“Won’t that change the future?”
“I hope do. Actually, our timeline did receive a warning. Since you were getting all hysterical, President Courtland mandated an accelerated defense program, but framed it as a worldwide space exploration effort. Still, I want this future changed, or I wouldn’t risk contacting you.”
She walked up to him and reached out to smooth his cheek. “I hate to be the person to drop this in your lap, but I volunteered once my team figured out that someone had traveled back in time to warn you.”
“Your team?”
“Yeah, we’re like vigilante time cops who watch out for critical events and try to help where we can without disrupting too much. In this case, I’m fulfilling a previous action. That makes this a legal foray.”
“How did everything turn out?”
She scrutinized the area, not daring an answer. Shaking her head, she said, “You should take better care of this place. The equipment needs to be cleaned and updated.” She cast him a direct gaze. “You know I can’t reveal any more than I have. Too many changing variables might create a different timeline. I’ve already said more than I should, but I’ve kept within the guidelines of known information.”
“How am I going to get this lab working again with your mother constantly looking over my shoulder? Already she’s upset thinking I’m meeting some secret mistress.”
“Tell her you’re a mad scientist who can time travel.” She blinked her gorgeous violet eyes at him.
He grimaced. “And validate all her suspicions?”
“Show her the lab. Talk science gibberish at her. She’ll let you out of the house, bonus for you. Persuade Trace to give you a decent wage rather than live off Grandpop’s trust fund. Bonus for both of you. Hopefully, Alysia survives the attack. That small detail has yet to be determined. Nevertheless, I’m worried that we haven’t heard anything from further up the timeline. Things are pretty dicey right now.”
“How many?”
“So far, we’ve identified fifteen ships in the initial attack. We think they’re advanced scouts. We believe they’re coming to see if Alysia is habitable enough for them to settle. While you’re at it, talk to the Enjelise. They created these monsters.”
His mouth dropped open. “What?”
She shrugged. “Yeah, there’s a book that mentions the whole mess. It’s a famous, ancient Earth book. Mom has a digital copy. Ask Ariel for details on how these monsters came about. That’s the best I can do. I have to get back to civilization and escape this barbaric timeline.”
“Hey! You were born in this timeline.”
“Exactly.” Her nose wrinkled as she scanned the room. “And seriously, fix this place up.” She stepped onto the platform as the computers powered up.
At the console, he flipped the accompanying switches as she stood waving at him. The machines hummed to life, and she dissolved into the future, leaving him overwhelmed with what he had to do… all over again.
Chapter 21
Confessions
Elise met him at the door as he returned home, hands firmly on her hips. Her eyes narrowed to slits. “So?” Her head slanted in question. “Where have you been?”
He halted in the hallway. “You don’t want to know.”
Her mouth hardened. “Your mistress demanded a huge sum of money, or she would reveal your betrayal,” she accused. Her eyes glared, dark and furious.
The idea was so absurd that he staggered into the living room and collapsed onto the sofa, trying not to convulse with laughter.
He knew that would be a suicidal move under the circumstances. Watching her acute discomfort and feeling guilty for the lie, maybe now was the time for the truth. Fate knew, he had put off telling her long enough and, most likely, he would need her at his side if he was going to do what Tempest required.
He braced himself and blurted out, “No, I’m a time traveler whose daughter inherited the ability. She has come from the future to warn me that dangerous aliens plan to invade, and I have to prepare a defense for Alysia.”
There he’d said it. He’d finally come clean. A weight lifted from his shoulders.
Deep silence filled the room for several long minutes as she stared at him, complete disbelief on her face. She stumbled back into the couch. “You’re going with that? Seriously? That’s the story you’re picking?”
Not the response he’d expected. But then, when examining his words, he realized they did sound a bit far-fetched. Time traveler? Alien invasion? He barely believed the story himself. Why had he imagined she would?
