Ends and Beginnings
Page 3
Eve took a moment to stare at the white planet. “How are we going to survive down there.” she asked.
“We’ll make do,” Adam responded. “There’s food down there, and if animals can survive, we can too.”
“But with the baby and everything…” Eve broke off.
Adam knew what she was thinking. He was scared too, and everything had just happened so fast. One moment and they were fine, enjoying time togther in their apartment. The next and they were tried, released, and had become the victims of a murder plot. And now they were hurtling towards a planet they had never known before arriving in this system, doomed to live the rest of their lives here. The more Adam thought about it, the more he wished he hadn’t.
Finally, he managed to put the ship down, as close to the equator as possible. But they soon realized that survival was going to be difficult if not impossible. The planet was icy cold, even at the equator.
Soon after arriving they set to work building a shelter. The ship was damaged in the explosion and crash landing so they began stripping it for useful parts. All they could really scavenge were some metal plates and fuel cells. It took them several hours to set up camp, by which time Adam was already freezing. They had taken what warm clothing they could carry but his fingers were still going numb. Eve did not look any better but she did not complain as they worked in silence.
Next Adam began working on a fire. This was easier said than done, however, since very little wood could be found. After some time searching, they had managed to find some brushes. Together with the seat cushions in the ship and a little engine fuel they were able to start a small flame. Standing close to it, he and Eve gripped each other for warmth.
“This is going to be harder than I thought,” she said after a long silence.
“We'll be fine. Though we should start looking for a better place to stay.”
“I thought I saw some mountains to north. Maybe we can find some caves.”
“We've also got to think about food and timber. There isn't much here.” He chuckled. “I don't suppose you can use your 'sense' to find us some firewood?” She slapped him playfully but said nothing.
It was then that Adam heard something.
Grabbing the weapon Kalil had given them, Adam crouched low and moved towards the entrance. Outside he couldn't see anything. Moving still more cautiously he peered in every direction.
A massive shape hurdled through the air and slammed into Adam. He managed to get off one shot that must have grazed the beast for it flew off of him and landed several feet away.
Adam stared at it. It was a huge cat-like monster with large bulging muscles, standing almost as high as his chest. Two long teeth protruding from its mouth, and its eyes were regarding Adam with caution. A red patch of blood showed on its right side
“Adam!” came Eve's voice. She emerged from the shelter. Adam cursed and fired but the beast had already bounded towards her. She screamed and turned to run, but the cat was too fast. It barreled into her, knocking her down, and Adam fired. This time he caught it dead center in the side. It whirled its head toward him.
Adam fired again.
His shot hit the beast between the eyes and it lurched, hung for a moment, then fell lifeless on top of Eve.
Adam moved to help push the beast off of her. With some effort they succeeded. Eve smiled, still lying on the ground. “At least we have some food now.”
Just then, Adam noticed her hand. It was clutching her side where a dark stain was spreading. Adam's heart almost stopped. She was injured. Moving fast, he ripped part of his coat and used it to apply pressure to the wound. But, Eve's face was slowly losing color.
After securing the bandage he moved her back into the shelter. Then he leaned her up against the wall and threw more kindling on the fire. She began to cough and he turned to see her hands cupping a spattering of blood. His eyes wide, he moved to take her hands. They were icy cold, and her face drained of blood.
“Eve,” he said. She didn't answer. “Eve!” he repeated.
She looked at him and her smile was weak. “Hi Adam. Good shot. I...” Her voice trailed off and her eyes slid out of focus.
“Eve, stay with me!” He was shouting. He began rubbing her arms and legs to improve circulation. Why had she left the shelter, when she knew there could be danger? He should have told her to stay. Cursing himself he continued his administrations. “Don't leave me now. Come on Eve!”
But Eve began fading away, her eyelids drooping lower and lower.
“No, wake up!” he was yelling now, “No, no, you can do it, you can, please.
