by S V Hurn
“Darling you can be with him whenever you want, but he will be here before you know it. Don’t fret my dear girl.” Her mother kissed her forehead, “Don’t worry, life as you knew it is short.”
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Athena bravely gave the eulogy for her mother and then sat beside Alex, whose head was bent, and shoulders curled as he twirled the wedding ring placed there by his beloved wife little more than a week ago. Alex was devastated by his loss. Unable to contain his anguish, his eyes were red and swollen. He wanted to stand and speak about what a wonderful woman he had married, but he was a broken man. Everything that made him whole was now gone. He gathered his strength and with as much composure as he could muster, slowly stood and took the podium, grasping at it as he bowed under the weight of his grief. He shook as he spoke while clutching one of Dorathy’s braids still bound by the pink ribbon. “Dorathy was an incredible woman. She helped so many people by giving them the means to expand their horizons, to venture beyond their boundaries, to hold on to their hopes and to realize their dreams. I was one of those fortunate enough to have been a part of her life. She was my life. She was, and always will be, my wife.”
Alex could no longer hold on to his composure. He broke down as Athena got up to lead him down from the podium.
Jack, Lucy and Hugo each took their turn to speak of friendship and kindness. Many whose lives had been impacted by Dorathy had gotten up to speak. One after another they stepped up to the podium to tell a tale of how much better their lives were because she had been a part of it.
Later at the wake, Alex sat in a chair in the corner of the room, staring blankly out into the backyard of Lucy’s home. He was winding Dorathy’s long braid around his hand, around and around, holding his grief at bay. If he were to stop caressing the braid, he feared he would stop breathing— then he thought it may be a far better thing than to live through this torture. Athena touched his shoulder. “Alex, can I get you anything?”
He looked up at her and saw Dorathy’s face. “No, I’m okay.”
Athena dragged a chair closer to Alex and asked, “Can I sit with you?”
Alex quietly responded, “Sure.”
“I got the call from Lifecor today. Mom has been placed into the capsule and is ready to be shipped to New Mexico to be launched by Virgin Galactic Launcher One on Saturday. Hugo, Jack and Lucy have said they want to be present, so I’ve arranged for the jet to take us all there. Lifecor is taking Mom in the transport plane as the weight is more that we can handle on the jet.”
Alex looked pained at the thought that Dorathy wanted this for herself. “Athena, if she stays here with us maybe one day they can fix her, maybe.” His voice trailed off. He knew her massive brain aneurism could not be repaired, not soon anyway. Athena took the hand that still clutched Dorathy’s braid. “I have my braid in my diary. I hold it sometimes as it gives me comfort knowing I, we, still have a little bit of Mom still with us.”
Alex looked down at the hand holding his. “You have your mother’s hands.” He started to weep. “All I have left of her is this braid of hair.” He looked up at Athena. “Her long hair would not have survived the freezing process completely intact. His gaze drifted. “They wanted to shave her head. I told them, ‘absolutely not, just cut the length.’ So, they cut her braids off.”
Athena held him close as he sobbed. They sat and wept together. Athena finally said, “Alex, I hope you continue to live in the house. Kevin and I are thinking about getting our own place anyway. We’ve set a date for the wedding. Alex, will you walk me down the aisle?”
Alex looked up and said, “I’d be honored, Athena. I know I haven’t been around very long, but I hope you can look at me as your family and that you will allow me to be a part of your life.”
“Alex, you will always be a part of my life and I want you to know that I will always be here for you.”
He smiled and gave his stepdaughter a kiss on the cheek. “I love you, my Athena.”
“I love you, too, Pops.”
When the wake was over Athena and Alex drove home in silence. Alex opened the door to the house, and he could almost smell dinner cooking and Dorathy’s voice calling out, “Baby, you’re home,” with a big hug and a kiss to follow. He could still discern her sweet perfume lingering in the air. Reaching the kitchen, he fell to his knees in anguish and cried, “I can’t believe she’s gone . . . I want her back, Athena . . . I can’t go on . . .”
