by Adair Hart
Emily chuckled as she went to the replicator station. On the larger station, she replicated a plate with some raw meat and a large bowl of water. She placed them on the ground and waved her finger between the krall and the plate and bowl.
The krall dipped her head and sniffed around the meat.
Emily patted her on the head.
The krall raised her head a bit, then dove into the meat and took large gulps of water.
“Whoa,” said Dr. Snowden. “I think she was famished.”
“I think so,” said Emily. She got two plates with a burger and fries and some soda and headed toward the conference table. “I got us both something to eat, unless your diet has changed.”
“No, no, you’re fine,” said Dr. Snowden, eyeing the plate she put before him.
She took her seat and started on her burger as V sat next to her. While she was glad to be off the Krotovore ship, the loss of Kri’tokhaar bothered her. Maybe if she had gone with them, Kri’tokhaar would have stuck around. Maybe not, but she would never know. That opportunity was now gone. Although she did not want to admit it to Dr. Snowden, the thought of talking with Dan and Sarah caused butterflies in her stomach. She realized, after she had left with Evaran, that maybe they thought she did not want to be around them.
Dr. Snowden tapped the table with his finger as he eyed her.
Emily smiled. “I’m just taking a cue from you. Thinking.”
He nodded as he continued with his burger.
She smiled at V and Dr. Snowden as she returned to her plate.
Emily surveyed her bedroom. After finishing her late dinner, she wanted to relax a bit. Evaran had joined them when they had finished and said that Levaran was going to show Dan and the others to their temporary rooms. Although she wanted to talk with them, she understood that they were probably exhausted and tempted by the thought of sleeping in a safe environment.
She removed her suit and took a quick shower. Once she was out and had on a light nightgown, she positioned herself on the couch in the main area of her living quarters.
A soft beep echoed above her.
She had not been expecting anyone. “Who is it?”
“Sarah. I heard you might still be up.”
Emily jumped off the couch and headed to the door. After opening it, she saw that Sarah had gotten cleaned up and wore jeans, comfortable shoes, and a light shirt, with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Emily nodded, stood to the side, and gestured for Sarah to come in.
Sarah smiled. “I hope I’m not bothering you.”
“Not at all,” said Emily. “I was just contemplating if I wanted to do some stretching before I went to bed.”
Sarah entered and followed Emily to the main area. After taking a seat in a chair perpendicular to Emily on the couch, she said, “These rooms are amazing.”
“Yeah,” said Emily. “I love them.” She wrinkled her eyebrows. “Where’s Dan and Dr. Bryson?”
Sarah pointed up. “Dan went to the roof to talk with Albert. James said he wanted to pass out, and Levaran wanted to catch up with Evaran. V and Edev are in the holo room.”
“Makes sense,” said Emily. She studied Sarah. The resemblance was uncanny. It struck her that even Sarah’s clothing choice was similar to something that she would have picked out. She chuckled. “I feel like I’m a carbon copy of you, just a bit younger.”
“Yeah, but you’re a lot tougher, smarter, and prettier,” said Sarah.
It was not lost on Emily that Sarah’s response was very motherly. “I wish I had the opportunity to know my version of you. But … I was the cause of her death.” She pulled her lips in.
Sarah smiled. “If she was anything like me, she would have gladly given her life if it meant her child could live.”
Emily fidgeted with her hands. “I know you aren’t my birth mother, but it’s hard not to think, in some way, you are, especially given what I know of how … everything works.”
“I would be honored to have you as my parallel-universe daughter.”
They both laughed.
“That sounds weird, doesn’t it?” asked Sarah.
“Weird is no stranger here. I actually met a pure nanobot version of myself before.”
Sarah’s eyes widened. “Was it just like you, or something different?”
“She was me before … my experience on the prison planet. We had different outlooks on life.”
“Oh,” said Sarah. Her eyes softened. “Albert filled us in a bit on that. It sounds like you had a very rough time there.”
Emily nodded. “Yeah … but it made me stronger.”
Sarah chuckled “That’s definitely a Dan trait. Now, if you play sports and study history, that’s me.”
