Sweat poured profusely from his forehead, the blinding light only enhanced his drenched face. The chair wasn’t comfortable − a metal, cold, hard seat that only added to his anxiety. How long would he have to suffer this indignation? Who had restrained him so unceremoniously? Would he die at the hands of his captors? The sweat poured even more.
A voice − a robot voice − summed up Andre’s dilemma.
‘Your name is Andre Burscalli,’ the computerised voice announced.
Andre at first wasn’t sure how to respond. The shock had rendered him speechless. Worse still, an electric shock reverberated through the chair, agonisingly.
‘Stop, please stop!’ pleaded Andre. ‘Yes, I am Andre Burscalli,’ he admitted.
The bar was set. Andre was under no illusion the fate that awaited him should he not fully comply with his captors. The fear on his now contorted face was clear for all to see for those who observed the pain being administered to the captive.
‘What do you want?’ asked Andre.
‘Tell me what you know about Robert Stave,’ said the computer-generated voice as a demand rather than a question, which, now escalated up a notch, the tone was far more aggressive.
‘He’s a friend.’
‘Why did you sabotage the time capsule? What is the intention of Robert Stave’s mission?’
‘I don’t know. Look, we weren’t supposed to kill anyone, you have to believe me!’ pleaded Andre. ‘Robert didn’t tell me anything about any mission.’
Another painful shock was administered. Another agonising cry from the dark room.
‘I repeat − what do you know about Robert Stave’s mission? The pain will be worse if you don’t comply.’
‘I don’t know, I tell you. All I know is that he mentioned his grandfather, something about Earth before the alien invasion. That’s all I know − I swear.’
‘Tell us about the rebels. What did they know? Did they help Robert Stave?’
‘I don’t know, I don’t think so. Look, Robert just said he needed help, that he was in trouble and needed to escape. He chose me and a rebel friend who could be trusted.’
‘Tell us what you know about Doctor Humphries.’
‘He’s the surgeon who changed Robert’s appearance,’ said Andre, hoping that whoever was interrogating him wouldn’t quiz as to why he needed to alter his facial features − that would surely lead to the incident with the Drayzak. ‘Was this the whole reason for his capture?’ he thought.
Looking on at this hideous administration of pain and questioning was Senator Lace Adams, the Chief of Operations at the Time Capsule Centre. Dr Olask Laderman and two military chiefs had been introduced to the senator merely as Klade and Maxius, a probable alias, but nobody questioned the fact.
The four individuals scrutinised Andre’s answers and discussed the next line of attack.
‘Give him a break for a few minutes,’ asked Lace. ‘Let’s think this through.’
Klade got a message through to the interrogator, who was in another room, to ease off for a while. The four needed answers and quick; the Council of the Light would impose great sanctions if they learned of the lack of security over the time capsule mission.
‘I think he is telling the truth,’ said Lace. ‘I mean, we’ve administered some pain on the guy. What if he really doesn’t know the reason Robert Stave sabotaged the mission? It’s only through checking the security footage of Colonel Alfred Patterson that we’ve identified the occupant as Stave. I mean, why didn’t we do those checks in the first place?’ asked Lace.
‘No need, senator, he had all the relevant identification documents. I mean, what idiot would chance incineration anyway? Stave must be a desperate man or a maniac,’ replied Klade.
‘That’s what worries me. So, let’s run through what we know. Stave gets into trouble with his friend on a night out. We know he is well connected with the rebels, but they are our eyes and ears out there on the street, so why would they help Stave sabotage this mission? Clearly Stave has asked Andre, a rookie rebel, and this guy who goes by the name Wesley Fortuna. We know he was a rebel but got into hot water with Zak Lancelot for breaking the curfew rules with the rebels. Plus, Zak informed us that Humphries was changing Stave’s appearance to protect him from Death Guards, at least that’s why he thought Stave was changing his appearance. Seems to me Stave was working alone.’
‘This grandfather thing seems important. Is he going back in time to see his ancestors?’ asked Maxius.
‘Wouldn’t make sense. He’s gone back to a specific date and Area 51, I mean, why Area 51 and why that date?’ asked Lace.
