by Rae Knightly
Her eyes widened as she met his.
He stared at her meaningfully. “Now that you know the truth, knowing what you know, could you still love me, Laura Archer?”
Her lips trembled.
Strong flashlights swung past them from above. “Freeze!” voices shouted a couple of floors up.
“Goodbye, Laura,” Mesmo said. “Tell Benjamin I’m sorry.” He stepped back, his eyes on her the whole time. He entered the spacecraft, faced her and raised his hand.
For a split second, she thought he hesitated, but then he flicked his hand and the door shut between them.
Laura pressed a fist to her mouth as she edged away. “Goodbye,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
***
The door closed behind Mesmo. Sounds became muffled through the ship’s thick walls. He activated the front window and found a rain of whizzing bullets pelting the vessel. He caught a last glimpse of Laura as she sought cover.
Turning his attention to the inside of the vessel, Mesmo picked up the shapeshifter and dragged him into a cubicle at the back of the ship, then activated an electrical barrier to lock him in.
He took place at the front of the ship, his body and hands accommodating automatically to surroundings that were natural to him.
Pressing a couple of commands, he activated the departure mechanism and felt a satisfactory jolt as the spacecraft came to life. Without a sound, the vessel lifted from the ground, making the remaining red mist swirl around it. It fit perfectly through the hole, sending soldiers scrambling to upper levels. The dark ship emerged at the surface and faced a squadron of army trucks, tankers and helicopters.
Unfazed, Mesmo switched to hyperspeed and arrived in a layer of clouds in a matter of milliseconds. Human combat aircraft pursued him for some time but were no match for his speed.
He entered the outer atmosphere and floated there for some time, taking in the curve of the planet, the outline of the continents and the blue of the oceans.
Then, with a heart that suffered as much as when his wife and daughter had died, he checked his trajectory and sped off into space forever.
***
Laura watched from a safe distance as the spacecraft ascended into the night, her throat tight.
Hao hopped over to her, and they watched the gaping hole with the red mist swirling upward.
“You let him go,” he said in awe.
Laura bit her trembling lip. “If not Mesmo, then it will be another Observer. And whether now or in the future, eventually, humans will have to face the Toreq,” she replied.
Hao squeezed her shoulder. “We will be ready,” he vowed.
They turned and headed to the stairs leading to the last floor, making it down after some painstaking minutes. Hao clearly suffered from multiple injuries, but Laura guessed he wanted to see her through to the end.
“In here,” he said, pointing to the sealed room that contained the incubators.
She entered and squinted at the gloom, while emergency lights flickered on and off. The first incubators were empty. “Ben?” she called, rushing to the back, where she had seen him lying on a stretcher on one of the security screens.
The stretcher was there, but not Ben.
She frowned. Mesmo had said he would be awake by now. She glanced around frantically. “Ben? Where are you?”
There wasn’t a sound.
A wave of nausea washed over her. “No!” she gasped, cold dread gripping her. “N-O!”
She swivelled on her heels, rushed past Hao, and bolted up the stairs two steps at a time. She froze at the center of the gaping hole, lifted her head to the sky and screamed, “B-E-E-E-N!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Paradox
The spacecraft skimmed by Earth’s Moon, but Mesmo did not see it. He darkened the front window and concentrated on several screens that he had pulled up before him. Different coloured lights flickered, symbols scrolled down the sides, and intricate patterns turned on of their own accord.
He activated the hidden pocket that stuck to his skin, diagonal to his stomach, making it invisible to the human eye. The neat row of seven keys appeared. He pulled out the first one and inserted it in a dashboard that contained slots designed to receive these types of keys.
Instantly, a waterfall of information gushed before him. Minutes turned into hours, and hours into days, as he analyzed the data on each key, the spacecraft speeding through the darkness towards its inevitable destination.
The equivalent of ten Earth days passed during which time Mesmo scanned six of the keys.