“Actually … I do both. I’m a history major, or was … until all this.”
Sarah wrinkled her eyebrows. “That’s fascinating. You don’t happen to have any video of your version of me or Dan, do you? My Dan recorded every moment he could, especially the holidays.”
Emily’s eyes lit up. “I brought some with me when we started traveling with Evaran.”
Sarah nodded.
“If you want to see them, I can alter the room to show them. I know you’re probably tired.”
“I’m up for checking some of them out. I’m guessing we’ll be here at least for the next day or so.”
“Okay,” said Emily. “I feel like we need popcorn.”
“Extra butter?” asked Sarah.
Emily smiled. She and her father used to watch the old videos, and he always wanted popcorn with extra butter. Maybe he got that from Sarah. She hopped up, and when she was at the replicator, she noticed that Sarah had jumped over to the couch. Her eyes misted as she wondered if this is what it would have been like growing up and knowing her mom—movie nights with popcorn and soda. Her nostrils flared as she exhaled. With a tray holding two sodas and a bucket of popcorn, she headed back to a smiling Sarah, the couch, and late-night videos.
Dr. Snowden leaned out over the guardrail and gazed at the sun in the distance. Although it was peaceful since the Torvatta was stealthed and a few light-years from the Krotovore ship, he knew how chaotic the universe could be. He ran a hand through one of his gray tufts.
Going to bed like Emily was probably the smart thing to do, but his mind kept going over the events that led up to Kri’tokhaar staying behind. He wondered what he would have done had he been in the same situation. The initial thought was that he would try to make things better, and re-form. Given what he knew of Krotovore, that would be a hard pill to swallow. He jumped when a voice rang out behind him.
“Watching the stars?” asked Dan, joining Dr. Snowden by the guardrail.
Dr. Snowden smirked. “As always. I’m not sure if your Albert had a telescope, but Mom used get on me about sneaking out to use it in the backyard.”
Dan chuckled. “It was the same with our Albert, except that I helped Dad cover for him.”
“Amazing,” said Dr. Snowden, glancing at Dan. “It was the same with the Dan I knew.”
Dan narrowed his eyes. “I know parallel universes are supposed to have … duplicates, but it blows my mind how eerily similar they are. I’m not sure at this point if I could tell the difference, honestly.”
“Same here. I know Emily is looking forward to spending some time with you and Sarah.”
Dan tossed his head back. “Sarah went to visit Emily and see if she was up. V said you were up here, so I came.”
“Let me guess,” said Dr. Snowden, gesturing outward, “James probably went to bed.”
Dan laughed. “Just like college. Every time our Albert and him came to visit, he always passed out early.”
“Yeah,” said Dr. Snowden with a chuckle. “He has a good reason to this time. This whole thing has just been … a surprise. Not just about you and the others, but … other things as well.”
“Like what?”
Dr. Snowden sighed. “I’m not sure what I can and can’t say, but if you travel with Levar
an, I’m sure she’ll tell you. Just be prepared to have your mind blown. I have to pinch myself half the time to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
“That crazy, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“Well … hell. It is what it is. Whatever comes up, I’ll deal with it.”
Dr. Snowden nodded. “Our Dan was always the anchor of the family. Everyone looked up to him as the person with the answers, the rock that never broke.” His eyes misted. “That first year after he was gone was painful.”
“I’m sure you stepped up.”
“I tried,” said Dr. Snowden, frowning. “Emily was a mess. All the cousins went their ways, and well, holidays were just me and Emily, and Chinese takeout.”
“Damn,” said Dan, shaking his head. “In this universe, I still have the big get-together, but with you gone, it was different. Karen came the first few years.”
“I’m surprised that she wasn’t here on the ship with you and the others.”
“What do you mean?” asked Dan.
Dr. Snowden pulled his lips in and swayed his head. “I can’t really get into it, but it sounds like she woulda been chosen, assuming she was James’s wife like in our universe.”
“James’s wife? She was yours. Well, our Albert’s. Unless the Krotovore can raise the dead, that wouldn’t have happened.”
Dr. Snowden jerked his head back. “Come again?”
