James felt Londuo’s hands touch his. She pulled him closer and they kissed lovingly.
If only things were different, James thought. He felt sadness, like it was the last day of a long holiday and he had to be at work the next day.
‘We’d better get in the seatra, James,’ Londuo said.
I could stand here all day, looking at you. He nodded slowly, and then sighed.
‘Okay, let’s do this. Kalrea, can you disable your internal interface with the other Aurora and Pulsora? I wouldn’t want them to know what we’re doing.’
‘Done.’
James and Londuo entered the seatra together. As the lid started to close, James remarked,
‘It’s time to go.’
Londuo smiled and looked over at him, but her thoughts seem to be elsewhere.
‘What’s on your mind?’ James asked.
‘It’s what you just said, “time to go”,’ Londuo replied. ‘I was thinking about the other me; the older Londuo who also exists on Earth now. I’ll never view time in quite the same way, anymore.’
James smiled back.
‘I see what you mean.’
The lid of the seatra clicked shut.
We’re ready to go into the Paradoxica, Kalrea, James thought.
To enter it, I will need to get the temperature of the Plyane hull increased in a controlled manner, Kalrea said, turning the Aurora towards a nearby star. That star will do, but its intense heat will put me offline for a while, so you’ll have to keep the ship under control.
Don’t worry, Kalrea; my piloting has come on a bit since Normia, James thought cheekily.
The Aurora accelerated toward the star.
We only need to skim the surface, Kalrea said. Keep the Aurora on this vector, James.
Will do.
Temperature rising. Now at 10,000 Joplis; 20,000; 50,000; 80,000—
Kalrea’s voice stopped abruptly.
James took over control of the ship.
120,000. Okay, keep it steady, he thought. We’ll approach critical phase in five seconds.
Without warning, the Aurora was enveloped in an orange and yellow swirling space.
We’re in, James thought, before looking expectantly outside the ship. The broken reflection of the Aurora shimmered across the surface of a patchy mist.
What an eerie place, Londuo remarked.
The mist is thicker than I imagined, James thought. It looks almost metallic. There must be billions of small pieces of metal or something similar floating within it. He watched the mist part ahead of the ship.
What do we do now? Londuo asked.
We’d better wait for Kalrea to come back online before we attempt to find those other ships.
A few seconds passed.
All systems responding, Kalrea informed.
Kalrea, see if you can locate the other ships, James thought with urgency.
My scanners cannot penetrate the mist. You have visual only, Kalrea replied. I’ll try to interface with the Paradoxica’s systems to establish their position.
Without warning, a bolt of white light streaked across space close above them and headed into the distance.
What was that? Londuo asked.
That was a charge of plasma energy, which is used to power the gateways, Kalrea replied.
As James looked out from the Aurora another bolt of light passed by.
I think I’ve located two ships. They will appear somewhere off the port side, Kalrea said.
James replied,
Somewhere, Kalrea! It’s not like you to say, somewhere. It’s not very accurate.
Sorry, I haven’t managed to access the Paradoxica’s tracking scanners, as yet. This is based upon entry event data and a bit of a guess, I’m afraid.
James looked anxiously out into the mist for other ships and thought, she guessed!
Two minutes passed.
Kalrea, are you sure they’re heading this way? James thought. It seems like it wasn’t a very good guess—
Wait. There! Londuo thought.
In the distance, off the port side of the Aurora, the outline of a ship was just visible through the mist. The Aurora turned towards it, but the mist enveloped the distant ship. The Aurora quickly reached the location where the ship had been seen.
It’s gone, Londuo thought.
It can’t just disappear. It’s got to be somewhere around here. Come on, Kalrea, James thought impatiently. Where are they?
The Aurora moved slowly through the mist on an approximate course of the other ship.
This is no good. James thought to himself for a moment. Kalrea, if the other Aurora and Pulsora were here, then they would have tried to use the nearest gateway. Are there any along this vector?
The nearest is two hundred and twenty kilometres away, Kalrea replied.
That’s got to be the one. James thought. Try and get there before them. I don’t want any surprises.
The Aurora powered rapidly away in an arc to avoid detection by the other ships.
Look James! Is that a gateway? Londuo thought, indicating towards something which appeared to be a hole in space.
Kalrea, is that what we’re looking for? James thought.
Yes it is. That’s one of the wormholes.
The Aurora approached slowly.
James peered out at the gateway in amazement.
It’s huge, he commented. It must be three or four kilometres in diameter. The edge looks like it’s pulsing.
He watched a regular ribbon of white light which was travelling around the edge of the gateway.
It’s dancing, Londuo thought. So beautiful.
James could see the hole was shimmering, like the surface of a still pond. He was captivated by it and watched as a bolt of white light flashed past the port side of the ship and dissipated into the edge of the hole. Beneath the surface a planet appeared and then disappeared within the hole, staying visible for just nine seconds.
