Essence: Book 1 - Septima

by Nick Braker

  I know you didn’t ask her but call off Cienna, she will understand what you mean. You know she loves you and is looking out for you, so don’t be hard on her for me, okay? Tell Alta she can trust me and that you know this, not because of how you feel about me but what you have seen and what you have heard. Tell Caiden to bear with me as I get myself back on my feet. Tell him my memories are returning and that I need him in this fight against the Reptaurans. He’s a great commander.

  Tohmas.

  Troy finished the letter and set the data pad on the end table in her bedroom. He grabbed his comm-device since he needed to update those involved. Troy sent text messages to Caiden, Alta and Septima while he continued to move about the apartment.

  Time: 09:32

  Caiden,

  Let’s get together in the morning. I need to go over some things with you. I know I can trust you with this so you’re the first to know... keep it to yourself. I will be taking over leadership from the council and assuming command of our military under Piran martial law. I have the blessing of all parties but an official announcement will be forthcoming. From our discussions, I figured you’d be glad to hear it.

  Tohmas

  Message Sent.

  Troy had already acclimated himself to Pira’s ten-hour days, but they didn’t call them hours. The planet had a rotation time of roughly 23 Earth hours and Pirans divided that time into ten equal segments. Their midnight began at 00:00 and their day ended at 09:99. Each of their segments were split into 100 increments. One Piran segment was roughly equal to 2.3 Earth hours. A system of time based on decimals seemed logical to Troy instead of one that had 60 minutes in an hour and 24 hours in a day. The math was far easier on Pira. The Piran time of 09:33 was roughly equal to Earth’s time of 21:46 military or 9:46pm.

  Time: 09:33

  Alta,

  Is there anything we can do to improve the projection system? I want something to fall back on should our fight with the Reptaurans go badly. Knowing you, you’re Einstein brain is already working to figure out if there are other reasons I’m asking you about the projection system. Yes, your first conclusion is a correct one. The announcement is forthcoming.

  Tohmas

  Message Sent.

  Time: 09:33

  Sep,

  Where you at? ;)

  Tohmas

  Message Sent.

  Troy’s comm-device chimed.

  Incoming Message.

  Time: 09:35

  Troy,

  Working on the cloning deployment plan. We need storage space for the bodies before we insert an essence into them. By the way, your comm-device is sending random characters or was ‘;)’ a typing error?

  Love Sep

  Time: 09:36

  Sep,

  You’re kidding?

  Tohmas

  Message Sent.

  Troy forgot again that Pira was worlds apart from Earth in many ways and apparently, so were emoticons. He would have some fun teaching them to her. He opened the closet door and began rummaging through more boxes when his comm-device sounded again.

  Incoming Message.

  Time: 09:40

  Tohmas,

  Congratulations. So we’re clear, I don’t answer to anyone. Non-negotiable.

  Also, who is Einstein? I have to conclude it was one of your best minds from Earth but he/she/it can’t hold a candle to me. How’s that human idiom work for you?

  Alta

  “Fuck,” he said.

  Time: 09:41

  Alta,

  Things change.

  Tohmas

  Brutal and tactless as always. Alta was as much of a dichotomy as Troy. He could handle her. She just didn’t know it yet. His device rang indicating an incoming call. The display read ALTA. She wasn’t going to let this go. He smiled.

  “Troy here.”

  “Things change only if I allow it.”

  Troy ignored her comment.

  “I’ll be taking over--”

  “Leadership. Yes, I figured that out already, Einstein.”

  Zing.

  Alta continued.

  “I’ve already researched what it would take to upgrade the projection device. Power. There isn’t enough. It can’t be used as a fallback option.”

  “Is it--”

  “Yes, it’s fully charged,” she said.

  “How many--”

  “Five,” she said.

  “I’ll assemble a team--”

  “No, you won’t. You don’t have any idea what is involved on an S&G.”

  She is having way too much fun anticipating me.

  “Perhaps it’s not an S&G,” Troy said.

  “Oh?”

  That got her interest.

  “You told me there is nothing I could do to save Earth but I’m going to try.”

  “Ghetti sold you some magic beans on saving Earth,” she told him. “There is no happy ending to this fairytale.”

  “You really love flaunting your knowledge of Earth at me?”

  “I do,” she said.

  Troy could hear a playful edge in her tone. In fact, the whole conversation sounded as if it were between two best friends.

  “Where were we?” he asked. “Oh yeah. You don’t know that, besides it is a condition of my getting leadership peacefully.”

  “Hmmm. Ghetti’s tit for tat? Interesting,” she said.

  “Well?”

  “Fine. Come to my lab in an hour.”

  That was one of the strangest conversations he’d ever had with her. It was childish and playful. Her Einstein comment was more in fun than it was insulting. She had enjoyed the banter. Troy had to admit, he did too. She was growing on him. Another bleep from his comm-device sounded.

  Time: 09:92

  Sir,

  Congradulations. This will be well receeved by all of us.

  Caiden.

  Caiden can teach people to kill but he can’t spell worth shit. Of course, English isn’t your first language.