The information contained in them was not good. Once his people got hold of the data, he knew the Toreq would vote to put an end to the human race before they had time to spread to other galaxies like cancer. The risk of this species multiplying and depleting other planets’ resources before having learned to respect boundaries was real. The Toreq had seen it before and would not allow it to happen again. Clearly, banishing the A’hmun to Earth a million years ago to give them a last chance to better themselves had not been successful.
The Toreq would vote against the survival of the A’hmun’s descendants, they would sacrifice a handful of warships by sending them through the wormhole before it closed, and annihilation would begin.
Mesmo sat back and sighed, only too aware that, not so long ago, he would unequivocally have supported this decision.
But that was before he had met Ben and Laura…
He travelled back in his mind to the steps of the Kalasasaya temple in Bolivia. The Wise One called Amaru had delivered a scathing report on humans and yet, when Mesmo had indicated that the Toreq would save him should they attack, Amaru had refused. He preferred to remain on Earth and share the fate of humans.
Mesmo had not understood it then, but he did now.
Amaru had already seen the doubt. Mesmo’s judgment was clouded by having had too much contact with the A’hmun descendants.
The Observer is no longer neutral.
With that sarcastic thought hanging like a dirty smudge in his mind, Mesmo collected the last key and stared at it for a moment, then slipped it into the last slot.
He dozed off while sifting through the data, waking with a start to a crackling sound. A smooth, metallic voice filled the spacecraft. The words were unintelligible to human ears, yet Mesmo’s brow relaxed.
“Receiving signal,” the placid voice stated. “Identify.”
Mesmo let out a shaky breath. “This is Earth Mission. Observer reporting.”
There was a long silence, and Mesmo knew he had just unleashed great excitement on the other side.
“Mesmo? Is that you?”
Because his contact had called him by name, Mesmo already knew who it was. “Yes, Torka.”
Another silence.
“We feared the worst,” Torka’s calm voice resonated in the ship. “What happened? I don’t recognize your vessel’s signature.”
Mesmo’s face became sombre. “The Earth Mission was attacked by an A’hmun rebel. I lost my two vessels…and my crew.” He paused. “Rebel is dead. This is his vessel. I am the sole survivor.” He stopped talking, reflecting on the failure of his mission. He had the seven keys, yes, but there had been too many deaths.
This time it took several minutes for Torka to get back to him. Mesmo waited expectantly for the metallic voice that came from his Mother Planet.
“Opening channel to receive data,” Torka said. “The Arch Council is ready to debate the fate of the banished A’hmun. Our forces are gathered at the wormhole…”
“I’m not sure A’hmun is still the appropriate name for the peoples’ of Earth,” Mesmo reflected half to himself.
“The Arch Council awaits the keys,” the voice interrupted.
Mesmo stared at the seven slots without moving.
“Wormhole closing in four-one units,” Torka continued. “Trajectory stable. Confirm transfer of data…” There was a pause, then Torka added, “…and identify the vessel’s second occupant.”
Mesmo’s head shot up at Torka’s last words. “Repeat?” he exclaimed.
The voice came through evenly, yet it turned Mesmo’s blood cold. “We are capturing a second heartbeat in your vessel. Identify.”
Mesmo whirled. He stared at Bordock, but the shapeshifter had not moved. Yet Torka maintained there was someone else in the vessel with him. Searching feverishly, his gaze fell on the six, large circles outlined on the back wall of the ship–three above and three below. He jumped to his feet and scanned them with his eyes. Tiny lights scintillated next to each tube. A heartbeat registered on one of them.
The voice insisted behind him, “Identify.”
Mesmo touched the flickering light with his fingertip, and a sleep-inducing tube slid out effortlessly before him.
Mesmo gaped at the boy within.
***
Ben opened his eyes. The contour of a man’s strong features hovered above his own.
“Mesmo!´ he gasped. He straightened into a sitting position and threw himself into the alien’s arms.
Mesmo almost fell over, but caught himself just in time, then hugged him back. “Benjamin!” he exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
Ben hiccupped into Mesmo’s shoulder. “It was Bordock. He brought our bodies to the spaceship, then broke the connection with the spirit portal. I barely registered slipping back into my body before I lost consciousness. I thought you were…I…” The words wouldn’t come as emotion overwhelmed him.