‘Area 51. Let me think. Anyone know precisely where at Area 51? Can we pull up the data from the engineers’ room?’ Maxius quizzed.
A 3D image was formulated onto the computer in the room adjoining Andre’s interrogation chamber, where the four were observing the interrogation. It showed the map of Area 51 and pinpointed the hangar where Robert would arrive.
‘Go back to the inventory of the hangar at the date 23rd February 2018,’ requested Klade. ‘There − look there. The portal amplifier. What the hell is Stave up to?’
‘Can we access Stave’s personal files, see if there is anything he’s been downloading, any historical information he might have been checking?’
Within seconds the files were available, including all his browsing history.
‘Search portal amplifier,’ requested the senator out loud.
The data confirmed that Stave had accessed archived information. It was specific information on how to disable the amplifier, courtesy of legislation introduced by the Council of the Light, which included freedom of information.
‘Okay, so it’s definitely the portal amplifier. Can we bring up the location of the amplifier on or around the 23rd February 2018?’ asked Lace.
‘It’s at Antarctica as it was known then, but it then moves to the Kerguelen Islands near Antarctica,’ confirmed Klade.
‘How in God’s name is Stave going to get to Antarctica from Area 51?’ asked Maxius.
‘He’s going to fly there,’ said the senator. ‘Check his data on historic aircraft searched.’
‘Stealth aircraft − he’s downloaded the flight manual,’ said Klade.
With a look of resignation on his now concerned face, the senator confirmed their worst fears.
‘He isn’t going back in time to visit his ancestors. He’s going back in time to change the events. To change the future. Worse still, to change our present.’
CHAPTER 4
ABDUCTION 3
Dane awoke. Opposite and strapped to a vertical stone tablet was Annaluce. He was bruised and dazed. Trying at first to recollect why he was in this perilous predicament, he recalled the battle. The ships had split formation following his entry into the Earth’s atmosphere at CERN − he remembered the call from Oosapeth to return and re-group and not to pursue what was deemed a trap. He had been foolish. His concern for Annaluce’s affections and an urge to avenge his rival for her attentions had clouded his judgement. He remembered how he had felt after making love before battle; the voice inside his head toying with his mind, repeatedly reminding him that his actions would only weaken his position in battle.
Opposite Dane, Annaluce who had been stripped to the bare minimum of clothing and was unceremoniously and crudely strapped to a tablet stared back at Dane with tears welling up in her eyes. Even dishevelled she still looked beautiful. She gazed over to her right at the figure approaching the arena. This was a makeshift arena outdoors; the temperature wasn’t particularly warm and there was no sign of any native inhabitants, just an array of alien craft dotted around the landscape, surrounding Dane and his beloved.
The area, the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, known as the Kerguelen Islands set deep in the Indian Ocean, were remote enough − the likelihood of help, to save Dane and Annaluce, was not evident.
Dane remembered the annihilation − his craft landing crudely, the attempt to gain con
trol and ensure the safest possible landing in the circumstances, fearing that his stubbornness of refusing the safe option of joining the fleet led by Oosapeth might have cost him, not only his life, but that of his beloved; these thoughts consumed his mind.
The humiliation that he was now the prisoner of the rival for Annaluce’s affections was even more painful than the crash landing.
The figure approaching was diminutive in comparison to Dane’s magnificent stature. Annaluce was tortured at the sight of Dane, now a helpless prisoner at the hands of the alien she now despised, and further humiliated by her helplessness. Her eyes darted around the area in pursuit of the ultimate torture machine, the dreaded Drayzak.
Qudor paraded triumphantly, the smirk was evidence enough of the immense pleasure at caging the great Dane Vhastek. Dane, Annaluce and Qudor had been fitted with translator headsets; Qudor was going to make absolutely sure he maximised the agony he could inflict on his defenceless victims.
‘Dane Vhastek, we meet at last,’ said Qudor, even with a translator helmet his words oozed sarcasm.
Dane, with all his might, lunged forward from the vertical tablet, the metal harness buckling under the immense effort to release himself from his shackles and rip Qudor apart. He growled; there were no words to portray his hatred.
