“What stops them from eating my dog? From eating us?”
“Be smarter than the beast and you won’t have to worry,” Roxanne replied, speaking in perfect German.
Colin interrupted before Bruno could formulate a response, “It’s going to take a long time for... how many people did you say were still on Earth?”
“About a thousand,” Austin responded.
Colin tried to calculate this in his mind, giving up before too long. “I’m no math wiz, but that’s a lot of trips in two pods that only hold two people isn’t it.”
Zack laughed. “You’re not an anything wiz.” This comment earned him a punch in the arm from Charlie.
Colin scowled at his brother. “Should have hit him in the mouth.”
“A thousand divided by four is two hundred fifty.” Ed answered. “Two hundred fifty times two is five hundred. So five hundred trips. And that’s for the people. What about our things? Clothing, electronics, machinery. How do we transport those things?”
“I’m terribly sorry sir, but one bag per person. Anything more and the portal will have to charge you extra,” Zack quipped. “In addition, the portal is not responsible for lost luggage, so do not place any items of value in your checked baggage. As always, thank you for traveling with the portal and enjoy your trip through space.”
They all laughed, and even Austin appreciated Zack’s humor. It took the attention off of Roxanne, which was a relief, since their feelings towards her were ones of suspicion, doubt and sometimes confusion. Charlie, who seemed to have a sixth sense about Roxanne, was the exception. She thought Roxanne wonderful and, other than himself, was the only bunker resident to spend time alone with her. He’d never felt at ease about their relationship, not as far as Charlie was concerned. Something about the girl appealed to Eve and he couldn’t determine in what capacity she valued Charlie’s company.
“When are we leaving?” Charlie asked, looking Austin in the eyes, interrupting his train of thought.
Austin met her gaze. For a moment he thought he saw recognition in her expression, and perhaps she saw past his human disguise. He answered without wavering, “The sooner the better. I think a week is all you’ll need.”
“What about other survivors?” Kyle asked.
“Eve will lead them to the portals,” he replied. “There’s one other portal in the US, but only the Cheyenne portal is usable. There’re three more outside the US, in Australia, Russia and Brazil. Eve will divide up the other survivors.”
“Five?” Zack asked. “Why five?”
“Not sure man. But if the Adita are responsible for putting them on Earth, be certain there’s a significance to the locations,” Austin replied.
Zack’s mind spun into turbo mode thinking over the possibilities. Were the portals located at specific coordinates that maybe held some strategic importance to the Adita? Or was there an electromagnetic field created by the five points. But wait, a sixth portal existed in California, the portal Austin used to find Ryan. Zack leaned back in his chair imagining, theorizing, and breaking it down until he realized Austin was watching him.
“What?”
“I didn’t say anything,” Austin replied, giving his famous half smile, to which Zack mouthed the words fuck off. The two men shared a look, one of mutual respect, one that said it all without having to say anything. One that said goodbye, for they both sensed these might be their final days together.
The group planned into the night for their departure. The younger crew turned in after midnight, while the adults stayed up hashing out the logistics. At half past three Austin stood up, leading the way for the others to do the same. Zack was the only one staying behind, using the excuse of wanting a snack before going to bed.
29 Guarantees
Inside his living quarters Austin paced the room, thinking about his son being with Agra. The next time they saw Caleb, he would most likely be a young man, but right now he was a child and vulnerable. Although Eve felt sure of Caleb’s strengths and that Agra could not turn their son against them, Austin feared this would happen. Losing his son a second time was harder, and easier in some respect, to the first time. Easier because he knew Eve was right about Caleb and that he would continue to grow stronger each day, that he would resist any attempts made by Agra to corrupt him. The hard part was losing what little time was left of his childhood. A silly notion considering Caleb was never really a child, but a notion none the less.
