Ever-Life the Two Book Set: The C.P.T Incident and Time Trust

by Andrew Sarkady

  Jake’s eyes darted back and forth between the chamber and the Carrier. He could see that something was happening to Semitri. He yelled at Stevens, “We have to get out of here! Come on!”

  Real-Brock had already looked at it all and ran, before anyone else. He made it out the door on the other side of the room, just as the first explosion hit. It came from within the Carrier. The room shook wildly. Burns and Stevens were knocked over, but able to get back up. As they did, they saw the two men in the chamber begin to disintegrate.

  “My God,” Stevens said. “We have to get them out! They have their clothes on.”

  “Come on!” Jake yanked and pulled at Stevens. “We have to go!”

  They ran back through the other door and up the hallway, as fast as they could. When they reached the tunnel passage to the surface, they heard a second loud explosion. Jake and Stevens just made it out of the shed to the school parking lot, when the shaking knocked them off their feet. The ground vibrated and they watched an area of at least four square blocks cave down a good eight feet.

  “Holy Mother of God,” Stevens said.

  Jake whispered to himself, “Gordon…?” He yanked at Stevens again. “Come on; we have to go!”

  But as he turned around, Jake stopped dead in his tracks.

  “Christ, the limo; it’s gone…Shit! Come on, my car is around front.”

  **********

  Meanwhile, at the same time, within the time anomaly, which had trapped Angie Bellos; Angie had made her way back to the courtroom, alone. She was scared, and worse, she left her Knofer, somewhere in the jail cell with Dave Marshall and Brian. She had been looking arduously for the sweet-spot in room 210. Exhausted and fatigued, she sat helplessly in the witness stand, sobbing, when the first rumble came. It sounded like thunder, far away. Then, room began to vibrate, as if an earthquake hit. She grabbed the wooden arms of the chair and hung on. As she stood up, terrified, looking left and right, she saw it. Quivering out of the corner of her eye, while everything was shaking out of control, a two-foot round, rotating space, right in front of her, was the sweet-spot. It wasn’t a blur at all. It was the only thing in the room in focus. She only had seconds to decide. She lunged and leapt into it; and she fell into the arms of Brian Sheldon, knocking him over onto the courtroom floor. He fell down on his back with Angie on top of him.

  “Okay, okay, Jesus! Angie?”

  She looked at him; and, instinctively, grabbed his head and kissed him hard. He tried to push her away; but she clung to him, smothering him, “Oh my God, is it you? Is it really you?”

  Her kisses became tender and he returned them. He turned her over and pushed into her. “Yes…It’s me. Where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you. I decided to come back here, hoping to find something. Your father is crazy, worried about you.”

  “Wait; am I here; I mean, really here?”

  Brian chuckled, “Well; we were out on the steps, and then you were gone; vanished.”

  Angie started kissing him again. “Well I don’t plan on vanishing again, anytime soon. Come here you!”

  Chapter 29

  Blood Results

  Thom Wheeler finished his blood analysis of their visitor, Andrew, and sent it, via Knofer, to the GGM. While riding in Allenfar, Bellos examined it and called Wheeler right back.

  “Thom, I see it; but I’m not sure I believe it?”

  “The analysis is solid.”

  “We can’t send him back.”

  “We couldn’t if we wanted to. The question is; what do we do with him?”

  “Well, we are all taught that genetics make the difference, around here; any suggestions?”

  “We sound like two idiots, Sir.”

  “Just thinking out loud; purely a reaction; maybe I should take him up to the surface, and give him a new life there.”

  “I doubt that would work; but it’s your decision.”

  “Did you double check this?”

  “I ran the normal blood tests and our genetic screening; then the comparative analysis. Based on recent events, and those analyses, there’s no doubt, at all.”

  “Well, someone has to explain it all to him; we owe him that, at least.”

  “Sir, it should come from you.”

  “Yes; I suppose.”

  “Oh, and about your daughter, Angie; she’s on her way home.”

  “You made my day. I’ll have to tell Jake you beat him, on this one. His message is coming in now…What’s the status of Rachel?”

