,” said Erin, sidling up beside Koji and folding her arms. “What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that we are running out of time,” said the Analyst. “And yes, I’m firmly aware of the irony held within that statement, so do not bother pointing it out, Mr. Rodriguez.”
Alex held up his hands defensively. “I didn’t say—!”
“You thought it,” said the Analyst.
“Things are stressful, we get that,” said Jim. “But we do have a job. And a decision has to be made. Are we going to send back Chronos, are we going to use his abilities to stop the Codex, or do we figure out a third option?”
“It’s a decision that’s not going to be made by any of you,” said Glenn. “You heard the guy—it’s his armor.”
“This is about more than him,” said Tuwa.
“Yeah, no shit. But unless any of you knows how to peel that thing off him and figure out how to work it, the best you can offer is a strongly worded suggestion,” said Glenn. “Look, I’m all for sending him back myself. I was almost nineteen when the invasion came, so I’m not missing out on anything if the past twenty years are erased. It’s his game. One way or the other, he’s going to make this decision. Not us.”
CHAPTER 10
Chronos eventually found Vicky in an observation room. There was a large window looking out over the afternoon sky, the sun shining off the clouds. A bench was placed in front of the window and it was there that Vicky sat. He came and took a seat by her side.
“I know what you’re worried about. About your existence possibly being erased.”
“It’s not just me,” she said. “It’s a lot of the people onboard the Icarus. Other kids I knew growing up in the camps. How many of those people won’t be born now because of what we’re about to do?” Vicky looked at him, staring into her reflection off the polished, black metal of his armor. “And what about you?”
“Yeah, I know how you feel.” Chronos detached the helmet and removed it from his head.
As Vicky looked into his face, she realized for the first time that he was basically a kid, barely older than her. Intellectually, she’d of course known that. But it never quite connected in her mind.
“When I agreed to go on this mission, it was with the understanding that it would be a one-way trip,” he said. “I exist outside of time. I don’t even know if the changes I’ve made have reached my era, or if they’re going to erase me from existence, too.”
“Do you know when the changes would hit?”
Chronos shook his head. “There’s no way of telling.” He looked at Vicky. “But I do know that I was born into slavery. I was given a number instead of a name. And I’d rather not exist than have that childhood.”
He sighed and looked out the window while Vicky lowered her head.
“I also know that doing this means humanity has a fighting chance. They deserve their freedom, even if it means we have to sacrifice ourselves for that to happen. That’s what I understood when I put on this suit and made that first jump all those years ago…or from now…”
Vicky scoffed and scrunched her brow. “Yeah, I guess this time travel stuff can get pretty confusing.” She took a breath and then stood after exhaling. Vicky looked down at Chronos. “You’re right. And who knows? Maybe we will end up having the best of both worlds.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Chronos managed a smile and stood as well. “C’mon, I think they’re waiting for us."
***
Sharkskin’s body broke through the surface of the water and he swam quickly and deep into the ocean’s darkness. But with his eyesight, the dark was no concern to him. He looked at the smartwatch and saw a small map displayed on the screen. A blinking dot indicated the genetic signatures given off by the Codex.
He swam forward, seeking out the creature that had once been his friend, his teammate. Koji tried to ignore the feelings that were plaguing him. His outburst earlier had more to do with his own misgivings about what they were planning. He didn’t want to give up his only daughter, or possibly even his wife.
And if that meant also sacrificing the world to the Kotharians…?
“Selfish bastard…
” he muttered under his breath, garbled by the water.
The dot grew closer. Sharkskin continued his search and finally he saw what he was looking for. Lying on the ocean floor was a sleek, metal man. Sharkskin swam towards it, but moved slow.
As he approached, the Codex stirred. Sharkskin nearly jumped back, prepared for a fight. But it was only that little stir and now the Codex seemed motionless once more. Sharkskin gave it another moment before he swam down.
Bracing his legs on the ocean floor, he lifted the metal construct in his arms. Sharkskin studied the featureless face, still not completely believing that this was once Zenith.