Athena tried to be strong for him; she needed to be his rock. “Oh Alex, I know, I miss her too, but she wouldn’t want us to be like this . . . she would be saying right now, ‘Get over it and live!’”
“I know she would.” But he couldn’t handle the pain. He got up slowly and settled at the dining table as Athena poured him a strong drink. “I’m sorry, Athena. I wish I could be strong like you. I don’t know if your mom ever got around to telling you, but she was going to hand in her resignation after the launch; we were going to start a new life for ourselves.”
“No, she didn’t. Oh, I’m so sorry, Alex. I’m sorry for you and I’m so sad for Mom. She was never happier. Alex, you gave her the happiness she was always seeking. I’m so thankful you came into her life even though it was for a brief time. She died happy. Thank you for giving that to her.
Alex threw back the remainder of his drink and choked on his words. “I need to lie down for a while.”
She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the head. “I think I’ll do the same.”
It was April fourth and it was already very warm. Alex, Athena, Hendrik and his family, Lucy, Roger, Jack, Mel, Hugo and his wife had flown into the Virgin Galactic Space Port to watch Dorathy’s launch. There was a media frenzy beyond the gate, reporters trying to position themselves to win access to the story of the year.
The cargo plane carrying Dorathy’s cryocapsule had arrived as scheduled, with Karen the design engineer from JPL. Wafts of steam drifted from the exhaust ports around Karen, who was busy checking the outer casing and making minor adjustments. They winched the capsule onto a custom-built gurney to maneuver it to the hold of Launcher One.
Alex and Athena approached, and Karen reached out for a hug and said, “I rode in the back with Dorathy all the way here.” Karen continued, her voice cracking with emotion, “She was such an inspiration to me, such a brilliant engineer. I’m so sorry for your loss. She’s all set to go so I’ll give you some time alone with her before we load her in. I understand there’s room for a passenger in the cockpit, which one of you will be going up?”
Alex said, “Athena and I discussed it. I’ll be taking that seat.”
Karen nodded in acknowledgment. “You’ll have a great view up there—almost in space, but not quite; that honor goes to Dorathy.” Karen patted Alex on the shoulder and squeezed Athena’s hand before she walked away.
Athena bent over and kissed the capsule. She laid her hand on top and said, “Oh Mom, I love you so much and I miss you desperately. I hope that your journey into the unknown is filled with happiness and adventure. I know you’re in a good place with Grandma and Grandpa. I put all the little things that were in your keepsake box in there with you so you will always have them. I promise to make you proud and every time I look up at the stars, I will think of you.” Athena wiped her eyes and patted the cold metal one last time before walking away.
Alex put both hands atop the metal casing. “I love you, my darling wife. You are and always will be the love of my life. I will always treasure the time we had and look forward to when we can be together again.” A soft warm breeze dried the tears that spilled down his face as he spoke his final words to his beloved. He kissed the casing and entered the launcher aircraft.
The captain helped Alex into his flight suit and got him situated in the passenger seat while Athena walked back to join the others on the tarmac. Dorathy was carefully placed into the cargo hold of the aircraft with the help of Karen and the flight engineers. Everything was set to go.
Athena and the
others watched through the heat shimmer rising off the airstrip as the aircraft barreled down the runway. It took off with tremendous force, bound for the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere. Dorathy’s spacecraft would rocket away past Earth’s gravity and then her creation would bend space and take her into the unknown.
Everyone waited in the heat and felt the ground shake as Launcher One sped past them down the runway and took off at a steep angle. Minutes had passed like the slow ticking of an old clock. Athena, blinded by the sun, looked up and saw her mom hurtle away with fiery rockets blazing over a perfectly formed rainbow from a passing storm. The sonic boom that followed had shaken her. Her mom was truly gone.
Alex looked out his porthole and could make out the curve of the Earth. He could hear the captain speaking over the earpiece built into his helmet. “Launcher One is a go. Mark, five, four, three, two, one. Release.”
