by Kord Stone
Jason winced upon hearing the word carnage and felt guilt rise. He closed his eyes and asked, “How many?”
“It does not matter.”
He remembered there were a lot of ships maybe a hundred and the fact that he and his brother were still alive meant it had to be bad. “I need to know.”
Sighing Alise said, “There were a hundred and five ships, most of which were drones. Thirty had life on them and in the end only one ship remained, the one you hurled into space as a warning I would guess. There were three thousand five hundred people on the ships. Four hundred and ninety-seven were on the ship you cast off. They would have killed both of you and destroyed the other ship if you had not protected yourself. I was about to start doing some damage of my own, but the ship’s weapons console deactivated as I approached it. I almost had the weapons working again, then it went into lockdown.”
Jason needed to tell someone but he didn’t want his brothers to panic and figured Alise would be accepting of his theory. He said, “I don’t think I did that damage. After the engine started, I heard Jerren say it worked, and then I felt something…rage… I didn’t know anything could be that angry. It arose from deep inside me and it was extremely powerful. I felt a moment of immense power, and I lost control of my body. I vaguely remember hearing something, then I blacked out. I don’t know why but I think it was the Imortum Inola using me as a tool, and I had no control over the outcome.”
Alise hugged him tightly. “I was wondering about that myself. When you used the ship before to fend off the attackers, it was powerful but what you did before was nothing like what I witnessed, not to mention the power you used was drained directly from this ship. Your binding disk is not connected to TDS 3 and it had no power to draw upon anyway, and only the old legends about the Imortum ever made reference to power like that.”
“Are we close enough to see the wreckage?” he asked.
“No, but that is part of what I am trying to say. All of the ships were compacted together into a gigantic mass and hurled off in the same direction as the last ship. I did a trajectory on it and that mass of metal was heading directly for Toralis, which is the Toralin home world. I could just barely get a speed-reading on it and it was traveling faster than our ship can go at full power, and it had no propulsion. At its current speed, the wreckage will reach Toralis in five days. This whole thing is getting out of hand and I do not think it is going to get any better.”
Jason was listening to her with his eyes shut in disbelief. “Why do you think it’s not going to get better?”
“If my math is correct, and it usually is, the attack on this ship and Elgon is going to be a direct response to the debris arriving at Toralis. We know the attack will be partially successful in that Elgon ends up dying. Until this attack I did not think these TDS ships could be in close enough proximity, so theoretically we could go back there and prevent Elgon’s death. But the paradox effect would cause ripples I could not even begin to calculate.
We do know that Antilles and Earth will be destroyed if we do nothing. A singularity will form between them and eventually even neighboring galaxies will be affected. After I placed the pastor back on Earth I sent the probe out, and he was fine, but when I reached the point of the event horizon forming, my probe was destroyed.”
Jason felt relieved. “Aah, I thought it was going to be a difficult problem.”
“How is stopping the destruction of two planets and multiple galaxies not a major problem?” Alise choked out.
Jason smiled and turned her words back on her. “You’re thinking in linear time. All we will have to do is stop the chain reaction. But it looks as if we’re already in a paradox and we are almost out of it.”
“How do you mean?”
“If this all started with Elgon getting killed, and that is triggered by the Toralin attack we just survived, and the debris being sent off to Toralis begins the attack on Elgon, it is almost over. It is a causality loop paradox. All we have to do is prevent the catastrophe between the two galaxies, and then all the events will have come full circle and all should be well. Granted, Elgon is still going to be dead. But we have a commander for this ship to replace him and to top it off we have a second ship if we have need of one. And now that we know that the Toralin, their consortium and TDS 5 are after us as well we can be more proactive regarding them in the future. But as you said before, we need to prevent the event horizon between Earth and Antilles first.”
Alise looked at Jason with an expression that was much more than admiration. “Would you find it odd to know that I am getting extremely aroused by your explanation?”
He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Hold that thought. I need to get the rations together and see my brother safely off on his little adventure.”
Alise said, “The rations and supplies he will need are already in the engine room. Now go give him my love and the bum’s rush off this ship. I have some plans that need your attention.” She slid her hands down the length of her body and gave her lower lip a slight nibble.
Jason bit his lower lip in response and let out a low groan, then said, “I’ll be right back.”
It only took him thirty seconds to transport to his brother, grab him, transport them to the engine room say, “See you in a few days. Have fun,” toss himself and his supplies through the archway, then transport back to the room.
Alise said, “We are eager, are we not? I do not know if we should though. You did just have a major traumatic experience.” She ran her soft hand along his cheek.
He cracked a smile and said, “Oh, I’m mended enough to show you just how eager I can be.”
Alise let out a muffled squeak and rushed to be first on the bed, as though it were the safe spot in some game they were playing. “I win!”
“And just what did you win, sweetness?” he said with a grin.
“You have to lie here while I have fun with you this time.” She let out a lustful moan.