“I’m not having an affair, Elise. Really.” Inspiration struck. “It’s that agent of Trace’s, and she has a lead on the last missing Terran woman on your list.”
“Oh.” She slumped down next to him. Touching his arm, she said, “You had me going there for a minute. If I even believed …”
Her eyes bored into him while his lying mouth continued to move. “With this most recent information, I want to meet with Trace tomorrow and organize an extraction.”
Lowering her gaze, she heaved a deep sigh. “The last on that list, but I’m sure there exist others we’re unaware of. We can set up a network to search for them.”
As if he didn’t have enough on his bulging buffet of tasks to accomplish.
He patted her hand, saying, “What a great idea. I’ll mention it to Trace tomorrow.”
She rose from the couch, smiling and happy, believing his lie. Now, he had to figure out what he was going to tell Trace in the morning after he hopefully set up their impromptu meeting.
***
Later, in the nursery, Elise gazed down at her tiny daughter lying in her crib. So perfect. So beautiful. Reaching in, she picked up the child and held her out in front of her. “Time traveler? What kind of idiot does he think I am to believe such nonsense? You’re not capable of time travel, are you?”
Chubby, small fingers reached for Elise’s face and danced across her cheek. “Mama,” Tempest burbled.
“You’d never leave me for some unknown future, would you? How ridiculous.”
“Bye. Bye,” the child chortled, clapping her hands.
A chill ran over Elise. The words, while surely coincidental, struck too close to a rational answer.
She grasped the child to her chest, murmuring, “You better not be going anywhere soon, young lady, especially into some future where I can’t follow.”
Gently, she returned Tempest to her crib. “Sleep and dream sweet dreams. I expect to see you right here when you wake from your nap. Now, I have to go check on your father and find out what he’s up to.”
She gripped the crib’s railing. “I know he’s up to something. I’m just not sure what, but I plan to find out.”
***
Eventually, Angel arrived on Alysia with a pilot so the Earth2 shuttle could return. John came by Richard’s home to say goodbye and do one final physical exam before he left for the space station and his lab.
As Richard entered his living room, he encountered Elise and John in a tight embrace. John had his face bent over the top of her auburn hair. They made a contrast of petite versus tall. The doctor bent his face and leaned down to listen to her soft words. Richard heard his name uttered.
A wave of hot anger washed over him, but he held himself in check, remembering that the man had just saved his life and, he smiled grimly, would soon be leaving. He gritted his teeth and tried to remain calm and in control.
John gazed up after her words, a flash of anguish passing over his face. Then his eyes shifted to Richard who watched from the entryway. Immediately, as if a switch had been flicked, John’s signature lazy grin appeared, and he hastily stepped back from Elise.
“Don’t worry. Trace has more than compensated with promises of workers and fresh produce,” Richard heard him tell Elise. “Besides, I’m a doctor, and as you pointed out…That’s what doctors do. We cure what ails people.”
He glanced over at his host. “Isn’t that right, Richard?”
“That among other things,” Richard answered dryly as he walked into the room. “You’ve done more than enough in my opinion. I don’t know whether to thank you or punch you in the face for all that you've done here.”
At that comment, Elise choked with an unidentifiable emotion.
“I prefer the thank you.” John smiled again, but not as easily as before.
Richard raised an eyebrow at the man. “Anything I can do to help you leave?” His words came out a little stronger than he intended. Afterall, the man had sacrificed his family to save his life.
Coming in the front door, Angel said, “Dr. Luttrell, your transportation to the airport is waiting outside.”
“Have a safe trip back,” Richard commented, waving him out.
John laughed. “I would almost think you were eager to see me go.”
Elise patted John’s arm. “Give our regards to Beth and the children.”
A thoughtful expression crossed John’s face as he lingered at the door. “I never thought I would be fathering my own child, much less Carter’s, as antagonistic as we were.”
That comment puzzled Richard. “Carter’s?”
Elise gave John a push. “Don’t keep your driver waiting.”
