He opened Adan’s garrick and pulled up his shirt. Taking a handful of the pasty white material, he smeared it over Adan’s mid-section. As their conversation wore on, the yeso grew harder and harder until it formed a light-weight, but extremely stiff, protective coating. Near his skin, however, it stayed smooth and supple, as if it sat on a thin layer of gel.
“There are only a few of us left,” Zain said, “but those remaining are of like mind and have chosen to defer to my counsel in important matters. Not like the old ways under the Reeves, more like warriors in need of a sunder to direct them in the storm.”
“How did you survive the storm and the battle?”
“Providence. What else?” Zain said in warm tones. “I came down with Master Will and the rest of the Waymen who survived the attack on the ridge. We took control of the first floor of the building he said contained the leaders of Tasada. But when he went down to find them he didn’t come back. We waited a long time, but were forced to leave once the storm hit and seek shelter in other parts of the city.”
“You understand now, what I was trying to tell you on the ridge—that this isn’t the eternal city,” Adan said.
Zain nodded sagely. “Yes, I know that now. Sometimes truth must be swallowed slowly and it takes time to reach our bellies, but sooner or later, it nourishes us all the same.”
“How many were left when you took the Institute?”
“No more than a thousand, perhaps,” Zain said as he finished applying the yeso over Adan’s ribs. “Even so, the Reeves were overjoyed. We thought we had won. But I think less than a hundred survived the storm. I was knocked unconscious. When I awoke, the city was gone.”
“I think Numinae wanted you alive,” Sierra said. “We would not have made it this far without you.”
“His ways are deeper than than the deepest wells. I thought it was the storm to end the world, but here I am.” He placed a hand on Adan’s shoulder. “Are you ready for me to put it back into place?”
Adan nodded. “It’s okay, I can’t feel anything,” he said.
Zain raised himself up and came down hard and fast on Adan’s dislocated shoulder with his knee. The shoulder popped back into place in one swift jerk. Once again, Adan was grateful for his bioseine.
“Better?” Zain asked.
“Yes, thank you,” Adan replied, looking up at the Wayman in disbelief. He still found it hard to believe they had found each other. “I am glad Numinae spared your life, my friend.”
“Yes. We survived by his mercy. Every day is a gift,” Zain said, his eyes shining with a sure and steady light, “and now that we have you, perhaps the winds will begin to shift in our favor.”
Fourteen
Even a Memorant Can Forget
Adan dropped his chin and looked away. “The last time I was in Oasis things didn’t turn out all that well.”
“But you’re a survivor—like us,” Zain countered, “and Numinae has you here for a reason.”
Adan wished he could echo those words. But doubts and questions riddled his thoughts. He could barely move. It would take days to recover. And meanwhile Gavin was still at the mercy of the somatarchs and probably the Developers. They might erase his mind completely this time and he was helpless to do anything about it.
“I wish I knew what that reason was,” Adan said. “I don’t understand why, if Numinae gives us life, he allows so many of his creations to suffer and die. Look at what happened in Oasis. You believe he caused that storm, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Zain said, carefully unwrapping the makeshift splint Von had placed around Adan’s ankle.
“Then what makes you think he won’t just send another storm instead?” Adan knew Numinae answered his prayers, but the character of this being remained largely a mystery.
Zain paused, reflecting for a moment as he finished removing the splint. Then he scooped up another handful of yeso.
“You see this yeso here?” he said, applying the paste around Adan’s ankle. “The Waymen did not invent it, neither did the Welkin. We only discovered the knowledge of its healing properties through trial and error. But who really made the yeso? The same one who gives the storms. If we will refuse one gift, we must refuse the other. Everything comes to us from the hand of our Creator.”
“But why doesn’t he give us only good gifts? If he created us, why would he also want to destroy us?” Adan glanced at Sierra, who was watching and listening to Zain just as intently as he was, if not more so.
Zain’s face glowed with kindness. Adan sensed that his words came not merely from his mind, but from somewhere much deeper. “I understand your confusion, my friend. For it is the way of men to think of themselves as deserving of all good things. Few consider rightly the weight of their own actions. It is the nature of man to want to rule over his own life as if he were somehow self-created. I am no different in that respect. When I look inside myself, I see a man who wants to rule his own soul, but that will often mean I must put others beneath my feet to get what I want. But for the restraining hand of Numinae upon my heart, I cannot say that I would be any different than the most murderous and cruel of men.”
Adan failed to see what he was getting at. Zain was entirely different from the other Waymen like Sparc and Nox. They cared nothing for the lives of others. Zain was one of the most compassionate people he had ever met.
“There is a darkness in our hearts which no one escapes,” Zain continued, “We have rebelled against Numinae, and we have taken up arms against his most precious creation: each other. And by doing so, we have taken up arms against him. He alone holds back the storm inside us from breaking out and joining the tempest We have been going on like this, slaughtering each other, or teetering on the edge of the conflict, from time out of mind. The question is not, why does he not give us only good gifts, but why does he give us any good gifts at all?”
