by Teya Tapler
“Yeah, but is there any other news about the pearls?” Zander shifted the conversation.
“We seem to be among the few who know that the pearls were here in 2424. There isn’t anything about the 906 Inquisitors or today’s ceremony anywhere,” Peter continued.
“In your enthusiasm you’re forgetting that the whole operation was kept a secret,” Emil said. “For the first time there were no leaks to the press and also no one heard that the 906-ers were going to use their latest invention to destroy the world.”
“And today’s ceremony’s was top secret, too,” Mary chimed in while finally cleaning the dust from the knees of her pants. “I had to get in through the vents. The security’s very tight in there.”
“I need some clarification,” Emil started. He had the terrible idea that the 906 Inquisitors brought the pearls back to their time and then caused all those troubles that were now in their past. The space-time paradox, even for those used to time travel, could be tough to wrap your mind around. “If the pearls are in the past, but were here before, does this mean that someone goes into the past and brings them here so that the Galactic Committee could send them back to the past today?”
“That is one of the things you cannot control,” Peter said. “The pearls are still a recent invention. You see them being used to change the present and the future. Casting them into the past might not have been the best approach, but still might’ve been the safest, considering that they were not intended to change the past.”
“Yeah. All our problems are solved, then.” Zander failed to hide his sarcasm.
“Not quite,” Peter continued. “If someone goes into the past and tries to change it, the changes in the past will not reflect in the future if they were made in the presence of the pearls, because of their influence on the subconscious readings. However, the pearls themselves could influence the past by—”
“Could you please bottom-line that for us?” Peter’s scientific explanations were too much for Emil to take.
“The pearls have to be brought back to the future and destroyed for the history to be affected by anyone who goes back in time. In short, because the pearls are now in the past, anyone can go there and do whatever they want without having an impact on the future,” Peter said.
“We’ve worked under worse circumstances. Let’s cover all bases.” Emil started. “I’d work with the Professor and Mary will work with his wife, while Peter will provide background support and you Zander will work with the professor’s elder daughter.”
“Why me again?” Zander protested. ”Why do you always make me work with the girls? Are you playing a matchmaker?”
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Peter teased him.
“Why is Peter always the one providing background support? Why doesn’t he work with the girl this time for a change?” Zander pointed angrily at Peter.
“He’s too old.” Emil said.
“He’s ten months older than me. I’m saying ten MONTHS. It isn’t TEN YEARS.” Zander retorted.
“Your father would have agreed that you look younger than Peter.” Emil said.
“Leave my father alone!” Zander snapped and left the room.
Mary looked at Emil and tilted her head, “You’re being bossy again.”
Emil sighed and sat down.
“Let me research some more. There might be other parties involved with the pearls.” Peter said and typed quickly on the holographic keyboard. After a brief pause he continued, “These archeological expeditions must have been very expensive because the Professor was working with a sponsor.”
“Show me!” Emil moved behind Peter’s chair again.
“Here is an article from an archeological magazine. All the expeditions had been sponsored by Mort Enterprises.” Peter said.
“Mort? Like in Zull Mort?” Emil asked.
“Sounds like it.” Mary looked at the screen over Peter’s shoulder.
All eyes glued to the monitors as Peter changed the search criteria several times and clicked on all offered sources. Zull Mort was the leader of the 906 Inquisitors – the one who had eluded them. Their team going back in time to fetch something he was after too didn’t sound comforting to anyone. The images and commentaries changed on the screen one after another, each staying long enough to allow the group to visually scan the content.
“There are no pictures of the company’s CEO. All articles talk about the humanitarian work of the company in the impoverished countries, its involvement with the ‘Erase the Hunger’ movement and the support it had provided for the professor Shtuttgart’s archeological expeditions.”
“That doesn’t sound like something Zull Mort would be part of.” Zander said. He had calmed down and rejoined the group.
“Nothing says that the CEO’s first name is Zull. The articles always reference him as Mr. Mort.” Peter said.
“Do we need someone to work with that sponsor then?” Mary asked.
“I don’t know.” Emil said. “I only know that the existence of Mort Enterprises doesn’t seem right and that we have to check it out on the spot. We might have to change assignments as we go.”
“May I –“ Zander started.
“No, you’ll work with professor’s daughter. Keep an eye on her. Her being there on the expedition and on that picture signifies something.” Emil said sternly. “She plays a bigger role in that than it seems.”
“They are based in Hamptonville, Massachusetts. This is a community with single family houses.” Mary’s chatter changed the topic. ”I’d suggest that we find a building at the end of the town. When are we going to land?”
“Sometime in June 2003.” Emil said. “We have to be there for the discovery of the last pearl.”
“Considering the protocol we should buy a house there too. Peter could you send me the links to the real estate adds from May and June 2003?” Mary said in one breath and sat before one of the monitors. “Let me see what’s out there.”
“Yeah, got it.” Zander said. “We’ll snatch the pearls and leave. It doesn’t sound too bad. It should be a short assignment, four months tops.” He smiled. “I’ll work with the elder daughter…just don’t’ make me go back to school.”
