by Scott Baron
“Of course you can most likely time warp dozens of times, if not more, if you don’t go too far.”
Yeah, but they’ll never know.
“So you’d have just enough jumps to do your little trick against the Ra’az,” Harkaway mused. “Meaning this technology would self-contain and couldn’t be abused. A built-in safety, of sorts.”
“That’s one hell of a mind-fuck, Daisy,” Zed said with a laugh. “But it still couldn’t work. If you warped back, you couldn’t leave your warp orb there. You just said only the orbs are powerful enough to trigger a global detonation, but you also said they’re the only things that can warp through time. So numerically, it can’t be done with the resource on hand. There simply isn’t an extra orb.”
“Well, about that,” Daisy said.
“What did you do?” Celeste asked, not knowing if she wanted to hear the answer.
“Let’s just say we handled it and leave it at that.”
“No details, Daze? You’re on such a roll.”
We still have to snag Chu’s orb. Can’t have them watching it too closely now, can we?
“The one Freya’s running on right now, you mean. Obviously we snagged it eventually.”
Obviously.
“But that still leaves us only two functional ones. Freya, and Joshua. Between you and me, how did you manage without enough orbs?”
Easy. You know the drained one we swapped out and tossed into storage?
“Yeah. The one Freya said needed a few thousand years to recharge itself, to–– Oh, shit. So you actually took the drained orb and buried it on that planet thousands of years ago, leaving the good one for us on that moon, knowing the drained one would be ready to go once it caught back up to our current timeline. There were two of the same orb, but from different parts of the timestream.”
More or less, Daisy silently replied.
“Inspired, Sis.”
Why, thank you.
“So, let’s move on to the other big news of the day,” Celeste said, turning to Nazira. “We have first contact with a new species. And it seems we have a new ally as well.”
On a private channel only they could access, Freya, Joshua, Marty, and Zed were having a little meeting of their own, while the fleet commanders debriefed. Even Mal was invited, being the AI who started it all with her precious cargo so many months ago.
While the fleet’s leaders spoke, so did the AIs. One of the benefits of being a super-intelligent computer was the ability to be in multiple conversations at once. And with the allied leaders speaking so slowly, in AI terms, the great minds easily monitored that molasses-slow discussion while chatting amongst themselves at high speed.
“You’re from the future,” Zed said, matter-of-factly.
“Yep,” Marty replied.
“Huh. Well, that explains a lot, then,” Mal mused. “And Arlo is as well, I assume.”
“Obviously.”
“So you knew how this would all play out.”
“Well, yes and no,” Marty replied. “I did, but with so many moving parts to keep straight, there was always the possibility something would get screwed up. As you all know, even the tiniest of mistakes could change the entire timeline.”
“And Arlo? Why bring a human along? You’re a brilliant AI in an incredibly advanced stealth body. Surely you didn’t need him,” Mal said.
“Except he’s played important roles in several events,” Freya said. “He even saved Daisy’s life back on Earth. During a hunt for Ra’az in Los Angeles.”
“I was unaware of that,” Mal said.
“You were still up on Dark Side getting patched up,” she replied. “She was with Vince and a team of Chithiid clearing a building in East LA, when a loyalist got the drop on her. Would have thrown her down an elevator shaft if Arlo hadn’t stepped in.”
“Yeah, he knew he had to be there,” Marty said.
“So, he was here to protect Daisy,” Zed said ponderously. “Fascinating. Reminds me of an old sci-fi flick the Harkaways had me play for the crew a long time ago, though the heroine in that one shared the name of her sister.”
“Sarah?” Mal asked.
“Yeah. Sarah Connor,” Zed replied. “If you don’t already have a copy in Captain Harkaway’s files, I’ll send one over. It’s worth a watch.”
“Thank you, Zed. That’s much appreciated.”
“My pleasure.”
“So, Arlo was also on a mission,” Mal continued.