Adan still wasn’t sure he understood what Zain was saying, but Sierra nodded in silent understanding. He studied her eyes, but for once could not make sense of her thoughts. The one thing he could see was that a peace had settled over her mind that wasn’t there before.
How could someone like Senya or Zain have the potential to act like Sparc or the other Reeves? And even if they did, did they deserve the sort of devastation which had been wreaked upon Oasis?
“Perhaps we will talk of these things more after you have had a chance to consider them,” Zain said, rising to his feet, his work apparently done, “but I am still wondering how and why you have returned, my friend. You have not yet spoken of that.”
Adan folded his arms over the newly dried yeso band around his middle.
“It was Gavin,” he said, his mind running back through the events of the last few days. “He is a friend of mine who was captured and taken to this place. I was searching for him when my ship was—oh no—”
“What is it?” Zain asked, his normally smooth brow creasing.
The image of the overturned sovos lying in the cluttered streets of Oasis burst into Adan’s thoughts.
“The chronotrace—I left it on the ship.”
It took some time for Sierra and Zain to get a clear idea of exactly what the chronotrace was. Once they did, Sierra called in Raif, Bryce, and several other Sentients while Zain put Adan’s arm in a sling to help his collarbone heal.
Sentients, many of whom Adan had never seen before, soon began filtering into the narrow tunnel which served as a makeshift infirmary. There were two or three who looked like Waymen, and five or six others who were former Collectives. By the time everyone had crammed inside, there was hardly room to move without bumping into someone.
“So this device—can it really see into the past?” Raif asked, his eyes sparkling with the possibilities the chronotrace presented.
“Yes,” Adan said. “I have to get it back if I’m going to find my friend.”
“Incredible. But how does it work?”
“I can explain everything more clearly if we connect through our bios
eines.”
Raif nodded enthusiastically, but the others exchanged nervous glances, reluctant to open up their minds.
Bryce, who stood with his arms folded near the back, spoke up. “Even if this device does what you say it does, I don’t think we should send anyone out just now. The storms have picked up since we brought you inside.”
Von, who stood next to Bryce, cleared his throat. “I’ll go,” he said, his face grim as always. “If the device really does what he’s claiming, it could be the break we’ve be looking for.”
Bryce gave Von a searching look. Adan could tell the two shared a mutual respect. “I don’t like it,” Bryce said after a long silence. He gave Adan a dark look. “But if what you say is true, I suppose it might be worth the risk. Tell us everything you know about this device.”
Raif pumped his fist enthusiastically. “All right, then. Rip us off a connection.”
Adan smiled at Raif’s eagerness. One by one, the minds of the Sentients opened around him.
As you wish, Adan told the others once they had joined their minds together. Sierra was the only Sentient present who did not make the connection.
Adan shared with them the details about the chronotrace and even some of Gavin’s background; including how the two of them had escaped from the storm which destroyed Oasis. He stopped short of sharing about their search for the extractor and Gavin’s memories. He was not yet ready to confront Bryce.
The revelation that Gavin had been a Developer had a strange effect on the Sentients. Adan could sense that it raised suspicions in some, but most seemed to regard it as a positive thing. They realized that Gavin must be one of them since he had defected and left Oasis. Though their thoughts were mixed about Gavin, when it came to the chronotrace they were of one mind. Once they realized what it was capable of, everyone agreed that it must be found. If they could retrace the past and find out where the Developers were located and what their plans were, that would change everything. Bryce, in particular, latched onto this idea. More than anyone, he wanted to put a stop to the Developers’ control over Oasis. It reminded Adan of Will, and not in a good way. Adan had seen what could happen if such desires were pushed too far.
“If the chronotrace really does everything these schematics say it does,” Raif said as they disconnected from Adan’s mind, “then we have to find it. Having a former Admin on our side would be huge as well—ace prime level huge.”
“Though I was not able to see this vision Adan showed you, I respect your thoughts in this,” Zain said. “But what about the storm? Should we not wait a little longer until it dies down?”
Von regarded the Wayman respectfully, even if his tone was a bit stiff. “Normally I would agree with you, Zain, but the last scouts who came back reported an unusual amount of somatarch activity on the surface today. We can’t risk them finding it first.”
“I don’t mind volunteering,” Raif offered. “Finding the chronotrace is worth the risk. I’ve been out in the elements more than anybody here and my specs are probably the only chance we have of spotting the device in this weather.”
Raif pulled the tinted lenses from one of his pockets, flipped each of them in the air with his thumbs, and caught them with a smirk when they came down.
Bryce moved up towards the front. “I’d rather you let someone else borrow your lentes, Raif. You’re the best tech we’ve got.”
“It’ll be a quick operation,” Raif said. “In and out. We already know where the ship crashed. I’m ready to go right now.” He gave the exit a meaningful look.
Bryce’s mouth was a thin line of disapproval, but he nodded at length. “All right. I suppose if anyone could weather the storm it would be you. And Von can go with you in case you run into trouble.”
“I’ll go get my gear,” Von agreed, taking off at a brisk nod from Bryce.
“I’d like to go with them,” Nance volunteered. Bryce gave him an uneasy look, but nodded all the same. Nance followed Von out of the tunnel.