  Troy started to set the comm-device down when an idea occurred to him. He wrote up another text to Septima asking her to pick up a few things for their trip to Earth. He pressed the send button then laid down on their bed, editing his note to Septima on the data pad. Roughly an hour later, he changed into his clean clothes from Earth, grabbed the tiny drive from Ghetti and headed to the lab. It was time to go back home.

  ____

  Pira - Early in the morning.

  The lab was a bustle of activity. The Pirans worked as long as the sun was up. After all, there was no room for time off with the knowledge that your demise at the hands of an invading alien army could be seconds away. It wasn’t abnormal for them to work this late but it was unusual for this many people to be here at the same time. The projection machine must require a great deal of preparation. Troy crossed the room and entered Alta’s office.

  “Tohmas,” Alta said. “Let me brief you.”

  Troy nodded, watching her tap something on her keyboard.

  “Follow me,” she said.

  Alta led him back into the large octagonal room and to a now open bulkhead door on the north side wall. Inside was a chamber 30 feet deep and quite empty.

  “Huh?” he said, motioning around him that the room was empty.

  Alta rolled her eyes at him.

  “The machine is below ground. Proximity does not necessitate operational ability. The only requirement is that others not be near those getting projected. We wouldn’t want anyone leaving body parts behind. Right?”

  She smiled at him, enjoying her humor.

  “You seem in good spirits.”

  Alta lowered her voice.

  “Having an Earthling on the mission means a higher success rate given the amount of time you’ll be on Earth. In other words, more essences for the war.”

  “We can’t be seen at major disasters,” he told her. “This wasn’t supposed to be an actual S&G. I need to focus on reaching the authorities.”

  “Cienna and Septima will f
ocus on collecting people for the war,” she said. “They know who to collect from.”

  Troy didn’t show it but he realized that Alta hadn’t talked to him like a child now for several days. Her tone was different and she was somewhat playful with him. What had changed? Respect? He made a mental note to think about that later. Whatever had caused it, he was enjoying their time together.

  “How could you possibly know? I don’t even know where I’ll decide to go yet.”

  “Technology, dear. Don’t worry about how we do it. You do your part and keep them safe. That part, I know you can do.”

  Alta did it again but this time she went so far as to actually compliment him. They were still standing in the projection room while the others were outside preparing. He stepped close to her and kissed her on the cheek. She froze.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  “What was that for?” she said, recovering.

  “I like the new Alta.”

  “I-” she said.

  She narrowed her eyes at him. Troy was certain she was going to respond to the kiss but she quickly changed her mind.

  “-wanted to brief you. You three will stand here,” she said, pointing to the center of the room. “I will close the door for everyone’s safety. I’ll then start a ten second countdown for you since this is your first time. At the end of the countdown, everything will go black from your perspective. When the lights come back on, so to speak, they will be those from Earth. The effect is disorienting on every level but it’s always the quick return projection that will leave you unconscious.”

  “So I should be fine upon arrival?” he asked.

  “Functional, yes. S&Gs are very fast, giving the team no time to recover but, since you three will be there a full day, I’m interested to see your physical state upon return. I expect it will be the same as your arrival on Earth. Remember, you have to be at the extraction point in 24 earth hours exactly. If you are late, you’ll have to wait 1.64 earth weeks for us to try again.”

  She paused, letting her words sink in and then continued.

  “Am I clear?”

  “You couldn’t spare us a little power to get back sooner?” he asked.

  “None,” she said, putting her finger into his chest. “There is zero tolerance on power.”

  “Got it,” he said.

  “Septima. Cienna. We’re ready.”

  The two moved into the room, standing next to him. Both of them wore Earth style clothing. Septima was in blue jeans, tennis shoes and a dark red top with a matching hair loop she used to keep it in a ponytail. Cienna wore blue jeans, tennis shoes and a green top with the Starbucks logo on it.

  “Where’d you get that?” he asked.

  “From one of the people I extracted. I liked it,” Cienna said.

  Ugh. Tacky. She stole a shirt off a dead husk.

  Septima handed him a weapons belt and a small backpack. They all three had matching gear.

  “Where is--”

  “The weapon is in the backpack, along with medical supplies and some food,” Alta said, holding her hand up but then quickly putting it down.

  “The food is for Cienna and Septima,” she continued, answering his unspoken question. “They won’t do well eating most Earth food.”

  “Troy,” Septima said. “Here is your wallet with ID. I held on to it since you arrived, just in case.”

  “Damn, this will be handy,” he said, taking it. “We’ll need it.”

  Troy turned to tell Alta that he was ready but the bulkhead door was already closing and she was standing outside.

  “What do the Earthlings say?” Alta asked as the doors started sliding shut. “Good luck?”

  He nodded at her as the doors closed.

  ____

  Pira - Early in the morning.

  “So, what’s it like?” Troy asked.

  “Save your questions. You’ll know soon enough,” Cienna told him.

  “Still testy?” he asked.

  “Okay, you two. Don’t start. We need to work together on this mission,” Septima said.

  “Agreed, I’m--”

  Alta’s voice interrupted him over the room’s speaker system.

  “We’re ready,” Alta said.

