by Jan Eira
“What are you saying?” Valerie looked at him. “You won’t want to marry me?”
“I don’t know yet. I met you only today. I do feel some attraction toward you. You seem to be pretty neat. And cool.”
“I’ll tell you a secret, if you promise not to tell Doug.” She smiled. “I think you’re cute.”
“So, we’ll get married in the future,” said Brent.
“I don’t know, anymore,” said Ellie. “This is so confusing. All of it. Right now, Brent, I think of you as my best friend. Same thing with William. Closer than brothers, even. But I can’t reach that far into the future to say.”
“I must confess that I’ve always had a huge crush on you.” Brent pointed the light at her face for a moment. “I can see us getting married and living together all our lives. Hopefully, we can change the future, and our lives will last longer than their destined to last now.”
“It’s strange. When I look into old Brent’s eyes, I do see how much he loves me and how drawn to him I am. But he is you. So, let’s finish this deal and save the whole world first. Then let’s focus on our own world—yours and mine.”
“I’m very excited about our future,” said Brent. “We must succeed today. We must contaminate Enoxadin.”
They walked for several minutes.
Brent broke the silence. “Regardless of what happens with our mission, knowing what we know now may change some of our future lifeline.” He looked at Ellie. “It looks like we spend our professional lives working on saving lives with Enoxadin and to make it from a preparation you have to give into a coronary artery to a prophylactic pill, right?”
“Yeah.”
“But if we succeed today, Enoxadin won’t exist in the future in the way it existed. So what will we do? And how will that change our lives?”
She stopped walking. “Brent, will you please kiss me?”
He walked back to her; embraced her; and then shared the most wonderful, tender kiss each of them could possibly fathom. They would never forget it.
Detective Sparks walked into the Coroner’s Office and searched for the medical examiner.
“Dr. Elias Chung,” he said as he stepped inside. “How are you on this fine day?”
“If it isn’t the Spark,” said Dr. Chung. “What do you want this time?”
“Have you done my three dead bodies?”
“There was a pileup on the interstate, with two deaths. I’m working those up. There’s some chance the accident may have been caused by drugs or a heart attack by one of the drivers. I was asked by the chief of police to do those first—you know, your boss, the guy who signs your paychecks. You might have heard of him.”
“Half the time, he makes no sense to me,” said Detective Sparks. “When can you get to mine? Three murders should take precedence over a motor vehicle accident, in my book.”
“Well, the guy who caused the accident is the father of the chief’s neighbor. The question is, did he have a heart attack, or was he drinking again or taking pills? Apparently, there’s a history of—”
“That’s great, Doc. When can you get to mine?”
“I’ll do the autopsy next. I did visually examine them briefly before they got stuck in the fridge. No marks on them at all, except, of course, needle marks from shooting up. No bullets, no wounds, no cuts at first look. Nothing. I’m telling you already, these three fine citizens died from injecting God-knows-what into their veins. I’ve sent blood and urine for tox screening. We’ll have preliminary in a few hours. I’ll take a look at their insides here in a while. I’ll call you.” He rubbed his belly. “First, I got to go get something to eat, or someone will be placing me next to your dead bodies in the reefer, and you’ll have another one to work up. Don’t call me, I’ll call you.”
“Hurry up, Doc. We’re trying to catch the bad guys, and I’d like to know how these punks were killed before I catch the murderers.”
Dr. Chung postured to speak, but the detective immediately interrupted. “I know, I know. Drugs killed them. But be sure, OK? I want evidence, not gut feeling.”
Detective Sparks walked hurriedly to his car. He entered and sped away, with a cell phone in his hand.
“Hesmer, what’s your status? Is everything ready?”
“We’re in position and ready. No sign of the perps yet.”
“They’re armed and dangerous. Let your men know not to take any chances. I almost lost five good cops today. Let’s not lose any more.”
“Supreme Pharmaceuticals is surrounded on all sides, and the laboratory itself is guarded to the hilt. Most of my men here are sharpshooters, and we’re all heavily armed. If the perps come here tonight, there is no way they’ll get out alive.”
CHAPTER 29
Older Brent sat inside the cave alone. A lantern on a rock provided dim illumination.
“Not another chill,” he whispered, his body beginning to shudder. “Not now. Please, not now.”
He removed two pills from a bottle and swallowed them. He took a towel and submerged it in a bucket of cold river water. He wiped his forehead, and the coolness eased his body’s aches. Another coughing fit led to more bloody streaks on the tissue. His whole body shivered again.
Brent, William and Valerie walked melancholically into Brent’s living room.
“I’m going to miss her, too,” said Valerie. Behind her, William nodded.
“We have to continue as planned,” said Brent. “I have to travel to the past and see if we can change the way things happened.”
“Unfortunately, we just lost our time-traveling guru,” said William.
“She had everything ready for me to go back,” said Brent. “It’s all set. Ellie and I had talked a lot about the trip. She thinks”—he wiped a tear—“she thought the main capsule was ready for human travel. She experimented with small animals, and they all traveled well back in time. The other issue is the disorientation.”
