18

Over the next thirty minutes, Dr. Snowden observed the environment and the corpses of various creatures. In the first fifteen minutes, creatures ran away from them. The group did get challenged by a humpbacked humanoid with an elongated neck and unusually large arms, but Edev’s repulsion beam hit the ground before it and sent it packing. The temperature had gone down some, and judging by Dan and the others rubbing their arms, he knew they would need to get off the ship soon, before it got too cold.

In the second fifteen minutes, he began to see a pattern in the few dead creatures they saw. They had halted at one of them to investigate. It had been stabbed several times and had energy-beam marks across its body. Initially he thought it might be the Time Wardens, but the wounds indicated that multiple small creatures had done it. Levaran mentioned that there were several possibilities, but nothing to confirm with.

He was glad to see that Kri’tokhaar was looking a bit more relaxed. Dr. Snowden was unable to decipher Kri’tokhaar’s feelings based on his waving antennae, his clacking claws, or the variety of noises he made, but he got a sense of Kri’tokhaar’s emotions in the way he walked and talked. And mostly, it was his eyes. Always his eyes.

It seemed almost universal that slow blinking indicated calm and rapid meant nervousness. It made him proud that Dan and the others were accepting of Kri’tokhaar. It showed the best of humanity, that, in his opinion, they could adapt and evolve and even change their views. He suspected Kri’tokhaar noted this too.

The krall and Sarah seemed to have formed a bond. As they walked, Sarah would scratch the krall behind the ears, or pat it on the side. The krall seemed to enjoy the attention and had even been less antagonistic toward Kri’tokhaar. He suspected that if it came down to it, the krall would help Kri’tokhaar in a pinch.

He had spent most of the time since the cafeteria with V, and he got the sense that V felt a little left out. Based on the looks V had been giving, it seemed he was curious and wanted to interact. This situation must have intrigued him, and although Edev was his counterpart, Dr. Snowden figured interacting with people who were parallel versions of important people in his and Emily’s lives was a priority for V.

Dr. Snowden knew how close V and Emily were, so maybe this was V’s opportunity to learn more. Dr. Bryson had spent some time with V as well, and he seemed eager to engage V in theoretical discussions.

When they came to a storage-container room, Levaran paused. She raised a hand for everyone to stop, then motioned with two fingers forward.

Edev shimmered out of view and flew forward.

Dr. Snowden could feel it too. His nanobots were tingling, which probably meant that a Time Warden was around. Their energy signatures had a temporal component to them, which is something he was more aware of now. He stood next to Levaran. “How many?”

Levaran narrowed her eyes. “I’m … not sure. I can detect something, but not its location. Edev can’t see it either.”

Dan exhaled slowly as he looked around. “You think this thing has stealth?”

“Predators don’t have that. This is either a new creature or a new type of Time Warden that Evaran and I haven’t seen before. We should proceed with caution.”

The krall took the right side of the group while V took the rear with Kri’tokhaar. Dr. Snowden went to the left side, and Levaran took the lead, with Edev flying around.

Dr. Snowden did not like storage rooms. It seemed every one they had encountered on the ship contained a nasty surprise. The dim lighting and light mist on the floor added to the foreboding atmosphere, but it was the eerie silence that unnerved him.

Dan’s eyes darted around when they were at the room’s halfway point. “I have a … weird sensation.”

“Like a tingling?” asked Dr. Snowden.

Dr. Bryson nodded. “Getting it too. Feels weird.”

“Same here,” said Sarah.

Dr. Snowden rubbed his chin. “It’s probably not temporal awareness. My guess is you’re stressed and the nanobots are boosting your body to compensate.”

“Huh,” said Dan. He snapped his head to the side. “I thought I saw something.”

Levaran raised her hand to pause the group and took a few steps toward the area Dan was inspecting. “Let’s check.” She raised her right arm and fired a repulsion blast.

Dr. Snowden’s heartbeat ramped up when the blast unveiled a large spherical body that had multiple tentacles. It was a Time Warden, but unlike any he had seen so far. Small holes on the sphere opened up, and smaller Time Wardens with just three tentacles and a small orb in the middle crawled out.

“The hell is that?” asked Dan with widened eyes.

Levaran motioned forward. “Move!”

As the group surged forward to the exit, another Time Warden similar to the first one appeared in their path.

Dr. Snowden peered back and saw that yet another had come out of stealth behind them where they first entered the room. “It’s a trap!”

“Then we’re going through them!” said Levaran. “Follow me!”

Dr. Snowden ushered Dan, Sarah, and Dr. Bryson forward while watching the rear with the others.

The clickety-clackety noise of the smaller Time Wardens filled the room.

His mouth went dry as he saw the smaller Time Wardens shooting a line at the ceiling and pulling themselves up and then sailing around. They were taking positions high up on the storage containers. He pointed near the ceiling behind them. “The small ones can grapple!” A quick sweep around showed that the smaller ones were approaching on the ground as well.