“I hope not because you’ll spend every day in detention.” Mary said without lifting her eyes of the real estate magazine she was browsing.
“Talking about punishment, we shouldn’t be late for the meeting with the Chancellor.” Emil looked at Zander.
They quickly picked up their jackets and left.
Chapter 6
Emil and Zander took the speed-rail from the team base to the top-hub, which was among the few access points to the top level of the Eastern City. From there, after walking through corridors and taking elevators, they reached the buildings above the clouds. All those buildings had real windows that were letting the sun shine through.
The two men easily found their way to the Galactic Committee Building; it was the tallest and shiniest one of all the modern buildings there. Its contemporary architecture stood out gracefully among the surrounding older buildings.
They waited in line in front of the tall, heavy doors, then went through the full body scan and had their organic signatures taken before being let inside the main part of the building. It had been a standard security procedure since the 30 galactic nations’ highest representatives moved their offices there. The procedure ensured that whoever came in was not carrying any kind of weapon and was easy to locate and track if necessary.
Emil and Zander took the elevator to the third floor and, when the glass doors opened, entered the corridor ahead of them. The office of the Chancellor was the last one to the right. Emil and Zander walked down the passage, their shoes squeaking with every step reminding them that they were there only temporarily. Both of them felt and already knew that wasn’t their place. They were people of action; they did things, instead of debating for months whether to consider doing anything.
The polished metal walls reflected
the two men. Dressed in black jeans, dark gray T-shirts and black jackets, they looked more like intruders than expected visitors. They preferred cotton and leather materials and black or dark-gray clothes; those natural fabrics and neutral colors transitioned best from one time and space location to another. The color provided anonymity in any environment and was a good protection in the dark.
The squeaking stopped when Emil and Zander reached the Chancellor’s office. Emil stood in front of the screen to the right of the door and pressed the single button. His face was scanned and the button turned green. Emil pressed it again and the huge door opened slowly.
A strong, oriental mind-intoxicating aroma of incense hit their noses. Expecting their every gesture and grimace to be watched, the two men stifled their disapproval and quickly changed the budding frowns on their faces with pleasant smiles.
“Nice to see you are here at last!” The Chancellor stood up from his desk at the far end of the room and came closer to the door to greet Emil and Zander.
“Chancellor!”
Emil and Zander slightly bowed their heads to show respect and greet the Chancellor according to custom and the latest protocol.
Their conversation was muffled by the soundproof walls of the Chancellor’s office. The place was the size of a ballroom with white marble floors and walls. The marble was extremely rare in the 25th century and had slowly become a symbol of status. People of influence or wealth demonstrated their high status eligibility or entitlement by displaying white marble objects, or using the material as part of their interior decorations. The Chancellor’s desk had white marble legs and a gilded redwood top. The chair, also with white marble legs, loomed over it like a giant. The rest of the room screamed high status as well. The left wall had tall, sliding windows for access to the terrace, while the opposite wall was covered with mirrors to brighten the big room during the low-light winter season. Between them were a long, red leather sofa with a low seat and high back, and some red leather armchairs scattered around a minimalist, gold-trimmed coffee table. Two white marble, ancient Greek statues completed the decor. The materials and textures of the furniture and the room accents were rich, but cold and pompous at the same time. If the intention was to make one feel small and miserable, it had succeeded. Zander had never been to a mausoleum, but the place reminded him of what he imagined those highly decorated tombs would look like.
“Please make yourself comfortable!” The Chancellor attempted a smile as he walked toward them, gesturing to the sofa area.
Emil and Zander sat down on the low sofa while the Chancellor sat comfortably on the armchair closer to his desk.
“It was a marvelous ceremony...” the host started. He spread his arms in admiration. “I have never seen the nations united as one. Did you sense the atmosphere?” He looked inspired by the events earlier that day.
“The ceremony was succinct, and yet it was long enough to relate the message of unity,” Emil said slowly. After years of practice, he was getting better at the small talk required when meeting with people at the Chancellor’s level. “It was very inspiring indeed.”
“Yes, it was, it was.…” The Chancellor lowered his voice and became thoughtful. He looked at the table and opened the red, velvet-covered box that was lying there. Instead of offering candies or cigars, which would have been a more suitable content for the box, the Chancellor took out a blue data crystal and started fumbling with it as he spoke. Obviously he was trying to find the best words for what he had to say.
“As I’ve said before-” The Chancellor paused, and then continued with a much lower voice, “I’d like your Anaconda team to trace and repossess the pearls.” He leaned forward as if trying to make a deal with Emil. “This is a mission of an utmost importance, and you should be honored to have been selected.”
Emil nodded respectfully, keeping his thoughts and emotions inside. It wasn’t his first time in that office.