“Ellie was working on a medication to ease or prevent the time-travel disorientation,” said Valerie. “I’ve been helping her with it, but it’s not quite ready for use yet.”
“Brent, you won’t be able to come back to the present,” said William. “I wish Ellie had had time to work on the return trip, but…”
They all bowed their heads.
“Have you decided about the exact point in time you’ll be traveling to?” asked Valerie.
“Ellie and I reviewed multiple computer models and decided on that camping trip the three of us went on by the river. It was my sixteenth birthday, remember?”
Valerie smiled. “How can I forget that wonderful day? That’s where I met my life companion. And my lifesaver.” She kissed William on the lips and gazed into his eyes.
William turned to Brent. “What about your viral infection? You’ll have only a couple of weeks to accomplish our goals, unless the virus dies during transport, which is probable.”
“Or its replication slows down significantly,” said Valerie. “One out of five computer models actually predicted that would happen. The viral replication becomes so slow that your immune system can fight it off and get you free of the infection altogether.”
“The truth of the matter is that this is unchartered territory,” said Brent. “We don’t know exactly what will happen. One of the computer models predicted that viral replication would speed up.” He sighed. “For one thing, if we’re successful in destroying Enoxadin, our future will most definitely change. Who knows what that will look like, but I’m sure it’ll bring new challenges, new victories, and—”
“You don’t have to do this, Brent,” said William.
Valerie nodded. “Too much risk. Too many unknowns. You don’t have to go.”
Brent walked toward the window. “Look at the world we’ve created. Billions of people will die over the next few weeks, and the world will come to an end. Apocalypse.
I must do this. We don’t have a choice.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t have a choice.”
The three friends looked at one another. They knew he was right.
“Brent,” said Valerie. “Enoxadin became what it is today because of my life’s work.”
“This is not your fault, Valerie,” said William. “Your invention allowed the manufacture of Enoxadin in pill form. You saved millions of people worldwide from having heart attacks and strokes. If it weren’t for the vasculopathic human virus—”
“I know, William. I know,” said Valerie. “Still, if Enoxadin hadn’t been around and taken by so many, this pandemic—this Armageddon—wouldn’t be occurring today.”
“I know what you’re going to say, Valerie,” said Brent. “And no, that is not a scenario I’m willing to play.”
“Now, hear me out, Brent,” she said. “Use it, but only if you absolutely have to.”
“No, Valerie. The answer is no. No way.”
William frowned. “What are you two talking about?”
Valerie looked at him. “William, do you remember how you saved my life that first day we met?”
“Yeah. Go on.”
“Let’s say I died that day. None of this would—”
“You have to be kidding,” William cried out. “Please tell me you’re not serious.”
Brent touched Valerie’s shoulder. “Letting you die back in 2013 is definitely not part of the plan. You and William have a wonderful life together and two wonderful children.” He shook his head.
“I’m not crazy about it, either.” Valerie looked at William and then embraced him.
William kissed her on the forehead. “I know the strategy of tainting Enoxadin is going to work out. I know it will. It has to. Somehow.”
“That’s definitely the plan,” said Brent. “It’ll work.” He managed a weak smile.
A tear escaped Valerie’s eye. “Brent and William, changing one family’s life to save billions seems to be a fair fallback strategy. I wouldn’t trade this happy life we’ve shared for anything less.” William wiped the tear with his thumb, and they kissed again.
“Get a room, you two,” said Brent, grinning. He coughed into a tissue. A tiny blood streak was evident.
“Brent,” Valerie yelled. “I didn’t realize your infection with the vasculopathic human virus was this advanced. You’re already expectorating blood streaks?”
“What’s your viral count?” asked William. “Shit, this complicates matters.”
Valerie passed the pathos scanner over the blood-streaked expectoration on Brent’s tissue and read its display. “Nearly two thousand viral particles.”
Brent cleared his throat. “Now, we’re most definitely running out of time fast. I need to leave tonight. Will the two of you help me gather what I need to take?”
“Of course,” said Valerie. “What can we do?”
“Ellie made me a to-go list with everything I could possibly require to be successful on this mission.”
“Ellie was so awesome. I miss her so much.” Valerie began to sob.
“She will be missed,” said William, embracing her.
“Computer, on,” said Brent.
A pleasant woman’s voice spoke from every nook of the room. “Yes, Dr. Smithson. How may I be of assistance?”
“Computer, send the to-do list to William and Valerie.”
“Searching,” said the voice. “Done. Is there anything else, Doctor?”
“Computer, off.” Brent turned to his friends. “If the two of you will work on getting me all these devices, I’ll get the time-travel capsule ready for tonight and take it to the launching site, which has to be near the campsite where we celebrated my sixteenth birthday. I’ll set up north of there by the river. Let’s meet there this evening. The coordinates are on the to-do list.”
Several miles away, Zach and Mackenzie sat on a bed, listening to the conversation through a previously positioned clandestine unit in the Smithson’s home.