Before turning his back on being human, Austin had dreamed again of leading the Svan into battle. The first time he’d seen this possible future, he’d been in a comatose state. The second time was after discovering Eve frozen in the mountain. She’d thought in his first vision it was Caleb at the front leading the charge, not him. After sharing his second dream with her, the ‘who’ in charge appeared to have changed, the sides chosen were no longer certain. That father and son might be on opposite sides had become a possibility; a future Austin hoped wouldn’t come to fruition.
However, dreams and speculations of their meanings would have to wait. They would begin moving people to Paru within a week, but he was no closer to liking the idea or trusting the Elders. He stopped pacing and turned around. “I’m going back to Paru, to speak to Elders. I can’t take a chance with everyone’s life unless I have some guarantees. If they want our daughter’s blood, they’re going to have to give me something in return.”
“You don’t have to go there to speak to them.”
“I don’t? How then?” he asked, then the answer was there.
Eve walked over to him. “Close your eyes. I’m going to teach you how to see beyond your mind, into the universes.”
He did as she instructed.
“Now clear your mind. See nothing, feel nothing, hear only my voice.” She spoke inside his head, and everywhere around him. “Leave your body behind. See yourself below, see us below.”
Austin had the sense of floating. He opened his eyes and looked down upon himself and Eve standing in the middle of the room.
“We’re going to leave the bunker and travel out into the universe. It’s going to be darker than you can imagine. You will feel the dark inside of you, cold and heavy, permeating every cell. Don’t be alarmed.” Eve touched Austin’s arm with her thoughts. “We will find the Elder’s energy. Light means energy, energy means life.”
They traveled through a vast dark emptiness as Eve described. A place absent of sights or sounds to act as guides. A place of nonexistence. Eve kept her mind’s touch on Austin, leading him along, providing him a point of focus. She knew it possible to lose your way, having almost done so when she’d first ventured out on her own. Agra had been her teacher of this lesson and many others. During her lessons she’d felt a bond with Agra, as if he’d let his guard down, allowed himself to relax, and allowed her to come in closer. Afterwards though, he always reverted back to being cold and distant, leaving her on her own, feeling more alone. At least now she knew why.
They were approaching the Elders. Eve let go of Agra’s memory to guide Austin. “You will feel the energy before you see it,” she said.
“That’s good to know, since I can’t see shit out here.”
“You don’t need to see with your eyes. You need to see with your mind,” she replied. “Focus Austin.”
He focused and before long he felt the air change temperature, transitioning from cold to warm.
“Focus on the warm air. Let it take you along its current.”
In the next patch of warm air they were pulled into the current and whisked along at a fast pace. The air grew warmer, almost hot like an open oven door. They sped along until a brilliant light appeared out of the blackness, blinding Austin.
“Don’t resist,” Eve said. “It will not hurt you.”
Austin relaxed, allowing the sphere of light to draw them in. Once inside, all motion ceased and again it felt as if he was floating.
“Where are we?”
“Do not think in defined terms. We ar
e everywhere,” she replied. “Sattya and the other Elders are near.”
Austin tried to get a sense of this, to see them. Obscure shapes formed on the edge of the light, becoming more solid as they approached. Out from the blackness beyond, the Elders stepped into the light.
“Hello again granddaughter,” Sattya greeted Eve with a bow of his head. “It is good to see the captain’s learning to use the gifts that have been bestowed upon him.”
Austin nodded his head to Sattya, to the others. His bearings were settling in place, his attention becoming fine-tuned, his instincts telling him to listen and watch closely.
“Perhaps this would be easier in a more controlled environment,” Matri suggested. Upon her suggestion, the nothingness solidified into walls and a floor. Austin found himself and the others sitting in chairs. They were positioned in a circle with Sattya sitting opposite him and Eve.
“Thank you for seeing us grandfather,” Eve said. “I’m sure by now you are aware of the reason why we sought you out.”
“Yes we are,” he answered. “We have discussed your request and concerns. Our desire is to allow the humans to relocate to Paru. However, there must be rules.”
“On both sides,” Austin added.