Mesmo pulled him to a standing position, staring at him with eyebrows drawn together. Ben wondered why his face had turned ashen, but the alien pulled him close and hugged him tightly.
Ben sniffled into the alien’s sweater. “I’m so glad to see you!” he said. “I thought I was done for.”
“Oh, Benjamin, you have no idea…” Mesmo said, unable to finish the sentence.
They held on a while longer in silence, but then Mesmo let him go and said, “Wait a minute. You said Bordock brought our bodies. Do you mean…?” He broke off and rushed to the other sleep-inducing tubes. He activated them, one after the other, until the six tubes had slid out before them. Two were empty, but three contained lifeless forms.
Ben squinted as both he and Mesmo were drawn to the same tube. It held a young girl with long, white hair. Mesmo grasped the side of the tube, stooping over his daughter.
“Kaia!” he breathed in a broken voice.
Ben stood by him, his throat tight, and observed the delicate features and greyish skin of the one who had given him his skill.
It could have been me.
His legs feeling wobbly, Ben sank to a crouching position. He leant with his back against the wall of the ship and bent his head in silence while Mesmo spread his arms over Kaia’s tube and rested his forehead against the glass.
They remained like that for a long time, until a robotic voice crackled through the craft.
“What’s that?” Ben jumped in alarm.
Mesmo slowly released the tube. “Home,” he said.
“Wha…?” He stood in a hurry, excitement washing over him. “You can actually communicate with someone on your home planet, on the other side of the wormhole?”
Mesmo nodded grimly and sent the tubes containing their precious cargo back into the wall.
The voice repeated the same thing.
“What’s he saying?” Ben whispered in awe.
Mesmo looked at him. “They want to know who’s with me.”
Ben gulped, suddenly feeling observed. “Oh,” was all he could come up with, then spotted a form hunched in a corner. He gasped in fear. “Mesmo! Is that…?”
Mesmo turned and approached the lifeless shapeshifter. He deactivated the electrical barrier, bent to his knees and nudged at the alien with the tips of his fingers. “…Bordock, yes,” he confirmed.
“What happened to him?” Ben breathed.
Mesmo turned to him and frowned, but instead of answering, he said, “Ben, your hands!”
Ben lifted them and found that they glowed.
A tired voice entered his mind.
Hello, Benjamin Archer. I am happy to see that you are awake.
“Whoa!” Ben exclaimed as Beetrix lifted from Bordock’s form and landed on the palm of his hand.
Beetrix! Am I glad to see you! I was afraid you were going to do something stupid.
The queen bee fluttered her tiny wings without replying.
Beetrix?
She remained silent, and Ben sensed her crushing exhaustion.
“Mesmo, what happened to Bordock?” he asked with fear growing in the pit of his stomach.
Mesmo frowned. “What do you mean? Don’t you know?”
“How could I? I was in there.” He gestured to the tubes.
Mesmo’s eyes narrowed. “You mean, you don’t know what happened at all?”
Ben shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. “No, but I can already guess. Beetrix sent her hive on Bordock, didn’t she?”
“Yes, but why are you sad? Aren’t you the one who ordered the attack?”
Ben’s nostrils flared. “Of course not!” He turned accusing eyes to the queen bee. “Beetrix, I told you not to do that! Why didn’t you listen?” His voice shook as he turned to Mesmo again. “Don’t you see? When a bee stings, it dies. It can only sting once. Beetrix sacrificed her hive to save us from Bordock.”
“I’m aware of that. But isn’t that what you wanted?”
Ben shut his eyes. “Argh! No, no! I told Beetrix not to do it. But she went ahead anyway…”
“Benjamin.” Ben opened his eyes and found Mesmo with his head tilted. “If the hive hadn’t attacked Bordock, we would probably be dead by now. Are you saying they came of their own, free will?”