“I understand, Zander,” the Chancellor said, studying carefully Zander’s expressions as he talked, “that you consider it close to impossible to trace the pearls because they were cast in time and space and we are following a strict procedure.” Zander remained quiet and, following Emil’s example, nodded slightly in response as the Chancellor went on. “I have friends at the right places.…”
Zander started nodding more frequently and tried to look polite and flattered by the fact that the Chancellor had decided to share those insights with him as the Chancellor continued praising his friends and acquaintances, then concluded, “…and with their help I ensured that we obtain this.”
He gave the blue data crystal and a small, oblong package to Emil.
”Here is some information that will help you trace the pearls. As you know, for security reasons, we respected the procedure and the coordinates of the pearls’ final destinations were not recorded, but there are some special methods you could use. Here you can see the statistics of the subconscious readings throughout our galaxy in the last few days. These were made as part of another top security project I’m involved with.”
Emil nodded affirmatively, ignoring the gross misstatement about the pearls’ destinations. He acknowledged the receipt of the items and put them in the inside pocket of his jacket. When he opened his mouth to say something in response the Chancellor was faster. That man obviously enjoyed two things: interrupting people and listening to his own voice. Zander wandered which one of those was the Chancellor’s favorite as the man in power continued talking.
“This time you don’t have the choice of refusing the mission, for your team is the best one suited and prepared for this task, and one of them is personally responsible for the situation.” The Chancellor looked at Zander. “Nevertheless,” he smiled, and for some reason Zander expected to see a split tongue when he continued. “I will be gracious and let him participate in the mission. If the Anaconda team locates and successfully returns the five pearls to me, he will be exonerated,” the Chancellor nodded toward Zander and continued. “And I won’t pursue any criminal charges against him.” The Chancellor smiled again at his own benevolence and bountiful behavior.
Zander felt more uncomfortable than when he came in. He looked down and moved his feet around. His hiking boots had bent the threads of the thick carpet, leaving footsteps with the distinctive markings of his soles.
“This is for you.” The Chancellor gave a data crystal bracelet to Zander.
Still focused on his shoes Zander didn’t see the Chancellor’s hand. A nervous tap on the table made him look up. He realized that the Chancellor was talking to him, and straightened his posture, meeting the Chancellor’s eyes. For a split second Zander felt a cold shiver all over his body. The Chancellor’s eyes were light gray, and his long, snow-white wig and pale, powdered complexion gave him an icy white marble look, making him a symbol of his own status. Zander didn’t hold the Chancellor’s gaze for long and shifted his eyes to the item in front of him. It was about ten inches long and had several, multicolored data crystals mounted on an intricate silver frame. Complex data structures like that data crystal bracelet required the usage of special software for preparation or extraction.
“You need to know the technology, the customs and the cultures of the places you are to visit,” the Chancellor continued, “and if you pull all these files from the library, you will draw unnecessary attention to yourself and the mission. This is the archived, highly condensed unabridged version of the Galactic library files.”
The Chancellor lowered his voice with every word until it was quieter than a whisper and started to sound like a snake’s hissing. “All the necessary information is in here. Use the data crystal bracelet and keep the mission top secret. No one outside this room should know that I gave you this data, and no one outside your team should know what the mission is all about. You two are personally responsible for the mission’s success.” The Chancellor paused for a second to measure Emil and Zander with his eyes then said in a normal voice, “Well, I am glad to have see
n you. Nice talking to you, gentlemen. You’ll have to excuse me, but I need to prepare myself for another session.” He got up and headed back to his desk at the far end of the room.
Emil and Zander looked at each other, got up simultaneously and went toward the door. There they stopped, turned to face the Chancellor and bowed. “Chancellor!” With no acknowledgement from their host, they turned and left.
***
After Emil and Zander closed the door, the Chancellor hurried to his white marble desk and, from the top left drawer, took a small red bracelet phone. He touched the ruby in the middle and a red holographic keyboard appeared. The Chancellor dialed into a secure server, entered the protection code, punched in the line de-identification number and, after hearing the calming buzz of the secure, triple-encoded connection, dialed 9855-6678.
Someone picked up after the fifth ring.
“They will be leaving in two days at the latest,” the Chancellor said after hearing the breathing at the other end. “I’ll send you their organic signatures. You already have the pearls’ coordinates, and now you’ll be able to track this team as they locate the pearls for you.”
“Thank you, brother,” the voice at the other side said. “I’ll let Kevin know to start packing.”
“Take Amanda with you,” the Chancellor added. “She can be very convincing.”
The other man hung up.
Chapter 7
The Anaconda team was at base again. They enjoyed each other’s company outside work and spent most of their time between missions together too. Today they had had a lunch and a movie event, watching an old black and white detective movie eating spicy chicken supreme pizza. Pizza was very fashionable in the 25th century. The brick-oven taste, was hard to obtain using microwaves and other popular ovens available to the public, and had turned the few remaining pizza shops into upscale restaurants.
Zander threw the pizza delivery boxes into the big, black plastic bag where the rest of their trash was waiting to be taken out to the reusable-fuel station and joined the others around the low table in the living room. After a few relaxing hours, pretending to be normal people, they had to prepare for the next job. It was time for some prep work to ensure their tools and equipment were in top shape.