Opalescence

by Ron Rayborne

  He turned back to the refreshments, poured himself another drink and downed it. He poured another. As he brought the glass to his lips, suddenly there was a sharp jab in his back. A momentary loss of balance caused the liquid to splash out — and onto his shirt.

  “What the hell?” he said, turning. It was Jaqzen. He was standing between Tom and the crowd, casting a shadow like a small mountain. Tom looked up at him.

  “Why did you do that?” Tom asked, flummoxed.

  “What kind of man laughs at his wife?” the big man said with derision. He shook his head as if at a sad example of a human being.

  “What? I wasn’t laughing at her,” Tom shot back. “Why did you knock me in the back?”

  “You know, people like you,” and here he looked Tom up and down, grimacing, “somehow you manage to snag the babes, don’tcha? Never been able to figure out why they go for you, though. Losers. Must be sympathy. You’re like half a man. Nothing at all.” Tom balled his fists. Jaqzen looked down at them. “Ha! Go ahead, give me your best shot, Mouse,” he said, standing and waiting. Tom did nothing. “That’s what I thought,” he said.

  Tom looked around. No one had noticed. He doubted he was even visible behind the big man.

  “Gonna call for help, Mouse? Won’t change a thing. If I were you I’d just shut up. After all, I’m the guy who’s gonna be taking care of your wife. Yeah!” he said, suddenly smiling.

  Tom swung and Jaqzen caught it. Caught his blow as if it were of no consequence, a mere trifling, then slowly twisted Tom’s arm, as if it were a child’s. He chuckled. “Who’s laughing now, Mouse?” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Karstens approaching. He let go of Tom’s arm, then said, “Sorry about your drink.” Turning outward he said as he walked away, “Wish us luck!”

  Karstens arrived in time to get a sense of what had occurred. Tom was red in the face, holding his arm. Karstens said, “Come with me.” They walked out into the hallway.

  “You’re not sending my wife with that, that shit!” Tom said in a fit of coughing.

  “I don’t like him either. It’s Julie’s call. If you want to talk to her, and she changes her mind about going, I will completely understand,” he said to Tom’s surprise. “We can probably find someone else. Would really throw a wrench into the works at this late date, and whoever they are, they won’t have Julie’s expertise, but I’ll do my best if you two decide that’s what you want,” Karstens said, an ancient look on his face, one worn by too many years of disappointment and resentment. Probably be the end of my career, he thought

  That hit Tom. Call it all off. Julie would be crushed. “Can’t you just find someone else to replace this creep? I mean, who’s more important to the mission, Julie or him? Damn it, I told you, I can do it. Give me the biggest gun you have and I swear we’ll be back in a month with everything you want.”

  “You’re absolutely right. Julie is by far the more important to this mission. Unfortunately, while I ... I think I can replace her, I can’t change him. Can’t really tell you why, except to say that, for some reason, the powers that be want him in it. Of the two, Julie is actually the more expendable.” Then seeing the incredulity on Tom’s face, he added, “I know, I know, makes no sense. I’m still trying to figure it out. Best I can guess, he’s got some kind of governmental ties.”

  A couple of people were coming down the hall.

  “I’ll talk to her,” Tom said, coughing again.

  “Launch is day after tomorrow. That gives you tonight. Whatever your decision, there will be no questions asked.”

  “Okay,” Tom said, a note of relief at the flexibility.

  “I will tell you, though, that I’ll be mighty disappointed if you do call it off. Jaqzen’s a royal ass, but I don’t think he’d harm Julie.”

  “That’s reassuring,” Tom said lowly as the two strode up.

  Tom didn’t broach the subject with Julie right away. Instead, they walked to their bungalow on the complex grounds in silence. Julie, of course, knew something was bothering him. She’d not seen the incident, distracted as she was by other things, namely the Blacksuit’s changes to her speech.

  When she asked him what was wrong, he told her what had happened. Her anger flared. Then she said exasperatedly, “Why are they so insistent on him?” and echoing Karstens said, “I don’t get it!”