Ben was crushed. He stared at Beetrix and nodded.
Mesmo continued, “With the skill you possess, you could have told the bees to save you, even if it meant sacrificing them. You could have imposed your will on them.” His voice softened. “But you didn’t.”
Ben sat and rested his head in his hands. “Of course not. I would never ask of anyone–or anything–to risk their life for me.”
“Even if it meant losing yours…” Mesmo’s voice trailed off.
Ben exhaled into his hands.
Benjamin Archer. Those I lost were soldiers who were raised to protect me. They knew that my future hive will only survive if you do, too. I ask you to speak to your kind on my behalf. You must tell them that the connection between bee colonies is broken. We are lost and confused. Our children are sick. My hive is lost, but, with your help, other hives will thrive.
Ben slowly slid his head out of his hands and nodded.
Yes, Beetrix, I promised I would help. And I will.
The insect buzzed.
Then let us get out of this box. I need sunlight.
“What is she saying?” Mesmo asked, observing Ben.
Ben forced a smile. “She says she wants out. Can we get some fresh air?”
The metallic voice burst into the spacecraft, and floating screens went wild with symbols.
“Now what?” Ben exclaimed as he watched the swirling patterns reflecting on the black walls of the ship.
Mesmo remained still as stone, taking no notice of whatever it was the spacecraft was trying to tell him. Although the otherworldly voice spoke evenly, its continued repetitions made it clear that something was up.
“Mesmo?” Ben felt pressure mounting. “What’s he saying?”
For once, Mesmo looked at him straight in the eyes. “He is saying that we have arrived.”
Ben raised an eyebrow. “Arrived…where?”
The alien flicked his hand, and the hovering screens vanished, leaving them in total darkness, but then Ben realized the window had cleared, revealing tiny pinpricks of light on the other side. He bent forward. “Wow! Are those stars?” He glanced at Mesmo, his heart pounding, “Are we flying?”
The alien stared at him intensely, and Ben’s mouth went dry. “Wait a minute
…” he said, staring at the darkness again.
The spacecraft tipped, and a massive planet rose before him, filling the entire window. Brown lines swirled around its yellowish surface while the vessel hurtled below billions of icy rocks that made up row after row of rings that circled it.
Ben’s eyes almost rolled out of their sockets. “Is…is th-that…?”
“Saturn.”
Ben lost his voice altogether. He pressed his hands and nose against the window, his eyes not big enough to take in the immensity of the view that sprawled before him.
The spacecraft glided to the left, revealing the crackled surface of another globe, this one a beautiful bluish-grey with wrinkles that resembled rivers.
“And that is Enceladus,” Mesmo said, though Ben’s ears refused to transfer the unbelievable information to his brain.
The spacecraft slid towards Saturn’s moon, and Ben began making out translucent plumes of water vapor emanating from the celestial body. As the ship approached the surface and entered one of the plumes, a gush of tiny ice particles hit the window like glitter, making Ben jump.
The spacecraft emerged from the geyser of ice and headed for another particularly long one that reached out in Saturn’s direction, then swirled mid-way and disappeared into nothingness like water going down a drain.
The metallic voice spoke incessantly, with Mesmo answering in a guttural language.
“What did you say?” he asked in awe.
Mesmo did not answer right away. “I told them,” he said finally, “that my cold analysis of the data leads me to conclude that the A’hmun deserve to be crushed once and for all, yet my heart aches to embrace each and every one of them individually...”
Ben lifted an eyebrow, not understanding.
Mesmo seemed to have forgotten that he was standing there, and said half to himself, “How does one mend such a paradox?”
Ben opened his mouth to speak, but the alien said, “Approaching wormhole in zero-seven units. Wormhole closure in three-one units.”
“Wormhole?” Ben managed, his voice tiny. He could barely stand on his legs. He blinked at the approaching, swirling geyser that was sucked into the pinpoint of a wormhole and forced the words out of his mouth, his heart sinking all the way to his feet as the realization hit him. “You don’t have time to take me back to Earth, do you?”
