18

Dr. Snowden gulped as Caltorus and the Druuz barged into the hangar bay. Psyotica was beside Caltorus and had her hand extended toward Council Member Ardorin, who shuffled along with blank eyes. Decatron carried a box while flanked by Ares and a small group of Druuz. Emily had sent confirmation that she and Zed were on their way back. Dr. Snowden sensed something off in the way she spoke. Maybe it was just jitters from having to deal with Count Boris and Red Lightning. The fact that she was communicating at all probably meant they had dealt with the situation, and Count Boris and Red Lightning were back in their cells.

Caltorus stepped forward as more Druuz filled the room behind him. “Well … here we all are again.” He wagged a finger at Evaran. “You … surprise me. You weren’t supposed to be here. You’re more devious than I expected. I’m going to guess … that the robots turning on us was you. I suspect you’re also responsible for shutting off our rift door access to the world we first met on. Count Boris being in a cell was also a surprise.”

“You are correct,” said Evaran, taking a step forward with his shield active. “There has been a lot of death.”

“Oh … I know,” said Caltorus. “But there doesn’t need to be any more.” He eyed Evaran. “Let’s make a deal. God to god.”

“I am not a god, but I am listening.”

Caltorus smiled at Psyotica.

She lowered her head and closed her eyes.

Dr. Snowden jumped as Jake and Robert leaped forward and rushed over to stand next to Psyotica. They drew their pistols and pointed them at their heads.

“What are you doing?” asked Evaran.

“Insurance,” said Caltorus. He gestured at the box that Decatron was carrying. “Your precious V is in that box. He is very much alive, but can’t communicate. He does fly fast … for a machine, but he is not faster than a god. I admit … he possesses something truly unique, something … new that I don’t understand. I sense that about you as well.”

“I can sense him.”

“Of course you can. You’re beyond what was described to me. I know that now. You somehow escaped,” said Caltorus, casting a sidelong glance at Ares, “from restraints that would supposedly hold you, but enough of that. Here’s the deal. You give me Bruno, Red Lightning, and Count Boris and allow us safe passage out via one of those ships behind you, and in return, I give V, Council Member Ardorin, and your two,” said Caltorus, gesturing at Jake and Robert, “weaknesses back to you.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then we fight. I know Darius and his guards are closing in, and the INRA are beginning to arrive in numbers. You may very well win, but there will be casualties.” He gestured at the box V was in. “Ones you … probably wouldn’t like.”

Evaran’s gaze bored a hole through Caltorus.

Emily and Zed burst into the room.

Caltorus stepped back a bit as the Druuz took aim.

“They are with me,” said Evaran.

Caltorus extended an arm out, causing the Druuz to lower their staff weapons.

Zed and Emily hustled over to Evaran.

“More weaknesses,” said Caltorus. “So … do we have a deal?”

Evaran sighed as he looked around. “We have a deal.”

“Excellent. Now … Count Boris, Bruno, and Red Lightning were on their way here, yet I don’t see them,” said Caltorus

Zed raised his head. “I don’t know what deal was reached, but I have avenged my father. Count Boris is no more. Bruno is outside his cell, and Red Lightning is in hers.”

Evaran snapped his head toward Zed. “Count Boris was not yours to kill.” His gaze settled on Emily, then back at Zed. “I am disappointed.”

Dr. Snowden could see Emily’s eyes dull. He knew that look. It was the same one he had seen when she found out that her virtual-simulation girlfriend did not match up with reality when they were brought back to Earth. She was inconsolable, and he suspected this hit her hard, especially since she looked up to Evaran as a father figure. Dr. Snowden figured it was just a misunderstanding, and would be cleared up, but not right at the moment.

Evaran sighed as he closed his eyes for a moment.

“I see,” said Caltorus. His eyebrows angled down. “Count Boris was one of the first to welcome me to this world. He was loyal, and a close friend. And now he’s dead.” His eyes lit up. “So be it.” He dipped his head at Ardorin, then at Psyotica.

Psyotica lowered her head.

Ardorin’s eyes widened as he gasped for air. After a moment, his lifeless corpse hit the ground.

Zed stepped forward. “No!”

Evaran reached out and placed his staff across Zed’s chest. “You have done enough damage. Restrain yourself.”

Zed glowered at Evaran, then flung a hand in the air and took a step back.

Dr. Snowden gulped as he observed Ardorin’s limp body. It was not long ago that Dr. Snowden had talked with Ardorin, albeit via hologram. To see such a respected member so callously killed with such little regard made Dr. Snowden nauseous. His chest tightened as he struggled to breathe. Death was everywhere, and it seemed just being around it was enough to shake him. Ardorin probably had a long life planned out, and now, because of Zed, Ardorin lay still on the ground, with a face frozen in surprise.