Sattya paused and looked to Austin. “Of course on both sides. As I said, we’ve discussed your concerns thoroughly. We will honor an agreement between our people. The Adita and Svan will live as neighbors with the humans. They will live together in peace.”
“And your rules grandfather?”
“If the humans wish to live here, the planet must not be harmed, the air and water must not be polluted, nor the wildlife exploited. They will take only what is needed to survive. Population growth will be controlled. These are only the basic rules. They are not our rules per say, but those by which the humans have not used in their stewardship of Earth. Therefore, I felt it necessary to note such out loud and let it be known at the very least we expect these to be applied. For these and one specific request, we will provide for all of their needs. They will have most all of the comforts they’ve grown accustomed to having, but in such a manner that Paru is not harmed.”
Austin tensed, sensing and hearing what was about to be requested. Eve laid a hand on his arm, calming him, pulling him back into his chair.
“As I said, we have one specific request.” Sattya glanced around the circle before continuing. “In return for all that we will provide, we ask for the humans to give of their blood, in order that we might continue our research into finding a solution.”
“But that’s not all you want it for,” Austin said, leaning forward in his chair again. “You intend to use it for your own survival, in case the blood of our daughter is not enough?”
Again Sattya paused before responding. “You perceive much for being so young. However, I hope you can understand our plight. I know you also understand our needs, having experienced them first hand as one of us. Although, I do admit, you have tremendous will power in ignoring the demands of your body. Very admirable captain.”
“I’m not seeking your admiration, only your assurance that no humans will be harmed or killed.” The sense that he was missing something important poked at him. “I want your word that the Svan will not be ordered to kill any humans.”
“And of our request?”
It was Austin’s turn to pause. “I will discuss it with them. If they are willing, then you can have what you ask for, as long as it does not endanger their lives.”
“We await your answer then. If it is yes, a new home on Paru will await them,” Sattya replied and the others concurred.
“We anxiously await the arrival of our granddaughter,” Matri said to Eve. “We shall see you soon.”
Eve’s hands instinctively moved to her stomach. The Elders stood, the room vanished and the two were left alone floating in a bright nothing. Eve reached out and covered Austin’s eyes for the briefest moment. When she removed her hand, they were back in the bunker, standing in their living room. The time on the clock indicated five minutes had lapsed during their absence.
“You need nourishment,” Eve noted.
As if by the power of suggestion, Austin felt the cravings and they were strong. He rubbed his throat and licked his lips. The sensation was not unlike having hunger for food, except the desire affected more than his physical requirements. Where human hunger centered on the stomach, this clawed at his throat, feeling more like a thirst, than hunger.
Eve took his hand. “It’s best to replenish before using your powers. You in particular need to pay close attention to your needs. It would not do anyone well if those needs were to overcome your ability to reason.”
Austin shrugged off the sensation, the desire to drink, pulling his focus back onto the conversation they had with Sattya. “Can they be trusted?”
As Sattya had noted, Eve too was impressed with Austin’s strength. “For now yes, but only because we have something they need. After that I can’t see. Adita aren’t bound by their word. They feel no sense of loyalty or obligation to honor agreements. If the situation serves their purpose they will play by the rules.”
“And when the time comes that they no longer need us, then what?”
“The rules will change,” she replied, matter of fact. “And this is why evolution is so very important. This is why complacency is so very dangerous. You understand this now.”
A reply was not necessary. His reasons for changing weren’t a secret or unfamiliar to Eve. “What are you suggesting we do?”
“Prepare, change, evolve.”
He heard everything she said and that which she didn’t say out loud. “You make it sound as if it’s a simple decision to make, but it won’t be for them. They’ll resist.”
“At first yes, but in the end they will see reason,” she said having complete confidence this would be the outcome. “What is not simple about change or die? One choice increases the odds and the other decreases them. I think it to be a very easy decision.”
Austin almost laughed. “For as long as you have been around the human race, you know they don’t function or think in simple terms.”