He sprung up, kicking his legs rapidly as he swam for the surface. His head broke through and he looked to see a jump-ship hovering close to the water. Sharkskin raised the Codex’s head out of the water to show he had him and Shift piloted the ship closer.
A hatch opened on the side of the plane and Pulse stood there. He reached his hands out and raised both Sharkskin and the Codex from the water, gently bringing them back inside the jump-ship.
Once the hatch closed, Shift piloted the craft back to the Icarus. They set down inside the hangar and emerged to find the rest of the team waiting. Pulse used his powers to hold the Codex in place and set it down in the center of the room.
Chronos took a few, cautious steps towards the Codex. He exchanged looks with everyone in the room, then knelt down by the Codex’s side. Raising the gauntlet to his face, he activated a few commands and then placed his hand on the Codex.
“You sure this is gonna work?” Pulse whispered to Cache. The response was Cache tapping his finger to his lips.
Chronos felt his suit powering up, the tachyons ready for deployment. The particles flowed through his suit and into the palm of his hand. The same method he used for transporting himself through time was now directed into the Codex’s body.
The Codex convulsed as blue energy surrounded every inch of his body. All of Vanguard took a few steps back, but Chronos remained in place, his hand never moving.
Next came a bright, blinding flash of light. And once it faded, the Codex was gone. Chronos rose to his feet. He entered a few more commands into his gauntlet and his helmet projected diagnostic information into his retina.
“Well?” asked the Analyst.
“I think we’re good,” he said. “I set a loop on the Codex. He’ll flash in different periods, never remaining more than a half-second. If anyone sees him, they’ll likely dismiss it as their mind playing tricks on them.”
“And you?” asked Talon, moving closer to Chronos.
“All systems normal. I’m ready to go.” He caught sight of Talon, for what he was certain would be the last time. Almost immediately, he looked away.
“You’re sure this will work?” asked Gunsmith.
Chronos looked up at him and nodded. Then he glanced at the Analyst, transmitting a thought to him. “I’ll remember everything you told me. I promise.”
“Then perhaps we should get started,” said the Analyst, a knowing look in his eye after picking up Chronos’ thought. He also transmitted it to Gunsmith, who gave a nod.
“Kind of envy you,” said Sharkskin as he shook Chronos’ hand. “You’ll get to see me when I was young and handsome.”
“And when was that exactly?” asked Cache with a chuckle. Sharkskin grunted in response.
“It’ll be tough convincing us of what you’re there to do, but give us a chance,” said Shift.
Chronos nodded. “I will.”
“Good luck. And if you run into me in the past, tell me to move to an island somewhere,” said Pulse.
“Nice knowin’ you, kid,” said Ink. “Try not to get ambushed this time, okay?”
Chronos flashed Ink a smile and then his gaze connected with Tuwa, who remained stoic and away from the rest of the group. She stared at him and said, “Don’t screw this up.”
“I’ll try and remember that, thanks.” Chronos raised his gauntlet and entered in the commands for the date the Analyst and Gunsmith had specified. He took a deep breath. “Okay, everyone might want to step back.”
The words CHRONAL EMITTER INITIATED flashed across his visor. A blue light emerged from his armor, surrounding him in a bright aura. It continued to grow in size and intensity and then flashed, filling the entire hangar.
When the light faded, so had Chronos.
EPILOGUE
Jim Ellis approached the door, knocking lightly on its surface. The door slid open for him and he saw the Analyst sitting behind a desk, staring at a computer monitor. Jim walked closer, but the Analyst didn’t even look up to acknowledge his presence. It felt oddly like the old days when Jim would enter Colonel Thorne’s office.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Yes.” The Analyst pointed to the screen. “Tell me, what do you see there?”
Jim circled around the desk and peered over the Analyst’s shoulder. What he saw was the stasis pod that the Codex had been in when they first captured it.
“This surveillance footage?”
“It is. From just before the Codex was unleashed.”
“So you think someone activated it?”
“Keep watching.”