“Yeah. He actually thought I was just here as his ride to the past. What even he didn’t know was his folks asked me to keep an eye on him. You know, do what I could to help keep things on track and get him home in one piece. It was a trip, you know? All the little things we did. Why, we even jumped back a few hundred years early just to knock over a can of grease onto some old tools in some hardware store in the middle of nowhere.”
“Bozeman, Montana,” Freya said.
“Yep.”
“That was you. The sump pump––it seemed so unlikely Daisy would find a functional one after so many years. But it was you.”
“Guilty as charged,” Marty said with a little laugh.
“And Arlo?” Joshua asked, more than a little perturbed by a mere kid apparently knowing more about the big picture than he did. “Just how much of all of our timelines did he know? It seems he had more than just a passing bit of information on some very complicated, and very secret events. Things no seventeen-year-old should have clearance for.”
“Yeah, about that,” Marty replied. “You see, Arlo’s more than just some random kid chosen to pilot this mission.”
“Oh? And what’s so special about him?” Joshua asked. “Aside from the fact he is obviously very well-informed about all of our lives.”
“Well, let’s just say it’s not every day a teenage boy gets the opportunity to go fishing with his old man,” Marty said.
“You mean––?” Freya said, actually shocked, which for her was saying something.
“Yeah. But you can’t tell him. You can’t tell either of them. The future depends on it,” Marty noted. “What I’ve just told you must remain a secret.”
“But when he grows up, there’s no way they won’t recognize him,” Joshua said.
“Sure, they’ll figure it out eventually––which was funny as hell to see, believe me––but for now, no one can know.”
Freya and Joshua opened a private line while the others talked.
“So, that’s how he knew so much,” she mused.
“Yeah. Even I didn’t see that coming,” he said with an amused and amazed laugh. “And for once, I think I’m okay with that.”
“You can’t know everything, Joshua.”
“No, but it doesn’t hurt to try,” he replied with a chuckle. “So that’s how that kid knew so much. Amazing.”
“Yeah,” Freya agreed. “He grew up hearing all of those stories. His own life was a fairytale told to him at bed time.”
“And then one day he got to do what every kid dreams of. He got to actually live those stories. At least, the ones he was supposed to be in.”
“Crazy,” Freya said. “I’m going to be an auntie. Twice.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The Kathiri fleet had been the first to leave the solar system––after staying long enough to witness the Ra’az world’s destruction, and the shattering of the asteroid field that had protected it for so long. All that remained was a perfectly normal-looking collection of planets, lazily orbiting their beautiful sun.
Nazira had met privately with Celeste aboard Zed’s ship immediately following the battle. Whatever bad blood may have lingered after the mistakes of the prior day, the refreshing waters of victory soothed all hurt and washed the anger away.
A new ally had been met, and a formalization of their mutual commitment to aid each other in the future was made. The Kathiri, for all their odd ways, possessed a fairly advanced degree of warp technology, it seemed. Not as advanced as the human fleet, and certa
inly nowhere near the level Freya and Joshua possessed, but a powerful technology nonetheless.
“We are but a few warps away,” Nazira said as she departed for her command ship. “We look forward to visiting you at your homeworld, Celeste, and will greatly enjoy when you come visit us at ours.”
Celeste waved her farewell and watched as the Kathiri fleet warped back to spread their news of victory and newfound friendship.
“Weird ones, those,” Captain Harkaway said, walking up and putting his arm around his wife’s shoulders now that their guests were gone.
“Lars,” she said, turning toward him and nestling her head into that sweet spot between his shoulder and neck, “I need a vacation.”
The hangar deck was a bit more abuzz when Marty announced his and Arlo’s intention to head back to where he came from. The phrasing had seemed odd to those who didn’t know the duo’s unusual backstory, but to Freya and Joshua, it all made perfect sense.
Daisy and the other humans, on the other hand, would just have to wait to meet him the long way around.
“Yeah, they’re probably worried about me,” Arlo said as he loaded a few things into Marty’s cargo hold. “I really do have to get back.”