“As for the rest of you,” Bryce said, “with the increased somatarch activity, we’d better be packed and ready. I think we’ve worn out our welcome in this section of the city.”
“I’m in the mood for a change of scenery, anyway,” Raif said. “I never really liked the decor in this place.”
“Decor? But the tunnels all look the same, Raif.” Zain gestured towards the surrounding environs.
Raif clapped him on the back, flashing another grin. “It’s a joke, Zain, a joke.”
“Ah, I see.” Zain nodded slowly, forcing a smile.
“We have everything but the medical supplies packed and ready,” Sierra said.
“Good.” Bryce turned to go.
At that moment something else occurred to Adan. “Wait. I also had a shifter on the ship. That would be very useful to have as well.”
“Wow, you must have gotten hit harder than I thought,” Raif said.
Adan smiled, his mood lifted by Raif’s humor.
As the Sentients filed out, Adan beckoned Raif aside, remembering one more thing. “And be sure to look out for the man who was traveling with me—he’s a heavy-set Wayman, with crooked teeth.”
“Are you speaking of Nox?” Zain’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“He saved my life and helped me escape from one of the thrals,” Adan said. “It’s a long story, but we ended up traveling together. I couldn’t find him after the ship crashed, though. I don’t think he survived.”
“If he did survive, be extra cautious, Raif,” Zain warned. “Nox is as dangerous as any hollow man.”
Raif turned serious for once. “We’ll be careful, Zain,” he said, then he followed the others out. With his departure, all the excitement and anticipation drained from the room. Sierra and Zain stared wordlessly at the exit to the outside. A terrible time of waiting lay before them.
“What’s on your mind?” Sierra asked.
Adan’s thoughts returned from their wanderings. He had been staring at the door again, wondering when Von and the others would be coming back. Two long slices had already come and gone since they had left. Bryce had informed them that the rest of the Sentients could only wait one more slice before beginning the evacuation.
Zain had stayed talking with them for a while, but he eventually went off to check on the other Waymen.
“I could let you connect to my thoughts directly,” Adan said, in answer to her question. During the long wait they had shared a great deal about their struggles: not knowing who they were, their doubts about what was happening in Oasis, and whether or not they would ever find a place where they belonged. Adan felt drawn to her more and more as they talked, and yet he sensed she was holding part of herself back.
Sierra winced at Adan’s suggestion. “I’m sorry, but I’d rather not,” she mumbled. “It’s not you, though. It’s just…”
She didn’t have to say what she was thinking; he knew she preferred to remain blank. Even more than the rest of the Sentients, she had an aversion to anything to do with the esolace or her bioseine. That was how the Developers had controlled them, and many of them now feared using it.
“That’s okay, but there’s something I should probably tell you.” He paused then, unsure whether or not to go on. Looking into her eyes, though, he sensed that somehow she would be able to accept what he was about to tell her. “You know how we can read each other’s thoughts when we connect through the bioseine? Well, I can do that even without a bioseine. Gavin taught me how.”
Sierra sat up straighter, crinkling her lips as her thoughts churned inside her.
“It’s fairly limited—and it’s not always accurate,” he said, trying to assure her.
“You can read my thoughts right now?”
Adan nodded, searching her face to gauge her reaction. He feared that knowing he was a memorant might push her away.
Her face grew unusually tight. “I don’t understand…” she began, but then her expression softened and she nodded to herself, as if resolving
some puzzle inside her. “But thank you for telling me.”
Adan lost the thread of her thoughts. He could no longer tell what she was thinking, but he didn’t think she sounded upset.
“You know, though, I don’t really think it matters,” she continued. “Maybe I’m foolish for doing so, but I trust you, Adan. You don’t seem like the kind of person who would use an ability like that for bad things.”
“It’s not that I’m really trying to do it,” he said, “Sometimes it’s hard not to—at least with you.”
“Women have that ability too, you know,” she said with a grin. “We call it intuition.”
They both laughed at her remark and then laughed at the fact that they were laughing. It felt wonderful and helped evaporate the tension that had built up over the long wait.
Finally the laughter died down and Sierra rose, grabbing the empty plate of food she had brought to Adan almost a slice ago. “I should pack up these dishes,” she said. “I’ll be back soon.” She made her way out the door.
She was gone far longer than Adan expected. When at last he heard her footsteps coming back, she was dressed in a coat that looked like it had been stitched together from old rags. A tattered scarf waved limply at her neck.
She carried the cutter under one of her arms. Reaching down, she handed it to Adan.
“Here. I believe this belongs to you.”
“But I can barely walk,” Adan said.
“Bryce thought you might need it. He said it’s some sort of weapon.” She turned to go, but paused at the door. “It’s been three slices. We have to leave. We can’t wait for them any longer.”
Adan swallowed hard, wishing he had never remembered the chronotrace.
Fifteen
The Portal
Sierra finished applying the synth metal seal around the portal. Bryce had ordered her to seal it only a few microslices ago. It was time to leave.
The Chronotrace Sequence- The Complete Box Set Page 48