“We’ll see you later by the river’s edge,” said William’s voice emerging from the spying device. Mackenzie reached over and turned it off.
“I was afraid this might become a strategy,” she said.
“If mother is allowed to die in 2013, we’ll never have lived at all,” said Zach.
“But if Uncle Brent decides that our mother should die back then, that means nothing else worked out.”
Zach thought. “We need to take matters into our own hands. We need to make sure something other than killing our mother works in destroying Enoxadin.”
“What can we do?”
“What if we went back in time ourselves to try to get rid of Enoxadin?”
“We certainly can’t leave it to a bunch of teenagers, can we?” Mackenzie paused. “Even if those teenagers are our parents.”
“You worked with Aunt Ellie in the Time-Travel Lab for years. How do we do it?”
“As we developed the time-travel capsule, we worked on a prototype. The capsule is completely ready, and that’s the one Uncle Brent will travel in. The prototype is almost operational, though it still needs a little work. I can probably get it ready to go in a day or two.”
“Will it fit two? I thought you said these were made for one passenger.”
Mackenzie nodded. “One passenger, yes. Because we’re twins, we have identical genetics. We’ll have to squeeze into one traveler suit, which adapts to different body sizes. I think we both can fool the computer to think the two of us are one person. I think we can both fit into the largest setting of the suit.” She took a deep breath. “It’s a bit risky. We never tried to transport two. But, theoretically, it should work.”
“What other equipment do we need? Aunt Ellie had me confiscate a neural synapse depolarizer from the police station. I can get us one, too.”
Mackenzie smiled. “Good thing you’re in the police academy, Zach. I have the list Aunt Ellie wrote up for Uncle Brent. We’ll duplicate it. I know she’s thought this through many times.”
Zach exhaled. “OK. Let’s do this.”
An alarm resonated loudly throughout the cave. Older Brent, enveloped in a couple of wool blankets, struggled to get up and reach the device. He pushed a button.
“Ellie here,” said Ellie’s voice. “We’re now out of the city limits, entering a road that leads to Supreme Pharmaceuticals. The road appears deserted.”
“You’re three miles from the plant,” said older Brent. “Once you’re within a half a mile from it, I’ll be able to gather intelligence about the building, security, and so on.”
“This is going to be a piece of cake,” said William.
“I hope you’re right,” said older Brent. “I really hope you’re right.”
“How are you feeling?” asked Ellie.
“Unfortunately, I began to cough again, and my headache is returning. And I’ve had several hard shivers. If I lose consciousness or become confused, I won’t be able to guide you. If that happens, stop and return to a safe place immediately. Do not continue on your own without my guidance. Is that clear?”
“Yes,” said three hesitant voices.
“Brent,” said Ellie. “With all due respect, I think we need to make that call here.”
“I don’t want you to take any unnecessary chances, kids. We’ll get this done in a safe and—” He erupted into loud coughing.
Less than a mile away from the plant, the teens continued riding southbound. Because of a group of thick bushes and trees and the darkness of the night, they never saw the black van they passed. The vehicle was parked in the woods, facing the road.
“Detective Sparks,” one of the van’s two men said into a walkie-talkie. “A Lexus just passed us here on watch-point alpha going toward the main building. Four occupants seen.”
“Ten four, alpha,” said Detective
Sparks. “All watch points, be advised the target is approaching Supreme Pharmaceuticals. I repeat, the target is approaching. Stand ready. The four kids are armed and dangerous. I repeat, they are armed and dangerous. Be prepared to return fire. If necessary, shoot to kill.”
CHAPTER 30
Valerie and the others arrived at the Supreme Pharmaceuticals campus. The parking lot was deserted. Islands of brighter illumination surrounded each of the multiple lampposts scattered throughout.
“Good, there’s nobody here,” said younger Brent.
“Where do the security staff park?” asked Valerie. “It’s almost too deserted.”
They heard older Brent in their ears. “Hang on, kids. I’m checking the area and the building, outside and inside. Give me a minute. Stay put.”
Outside, the wind gently rocked the car back and forth. Most windows of the large edifice were dark, with a few casting light. The main entrance led into a large foyer, which was well illuminated.
Older Brent’s voice was nearly trembling. “Kids, you’re surrounded by cops on all sides. All access roads are blocked. They’re on to you. They’ve been waiting to ambush you.”
“What do you want us to do?” asked Ellie.
“What’s our best way out?” asked William.
“Leave the car,” said older Brent. “Take all the devices I gave you and the drug to taint the Enoxadin container and run away into the woods to the west of your present location. I’ll guide you away from the police. Go now. Run!”
Within a few seconds, the kids were out of the car and sprinting into the darkness of the forest.
“I need you to make a slight correction to your present path. Change direction a little bit, five degrees to your left. Run into the woods in that direction.”
Behind them, multiple vehicles were approaching fast. The headlights brightened their backs, throwing giant shadows in front of them.
“You’re almost at the woods. Run faster.”