Jason was amused. “Just how do you plan to accomplish that?”
She replied in a seductive voice, “Close your eyes and you will see.”
He did and a second later he could feel her breath on the side of his neck, and it gave him gooseflesh.
One second he was standing there as smug as could be and the next he was sprawled out on the bed naked as the day he was born, with Alise straddling him. She had his hands pinned above his head with hers.
“How did you—”
She smiled at him. “You are not the only one who has learned something new about this ship.”
She silenced him with a kiss then proceeded to work her way around his body, finally halting at his almost painful erection. She looked up at him with a smile and she licked the tip of his unyielding shaft.
He almost lost it right then and there. He tried to bring his arms down to roll her into a position where he could be in control but soon realized she had him restrained and at her mercy. Until now he had always thought he might freak if he were ever restrained again, after the torture he endured, but he felt he could trust her with his life, and the restraints seemed to stimulate him, almost to excess.
“You need to calm down. We do not want to end the fun too soon,” she said with a wicked grin. “Do we?” Then she contradicted her statement when she flicked him with her tongue once again.
She worked him just to the peak of pleasure several times, then calmed him back down. It was the sweetest torture imaginable. “You are an evil little vixen, aren’t you?” With those words he broke free of his restraints, spun her over and proceeded to punish her for being a very naughty girl. He achieved his release as he brought her to her climax. He rolled onto the bed beside her and gliding his thumb along her cheek, he softly said, “I love you.”
To this she replied, “I love you more.”
“I love you the supermostulous.”
“You made that word up.” She laughed quietly, then kissed him and snuggled closely into his chest.
Chapter Thirty-O
ne
Jason and Alise had spent most of that and the next day either in bed or planning the upcoming mission to prevent the event horizon. He was currently lying in bed when out of the blue Alise surprised him by saying they should get something to eat.
“I thought you didn’t need to eat,” he said.
She smiled back at him. “Just because I do not need to eat…it does not mean I do not like to eat. Besides there is a dish I can make that I think you will enjoy very much.”
That piqued his interest. “Is it made with the rations I stored away?” He really didn’t think anything he had could be considered enjoyable. Although the lasagna and turkey were survival rations and turned out well, they were survival rations after all.
“No they are made from special ingredients I found that were stored a long time ago. Are you interested?”
“It sounds intriguing, and I could eat a horse after the workout I just had.” He swatted his abs.
Alise got a crestfallen look. “Oh, you guessed it. Now I will have to pick something else.”
“Uh…I really don’t think I could eat a horse. It was just a saying we had on Earth—”
She cut him off with her booming laughter. “Man, you are gullible… Horses are too majestic to eat. Besides with base minerals and materials we can simulate almost any food. The dish I have planned is different though.” She paused briefly. “Dinner is served. And we have a little over twelve hours to enjoy it.”
Jason looked around but didn’t see anything. He was beginning to think she was messing with him again when the bedroom disappeared. The sudden unexpected change in location made him a bit disoriented but he regained himself quickly and said, “Having fun with your new abilities I see.”
Looking around he saw a table positioned in the center of the observation level.
She smiled at him and with a mock curtsy said, “I use what I am given.” And they took their seats.
Jason looked down at the plate in front of him. There was something on it that looked like a square piece of golden transparent jelly. Examining it closer he noticed the tiny specks within it that changed colors the longer and deeper he peered into it. It was almost as if it had a rainbow’s worth of color changing glitter strewn throughout it. He raised his eyes to Alise who nodded to him encouragingly. He picked up his utensil, sliced a bite-sized portion, put it into his mouth and closed his eyes.
The flavors crossing his taste buds were astounding, a rotation of the essences of different foods. He thought he had died and gone to heaven with the sensations coursing throughout his body. Nothing in his entire life had ever tasted so good. He opened his eyes what felt like a few minutes later and looked up at Alise who smiled and with a nod encouraged him to eat more.
He took another bite and closed his eyes once again to get a better feel for the tastes and textures crossing his tongue. It almost put him into a trance. He felt as though he could stay like that for an eternity and never want to do anything again but eat that amazing dish, and his entire body seemed to tingle with euphoria.
As each flavor burst over his tongue, he felt an explosive sensation shoot out to the rest of his body, then it would slowly fade to have another blast over the same spot, sweet followed by savory then a different sweet followed by sour. He could recognize a few of the flavors but the myriad flavors were too numerous to count. When the flavors finally faded he opened his eyes to take another bite, and found Alise smiling at him.
“Liked it, did you?” she asked with a grin.
“It was amazing,” He looked down at his plate and saw it was gone. A bit disappointed he asked, “Did I eat it all? I only remember taking two bites.”
“No, I had a bite, then I returned the rest to base materials. It is only good for a limited time before it loses its effect. Well, we spent enough time eating. We should probably get ready for the mission.”
Jason was puzzled. “I thought we were almost twelve hours out from the mission.”