Evaran’s eyes bored a hole in Caltorus. “That was uncalled for.”

“Was it?” asked Caltorus. “These manager scum believe in a life for a life. I’m just respecting their custom.”

“No, you’re not,” said Zed. “Count Boris started this by killing my father.”

“And the managers killed Count Zakarian.”

Evaran stood in front of Zed. “Please let me handle this.”

Zed shook his head and sat down.

Evaran observed Zed for a moment, then faced Caltorus. “Get Bruno and Red Lightning. You will give us V, Jake, and Robert and then leave. Any more senseless death and the deal is off. Rest assured, we will meet again.”

Caltorus smiled. “That’s more like it.”

“I need to update Darius,” said Evaran. He interacted with his ARI. After updating Darius, he said, “Red Lightning’s cell has been brought forward and is open. As Zed mentioned earlier, Bruno is outside the cells.”

“Good. I’ll personally get them. Psyotica will remain here. Any treachery and she will end Jake and Robert’s lives. In addition to that, the box V is in would end his existence,” said Caltorus. He pointed at Evaran, then Dr. Snowden. “You two can come with me.” He glanced at Zed and then Emily. “I’m sure the rest of your group won’t let something foolish occur, assuming you can … trust them. I sure wouldn’t.”

Emily looked away.

“Why do you want me to come?” asked Dr. Snowden.

“Again … insurance. If something occurs, I may not be able to kill Evaran outright, but you, I could.”

“Oh, well, that’s just great.”

“I like your enthusiasm.” Caltorus waved toward the entrance that Zed and Emily had come through. “Walk with me.”

Dr. Snowden joined Evaran in sighing.

Once they were in the hallway, Caltorus placed his hands behind him as he walked. “So … the noble Evaran and the great Dr. Snowden. You know … it was hard to separate fact from fiction when talking with the denizens of this world. The image they painted was some madman that rampaged through time enforcing his will, and his punishments were unusually cruel.”

“That is simply not true,” said Evaran.

“I realize that. However, some do believe. Take the Mover, for example. After one meeting with you, he’s gone into hiding. I don’t know where he is,” said Caltorus. He shook his head. “You’ve scared him senseless. As a god, that is something I’m used to doing myself, but this is not a shadow realm.”

“Then he saw reason. I gave him a chance to walk away. It appears he took it.”

“Well … if we see him, he’s dead.”

Evaran narrowed his eyes. “What do you want from this world?”

“Everything,” said Caltorus with a smile. “This world is unique and has much potential. So many different energies and mysteries to unravel here. The only problem is not all the energies are friendly. Take you, for example. I don’t know what you are exactly, but I do know you are not from this planet and you possess a unique energy. There are also lots of people here. Potential slaves, among other things.”

“If you give back my Torvatta, I may be more lenient in your punishment.”

“I have to give credit to Count Boris. He said you were arrogant,” said Caltorus.

“I prefer the term experienced.”

“I bet you do.”

After ten minutes of uneasy silence, they reached the detention center.

Caltorus gritted his teeth and exhaled slowly through his nose as he saw the spattered remains of Count Boris. “Such a waste.”

A wave of revulsion swept across Dr. Snowden. It looked like a wild animal had torn Count Boris apart. Dr. Snowden jumped when Bruno stepped forward.

“He died fighting, though,” said Bruno.

“Bruno! What happened here?” asked Caltorus.

“Zed and the princess came in. Zed wanted to kill Count Boris, asked princess if she was going to stop him, she looked away, Zed killed Count Boris. That’s it.”

The right side of Caltorus’s face twitched for a moment. “I see. Why didn’t you help him?”

Bruno motioned at Evaran. “I’m … cooperating.” He shook his head at Caltorus. “I won’t be going back with you.”

“For what reason?” asked Caltorus as he walked into Red Lightning’s cell. He picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. Once he was outside, he paused by Bruno.

Bruno shook a meaty hand out. “I now know the full extent of what Evaran is. The Helians, well, the ones that didn’t come over to you, had a lot of information that is only revealed when Evaran is around. You can’t win. He is from beyond this reality. There’s not one recounting in what I read where he didn’t come out on top, and there were some heavy hitters in there.” He shot a look at Evaran. “I don’t want no part of that, and I value my freedom.”

Caltorus sneered. “You’re pathetic. Your groveling before Evaran sickens me.”

“Like I give a shit. This is just a contract. Bust some heads and have fun. There was nothing in there about tangling with someone like Evaran and being doomed to one of his punishments.”