  “Probably someone owes him a favor,” Tom said. “A month-long hunting safari in exchange for who-knows-what. Something we don’t want to know, I’m sure.” He then said tentatively, “Honey, I don’t want you to go.” Julie looked at him sharply.

  “What? ME? What are you talking about, I’m going!” It was just what he was afraid of; she wanted to go that badly. He then told her about Karstens’ offer to withdraw. That only made her angrier.

  “What are you doing?” she said hotly. “Why are you trying to torpedo my dream? You know I have to do this.”

  “I know baby, believe me, I know.” A sadness came over him. More than anything he wanted her to go, to live her dream. But not with him. Not with that Neanderthal. Fact was, he was worried about entrusting her to the guy for a solid month. No one in the world to hear her scream should he decide to go cave man on her. “I’m just really worried.”

  “You’re always worried!” she shot back. “I swear that you treat me like a kid! I’m not a kid. I can take care of myself, thank you very much!”

  “Then why do you need him?”

  “It’s not my choice!” she retorted accurately, tears now streaming down her face. Tom reached an arm over to comfort her, but she threw it off, then stormed away. Funny how much like a child she looks right now, he thought.

  “Honey, wait,” he called out after her. But she ignored him.

  The next day was no different. Time had not brought her to her senses. Seeing Karstens walking alone on an Institute path, Tom informed him of Julie’s decision.

  “I’m sorry,” Karstens replied. “Well, not sorry for Julie, but for the two of you. I’m sorry to have caused this fight.” Then, walking to a rail and leaning against it, he said, “As I said, I don’t think that Jaqzen intends to harm her. He’s got too much at stake. I’m not supposed to mention this, but there will be a large settlement with him upon the successful completion of the mission, which means Julie’s safe return. He’s going to be rich, and I’ve got to tell you, the man’s greedy. He won’t do anything to jeopardize that.”

  “So you hope,” Tom said.

  “So I think,” Karstens replied. “Incidentally, and you probably already know this, but I should also tell you that, no matter the outcome, you needn’t worry about money.”

  “I’m not worried about money ... I’m worried about my wife!” Tom said, a catch in his voice.

  Karstens regarded him with sad eyes. “I know, friend,” he said. Then, “I’m doing the best I can. I’m going to give Julie a couple of weapons. This is something that no one else can know about. The first is EMP based. All she needs do is hold it, press a button on top, and anything within ten feet of her will be knocked to the ground and likely out. Don’t know if it’ll work on larger animals, but it would on any man, even a giant like Jaqzen. The second is a gun. All she has to do in the event of a separation from Jaqzen is be at the designated spot in thirty days. She knows that. Then we’ll get her.” Tom nodded.

  “Tomorrow’s launch day,” he reminded. “We will be going over the basics with the two of them later today for a couple of hours. I’ll not mention the incident yesterday. Let Jaqzen think no one else saw it. And I will, once again, prompt him of what he has riding on this. After that, Julie is yours, so I’d make the most of your time together,” he advised.

  “Yes,” Tom said. Karstens put an arm on his shoulder. “Try to relax. One month and it’s over and this will all be history.”

  “All right. I’ll try,” Tom said weakly.

  “Good,” Karstens said more positively. “Now, how about we get something to eat?”

  After the final preparatio
ns, Julie came home to the cottage. Tom was in the small kitchen and had conjured up something delicious. Alcohol, however, on the night before launch, was strictly forbidden. He wished that he could tell his friends at the club of the momentous day. Their company at launch time would be reassuring.

  Julie’s mood had softened, and she was sad to have fought with Tom. Of course his worries were justified. She was worried as well, and not just for herself. She’d made Tom promise to take his medicine and eat right. Still, her apprehensions were mixed with a sense of her duty, the job she had to perform. Over all that, though, was an overwhelming excitement, an excitement like she’d never known.

  That night, she and Tom made love as if it were their last.