His yelling turned to sobs and he held her in his arms, “Please don't leave me Eve. Please don't.” he wouldn't be able to live without her. The fire had gone out, discarded, as he cradled her body with his, rocking back and forth.
Then something...clicked.
He felt an awareness rush through him. It was a strength beyond his comprehension. He was aware of the universe, the ice ball they inhabited, the beast he had killed and countless more who walked the land. He was aware of space, time, matter, energy. And Eve.
Adam felt his love and new-found strength flow into her. Color flooded back to her cheeks and he could feel her hands grow warm. She began to breathe, and her pulse returned to normal. Gasping in relief he cupped her face with his hands. She opened her eyes and smiled.
Overcome with joy he drew her close and kissed her. He kissed her over and over again as his eyes streamed with tears and his body shook with joy. She wasn't dead. She wasn't going to leave him. But, how had this happened? Could it be the same sense that Eve had told him of?
Leaning Eve against the wall of the shelter he set to work on the fire again. However, this time all he did was think about starting the fire and flames shot from the small pile of brush and grease.
“You did it!” he spun to see Eve looking at him. He moved to her and her gaze shifted to the fire. “But I was never able to do that.”
“How did I do it Eve?” he asked, “Why couldn't I do it before? I...wait a minute.”
A memory stirred in his head. Eve had only been able to use the magic after she met him. And now he was able to do the same. Something fell into place.
“It requires more than simple electrical stimulation doesn't it? A significant event or a strong emotion.”
She smiled. “I would guess that love has a lot to do with it. Science can only take you so far. When you’re in love, you know it, and science can’t prove you wrong.” She kissed him and settled back down to lie next to the fire.
Adam knew she was right. Walking outside he wondered about the limits to this magic. What could it do? It had healed Eve and started the fire. Could it do anything else on a grander scale. Closing his eyes he let himself drift into his new awareness. He was new at this but there seemed to be something guiding his thoughts. He could feel...everything. Even the system’s star seemed small compared to what he was feeling. He knew what to do. He knew exactly what to do.
Using the magic, he rooted himself to the ground, letting it become a part of him. He was a part of the world, or it was a part of him. Drawing strength from its solidity and its foundation he turned toward the glowing orb of hydrogen gas that was the system’s star. With the magic came an awareness that nothing was impossible. His mind was capable of anything. He let it visualize the sun, wrap around it, encompassed it, then...he pulled. At first, nothing happened. Then Adam began to feel the earth tremble beneath him. It was working! The star was too big to budge so instead Adam – and the planet he was rooted to – began moving in space, growing closer to the star.
The difference was instantaneous. Adam could feel the temperature rising: one, then two degrees, as the planet propelled itself toward the star. He stopped at just the right moment and knew that the planet would drift a little closer before its orbit stabilized again. Within a few weeks the ice would melt completely and he and his wife would be able to build a proper home.
He collaps
ed on the ground, energy gone. After a few moments he entered the shelter and sat down next to Eve. She had fallen asleep. He gently placed a hand on her stomach. He could sense that the baby was still alive, and his spirits soared. They would be able to live in peace here. Start a new life.
Smiling, his thoughts drifted. They were going to need a name for this planet. S144-3 didn't sound right. He stared another minute at the earth emerging from the melting ice, then began work on cooking their meal.
* * *
Do not ever let yourselves become accustomed to the way life has treated you. Change is a constant factor of the universe and must be expected. Every change marks a beginning, but in order for there to be a beginning something must first end. Remember, if we had not been banished, we would never have been able to see the beginning of what may one day become a flourishing civilization.
~The Annals of Adam [5,000 Before Illadar (BI); Attributed to Adam, First Man; From the Ilwen Archives at Arch City]
Ends and Beginnings
About the Author
Jason Hamilton is an unapologetic nerd of all things science fiction and fantasy. He is the author of the ongoing serial of Alice: The Last Founder, as well as the Roots of Creation series and many other forthcoming novels.
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