V grabbed Dr. Snowden’s arm. “We must go.”

Dr. Snowden nodded and spun around. He and V hustled up to the others.

Edev hovered behind them and shot a mix of repulsion and stun beams as she dodged fire from the smaller ones.

Levaran ran headlong into the Time Warden in their path. It wrapped its tentacles around her, tangling her up. The smaller ones jumped on her and began to attack.

The krall raised its shield and charged into the side of the Time Warden, knocking it and Levaran over.

V began to pull the smaller ones off Levaran as Dan, Sarah, and Dr. Bryson sidestepped the fight and tried to slip past.

Kri’tokhaar activated a shield and began firing a small weapon. His energy beams were knocking back the smaller ones, and the ones he focused the beam on for a little longer evaporated.

Sarah and Dr. Bryson screamed as two smaller ones jumped on them and pricked them.

Dan was a blur as he pulled them off and smashed them into the ground.

Sarah fell to her knees and squinted as she doubled over.

Dr. Bryson fell forward and struggled to get up.

Levaran had been able to regain control of the Time Warden that had wrapped her up, and with a strike from her energy gauntlet, she smashed the central orb, causing yellow goo to run out.

When the goo evaporated, the Time Warden stopped moving. The smaller ones approached in large numbers.

Levaran pointed forward. “Into the hallway!”

V picked up the remains of a Time Warden and tossed it behind him, knocking out several of the smaller ones. Dan picked up Sarah while Dr. Snowden steadied Dr. Bryson. The krall had taken up the rear with Kri’tokhaar and Edev, and between their shielding and weapon fire, they were able to keep a buffer.

As they entered the hallway, Dr. Snowden froze. It was a Time Warden predator. They had been corralled.

Kri’tokhaar rushed to a door console and, using his claw print, sealed the door to the storage room.

Levaran waved for everyone to step back as she positioned herself front and center to face the Time Warden. She wobbled for a moment, and raised a hand. “Hear me, Time Warden.”

Dr. Snowden’s eyes widened. Whatever the paralyzing toxin was, being stabbed so many times had an impact even on Levaran. He could see her straining to just stand up.

“You have already been heard and judged,” said the predator. It rushed forward and knocked Levaran away.

The krall growled and pushed the predator back using her shield.

Edev fired, but her repulsion beam could not move the predator, and the stun beams had no effect on the shielding.

V rushed forward and grabbed one of the predator’s tentacles.

The predator tried to stab V with its top tentacles but could not penetrate V’s shielding.

V was able to grab another top tentacle.

The predator lifted V and began to squeeze. It staggered around while using its remaining two tentacles to keep the krall and Kri’tokhaar at bay.

Dr. Snowden saw an opportunity. With the others keeping the tentacles busy, the core body was vulnerable. Peering back, he observed that Levaran was kneeling and trembling. Her face showed pain, and when she tried to stand and fell back, a chill shot up his spine.

The krall kept a bit away from the predator and provided cover against its energy beams.

Kri’tokhaar popped out behind the shield and took pot shots, but the predator’s shield held.

Levaran gestured forward. In an anguished voice, she said, “Dr. Snowden. The rod.”

Dr. Snowden exhaled raggedly and laid down Dr. Bryson. He extended the rod from his PSD and approached the predator with his shield out. When he was getting close, the krall, Edev, and Kri’tokhaar joined him and spread out to draw the predator’s attention.

The predator spun around and shot out a scanning beam.

Dr. Snowden peered back and saw that Levaran had activated her shielding and had Dan and the others behind her.

V ripped out a tentacle, but was still tied up. He grabbed one of the predator’s bottom tentacles, causing it to falter.

Time seemed to slow down as Dr. Snowden’s nanobots went into overdrive. He could see the elliptical body dipping toward him. His eyes searched, and although he was not sure how, he thought he detected a weakened spot in the shielding. He surged forward.

The remaining top tentacle moved to grab him, but Kri’tokhaar jumped forward and got rolled up by it.

Dr. Snowden stepped to the side and, with a grunt, plunged the rod deep into the predator’s body. When he yanked it out, the end was covered in a yellow goo that then evaporated.

The predator crumpled lifelessly to the ground.

“You did it!” said Edev.

Dr. Snowden exhaled as he helped Kri’tokhaar up. These predators were no joke. He nodded at Edev. “Yeah, barely.” He glanced at Kri’tokhaar. “Impeccable timing.”

Kri’tokhaar rubbed his sides. “It was worth the bruising.”

V had untangled himself and joined Dr. Snowden and Kri’tokhaar. “Analysis. That was a tough fight.”

“I’m with ya,” said Dr. Snowden. He gestured at the predator while looking at Kri’tokhaar. “That’s an apex predator if I ever saw one.”