Alise smiled. “We were when we got here but that was six hours ago.”
He looked at her skeptically. “Are you messing with me again?”
“No, it is one of the side effects of the ambrose, which is what the Imortum called that meal.”
“Ambrose wouldn’t be short for ambrosia would it?”
Alise let out a laugh. “Yes actually, although that was the Lantins’ name for it. As far as I know they never quite perfected it. Most of the ingredients are not indigenous to Earth, and it is extremely difficult to make manually. So what they could have made would have been a cheap knock-off. Even making it by computer made it taste different from the last time I made it. It actually tasted better this time, probably because I could enjoy it with someone. The last time I made it, I ate it alone and the experience was just not the same.”
He was intrigued. “What are some of the other side effects?”
She looked him up and down. “Well one of them you will have to take my word on. It has healing properties. Your eyes were almost completely red from the conjunctival hemorrhaging. Now they are back to normal. Also do you feel hungry anymore?”
He thought about it. “Actually…no I don’t.”
“That is because one bite can sate any appetite and eating any more than that puts you in to a euphoric state that can last for hours, as you just experienced. There are other rumored effects about it but I think they are myths, like eating it reverses the aging process, gives you the strength to move mountains and throw lightning bolts. It’s also supposed to increase the sexual drive and can transform a mortal into an immortal.
It is kind of a moot point with you because the bonding did some of that already. I think the rumors were started because the Imortum were immortal and everyone wanted to be like them. The main reason I wanted you to eat it was to see if it helped with your eyes, and it did. For some reason our medical unit could not heal them.”
“It must’ve been quite boring just watching me all zonked out over here. What did you do with your time?”
“Actually it was quite entertaining to watch the expressions cross your face. I saw a few of those while we were making love. But I hope to see the others as well… I cannot have you wanting food more than you want me now can I?” She gave him a seductive wink.
Jason looked her up and down as he stood and approached her. “The ambrose was amazing but it’s nothing compared to how you make me feel.” He took her hand, raised it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on her palm.
“I know what you are thinking.” She raised a knowing brow. “But we have a job to do and I want to make sure nothing goes wrong. Besides we need to get to Daregon before Justin’s ship arrives.”
Jason nodded. “Okay, later then.”
He transported them to the first floor where they spent the next few hours ironing out their plan.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Alise did not want to let Jason leave the ship to power down the ancient Imortum portal manually and tried repeatedly to convince him it would be safer to just shut the portal down remotely. Jason kept insisting he needed to go down but he didn’t know why. He reminded her that their ship had been knocked out of orbit by TDS 5, and that caused them to miss rescuing his great-grandfather, and he didn’t want to take any chances. Reluctantly she agreed but not without insisting on one concession. She made him agree that if anything was in the slightest bit wrong, she would transport him back and perform the shutdown her way. He agreed, knowing full well she was only being difficult out of concern for his well-being.
* * * * *
Jason was in his time dilation suit and had been transported down to Earth. He was in the highlands of Scotland, and was standing a short distance from the ancient Imortum portal. The second he was on the surface, his mind had been assailed by pain and the sounds of thousands of voices crying out in misery, which drove him to his knees. He had to stifle a groan at the enormity of it all. The misery lasted a good minute, and with a great deal of focus he finally managed to
push it to the back of his mind.
* * * * *
Alise was monitoring Jason’s progress on Earth. He had a little over a minute before the ancient Imortum portal needed to be closed, and her nerves were on edge. She jumped when she heard Jerren’s frantic voice call out over the communications.
“Jason! Can you hear me?” he said.
Alise replied, “Jason is on Earth right now. What is the matter?”
Jerren shouted. “Finally! TDS 5 changed course and is headed back to Earth. It’ll be there in one minute, your time!”
Alise immediately targeted Jason. “DAMMIT!” she cried. “Jason can you hear me? Jason!”
“What’s wrong?” Jerren asked.
“Something is blocking my communications and transport! I cannot warn him!” She looked down at the console and decided to launch a probe and scan forward to track TDS 5’s activity, but that system would not respond either. “What the hell is the matter with this ship? Jerren, can you get me a location on where TDS 5 will arrive in orbit?”
A few seconds passed and Jerren replied, “TDS 5’s course shows a destination point four KK GEO almost on top of your current location.”
Remembering what had happened in the attempt to save Jason’s great-grandfather, Alise decided to move TDS 1 out of the field bounce range of TDS 5’s engine and was about to activate the engine when the ship began moving. “What is going on? The damn ship just took off! Jason!” she shouted.
* * * * *
Jason was waiting for the last two people to step onto the portal and transport to Antilles. He was out of phase and standing right beside the portal in order to deactivate it just after they left. A moment later the portal flashed bright blue and they were gone. Jason wasted no time. He dropped the phase on his suit and was in regular time, then he keyed in the deactivation code on the panel he had accessed earlier, and a moment later the port pad deactivated.