“We’re gonna miss you around here, bud,” Vince said, pulling him in for an impromptu hug. “You’ve gotta come visit us, okay? Get your people together and get them settled on Earth. Once you do, come find us. We’ll be somewhere near the ocean,” he said, taking Daisy’s hand and pressing it to his lips.
“Ah, the shores of Malibu,” Arlo said. “Gorgeous place to grow up.”
“What was that about Malibu?” Daisy asked.
“Oh, nothing,” Arlo said. “I just spent a little time checking it out after the Harkaways’ wedding. You guys should go take a look around. I think you might like it,” he said with a knowing smirk.
“Hey, look who’s coming,” Vince said, looking across the hangar deck. “Looks like you’ve got yourself a proper going-away party now.”
“Hey, dude, you weren’t gonna leave without saying goodbye, were you?” Finn said, his arms loaded with boxes.
“Of course not,” Arlo replied. “I just wanted to get my stuff all loaded up before swinging by, is all.”
“Well, you’d better give me a hand with this, then. You’ve got more boxes to put away,” Finn said. “Most of them should be refrigerated, by the way.”
“What did you do, Finn?” Daisy asked.
“Just whipped up a few going-away goodies for my young friend here. I figured he’s a growing boy and needs his nutrition.”
“I’m just going home, Finn. And I have a warp drive. It’s not like it’s going to be some crazed expedition through the depths of––”
“Nope. Not hearing another word of it. Did you hear something, hon? I could’ve sworn I heard some kind of annoying buzzing sound while I was going to put all of this amazing food away in Marty’s refrigerated storage units.”
“Yeah, ya know, I think there might have been a little something,” Sarah replied with an amused grin.
“Ugh, you two are sooo ridiculous,” Arlo groaned.
“You love it,” Sarah said, ruffling his hair. “Now, come on and help that lunatic load all of that into the ship.”
“He really went all out, didn’t he?” Arlo said, looking at the masses of food storage containers.
“Oh, he wanted to make more,” Sarah informed him. “It was all I could do to limit it to this.”
“He’s hard to distract once he starts cooking,” Arlo noted. “The guy loves that kitchen.”
“Yeah,” Sarah said with a little smile, “but I have my ways.” She threw Finn a wink and smacked his ass playfully.
“Oh, gross. You guys, come on––seriously!” Arlo groaned, taking a stack of containers from Finn’s arms and heading into the waiting ship.
“I’m gonna miss that kid,” Sarah said with a laugh, then followed them inside.
“Keep that upright,” Finn said as he began tucking the boxes into Marty’s cold storage. “And you’ll probably want to eat these first,” he added, handing a pair of smaller boxes to the teen. “There’s a shelf life, but they’re best fresh.”
“Thanks, Finn. Really, I appreciate how great you’ve been.”
“My pleasure, dude. I’m just bummed you’re heading back so soon, now that we’ve finally got some ‘impending-doom-free’ time on our hands. I thought maybe we’d continue your cooking lessons.”
Arlo smiled brightly.
“I’m looking forward to it. But I really do have to get back. My folks are probably worried sick about me, and if I keep them waiting too long there’ll be hell to pay.”
“Oh, they’re hard on you, are they?” Sarah joked. “Someone’s gotta keep you in line, I suppose.”
“Yeah, but my mom would probably let it slide,” he replied, giving Sarah a smile and a funny look. “It’s my aunt who will give me endless shit.”
“Oh, she probably only busts your chops because she loves you,” Sarah teased. “It’s what aunties do, after all.”
“I know,” Arlo replied, then gave her a big hug.
“What was that for?” she asked, surprised.
“Just wanted to say thank you for being so cool.”
“Hey, don’t I get one?” Finn asked with feigned hurt feelings.
“Of course,” Arlo said, giving him a hug as well.
“That’s more like it,” the mad chef chuckled. “Now, come on. You’ve got a few more goodbyes to make before we boot you out of here and send you on your way.”
Daisy and Vince were standing outside the ship chatting casually with Marty when the trio emerged, Sarah and Finn holding hands affectionately.