Alex whispered to himself, “Safe travels, dear wife.”
“Release confirmed, remote activate now.” He felt the capsule disengage and felt the rumble from outside the aircraft. He placed his gloved hand on the porthole and watched as the red tail flames of the capsule whisked his beloved Dorathy away. Away, faster and faster she journeyed into space, into the unknown, into the abyss. Only a few moments had passed before a yellow flash sent out a shock wave that shook their craft just as it began its descent to Earth—back to life, back to emptiness and loneliness.
Inside the Space Port Karen excused herself from the group and found a secluded location where she could use the satellite phone that had been sent to her. It had only one number programmed. She pressed the button and a foreign voice spoke briefly, “Is it done?”
“Yes, goddamn it. I did it, now wire me the money!”
“You’ll get your money as soon as we verify her location.”
Karen spoke, spitting with anger, “Good luck with that. She’s just gone through a wormhole that closed behind her. I did as you asked and attached your contraption, now wire me my money.”
The line went dead, and the phone started to heat up in her hand. She could smell the fumes from overheating wires and melting plastic. She tossed it in a large trash bin and skirted the media horde surrounding Alex and Athena as they attempted to exit through the other side of the terminal to board their jet.
Stuart woke with the throbbing headache that was quite familiar to him. He found himself lying in the bushes under a shade tree, in the rear parking lot of Lifecor, wearing the clothes in which he had been taken. There was a thermos standing next to him. Desperately trying to stay awake, he managed to prop himself up against the base of the tree. He drank from the thermos, cool water soothing his parched mouth, until it was almost gone. He needed to get to his wife. Holding onto the tree for support, he slowly stood erect and leaned against it for a moment to gather his scattered recollections. Recalling his last moments in the machine that was to erase his memory he knew now Brenda was true to her word. Remembering what she had said to him prior to the procedure, he lay still and unreactive. There was whirring from the machine as it spun around his head. When the sounds ceased, he maintained a blank stare and they had drugged him, assuming that Brenda had set the machine accurately in order to completely erase Stuart’s memory.
He struggled to gather his strength to cross the parking lot to the building. He used the stucco wall to support himself, clawing at the wall and dragging himself along. He finally reached the front office.
Stuart tumbled through the front door and fell to the floor. Lori, startled by the commotion, looked up from her work at the front desk and screamed loudly, “Stuart! Somebody help, its Stuart!” She ran to kneel at his side.
Stuart held up his hand, his voice cracking, “Don’t call the police.”
Just then, one of the technicians pushed the door open with force. “What the hell is wrong, Lori? Holy shit!” He yelled back into the offices, “Hey Kent, get the Doc out here pronto. It’s Stu!” The tech came to Stuart’s aid, stumbling to his knees in the process. “Hey buddy, you’re safe now. Lori, get him some water. Shit! And get the Doc in here!”
Lori did as she was told and went running into the back offices yelling, “Stu’s in the reception area!”
Kent and Stuart’s replacement came running in to his side. “Okay, lay him down and give him some space. Someone get the oxygen from the prep room.” Kent jumped up. “On it!”
After a few moments, Stuart’s head started to clear. “Don’t call the police. I’m going to be fine . . . don’t call the paramedics. Call my wife . . . and call Alex.”
Lori placed the call to Stuart’s wife Tracey first. “Oh my God, Tracey, Stuart’s here! No, it seems like they drugged him, but he’s fine.”
Lori then called Alex. The phone rang and rang, until finally Athena answered, “Yes?”
Lori was talking so quickly she was falling over her words. “It’s Lori, I’m Lori. Calling to . . . your . . . Stu’s back! Is Alex there?”