“Karen killed herself. She simply couldn’t live without you.”
“Oh … ,” said Dr. Snowden. He swallowed hard as he imagined how Dr. Bryson in his universe would have reacted to Karen’s death. “In our universe, I hooked Karen up with James.”
Dan snorted. “This is kind of weird comparing and contrasting parallel lives.”
“Yeah it is, but you know … at least we’re here to do that.”
“Right on,” said Dan. He swept his head around. “This kind of reminds me of being in the backyard with my Albert.”
Dr. Snowden chuckled. “Yeah, all that’s missing is Dad whispering and Mom screaming at everyone when she found out.”
They shared a laugh.
“I forgot how much I missed talking to our Albert,” said Dan as his eyes watered. “Life is … just not the same.”
Dr. Snowden nodded as he drew his lips down. “At least you have Sarah. For me, Emily is around. Sometimes when I talk with her, it’s like I’m talking to our Dan again.”
“She’s tough. Definitely got a spine of steel.”
“And defiant at times. However, she also has a lot of our Sarah’s traits. Compassionate, kind, and wanting to help others. Mix that with the capability to physically enforce it, and you have a tough combo.”
Dan gulped. “She has the best of our traits. What year was she in college?”
“Sophomore.”
“Huh. I’m guessing with this aging thing, she’s put a hold on college since she travels.”
Dr. Snowden nodded. “This is her home.”
“That means it’s yours too,” said Dan.
Dr. Snowden wrinkled his eyebrows.
Dan extended a hand out. “I’m just saying that as close as you two are, her leaving after college would be hard for you. At least here, you get to spend more time with her.”
Dr. Snowden pursed his lips for a moment, then nodded. “She’s all I got left.”
“I hear ya,” said Dan. He turned around and examined the roof. “I wish pizza could be delivered up here.”
Dr. Snowden cleared his throat as he walked to the center of the roof and, using the raised console, summoned two chairs, a small table, and a cardboard plate with a pizza on it. A paper towel roll sat to the side of the box.
Dan’s eyes widened. “Are you shitting me?” He took a whiff and studied the pizza. “Double pepperoni, light sauce, onions, and garlic crust?”
“Yep,” said Dr. Snowden with a smile. “I had it saved in my favorites.”
Dan pointed at Dr. Snowden before taking a seat and grabbing a slice and a paper towel to hold under it. His eyes closed as he took a bite and then chewed slowly. After he swallowed, he said, “This is awesome.”
“If James were up here, he would grab two slices in one go,” said Dr. Snowden.
They both chuckled.
Dr. Snowden took a seat and eased back as he grabbed a slice with a paper towel.
Dan sighed. “This … just seems like such a great adventure.”
“That’s the ironic thing,” said Dr. Snowden. “Our Dan was the adventurer. I knew he would love this and be the first one to sign up. Instead it was me and Emily that went on it. I’m guessing you’re similar to our Dan in regard to the adventuring.”
Dan nodded. “You know it. You really think Levaran will let us travel with her?”
“Count on it. That’s the whole reason we’re here.”
“So we’ll get one of them suits and that magic pen thing you got?”
“Personal support device, or PSD,” said Dr. Snowden. “And yeah, you would get all of that, a place to stay, any food and drink item you can imagine, a room that can create any environment, and, of course, to travel everywhere.”
Dan’s eyes widened. “That’s the adventure of a lifetime.”
Dr. Snowden furrowed his eyebrows. “It has a lot of positives, but it also has some negatives. Coming to grips with your nanobots will be a bit easier, I think.”
“Sarah would come if I went, and I suspect James would too.”
Dr. Snowden chuckled. “James is a lock. Evaran made us wait three months, so not sure if Levaran will do the same for you.”
“Huh,” said Dan. He scrunched his face. “I’m guessing we’re headed back to Earth now.”
Dr. Snowden nodded. “From what Evaran said, the krall gets dropped off, then you three are next. After that, we get Levaran’s ship, then have to deal with the Time Warden timeplex, wherever that is.”
“I wish we could help in some way.”