  “I have the reports here. She is still in a deep coma; our doctors discovered she has the same crippling gene as Swanson.”

  “Crap! That reminds me; any news on Gordon? Oh wait; hold on, Jake’s message is coming in now…Swanson is…Gordon is gone; lost in the explosions.”

  “What? I’m sorry Mathew. Is there anything I can do?”

  Bellos sat down in silence; and, after a moment, he answered, “No; I don’t think so. I will get the details from Jake. Keep all this quiet, for now. I am on my way to the Bering Straits to contract the tunnel negotiations. Then, I’m going to Arden to undergo the C.P.T. for the Post Controllers. I’ll come back to Giza, after that, to host the funeral. Talk to Patty; ask if she would like to make any arrangements.”

  “I will.”

  “Go see our visitor, Andrew, and take him to Argone Villa, in the Masters’ Cave. That should make him feel at home, if that’s possible. I’ll see him later.”

  “Fine, but I don’t think anything is going to satisfy him but the truth.”

  Chapter 30

  Bellos and Mr. Andrew

  The huge Master’s Cave was roughly eight miles below Giza. It was thought of, by most, to be the first one found, within the entire Time Trust Post 2. It was over 1000ft high and approximately a mile in diameter. There were meadows of strange and beautiful flowers, and rolling hills bounding a fresh water lake. On one side of the lake’s beachfront, lay the rock etched, stunning Argone Villa. The Villa was the most plush of vacation resorts in the Master’s Cave. And it was a get-away spot, for the GGM. One of the living quarters, was 3500 sq ft., which could be compared to, the best of the best, real-estate overlooking the most beautiful waterfront landscapes on the ancient French Riviera.

  Thom Wheeler had just finished giving the time travel visitor, Mr. Andrew, a tour of the grounds; and, they sat down to sip ice tea, in the log cabin living room area. Wheeler began educating the new guest, reviewing some of Ever-Life’s etiquette, traditions and history.

  “I have a lot to learn. It’s all so new and different.”

  “A little over 980 years worth of learning, I’d say, hah!”

  “I appreciate you taking the time. It is mind boggling; hard to believe. What are the odds of getting me back, to where I belong?”

  They heard the door latch, and in walked Mathew Bellos.

  “Hi you two…Boy coming here does take away the stress of the day.”

  Bellos slowly walked toward Andrew, and answered his question to Wheeler,

  “Unfortunately, if we could send you back; I’m pretty sure you would be dead.”

  Andrew squinted. “I didn’t think of that. I was just talking about going home…So; now what happens to me?”

  Bellos nodded to Wheeler, “Tom, can I join you? Fix me something, eh?”

  “Sure.”

  Bellos sat down in one of the three high back chairs. “I’m not sure. We are in unknown territory with you, I’m afraid.”

  Wheeler handed Bellos a tea, as Andrew said, “That’s not too comforting.”

  “Have you had a chance to see much here; get a feeling for how we do things?”

  “No; not that much. The way Thom explains things, it’s quite a different political system; but free enterprise is alive and well down here; as far as I can tell.”

  “Yes it is, quite similar to many places you are familiar with; I’m sure.”

  Bellos sipped, put his Knofer on the coffee table and talked to it, “Get me Malcolm
Aldridge.”

  Within seconds, Malcolm’s image began to grow from the Knofer.

  “Hello Mathew; good to see you.”

  “Good to see you too.”

  “I’m sorry about Gordon. Of course, I will be at the funeral.”

  “Thank you. Malcolm, I called, because I need a favor.”

  “Just ask.”

  “I have a friend here. Say hi, to Andrew. He’s an author, among other things. He’s looking for a permanent residence.”

  “Ah, how do you do?”

  “Well, thanks; at times…Nice to meet you.”

  “You have good friends, in high places.”

  “Apparently; this is all pretty new to me. Forgive me, I’m a bit overwhelmed.”

  “Relax; it’s fine. Now, would you like to meet; perhaps tomorrow; and we can discuss looking at some housing?”

  “Fine with me; all right.”