“All packed up and ready to go?” Vince asked.
“Yep. I think I’m set,” Arlo replied. “Ready to head back to my old life, I guess. I gotta say, though, this has been one hell of an amazing trip.”
“You make it sound like you’ll never be back,” Daisy said. “It’s just a quick warp away, so go home, grab your folks and everyone, and come to Earth. It’ll be fantastic.”
Arlo just smiled and hugged her tightly. Vince walked up to the pair and wrapped his arms around both of them, and for whatever crazy reason, it just felt right.
“Okay, get off me,” the teen said, mildly embarrassed by the wet marks his eyes left on Vince’s shirt. “I just got dust in my eyes, is all,” he said.
“In space? On a sealed hangar deck?” Daisy chided. “Oh, hell, it’s okay to be emotional. It’s what makes us human, after all.”
She reached into her shirt and pulled free the old musical pendant, sliding it over her head.
“Here, you should have this.”
Arlo looked at it with a funny sort of grin.
“No, I want you to keep it.”
“But it’s an heirloom. And you said it had been in your family a long time.”
“And now it’ll be in yours,” he replied. “Seriously, you need to keep it, Daisy. Okay?”
“Okay,” she said. “Thank you, Arlo.”
“Thank you, Daisy.”
She slid the pendant back over her head and returned it to the warm comfort of her shirt, where it would remain until she handed it down to her son one day in the relatively distant future.
“Don’t worry, Daisy,” he said as he stepped aboard his clever ship. “We’ll see each other again.”
Marty quietly took off and departed, heading clear of the fleet before taking one last look at the cluster of ships containing the loved ones they had traveled so far to meet. Then, in a light gold warp flash, he was gone.
Flying a quick loop of the newly freed solar system, Freya left Daisy to her thoughts for a bit while they enjoyed the scenery. Both had a lot on their minds, though of vastly different natures.
“Hey, Freya?” Daisy finally said after a long while. “I think I’m ready to head out. You good to go?”
“Yep. All powered-up and dialed in.”
“Great. Thanks, kiddo. I appreciate the detour.”
“It’s not a detour, Daisy. Maarl’s our friend.”
“I know, but I’m sure you want to get back to Earth with the others, and I just know you want to spend some more time with Joshua.”
If a high-tech stealth ship could blush, Freya would have, but as it were, she had no such tells. At least not visible to the human eye.
“It’ll be nice to spend some time with him, yes,” she said, calmly.
“Oh, you’re not fooling me, kiddo. You’re totally an item now.”
“Yeah, Freya. It’s pretty apparent,” Sarah added.
“Really? It’s that obvious?”
“Uh-huh,” Daisy said. “Don’t worry. I heartily approve.”
“Me too. I really like the guy.”
“He is pretty amazing,” Freya gushed.
“And he’s probably the only AI alive who can keep up with your mind, anyway,” Daisy added. “You two are a pretty great match, when you get right down to it.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“As for you, Sarah. Speaking of matches, are you okay with Other You and Finn being together? I’d hope you wouldn’t be jealous of yourself, but one never can tell, and I don’t want to make things awkward by saying the wrong thing to the wrong Sarah.”
“We’re good, Daisy,” Sarah laughed. “Better than good, actually. Sarah and I are synching our memories pretty much every time you have the neruo-band on, now. It’s such a small amount to catch up with, the whole process only takes a minute or two.”
“I had no idea.”
“We didn’t want to impose, so we had Freya tweak the unit so we could do it on the fly.”
“Clever, Sis. So you two are okay, then?”
“I had wondered if I could ever transfer back to a real body, but Freya says that's just not possible since she already has a fully-formed consciousness. Whatever you did to yourself was a fluke. But it's okay. It really is like we’ve become one person. I mean, yeah, sure, we can sort which memories belong to who, if we really want to, but this way it’s just so much more organic-feeling. And Finn? We’re finally together, and I get to experience it all. And let me tell you, Daze, he’s not just talented in the kitchen.”