Kri’tokhaar nodded. “Their shielding is quite advanced. Your weapon is more formidable than it appears.”

Dr. Snowden snorted. “Well, wouldn’t have gotten it in there if it wasn’t for teamwork.” He patted the krall and then hustled over to Levaran and the others. Sarah and Dr. Bryson were seated against the wall, struggling to breathe.

“Levaran said they’re going to be okay,” said Dan.

Dr. Bryson grimaced. “Feel like I’ve been stung by a large wasp. Hurts to move.”

“It’s your nanobots fighting it, I’m guessing,” said Dr. Snowden.

Levaran stood and nodded. “The smaller ones don’t have a lot of the toxin.”

“Paralyze by a thousand cuts approach,” said Dr. Bryson, wincing.

Dr. Snowden laid a hand on Levaran’s arm. “You okay? You took a ridiculous amount of those attacks.”

Levaran nodded. “Better me than the others. I suspect with that much, they would have been completely paralyzed now, if not dead. Evaran has contacted me, and I will need to update him. Then we have to move. The Time Wardens know where we are now.”

Dr. Snowden nodded as Levaran interacted with her ARI. He helped Dr. Bryson up.

The krall went over to Sarah and laid down next to her. She nuzzled Sarah and let Sarah use her to stand up.

Levaran returned. “Evaran has Emily in the medical lab and has cleared docking bay 3. He’s on his way now.”

Kri’tokhaar gestured down the hallway. “We’re near the service tunnels I mentioned before that run through several system control centers. The connecting corridors were built with my species in mind. It would be cramped for the Time Wardens, and even the krall.”

Levaran nodded. “Lead on.”

The walk to the side corridors took around ten minutes. When they got there, Dr. Snowden could hear the sound of a Time Warden predator off in the distance. Not only did he now know what to listen for, he could feel them. It was like being able to differentiate tastes. Although he knew it was actually an energy signature and his nanobots knew how to interpret them, he always associated a color and taste with them. The predators had a metallic taste and the color purple.

Kri’tokhaar wasted no time in getting the corridor open.

Levaran went first, followed by the krall and Edev. Dan, while supporting Sarah, went next. Dr. Bryson was supported by V and went after them.

Kri’tokhaar gestured in.

Dr. Snowden nodded and stepped into the corridor.

Kri’tokhaar followed him in and sealed the door. He interacted with a side console and, after a moment, turned toward Dr. Snowden. “The local security drones are active. Let the Time Wardens play with that.”

“It woulda been nice to have had their help back there,” said Dr. Snowden.

Kri’tokhaar nodded. “Unfortunately, the global security system, while intact, wouldn’t initiate security measures unless locally activated. It’s part of the protocol to ensure that someone doesn’t hijack the global system and cause mayhem. I checked back there when I sealed the door, and the local security system was down.”

“Makes sense. You think the drones could take a Time Warden?”

“I do, if they have enough numbers. They can deal with shielding, and are adaptive.”

Dr. Snowden examined the area around him. “Wow, you weren’t kidding about tight corridors.” There was barely enough room for two Krotovore to walk side by side, and the height was just shy of eight feet. Although he was not claustrophobic, being packed in with the others and the threat of the Time Wardens made his nanobots tingle. The smell was odd to him and reminded him of moldy bread. Maybe that was a soothing smell to the Krotovore.

After fifteen minutes of walking, they reached a small circular room large enough for everyone to fan out.

The sides of the room were coated in a material that allowed a holographic projection of a workstation to appear, and Kri’tokhaar headed over to interact with it. “According to this station, the life-sign detectors are down.” He shook his head. “A lot of systems were already down, and now it’s cascading through the tertiary systems. I suspect those systems won’t even make it to the sun. Not that it would matter, since the ship is headed there.”

Levaran surveyed the area. “Interesting setup.”

“We have several per ship section,” said Kri’tokhaar. “They all share the same functionality, and only those of certain clearance can enter them. I can enter any of them due to my status.”

Dr. Bryson twisted his back around a bit. “I like it. I wish I could study it without getting stung or chased.”

Levaran raised a finger. “Knowledge pollution is a concern. If you were to study it, go back to Earth, and be tortured for information, it could damage the timeline.”

Dr. Bryson’s eyes widened. “I was just kidding. I mean … I know I’ll need to be quiet about this. INRA and all.”

Dr. Snowden eyed Dr. Bryson. “And that is …”

“International Nonhuman Response Agency. They’d snatch us up in a heartbeat.”

“Huh,” said Dr. Snowden. “We don’t have that on our Earth.”

“You do,” said Levaran. “You just don’t know about it.”

“Wait, you mean they know about Daedroulds, Outsiders, and all that?”

Dr. Bryson nodded. “In our universe, nonhumans are hunted. Not sure how they are verified or what those terms you said are. I don’t agree with it, a lot of us don’t, but it’s there in the open.”