  “Malcolm, he’s staying at the Argone, in HS-3783. By the way; we are broadcasting Gordon’s funeral tomorrow.”

  “That’s fine…Andrew, how about I pick you up around 9:30, in the morning.”

  Andrew suddenly seemed uneasy.

  “Funeral; what funeral?”

  “Malcolm, perhaps you could bring Andrew to the ceremony. I have a lot to do. I’d be in your debt.”

  “I’ll be glad to. It will give us time to chat.”

  “I appreciate that; thank you.”

  “Well then; see you in the morning; be well…Nice to hear from you, Mathew.”

  The Knofer cut the call. Bellos took a breath and turned to Wheeler.

  “Give us a moment; will you, Thom?”

  “Sure...”

  Wheeler extended his hand and Andrew shook it.

  “Thanks for everything.”

  “See you later, Andrew.”

  Bellos was rarely tongue tide; hover, in this case, he fumbled, obviously, “There is something else, you and I have to discuss.”

  Andrew sat back down. Bellos took several folded pieces of paper out of his back pocket, and handed them across to Andrew.

  “What’s this?”

  “You should read those.”

  Bellos rose, walked to the bar and asked, “Would you like a drink?”

  “Okay, any Potato Vodka.”

  “You and Jake…I’ll make it two…Strait or with ice?”

  “Ice, please.”

  Andrew began reading, “Let’s see; it says, ‘Blood Test Evaluation and Analysis; born 1/07/1946; Death-Unknown’; that’s interesting; ‘Ever-Life Citizen, 6/04/2999; Sponsor, Relative: GGM Mathew J. Bellos’…Relative?”

  Bellos walked back with two glasses and handed one to him. The GGM offered a toast, saying, “It seems we have more in common than we realized. Bottoms up.”

  They both gulped the drinks; and then, Bellos walked back over to the bar. “You may need another, before we are through…

  …Originally, when you appeared here, there were three of you; all the same; you, in each of those different rooms; but, each of you were different ages.”

  “I remember.”

  “Well; you got here as a result of an event, the original Sidron event, which, I am sure you will learn, was triggered by a combination of factors. But, after all has been analyzed, primarily, you are here, because of our genetic ties. We are related; sort of…Let me explain?”

  “I have time.”

  “A very narcissistic man, named Marion Brock is very power hungry. He devised a plan to go back in time, to gather as much power as he could. However, he forgot at least one thing…”

  “What’s that?”

  “…My ties, as GGM, with the Carriers. Even though his personal Carrier friend blocked communications with its own kind, I did go through their ‘ceremony’. That meant that all Carriers became tied to my DNA; and, mine to theirs. Additionally, you and I are both entwined genetically. So, when Mr. Brock’s Carrier triggered the original Sidron event, it linked to my DNA and that linked you to the event; understand?”

  “Woe…Even if I understood what you are saying, my first reaction would be, I have-had, relatives too, who existed all the way up to you. What about their DNA?”

  “There are specific genetic markers that fluctuate and can be either lost or intensify, across generations; bridge, so to speak. We confirmed this ‘bridging’just recently, through new discoveries on the surface, as a matter of fact. Anyway, they can reappear again. It’s much like the evolution of spontaneous genetic jumping. Certain genes can lay dormant and after a time, spark massive genome rearrangements.”

  “Sounds above my pay grade.”

  “Believe me; our shared genetic sequences are very powerful, when put together in particular ways. And that is what happened.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “Exactly!”

  Bellos put his glass on the bar and began gesturing to make his point. “They are specific, only to you and me, ‘as the result’ of my becoming GGM. They are very powerful; especially when you include Carrier inputs. There is something involved in all this called ‘a compatibility’. When I became GGM, I became ‘compatible’ with all Carriers, not just one.”

  “You realize; I have no idea what you are talking about.”

  “I’ll tell you a little secret. I come from the surface. I really prefer slowing things down, and actually talking; rather than poof. All of a sudden, you know it all.”

  “Poof, huh; okay; whatever that means; or perhaps, this is just pretty good vodka?”