Jim did as he was told. He gasped when he saw himself approach the stasis pod and activate it. The pod opened and the Codex stepped out. He looked at Jim for a brief moment, transformed to attack—yet didn’t—and then left, traveling up the elevator shaft.
Jim took a few steps back, his hand instinctively reaching to his side for one of his blasters. But he wasn’t in his armor. The Analyst turned his chair to face him.
“That—that wasn’t me!”
The Analyst rose from his seat. “We’ve had a mole among us for some time. They tipped off Cerberus to our assault on Proximo, they knew of Chronos’ presence among our team and his purpose here, and they unleashed the Codex on us. More than that, I believe they have been among us for a very, very long time.”
“You can’t think it was me!”
“I scanned the minds of my entire team, explored them thoroughly for any conditioning, and I found nothing. So what does that tell you?”
The Analyst stepped closer, until he was just inches from Jim’s face. He stared right into Jim’s cybernetic eye and then said, in a telepathic voice, “We’ve made a terrible mistake, Jim.”
The Analyst turned away and returned to his chair. Jim blinked his remaining eye. “What?”
“The timestamp on the video,” said the Analyst. “Unless you have developed the ability to clone yourself, you couldn’t have activated the Codex. Because this was the time when you and I were preparing Chronos for his mission.”
Jim breathed in relief. “Jesus, don’t scare me like that!” But then another realization hit him. “Oh god…tell me that video was doctored in some way…”
“I’m afraid not.” The Analyst sat down, a grim look falling over his features. “Shift is the mole.”
20 - FUTURE'S END
CHAPTER 1
Erin Asano emerged from the elevator, looking around the darkened meeting room. She saw only one person sitting at the circular table with the large V engraved in the center. The Analyst, still in the body of the Khagan, his elbows propped on the surface and his hands clasped together. Behind him, Jim Ellis stood with his arms folded across his chest.
“What’s going on?” she asked, her yellow eyes bouncing between the two of them. “You wanted to see me?”
“We have a bit of a problem, Erin,” said the Analyst. “We know that there’s been a mole inside our organization for some time.”
“Maybe even longer than we thought,” added Jim.
Erin had started slowly backing towards the elevator, something she wasn’t even aware she was doing. “What are you talking about?”
“Cerberus knew we planned to attack Proximo and steal the tachyon generator. They turned our mission into a trap by replacing the tachyon generator with Lucent. They knew I was working with James. They knew
everything we did about Chronos. And they somehow managed to activate the Codex while it was locked up in the bowels of our ship without any outside connection.”
“But you scanned us all,” said Erin. “You said no one had their minds tampered with.”
“That is true. When I scanned everyone, their psychic signatures were unchanged,” said the Analyst as he rose from his chair. “But what I didn’t count on was that the conditioning was so deeply rooted and had gone back to before I’d touched any of your minds.”
Erin furrowed her brow. “What are you talking about?”
“A master psychic, someone who’d been trained in the use of his abilities since childhood by those with great skill, would conceivably be capable of mentally manipulating someone on such a deep, subconscious level that the subject wouldn’t even know they were being controlled. That the conditioning would be so powerful, it would make the subject think they were making their own decisions. And then after they did whatever they were conditioned to do, they would have no memory of the event.”
“Someone like General M’Lak,” said Jim.
“M’Lak? So you think he’s done that to one of our teammates?” asked Erin.
The Analyst and Jim took a few steps closer to Erin. She took a few steps further back.
“There were two people who came into contact with him during the initial invasion, before I’d joined the team,” said the Analyst. “You and your husband.”
She stood firm, her face taking on a hard edge. “You can’t tell me you think Koji’s the mole.”
“That’s not what we’re saying at all.” Jim held a hand out. “Just let us help you, Erin. We can handle this peacefully.”
“No one blames you for what’s been done to you,” said the Analyst.
She laughed. “Is this a joke? You think I’m the mole?”
“The surveillance footage of the Codex’s release showed that James was the one to activate it,” said the Analyst. “But there’s just one problem with that—he was with Chronos and myself at that time. So there was no way he could be in two places at once.”
Vanguard: Season Four: A Superhero Adventure Page 20