  Movement and the sounds of her keyboard filled the empty room. He could hear her breathing while she moved around her office.

  “Okay,” she said. “Checking systems one last time.”

  Septima touched his arm.

  “How’s the headache?” she asked.

  “Low grade. Feeling okay,” he replied.

  “Tohmas?” Alta asked.

  “Yes?” he said.

  “Joliza, get those coordinates confirmed now,” Alta ordered.

  Seconds passed.

  “Confirmed.”

  “Starting countdown,” Alta said.

  “10...”

  “9... Tohmas, do you remember our first kiss?”

  Septima’s head snapped around to Troy in surprise.

  “What k--”

  The lights abruptly ended and the floor dropped out from below him. Troy was no longer on Pira, he was sure of that. The world spun around him in the darkness, but he had only his inner ear to believe since he couldn’t see his hands in front of him. Light didn’t exist in this place. He tried to grab Septima next to him but she wasn’t there. He couldn’t feel either of them, nor hear them. Why couldn’t he sense them? Ever since arriving on Pira, Troy could sense people around him. Were they gone? He called out, but his mind reeled when he couldn’t hear his own voice. Troy panicked and screamed this time. Nothing. Was he breathing? He grabbed his throat, screaming out again.

  Troy’s panic increased and he tried to scream a third time. He was sure he wasn’t breathing anymore and that meant he’d be dead soon. No light and no sound, nothing but darkness. He struggled, reaching out randomly into the darkness hoping desperately to grab onto something, anything, but then the light returned.

  “Troy,” Septima exclaimed, grabbing him. “You’re fine. We’re here.”

  Troy stopped screaming and all of his senses came rushing back.

  Septima knelt at his side, holding his hands.

  He felt cold metal on the back of his neck.

  Someone laughed behind him.

  The North Star twinkled at him.

  The angry sounds of crickets played in the background.

  The moon watched him, high overhead.

  Pain lanced through his neck.

  He sensed the two young women again.

  Troy breathed, taking in his surroundings. His perception of time was slowing to normal and the flood of information slowed with it.

  “We’re here,” Septima said. “I wish I had warned you.”

  “Me too,” he said. “It’s okay. I’m alright.”

  He swallowed, then breathed in with his nose. The familiar smells of Earth comforted him. Grass, dirt, oil, and fertilizer were the strongest odors. A metallic iron smell assaulted his nose too. Yeah, he was home.

  Home? This is not home.

  “Are you going to lay there all night?” Cienna asked, still laughing at him.

  Troy leaned up. He had been laying on railroad tracks. He tensed, looking in both directions.

  Well, no headlights of an oncoming train, yet.

  “Yeah,” he said, standing.

  The light from the moon revealed the area well enough. All three of them had landed atop a set of railroad tracks which led to a stockyard. There was roughly fifty feet of open ground on both sides of the tracks. The area was covered with grass, ending with thickly clustered trees on both sides.

  That explains the smells.

  “Why would my neck hurt?” he asked, rubbing it.

  “We fell several feet,” Cienna responded. “Better to project above the ground than below it. There is a margin of error in the process.”

  “I could have broken my neck. I’m surprised you didn’t tell me that piece before we left,” he said.

  “Fo
rgot,” Cienna said, smirking. “Damn.”

  “Okay, don’t start,” Septima interrupted. “We need to get moving. Which way?”

  Troy searched the horizon. To the north, lights refracted off the air and pollution, brightening that part of the skyline. It had to be a large city.

  “That way,” he said, pointing to the lights.

  Troy checked his comm-device.

  “Arrival was around 4:46am Earth time,” he said. “Let’s go.”

  They moved along the tracks which led away from the stockyard and toward the city. The low light and the rough ground kept the pace slow but Troy knew all three of them could handle it. He felt comfortable moving over it in the dark. The tracks crossed a street named Tobacco Road but they remained on the railway as it kept going north. There were bits of conversation along the way but it was brief and to the point, no small talk.

  A sign came into view. It read Welcome to Augusta, Georgia.

  “That’s good,” Troy said. “Let’s get off the tracks and move along Old Louisville road. This back road is coming in from the south. Alta’s doing?”

  “Of course,” Cienna said.

  “Is this the capital of your world?” Septima asked.

  “No and I can imagine that Alta knew enough to keep us away from that city. Frankly, we wouldn’t have a chance getting anyone to believe us there. The town is filled with crazy people trying the reach the president. We have a shot here at least.”

  “Do you have a plan?” Cienna asked.

  Troy ignored her tone.

  “Yes, we’re going to start with the local police. Convince a few of them and then move up the chain. We’ll never get an audience with any top official without someone below them helping us.”

  “Can your police be trusted?” Cienna asked.

  “It’s our best shot.”

  Troy had to remind himself that Pirans didn’t have police. They had actually evolved enough not to need such an entity. There was no crime on Pira before the Reptaurans arrived but of course they had changed all that.

  “This way,” he said.

  An hour later they stood on a sidewalk, outside a motel. Troy had passed on several others along the way, looking for the right one.

  “This is the one,” Troy said.

  “Why?” Septima asked.