  Chapter 8

  In the course of their research, the men at the Institute had decided early on that the size of the capsule that was to be their “Strong Box” could, theoretically, be enlarged without negative effect. That meant that the team could bring along a host of items in addition to the load of scientific equipment that was going.

  There were video and audio recorders that were to be set up in safe locations to record Miocene daily life. These would be later studied by a team of Paleontologists headed by Julie. There were a variety of food stuffs available, packaged items “just in case.” Neither team member thought they would be needed, and neither wanted them in any case, but they were mandated as a last resort. One item that Julie did expect to need in the area of nourishment was a supply of salts and electrolytes, as they might not find available salt just lying around. Jaqzen wasn’t worried about it, though; he knew that he could get enough from the blood and flesh of game he shot.

  Other items included:

  Tent/Hammocks (aka T/H) (2)

  Handsaws (2)

  50’ & 100’ length of rope (2 each)

  Compasses (2)

  Fire Lighters (several of different kinds)

  Well stocked medical kits (2)

  Binoculars (with night vision) (2)

  Hand shovels (2)

  In-ear sound amplifiers (2)

  High intensity flashlights (2)

  Insect repellent (1)

  Walking sticks (2)

  Thermal blankets (4)

  Pedometers (2) (as an aid in back tracking)

  Sleeping bags (2)

  Backpacks (2)

  Needles and thread (2 packs)

  Rolls of duct tape (2) (Jaqzen’s preferred moleskin)

  Weapons / Ammunition (guns, knives, pepper spray)

  Toiletries (a variety)

  Towels (4)

  Writing journals (2)

  Magnifying glass (1)

  Sunglasses (2)

  Broad-brimmed hats (2)

  Extra clothing

  Gloves (4 pair)

  Vitamins (2 bottles)

  Eating utensils (various)

  Sonic repellent (2) (to hopefully deter beasts)

  Extra shoes (3 pair each)

  Cooking implements (various)

  Lanterns (2)

  Portable motion sensors (4)

  Candy (various)

  Rappelling equipment

  Walkie Talkies (2 pair)

  Signal lights (various, in case of separation at night)

  Inflatable pillows (2)

  Water filters (4)

  Camputer (1)

  All of these items were stored in crates in a hold in the Strong Box. The box itself was padded and strengthened. A new device was to be employed that, it was believed, would prevent implosion by countering forces that pulled inwards with an equal outward force. The box also had automatically inflating parachutes and balloons on the outside, similar to those used when landing craft on Mars in days past, should they appear in the sky. After noting, however, that the previous launching and landing with a camera was uneventful, accident wise, it was concluded that the chances of that happening was so remote that some strange law must be in place which ensured that nothing would materialize in midair or underground, some sort of attraction of mass to mass. More of a worry was that the Box might appear at the exact time and location as previous launches. That would be an issue. It caused a bit of mind-bending debate before it was ruled out. If it could happen, it would already have.

  After breakfast, Tom and Julie walked hand-in-hand to the complex where the target room was located. Tom tried not to let on the depth of his worries. He smiled and fronted a cheerful demeanor. He doubted that Julie was buying it. What he didn’t know, though, was that she was as anxious as him.

  Karstens was waiting. Seeing them, he smiled, waved, and headed over to meet them, putting an arm around both.

  “This is a big day, guys. Really, really big.” The three stopped and stood in silence for a moment, each almost overcome by the import of this day to their lives and to the future of humanity.

  “Are you ready, Julie?” Karstens asked.

  Julie took a deep breath and let it out. “No,” she shook her head. Tom looked over at her. She continued, “I’ll never be ready to leave those I love. And yet ... and yet, I’ve been ready for this journey my whole life.” She choked up, and half smiled.

  Someone called out. The three turned. It was Mack. He was standing at the door to the complex. “One hour!” he said, tapping his wrist watch. Karstens waved a thank you.

  “Okay, let’s collect ourselves, shall we?” he suggested.