‘Now, now,’ said Qudor, ‘you will need to save your energy for the ultimate battle.’
Annaluce knew exactly what the ultimate battle referred to. Again, her eyes darted around looking for the entrance of the Drayzaks.
‘I’m so surprised you fell for our little trap. That was the whole idea, to entice you away from the fleet. Of course, we knew which ship was yours, Dane, for Annaluce gave us the signal.’
Dane looked at Annaluce. Was this yet another betrayal? Has she led him into this trap? Annaluce was frantically shaking her head. ‘He’s lying, Dane!’ she screamed.
‘Her tracking device was planted in one of our drones, the one you decided not to shoot down − you couldn’t have known which of the fleet pursuing you was my craft. You’re not that intelligent!’ shouted Dane, for he couldn’t resist the dig at his opponent.
Qudor turned around and nodded at one of his military operatives. The operative duly obliged and headed towards Annaluce. Dane couldn’t resist a further jibe. ‘Are you all dwarfs?’ he asked. The device held by the operative didn’t look like a weapon; it resembled a small Geiger counter. Annaluce looked on in trepidation; her trust in Qudor was zilch and there was a military colleague heading her way with a strange device.
The operative held the small rod measuring between 5−10 centimetres from Annaluce’s midriff initially. No sound was emitted. Qudor nodded again as if to prompt the operative, who moved the rod away from her midriff until he reached her head. At that point the device reacted. The sound was like that of an alarm, one you might imagine if you had inadvertently entered an area of a military base without permission, a sort of intermittent, monotone, short burst of sound. Something had been planted in her head.
Dane observed, somewhat confused.
‘You’re probably wondering why we placed a device in her ear. Well, let me explain. I never trusted her. I told her that the device in her ear was the only method of tracking her and the only method she could communicate, when all the time the main device had been planted in her brain,’ explained Qudor. ‘I suppose you are wondering how I implanted the tracking device in her head?’ Qudor paused.
Dane looked at Annaluce. She was the pawn in Qudor’s plan. Maybe this dwarf wasn’t so dim-witted after all.
‘You see, when we picked up the first signal from the drone we anticipated that she had revealed the implant in her ear. We knew that was sent to test me. I knew that by not striking down the drone, if a further signal appeared in a different locality that she had dispersed of the ear implant and planted it elsewhere. It would also mean one thing − she was no longer an ally.’
Dane had been played. The humiliation was complete.
‘Of course, we have had the chance to play back the data from her implant. Interesting, especially the incident before you must have travelled through the portal,’ said Qudor.
Dane thrust forward again, this time the scream was deafening.
‘I have some other news for you, Dane. Tragic news in the circumstances,’ said Qudor.
‘Don’t tell me. You’re going to unleash your pets?’ replied Dane.
‘Oh, that’s for certain but that isn’t the news. No, the tragic news, Dane, is that Annaluce is pregnant.’
The look of anguish on the face of Annaluce mirrored that of Dane. How could this be? So soon. How did Qudor know? Was he just tormenting Dane?
‘The question is, Dane, is it yours or mine?’ said Qudor antagonistically.
Dane thrust forward yet again. Another tear welled in Annaluce’s eyes. Qudor smirked.
‘This is my dilemma, Dane. If I let my pets loose on Annaluce, am I destroying something which is mine? It won’t in the least bother my pets,’ he paused, then continued, ‘I’m not entirely sure it will bother me. Wouldn’t it be deliciously ironic, if in my desire to avenge Annaluce’s betrayal, I destroy something that is part of me? Of course, it would be delightful if my pets not only dutifully destroyed the woman who would happily see you destroy me, but also in doing so, destroyed your offspring. Decisions, decisions,’ tutted Qudor.
‘You hide behind your pets, your monsters − you are a coward, just as Annaluce said you were. If she is indeed carrying and it is yours I am sure she would rather die than live,’ said Dane.
Qudor’s expression changed. He turned to an operative and pointed. In the distance, a spacecraft lowered a crate. The noise was hauntingly familiar to Annaluce.
Drayzaks.
*******************************
‘I have a visual,’ said Oosapeth.