John rolled his eyes. “Eager to be rid of me now that your husband is recovered?”
“No, it’s not that.” Elise blushed and glared at her accuser, but his lazy grin widened. “I’ll go quietly before I let too many secrets out of the closet,” he said.
“John!”
Richard made a mental note to ask Elise the meaning behind the remark, but as John was finally moving out the door, he didn’t want to delay him any longer. “Angel, can you stay tonight? I need to talk to you.”
Elise whirled on him. “I think I’m the one who should debrief Angel about what happened on the station.”
Surprised at the vehemence of her reaction, Richard stepped back. “We can both debrief him about what happened afterwards with Jacob, but I need to ask him about another matter.”
Elise paused, nonplussed. “Oh. Well, I expect a full accounting, and Jacob’s plans for Elliott Stratton.”
“And that, I promise you will have,” he said, trying to mollify her, although she no longer held any authority on the station, whether she realized it or not. “However, at the moment, I’m starved. Do you want to go tell cook to add another plate for dinner, or do you want me to tell her?”
She paused. “I should check on Tempest and see if she’s awake. I can stop by the kitchen on my way to the nursery. Maybe you can settle Angel in the guest room next to Carter’s room.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Richard’s voice turned serious. “And after dinner, there are some important questions I need you both to answer in my study.”
Chapter 22
Interrogation
Richard closed the door to his study and turned to face the puzzled faces of Elise and Carter. His back leaned against the hard wood of a cabinet while he gathered energy. He hadn’t fully recovered yet and still felt weak. His study had an intimate atmosphere. The heartwood desk, paneled walls, and book-filled shelves all said cozy, but an extensive security system enabled him to conduct serious business within its walls. He was gratified to see a fire in the fireplace, although Elise nervously glanced at the open flame. Often, he forgot the little things involved in planet living that revived certain fears within the ship-born.
“Can I get anyone something to drink?” he inquired as he waited for one more knock on the door.
It came while he handed Elise a Belluvian red wine and Carter a three-fingered-sized portion of t’aile.
“Come in, Angel.”
The Enjelise swept into the room, his brow furrowed. The room brightened as he entered.
“How about a honey nectar for you?” Richard raised a crystal bottle containing an amber liquid toward the newcomer.
Angel’s face took on a glow as he nodded enthusiastically. “Only a little, as we may soon need to pour two more glasses.”
“Ah, you got a chance to talk to Ariel and Darius. Did you convince Ariel to come?”
Angel crossed to a richly padded dark blue chair and sank into it. “I even convinced father to come.”
Over on a matching sofa, Elise and Carter stopped their conversation and swiveled around. “Ariel and Darius are coming here,” Elise exclaimed.
At that moment, a ball of light appeared and expanded until it took on the forms of Ariel and Darius. The room glowed with eye blinding intensity.
Richard gasped to himself. Darius too! Angel must have conveyed the urgency of my request.
Elise blinked rapidly. “Well, now.”
Carter’s eyes grew big and round.
Ariel’s large, but delicate wings gently fanned the air.
Darius stepped forward, and the intense brightness dimmed. “Ah, is that nectar of the gods I see you’re serving?” asked the normally shy Darius. His pale eyebrows lifted as he leaned toward Richard and the sparkling drink.
From his chair, Angel chuckled. “Welcome, father. Now aren’t you glad you came?”
Taking the glass from Richard, the Enjelise held up the drink, admiring its color. “It certainly makes the energy expended worth the effort.”
“How about you, Ariel?” Richard turned to pour another.
“If I want any, I’d better grab some before those two empty the bottle.” She nodded at Darius and her son.
“Oh, I’ll be sure to take care of you. Not to worry.” Richard smiled at the stunning Enjelise. Her white-gold hair framed exquisite features that left any man who gazed upon her gaping in admiration.
“Everyone find a comfortable seat,” urged Richard as he took his place in a large, overstuffed navyblue chair across from the others.