It took a moment for the information to process, “Yes . . . yes, I’ll wake him. Hold on.” Athena ran to the other side of the house and banged on the bedroom door. “Alex wake up. It’s Lori on the phone, Stu’s back!” There was no response. “Alex!” Athena yelled. She opened the door, but Alex wasn’t there, and the bed was left unmade as it had been for days. The French doors were open to the patio and Athena looked into the backyard to find him curled up under a blanket on the oversized lounge bed her mother had bought. She walked over in her bare feet, the decking cold and damp from the morning dew and held out the phone. “Alex wake up. It’s Lori, Stuart’s turned up.”
Alex rolled over, his hair a matted mess and his beard overgrown. He looked up at her with bloodshot eyes framed in dark circles. His voice cracked as he fought to come fully awake and took the phone. “Lori, Stu . . . is he okay?”
“Yes, he seems fine. The Doc is looking after him now.”
After a long pause Alex said, “I’ll get the next flight out. Are the police there?”
“No, he refuses to call them.”
“All right . . . please tell him I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
CHAPTER 22
Brenda was lying, nervous, on the table. The two technicians that had acted as assistants during the past procedures were now in control of her transference. “Okay then. The system has been programmed; all you have to do is start it.”
Felix smiled down at her. “Don’t you worry Doc, I got this.”
Brenda looked up at the young technician who had become like a son to her over the time spent in this underground facility. She took his hand and palmed him a note. Her eyes brimming with tears she whispered, “For my mother.”
He nodded his head and Brenda could see from his expression he would carry out her last wish as he inserted the needle and started her IV. She was out in only a moment. The mechanism slowly slid her body into position, and it started to whir slowly around her head then gained speed. Everything seemed to be functioning normally when unexpectedly the machine was spinning out of control and the unit started to shake violently.
Hans jumped out of his chair and shouted, “Don’t turn it off! We must let it run its course or she will be lost!” After several long, agonizing moments the machine came to a grinding halt. Felix frantically checked the console and said, “According to this, the upload was successful.”
Hans walked over to review the display. Somewhat familiar with the programming, he punched a few buttons on the screen and said, “It appears that the program has run through its entire cycle. Continue, finish the job.” Felix selected a needle filled with the lethal concoction and inserted it into the IV. Brenda’s journey was complete. Hans looked concerned as he said to Felix, “Whatever’s done is done. Commence the freezing process.”
The following day Hans had all four canisters moved adjacent to the ship to prepare for the final installation. The remaining components were then connected to fashion fully automated revival units. As Hans oversaw the progress on the
ship’s interior, Edgar boarded to tell him that he had received an important call in communications. “They’re holding for you.”
Hans sat in front of the monitor and regarded the familiar face of Lucca staring back at him. He asked Lucca, “Have you been able to verify her location?”
“No, not from here. But I believe once the ship has entered the Prime Reality, they should be able to home in on the beacon.” The gentle voice continued, “Yes, I believe her untimely death, such as it was, has led our advisory to believe she is long gone, and he is hopefully satisfied with her end. We still get most of the Rosen wealth, which is convenient and most beneficial to our cause. John would have agreed with what has been done.”
“Hans leaned back in his chair wondering what their friend would have thought of his only child’s death being planned as it was. He said, “Ultimately, he would have agreed with our method to ensure the continuation of the bloodline. After all is said and done, she will come to realize the importance of this mission on a more fundamental level.”
Lucca sighed in agreement and with a heavy heart asked, “And what of Dr. Kern?”
“I took care of him. He won’t even know his own name.”
“I hope you’re right, but I think even so anyone listening to him will think he has gone mad.”
Hans sounded determined when he replied, “We are in the final stages and with a timely departure there won’t be any need to worry about the Doctor one way or the other.”
“Yes. I trust you will keep me apprised of any changes to our schedule. My source at the Pentagon tells me they are digging a little too deeply for my comfort. INTERPOL has also done their fair share of scrutinizing our activities. This mission needs to be concluded. It is just a matter of time before they establish your location.”
Hans agreed. “Understood. By the time they put it together, we will be long gone, and all evidence of our technology will have vanished.”