  The three headed for the large glass double doors that stood open, waiting. Waiting like a trap ready to catch some unsuspecting prey, Tom thought. Julie could feel her heart pounding. Several people came out and stood by. “Fifty-five minutes, Mrs. Pine,” said one. “Time to suit up.” Inside the Strong Box, she and Jaqzen were to wear a protective outfit similar to astronauts. This was until the Miocene outside environment could be assessed. As a last resort, should the situation be deemed too dangerous, they could hole up in the box for the entire thirty days until they were brought back home. While it wouldn’t be comfortable, there was space to move around and adequate supplies, including a portable toilet. Taking such an option, however, would doom the mission and, Julie thought, she and Tom’s hopes for a better life. Thus, as far as she was concerned, it wasn’t an option.

  “Where’s Dietrich?” Julie asked.

  “Just inside, waiting for you, Doctor,” said another. Walking into the building, they were met by Jaqzen.

  “Hello there,” he said, extending a hand. “Welcome to your future.” He then offered his hand to Tom, smiled and nodded. Tom looked the big man in the eye without shaking his hand. “Hello,” he answered curtly.

  “Hi, Deet,” answered Julie. She regarded his hand, then thought that perhaps he was apologizing. Let bygones be bygones. She took it and smiled half heartedly.

  In the time since she first met with Karstens that day in the Institute cafeteria and agreed to this mission, a team of engineers had constructed a control room from which they would launch Julie and Jaqzen fifteen million years into the past. Once gone, “the Js”, as these engineers dubbed them, would be on their own. Before that happened, though, every technical detail possible that could contribute to success was hashed out and loaded. When she walked into the room, everyone suddenly stood, let out a loud cheer, and clapped. Karstens beamed.

  The mood lifted, and Julie waved to the group. Someone walked by, a woman with a head mic on, and, grabbing Julie’s hand, said in passing, “What an adventure. Wish it was me.” Then the rest also approached. Suddenly, she was surrounded by warmth and good wishes. Tom, too, was embraced and reassured. “It’ll be fine.” “Don’t worry.” “You’re a good man,” and such.

  Someone touched Julie’s arm and said, “It’s time. Let’s get you to decontamination.” Julie nodded. First, though, she was allowed one last moment with Tom. Turning to him, they embraced, holding tightly on to one another, “I thought I was doing this for me,” she whispered, “but I’m not. I’m doing this for us.” Tears flowed down her face. Tears at the thought of being separated by so great a distance. O
ne not measured geographically, but temporally. Though she and Tom would be standing in the same location, they would be as far apart as if removed almost by the span of the universe itself. Tom tried to prevent them, but his own tears formed, and, running down his face, mixed with Julie’s. She held him tighter. “I love you,” she said softly. “So much.” “I love you, too, baby,” he breathed. “Hurry home.” “I will.” They kissed then and held on until someone said, “Time, Julie.” Slowly, she let go and looked at him a moment longer. This would be her last view of him. Though he would be able to watch most of the launching on the viewer, she would not see him. Not again until she returned. Reaching the open door, she turned one last time, blew a kiss — and was gone.

  There were two chambers for decontamination, one for Julie and the other for Jaqzen. In these rooms, illuminated only by ultraviolet light, they were to strip off their clothing, then shower in a flow of warm water and disinfectant. A glove with bristles was provided with which every inch of skin was to be firmly scrubbed, their hair washed, teeth brushed, finger and toenails clipped to the skin. Lastly, Julie and Jaqzen were to swallow a large green pill that would kill off their gastrointestinal flora. This last was not pleasant, inducing a feeling of queasy nausea, but necessary. Every reasonable consideration was made to ensure that as few bacteria as possible from the modern world would be carried back, to avoid risk to the indigenous animal life.

  Karstens put an arm around Tom and said, “We’ve got some time. There’s nothing more for us to do right now. What do you say we take a walk?”

  “Sure,” Tom replied. He tried to collect himself. They walked out of the control room and out the building.

  “What a whirlwind this has all been,” Karstens offered amiably.

  “Yeah. Pretty wild,” Tom replied lowly.

  They walked on a ways longer, neither speaking. Then Tom said, “So what happens now?”