Dr. Snowden gazed off into the stars. “In time, I’m sure you can. Starting off with something like that, though, would be too intense is my guess.”
Dan followed Dr. Snowden’s gaze. “Yeah, I’m with ya. It makes me wonder if we will do the same things you’ve done, or if it’ll be different.”
“Based on what I’ve seen so far, I suspect it will be different.”
Dan chuckled. “Who knows, maybe we’ll go to a parallel universe and I’ll be where you are, talking to another version of you.”
“It could happen,” said Dr. Snowden. He did not think it would due to the plane form situation, but he figured Dan would understand that in time.
Dan swatted Dr. Snowden’s arm. “I’m just glad it was you who was there when we came out of that simulation thing. It’s made this … a lot easier to digest. It’s going to take a while, but I think we’re going to be okay.”
Dr. Snowden smiled as his chest tightened. Although he knew that he would go back to their own universe, the thought of traveling with parallel Dan, Sarah, and Dr. Bryson as crew members was appealing. He knew Emily would definitely be on board with it. He sighed as he looked out at the stars again. Reality as he knew it was not only strange, it was downright bizarre.
Dr. Snowden stood in the command area, observing Evaran and the others outside saying goodbye to the krall. He had said his goodbye already but knew that for Dan, Sarah, and Dr. Bryson, this was their first opportunity to be on an alien planet.
The previous night with Dan had lifted his spirits. After a good night’s rest, Dr. Snowden had enjoyed breakfast with everyone around. It made things feel festive, although he knew that they had a much tougher goal ahead of them.
A smile formed on his face as he watched Sarah and Emily hug the krall. He had learned that the krall had stayed the night in Emily’s room, as had Sarah. A chuckle escaped his lips as he imagined trying to explain that sleepover to anyone else. Sarah spending time with Emily probably did Emily good. He had not talked to her about her thoughts on it but figured he would after every
one else was dropped off.
He smirked seeing Dr. Bryson looking around outside. It must be like a wonderland to him. Dan was scanning around as well. Dr. Snowden figured it was more for security reasons than wonderment. After the Krotovore ship, he could still sense some apprehension from Dan and the others. He recalled how he felt after their rescue. It took a while to come to grips with everything.
“Analysis. You are deep in thought,” said V.
Dr. Snowden nodded. He thought V would have gone outside like Edev, but V was content to pat the krall on her way out. “I was just thinking about my experience relative to theirs. They’ve taken the first step.” He glanced at V. “I didn’t get to talk with you much since we got back. What’s your take on all of this?”
V’s lights glowed a bit. “It has been interesting. I spent most of my time helping Edev. She was frustrated that she could not help as much as she wanted.”
“I thought she did fine. I mean, that whole spinning and shooting thing. Sure, an additional body could have helped, but honestly, those Time Wardens were tough.”
V nodded. “She has expressed a desire for a body. Her thought was that it may have been more helpful in that situation. I showed her U4’s design, and she liked it.”
“Oh,” said Dr. Snowden with wide eyes. “That’ll be interesting.”
“Query. For what reason?”
“You know,” said Dr. Snowden, gesturing toward Evaran and the others.
V studied them for a moment, then swiveled his head toward Dr. Snowden. “Analysis. You believe Evaran will be sentimental.”
“Maybe,” said Dr. Snowden. He shook his head. “Okay, I get your point. Still, I think it would intrigue him at least.”
“I do have an observation.”
Dr. Snowden shrugged. “Okay. Let’s hear it.”
V paused for a moment, then swiveled his head toward Dr. Snowden. “Kri’tokhaar decided to stay behind. This appeared to bother you, even though a parallel version of Kri’tokhaar was part of the crew that abducted you in our universe.”
Dr. Snowden swallowed hard. “I’ll admit … I wanted to hate him.” He sighed. “But … I was just angry at the situation back then. It’s the same reason I’m not angry at Evaran. That event occurred because it was part of something bigger. Kri’tokhaar was an actor, and as I found out, one whose moral code was against what happened, but he gave his life to make sure it didn’t occur again. I respect that. I didn’t like the decision, but it is what it is. Besides, hate takes a lot of energy.”