“You’re weak, and will suffer the same reckoning when it comes around.”

Bruno shrugged. “Never liked you anyways. You say you’re a god, but a god is powerful all the time, not just in a certain realm. If anything, Evaran is closer to a god than you, even if he doesn’t recognize it. Besides, I never saw you get your hands dirty. Evaran at least fought with his group.”

Caltorus shook his head. “You just made an enemy. Good luck.”

“Better you than Evaran. I’m just gonna wait here. That cell is … small.”

Caltorus harrumphed and then spit on the ground before exiting the room.

Dr. Snowden wondered what Bruno had read that changed his mind. He was gung ho about fighting Evaran, yet after a day in a cell with access to Evaran’s adventures, Bruno was on the straight path. Caltorus was not as villainous as Dr. Snowden had expected. It would not matter in the end, even as bad as the situation appeared to be. How it would end was another matter, one he was looking forward to seeing. He trudged behind Evaran as they exited the room.

An hour later, Dr. Snowden sat in the briefing room. Emily, Jake, and Robert were to his right, and Evaran, Darius, and Zed were on the other side. V flitted around in the background. Dr. Snowden had tried to talk to Emily, as had Jake, but it was to no avail. Her face said everything he needed to know. Lips drawn flat, dulled eyes, and a listless shuffle on the way to the briefing room. Evaran had not said anything to her yet, which Dr. Snowden figured exacerbated Emily’s condition. He figured Evaran would, when he had time to.

Darius slammed his fist onto the table. “We had them! They couldn’t get to the rift door, and if you had held them a bit longer, we would’ve been in the hangar bay.”

Evaran shook his head. “At what cost? Jake, Robert, and V would have died.”

“But the threat would have been gone!”

“You would sacrifice my friends for a short-term win? There is no guarantee that Caltorus is all there is. He may be part of something bigger. More research is required.”

Darius sat back in his chair.

Evaran eyed Zed. “You killed someone under my care. I do not take that lightly.”

“You’ll have to,” said Zed. “It’s done. No point in discussing it anymore. There are other issues that we need to deal with.”

“There are, but do not think I will forget this.”

“Oh … you’re going to punish me now?”

Evaran eyed Zed. “Not in the way you’re thinking. You owe me now. I have something in mind, but it will need to wait until Caltorus and whatever group he is a part of is defeated. Nonetheless, to the issues at hand. We know where the second rift door is. I checked the location twice, and it appears it is on an island on Zealandia in the Pacific Ocean, east of New Zealand.”

Darius sighed. “This is where we enlist the aid of other groups.”

“That is correct,” said Evaran. “Based on what I have researched, there are several leaders we should contact for help. The first is Mary Everoak, of the Ollikrin Nation. The second is Supreme Leader Gozerul, of the Daedrould Council. The third is Odin, of the Imperium.” He gestured at Darius. “Those three have the largest spheres of influence outside your group. There are some powerful Wildborn enclaves, but I suspect they would not want to involve themselves.”

“I’m not debating that,” said Darius. “I hope you have a plan to talk to them, because they really dislike us. We work with them grudgingly.”

“I will need to access all your files on their locations and determine the best entry point for each one. Zed will accompany us on our journey.”

“What?” asked Zed.

“You will accompany us.”

“After all that went down?”

“Your father said you were a hothead, and I think you need to realize the consequences of your actions. It is obvious you are young and have a lot to learn,” said Evaran.

“I’m a manager! I already know these things.”

“Your behavior says otherwise.”

Zed stared at Evaran for a moment, then sighed. “Fine.”

Darius rubbed his chin. “I don’t think this base is under threat of attack for now. I’m calling in reinforcements to help secure the base. This will leave us a bit shorthanded in the field.”

Evaran nodded. “We will need information on the Zealandia base. If you can do reconnaissance on the coordinates I have given you, we can formulate an attack plan when I get back.”

Darius exhaled through his mouth. “All right. This has been … an unexpected set of events, but we’re making progress.” He licked his lips. “I will need to convene a meeting with the rest of the Helian council. We seem to be losing members left and right.”

“I am sorry for Ardorin’s loss.”

Darius shrugged. “First Lee, then Agent Malz, and now Ardorin, and whoever else we may not know about. I suspect those won’t be the only casualties before this is done.”

“Most likely not. The alternative is Caltorus runs over this world and you submit to his will,” said Evaran.

“I know. That’s not going to happen, but the Helians will be greatly weakened. We won’t be able to represent Earth to the Kreagans in such a weak state,” said Darius.

“I am aware of this and already have something planned for it. However, we will deal with that later.”