“The one in your universe,” said Levaran, pointing at Dr. Snowden, “is held in check by powerful interests. I suspect when I visit the Earth here, my adventures may be a bit different from what your Evaran experienced.”

“Sounds like it,” said Dr. Snowden. He had met nonhumans such as the Greek god Hermes and the ancient vampire Lord Vygon. He wondered what their status was in this universe.

“Done,” said Kri’tokhaar. “I’ve released docking bay 6’s doors and sealed the entrance to the interior. I don’t know if it will stop the Time Wardens from punching through, but it should hold them up some. I’ve also activated the local security drones outside the door.”

Dan exhaled. “Finally. It sounds like we’re getting close to getting out of here.”

Kri’tokhaar faced Dan. “I just hope that you don’t think ill of all Krotovore.”

“I think I speak for Dr. Bryson and Sarah,” said Dan, looking between the two, who nodded, “in saying we appreciate all the help you’ve given.”

Kri’tokhaar swept his six eyes across them. “I wished I could have done more.”

Dan slapped Kri’tokhaar’s shelled back. “We’re thankful.”

Levaran gestured forward. “Evaran has contacted me and has landed the Torvatta in the docking bay.”

“There should only be one more control center before the docking bay, but it’s clear from here on out,” said Kri’tokhaar.

Dr. Snowden smiled. “Let’s go!”

Levaran and the others headed into the corridor.

As Dr. Snowden followed them, the door behind him slid shut. He turned and saw that Kri’tokhaar was still in the room. The group paused and turned to face the door.

“Kri’tokhaar, what are you doing?” asked Dr. Snowden as he peered through the window on the top half of the door.

“You all should go now. I’m going to make sure this ship never hurts anyone again,” said Kri’tokhaar, broadcasting into the corridor.

Dr. Snowden clenched his jaw for a moment. “There’s no need for this. We can get you back to your planet and your people.”

“You could, but there’s nothing there for me except shame. I can’t do anything there, but I can do something here. I know the ship is headed to the sun, but I will self-destruct the ship after you have left.”

“Oh, c’mon, man,” said Dan. “Things aren’t that bad.”

“For a Krotovore, the shame is worse than death. Go. Your ship’s presence seems to have attracted a lot of activity this way. I can slow them down, but you must hurry.”

“You could travel with me if you wished,” said Levaran.

“I … appreciate the offer, and it is enticing. However, I’ve thought about this for a while, and after seeing what we did to these humans and others, I must do this. I simply cannot live with this.”

Dr. Snowden pounded the door with his fist. “Damn it!”

“Go!” said Kri’tokhaar.

Dr. Snowden’s eyes watered as Dan laid a hand on his shoulder. He had started to really like Kri’tokhaar and wanted to talk with him more. His earlier sense about Kri’tokhaar seemed to be correct, but he did not think it would go this far. He wiped his eyes and exhaled from his mouth.

“Let’s go,” said Levaran.

Dr. Snowden took a final look at Kri’tokhaar.

Kri’tokhaar put his hands over his four eyes and slowly closed his two big ones.

Dr. Snowden dipped his head as his eyes searched the ground. With a sigh, he wheeled around to follow the others.

After ten minutes, they had passed the empty control center and reached docking bay 6.

Although Dr. Snowden was glad to see the Torvatta along with Evaran and check up on Emily, Kri’tokhaar’s decision to stay behind ate at him. By showing Kri’tokhaar what he thought was the best of humanity, he had deepened Kri’tokhaar’s resolve. Even when trying to do what he thought Evaran would do, it did not work out as he had planned.

Evaran walked out of the Torvatta as V and Edev led everyone except Levaran and Dr. Snowden inside. He faced Levaran. “Where is Kri’tokhaar?”

“He opted to stay behind, and secure our escape,” said Levaran.

“There is no need for that. We should go get him,” said Evaran.

Dr. Snowden grimaced.

Evaran observed Dr. Snowden for a moment. “You seem troubled.”

Dr. Snowden sighed. “Kri’tokhaar doesn’t want to come. He intends to blow up the ship.”

“I see,” said Evaran. He rubbed his chin. “I suspect, to Kri’tokhaar, this last act is one of redemption.”

“I know,” said Dr. Snowden, swallowing hard. “It just feels … like a senseless death to me is all, but I understand his reasoning.” He cleared his throat. “And I’ll respect it, even if I don’t like it. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.” He gestured at the Torvatta. “How’s Emily?”

Evaran nodded. “She will be out of her paralyzed state soon. We need to leave now, though.”

Dr. Snowden nodded as he followed Evaran and Levaran into the Torvatta’s shielding. The fight noises outside the door caught his attention for a brief moment. With a final look around, he shook his head and entered the Torvatta.