James had the holograph homed in on the Kerguelen Islands − near Antarctica, from the mothership currently orbiting Earth. Dane had been tracked.
Dane left instructions on the craft that Oosapeth entered before departing from Xenon, following James Eaton’s revelation that Dane had uploaded his plan onto the craft’s internal computer. Dane had synched a tracking device of his own, one implanted in a black bead in his hair with instructions: ‘If for any reason we are attacked when entering the portal at CERN, the tracker will relay my position.’ No stone was left unturned.
‘Divide and circle the target area,’ instructed Oosapeth to the five military spacecraft heading towards the island.
‘Copy. Understood,’ was the reply.
*******************************
The door of the cage slowly descended, agonisingly revealing the terrifying cargo of three fully-grown, hungry Drayzaks, slavering at the prospect of a meal. Annaluce screamed. Dane thrust forward, almost breaking loose from the crudely erected crucifixion-style restraining chains.
‘You will die a gruesome death, Qudor, I promise you that!’ screamed Dane.
‘You won’t be able to fight with your eyes gouged out and no arms or legs. The great Dane Vhastek, who would have thought, out-manoeuvred,’ said Qudor triumphantly.
A loud deathly screech disturbed Qudor’s moment of glory. A Drayzak was splattered unceremoniously over the snow-covered ground. The previously unblemished fresh snow, now a concoction of dead Drayzak body parts mixed with steaming hot fresh blood. The snow emitted steam with the heat. Just the one Drayzak slew, greatly disturbing the two remaining monsters; but food was food; the battle to devour the remains of the decapitated Drayzak ensued. The two Drayzaks were still confined to their cages, restricted by the same crude chains securing Dane Vhastek to an equally Neanderthal stone tablet.
Qudor realised the threat immediately. Another laser fire almost destroyed one of his fleet. He pulled a firearm securely and conveniently strapped to his upper thigh. Rapid fire split the chains immediately and the victim fell to the floor. An instruction was barked:
‘Board the craft!’ shouted Qu
dor to his henchmen.
‘The Drayzaks?’ enquired an operative.
Qudor turned and fired directly at his beloved pets. He couldn’t take them with him, no time − better that he destroys them than them landing in the hands of the enemy. Annaluce crouched precariously and in pain. Qudor had released her.
‘Run, Annaluce, run!’ screamed Dane.
‘Release Dane, do not mess up,’ ordered Oosapeth to the spacecraft in the nearest vicinity to the target. Dane’s frantic movements at the sight of Annaluce in trouble made the task of severing the chains all the more challenging. One wrong aim and Dane would be as decapitated in the same fashion as the lifeless Drayzak.
Four chains bolted to the stone slab contained the Undarthian. Each was a precision shot of the highest calibre. The first was successful, releasing Dane’s right arm. The stone slab split, debris erupted. The second shot released his left leg, more debris. In the vertical position, Dane would be compromised if the next shot released his left arm. A glance in the direction of Annaluce saw the nightmare unfolding. Annaluce had run as instructed but Qudor was closing fast. The third shot released his other leg and Dane swung uncontrollably by his left hand. Qudor managed to gain on Annaluce and, with a rugby-style tackle, Annaluce was his. Despite a feeble attempt to fight off this stunted version of the being she loved, Qudor took control, threw her over his shoulder whilst still shouting orders at his crew to board their craft, as he headed towards his ship and safety.
‘Come on, come on!’ shouted Dane who was holding himself up by hanging on to the bolt which secured the remaining chain.
Annaluce squirmed. With her fists she tried to release herself from Qudor’s grip. As they passed, Dane still struggling to carry his weight by clinging to the bolt, saw Qudor raise his weapon and point towards Dane. A flash of laser severed the final chain and Dane fell to the ground with a thud and the snow dispersed. In true warrior fashion he lunged forward, laying low and flat to the ground. Annaluce could see her hero free from his shackles. With gusto she started wriggling frantically to disorientate Qudor for the second time and he began to gather speed to an awaiting craft. He did not fancy a one-on-one with an angry Dane Vhastek so, like a coward he headed for safety.
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