Of course he was right, but a time had existed when humans weren’t so lazy about survival. And there would come a time in the near future when once again circumstances would require a different outlook. If they hoped to live, not thrive, but live, the humans needed to prepare now. If they waited until the threat fell upon them, they would perish.
“What do we say about Caleb?” Austin asked.
“The truth. That Agra took him.”
Austin frowned at this, thinking news of Caleb’s kidnapping would be too upsetting for the girls, but he would have to tell them something. “I’ll speak to Zack first. See what he thinks.”
“I’ll come with you. Zack will need more than your words to accept and agree to what you are about to propose. He needs to see the outcome, to know what life will become if they say no.”
“Freedom is a powerful motivator to overcome,” Austin noted.
“Yes it is, but some freedoms come with substantial sacrifice and one must weigh their choices and choose that which guarantees preservation of life.”
Eve took Austin to Cheyenne before going to see Zack. Despite his assurance that he could wait, Eve insisted, knowing better than to risk an altercation. The smell of Zack’s blood would have been tempting and maybe quite more so than he could have resisted. She didn’t want Zack’s death on her hands as well.
***
The walls of the room were closing in on Zack. He paced from one end of the diner to the other, certain each time it took less and less steps. That Austin and Eve sat quietly watching him, didn’t stop him from pacing, and didn’t make it any easier to think this thing through. They were asking the impossible. They were asking for them to agree to become a food source for the Adita. He stopped pacing and stared at the back wall, not seeing the life sized paintings of James Dean or Marilyn Monroe. His last thought percolated through the nat
ural progression of rationalization and logic. Humans were already their food source, which had occurred without invitation. This time they were asking first, giving them the opportunity to say no. If that was what they were offering, with no strings attached, Zack could maybe get there, but he had doubts, and none more so than in regards to the Adita’s underlying intentions.
Putting all of this aside for the moment, Zack shifted to the second pressing decision his friend had presented to him. This one being more palatable than the first, but no less difficult and still filled with unknown consequences. If in turning into something better than human, were they only making themselves a bigger target? A tastier morsel? Were they taking a plain bowl of vanilla ice cream, adding whipped cream, chocolate syrup and placing a cherry on top, only to set it down in front of a sugar addict, expecting not to have be consequences? A small part of him thought yes, this was exactly what they were doing if they agreed. He returned to the booth where Austin and Eve waited.
“I don’t like it, any of it. Changing our DNA, volunteering to be a food source. None of it makes sense. In fact it’s way off key. If those are our options, I’d rather take my chances here on Earth,” Zack said, putting it all out there in one breath. “I like my freedom.”
“Can I show you something?” Eve asked, sliding out from the booth to stand next to Zack. He hesitated when she held out her hand to him. Austin encouraged him with a nod. Eve took his hand. “I will show you what freedom looks like if you stay here on Earth.”
Before Zack could mutter a single syllable of protest, Eve whisked him into another time and dimension. Behind him, the diner remained visible, but as he watched, rising waters swallowed it whole. The water was murky black, having an oil like consistency. Eve touched Zack’s arm and pointed to a mountain range that hadn’t been visible a moment ago. The foothills appeared miles away, and the mountain peak disappeared into the clouds above.
In a blink they were high up in the mountain walking along an uneven path carved into its side. The path was three feet wide in most places, narrowing to two in others. Every ten feet they passed a cave opening. At one of these openings Eve stopped and again pointed. Zack followed her direction and saw water, vast and wide. It was everywhere, and everywhere he looked was the water. From behind him he heard a baby crying. His daughter’s cries. Crying because she was hungry and cold and alone. The sound pierced his heart. At that very moment he felt the desperation of the entire planet. He looked back out over the water, left to right, as far as he could see. And not a single mountain range was visible from where he stood. They were alone. Zack fell to his knees and covered his face.
Eve of Man (The Harvest Book 2) Page 32