  “That it is…I can see, we will have to get into much more detail about this, for you to really understand. For now, let me say, there are certain genetic markers of mine and yours that, together, across the barrier of time, were stressed. Brock’s sustenance, altogether, with his Carrier’s wherewithal, and with his ancestor, Nicolas’s wherewithal; and yours and mine, created a power surge within the Sidron.”

  “Sidron; I’ll have to look it up…So you are saying, without our combined markers, I would be dead right now.”

  “Interesting way of putting it; yes.”

  “Can it happen again, to someone else?”

  “Well, it has never happened before. Who’s to say? Here, within Ever-Life, genetics are everything. It seems; I can’t send you back, even if I could.”

  “So, I start over again…”

  Andrew stood thinking, across from Bellos at the bar.

  “…And we are related?”

  “You are empty again… another drink?”

  “Definitely! What do I call you, distant brother, or am I your grandfather’s grandfather’s, grandfathers ancestor?”

  “We will have to ask Thom. He’s keeper of the records.”

  Bellos poured again and quipped, “Well, if you are anything like I was, when Gordon hired me, you are going to be saying ‘what’ quite a lot.”

  “So you’re hiring me?”

  “Hell, no! Maybe nominate you for something.”

  “Perhaps I should take some notes?”

  Bellos chuckled, “Don’t bother; I’ll have to repeat this one several times, before I understand it, myself.”

  “You know, standing here like this, with you; it reminds me of conversations I had, a very long time ago…”Andrew got a tear in his eye. “…Subject for another conversation.”

  Bellos sighed and got a look of uncertainty on his face. “I’m not quite sure how to begin or where to start. Have you ever been to Washington D.C. or Mexico City?”

  “Yes; D.C. several times, with family; but only to Mexico City once, alone, for about ten days; I was on the job. I was impressed with the catacombs.”

  Bellos’s eyes opened wide. “Ah, yes, one of our first Posts, in the America’s; then, are you familiar with underground structures?”

  “Not really; what do you mean, Posts?”

  “Hmm, did you know Washington D.C. was built on a catacomb foundation too, quite similar to this cave structure really
?”

  “What ?”

  Bellos giggled, “There’s that word again…I’ll tell you what; on second thought, I think it would be more prudent if we talked, after you put one of these on, again.”

  He pulled a headset out, from behind the bar and held it up to Andrew. “Remember this?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact.”

  “Right; good.”

  Bellos placed the set over Andrew’s ear. “Wear it like that; there. Now just relax. This will only take a minute. You will probably understand more this way… We have to do something, about losing the art of conversation….After you’re done, we will talk more.”

  Andrew sipped on his drink, as the inputs began

  Chapter 31

  The Funeral

  A crowd of several thousand lined all around Ever-Life’s Grand Arcade, in Giza’s Time Trust chasm. People and dignitaries from every Post came to pay respects to the most progressive and successful GGM in the history of the colonies, Gordon Swanson. Funeral ceremonies were celebrated once a month, and broadcast to every monitor in all colonies. One 15 minute period was set aside to honor all those, who passed away, within the Ever-Life community. However; today was the first funeral, which included a GGM in 200 years. So, it would be a little different, and a little longer. People had never seen adult Carriers lined up and down the grand chasm. In Amphitheater’s throughout Ever-Life’s eight Posts, sat various families and friends of other dearly departed. At Giza were the close friends of Gordon Swanson; and in Arden, New Mexico, were the family and friends of Abby Johnson, and so on. Ceremonies were usually broadcast to the local residences; but, today, Mathew Bellos would speak in honor of Gordon Swanson, and that short service would be broadcast throughout the colonies. The service was scheduled for late-afternoon. Jack and Brian Sheldon had arrived by special Carrier Bubble to attend. He met with Bellos, privately, before the ceremony.

  “Jack, glad you made it. How’s Rachel?”

  “Not good. She’s still in a deep coma. Thanks for the use of Dr. LuAnne and the labs, though. I’m not sure what to do. LuAnne says neither Nanites nor the new C.P.T. has worked on her this time. She’s in a place I can’t go. Your team did confirm; she has the same crippling gene Gordon did.”