As everyone sipped drinks, a moment of silence filled the room, only disturbed by the crackle of the fire. Richard cleared his throat. “I asked Angel to find out everything he could about a race of aliens that apparently you know well.”
Ariel and Darius exchanged worried glances. Seeing their concern, Richard said, “I need to learn all I can about them.”
Pausing to take another sip, Ariel said, “You’re talking about those we call the Fallen. They came from our world when my people inhabitedae physical body before the ascension.”
Darius waved his glass about. “They’re descended from a select group of Enjelise scientists who were charged with overseeing humans brought to our world. We enclosed these humans in a garden with fruits and nuts and pure stream water for them to drink. They were a new species we were told to prepare for dissemination among several targeted worlds. Because they showed intelligence and promise, we were made their guardians. Our job was to watch over them.”
“But the Enjelise in control of the project grew too fond of their charges.” Ariel shifted, causing an angry flutter of white wings. “They bred with the humans, taking lovers in some cases and, at other times, forcing their captured humans to unwanted intimacy.”
Darius cast a disgusted look around the room. “Rape, darling. The judgment passed upon them was rape and grievous misconduct.”
Ariel smoothed her shimmering dress. “When our leaders uncovered the guardian’s abuse, they exiled them to another world where they couldn’t hurt the humans.”
Darius took a sip and said, “In some instances, they accused several humans of encouraging the behavior.”
Ariel added, “Many Enjelise faulted the humans and believed the species equally guilty. To protect those Enjelise who were close to attaining ascension, they also shipped the humans to a faraway world, albeit more habitable.”
Richard smiled. “Which turned out to be Alysia.”
“No.” Angel joined the discussion. “The place they sent the humans was Earth. A later colony from Earth came to Alysia.”
Elise slanted her head at Ariel. “And the Enjelise guilty of rape and abuse? What was their world like?”
Darius sighed. “Extremely harsh
. There, gravity was heavy, the atmosphere filled with radiation, and large portions of the land were scorched by their sun.”
“The inhabitants moved underground to escape the burning atmosphere,” Elise added.
“How do you know that?” asked Ariel, shifting around to stare at her.
“We flew near that world when we were searching for a habitable planet. It was so awful we kept going.”
Next to Elise, Carter snorted, “Looked like Hell.”
A nod from Darius signaled his agreement as he said, “They and their descendants shunned the blessing of God and devolved into grotesque, deformed creatures filled with hate, desiring only vengeance. Yes, it was a Hell.”
Richard leaned back. “Braden mentioned they attacked the Enjelise’s world in retaliation.”
Ariel brushed the air with her hand. “Yes. Eventually, the Fallen learned how to build spaceships. We believe their ultimate goal is to destroy all Enjelise and humans. Your brother saved us by distracting them while we teleported our world out of harm’s way. After that, many Enjelise chose to ascend into the next dimension, but I joined Elsinore and her troop to serve as guardians here.”
Elise rubbed her face, shocked by the revelation. These creatures teleported a world? Ascended to another dimension? She said, “No wonder they attacked us. They thought we were Alysians come to finish them off.”
Richard shifted toward Elise. “They attacked you?”
With a hand on Elise’s arm, Carter said, “After we passed their world, they came after us. They destroyed Commander Reardon’s ship, which made Elise’s mother the fleet Commander, and Elise, Captain of The New Found Hope.
Elise faced him. “Four of our ships had weapons, thanks to Carter, but only four in the entire fleet. We were an exploration fleet, not a military mission. I was on the bridge with mother when they attacked.” She paused as the emotion of the event bubbled forth. She continued with a catch in her voice, “Of the front four, only our ship, The New Found Hope, and Elija’s ship, the Valiant, survived their initial strike. They destroyed The New World and the Explorer and killed many of my dear friends.” Her head dropped, hiding her face in her hands. She couldn’t go on.
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