“Fair enough.” Darius stood, and then exited the room.

Evaran looked around at everyone for a moment. “Take the rest of the day off. I am going to research these groups we need to contact.”

“Need any help?” asked Jake. “I know some about them.”

“If you wish,” said Evaran. “I will be in the command center.” He walked over to Emily. “I learned of the circumstances in the detention center. I do not want you to think I am disappointed in you.” He cast a sidelong glance at Zed, then exited the room.

Emily sighed in relief as she closed her eyes for a moment.

Jake exhaled from his mouth. “Whew. Lot of stuff going on.”

“Tell me about it,” said Robert. “I can’t believe how easily Psyotica took over our minds. That was … unsettling.”

“I’m sure we’ll run into her at least one more time,” said Dr. Snowden.

“I noticed she didn’t get you,” said Robert.

Dr. Snowden tapped the side of his head. “Nanobots.”

“Ahh.”

“I haven’t eaten since this morning, and it’s almost dinnertime. Anyone interested?” asked Dr. Snowden. “Emily?”

“I’m good,” she said. “I’m feeling a bit nauseated. Think I might just go to my room.” She stood and then exited.

“Okay … I guess she isn’t.”

Zed stood and headed toward the exit. “I need some time alone.” He left.

“I guess it’s me, you two, and V then.” Dr. Snowden looked around. “V?” After a moment, he snorted. “Well, I guess he’s with Evaran. Just us three, it looks like.”

Jake smiled. “I’m hungry. You can always count on that.”

At least Dr. Snowden would not have to eat alone. He wanted to talk with Emily, but figured she needed some time to digest the incident with Count Boris and Zed. After seeing Count Boris’s bloody remains, he thought he would be sick to his stomach, but his hunger did not seem to care. He sighed as he stood and motioned toward the exit. “After you two.”

Dr. Snowden held a tray with a steak salad against his chest as he knocked on Emily’s door. He had enjoyed a short dinner with Jake and Robert, but Dr. Snowden’s mind was on how Emily was doing. He knew her mind was probably a jumble, and although he felt he could not do anything to help, he had to try. He knocked again after no response.

“Who is it?” asked Emily in a tired voice.

“It’s me,” said Dr. Snowden.

She unlocked the door and left it slightly ajar, then sat back down on her bed.

He used his foot to open the door the rest of the way. “I brought you a steak salad.”

“I’m not really hungry right now.”

Dr. Snowden wished they had refrigerators in the rooms but figured he could always take it back if she did not want it. After setting it on a nearby table, he took a seat next to her on the bed. “Do you mind if I’m here?”

“No,” she said as she tilted her head at him. “It happened so fast.”

“Zed killing Count Boris?”

“Yeah. He had a crazy look in his eyes when he asked me. It caught me off guard. I didn’t go there to fight him, and with Bruno just hanging around, I didn’t feel particularly safe.”

Dr. Snowden nodded. “At least Evaran understands.”

She shook her head. “I know but … I let Zed kill someone, when I could have done something. I hesitated … and now someone’s dead.”

“It sounds to me like you were caught by surprise. I mean … what were you supposed to do? Fight Zed while he’s crazy? What if Bruno stepped in, or … what if Count Boris used the opportunity to escape or help you, and Zed died? You can’t control what people are going to do.”

“I know. I feel like I was supposed to stop him, but yeah … those scenarios flashed through my mind.”

“You sure you don’t want a delicious steak salad? It has kale and onions in it.”

Emily sighed. “Give me the salad.”

Dr. Snowden smiled as he got the salad and gave it to her.

She grabbed the fork that sat on top and began to dig in.

“You were hungry.”

She bobbed her head while chewing.

“Well, we still have to work with Zed.”

Emily took another big bite.

“That’s going to be … interesting.”

“I’ll need to contain myself. He put me in a bad situation… . don’t like him. It’s ironic that we can travel through time, but we can’t go back and change personal things.”

“Personal timeline integrity.”

Emily smiled. “Yeah … but we’ve erased a timeline before that crossed our personal timeline.”

“I’m not sure how that works, come to think of it. I guess those instances in our past aren’t things we can travel to,” said Dr. Snowden.

“Anyways, I’ll just shelve this for now. We have other important things to focus on,” she said.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry about me. I’ll deal with it.”

Dr. Snowden eyed her for a moment, then stood. “I always worry about you. You know that. Anyways, I’ll be in the command center. You want to come?”

“Maybe later. I think I’m going to exercise a bit, then make it an early night.”

“Maybe I should join you when you exercise.”

She laughed.

“What?” he asked with a grin. “Okay, well, I’ll jog to the command center. All right, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”