Wait! There’s Earth, James thought.
Earth appeared, and then faded.
Those planets must be where you can travel to, Londuo thought.
It’s incredible.
Qintaino! Londuo thought. It must be in the past. Look, James, you can see some of the tall buildings.
Time appears to be random within the gateway, Kalrea said. You just saw Qintaino 83 sykals ago.
She continued to speak while planet after planet appeared in the gateway.
There’s Uolcol at 639 sykals in our past, Kollonm at 4635—
That’s the Treitan home world, Polimop! James thought, interrupting her.
Londuo peered at the planet.
Are you sure?
I’ve seen a holographic picture of it. That’s it!
That was Polimop, 823 sykals ago, Kalrea said. I’ve just managed to access the Paradoxica’s tracking scanners and have located the two ships. You were right, James, they’re on an approach vector.
Can you disable all the gateways? James thought.
He glanced out of the ship in all directions.
I need more time! Kalrea replied.
What direction are they coming from? James asked.
They’ll appear on the starboard side in 17.3 seconds, Kalrea replied.
I don’t want them to see us, Kalrea. Move us away from the gateway, but keep us in visual range, James instructed.
The Aurora slowly drifted away from the gateway. Occasionally the mist thickened, obscuring their view.
I still can’t see them, James thought.
There! Londuo thought.
Passing parallel to the Aurora were two identical ships.
‘WEAPON SYSTEMS ACTIVATED.’
It is them? James thought. The original Aurora and Pulsora? Look, they don’t have any weapons.
The mist thickened once more.
The mist keeps getting in the way, Londuo thought.
I still have them, Kalrea said.
The two ships reached the gateway.
Keep out of si
ght, James thought.
What are they doing now? Londuo thought.
The other Kalrea and Sarhao are working out what it is, Kalrea said. Damn, I have a problem! she added suddenly. Sarhao is interfacing with the machine. He hasn’t detected me yet.
Make sure he doesn’t.
James was starting to get nervous.
You must disable the gateways.
Look! Londuo thought. The ships are starting to move into the wormhole.
‘PLASMA TORPEDOES GENERATED.’
James looked out of the Aurora. The two ships moved slowly closer to the gateway.
They’re about to enter, Kalrea said. We must stop them!
I know, James thought, targeting the rear event horizon drives of the Aurora and then the ones of the Pulsora.
Quick, before they disappear! Londuo thought.
James hesitated.
Suddenly, six plasma torpedoes left the front of the Aurora. James watched them scream through the mist, striking the rear of the Pulsora, just before it penetrated the gateway. There was a bright orange flash from its event horizon drives, followed by a huge explosion within the ship. The Pulsora’s hull distorted and changed from black to a rainbow of colours, before the internal forces cracked it open. There was a massive explosion. Large rings of white light swept away from the debris.
The other Aurora was hit by the blast and thrown away from the gateway. Kalrea turned the Aurora towards the shock wave. It swept into them and James heard the noise from the drives deepen. Kalrea tried desperately to keep the ship stable, but suddenly an alarm sounded, and the ship was tossed, like a piece of paper in the wind, through the mist.
‘OVERRIDING DRIVE PROTECTION.’
Kalrea, what happened? James thought.
We’re all right, Kalrea replied.
She regained control over the ship.
The force from the explosion was too great. Drive protection engaged.
Did the explosion penetrate the gateway? James thought.
No. There’s some kind of shielding built into it. The blast was contained, Kalrea replied.
I think that got their attention, Londuo thought.
Where’s the gateway? James thought, and the other Aurora?
The other Aurora was thrown clear from the blast as well. I don’t know where it went, Kalrea said. The explosion has interfered with the Paradoxica’s scanners.
Damn! James replied.
It can’t be far—, Londuo thought.
Kalrea interrupted her.
I’ve got control of the gateways!
Shut them down. Do it now! James thought urgently.
James looked out at a nearby gateway. The white bolts of energy ceased and the pulse of light which ringed it slowly faded away. The wormhole imploded in an instant. James felt some relief.
At least no one can exit the Paradoxica now.
What’s that over there? Londuo thought.
I’m not sure, James replied. It looks large, whatever it is.
Off the starboard side of the ship, bright red lights were flashing. The Aurora turned and powered slowly towards them.
That’s the control centre of the Paradoxica, Kalrea said. It’s the source of those bolts of energy, used to power the gateways.
The control centre was spherical in shape and at least half a kilometre in diameter. Its diameter was changing constantly, moving slowly, as if it were breathing. Large transparent towers protruded out into the mist. From their ends the brightness of a scarlet light oscillated like a beating heart, repelling the surrounding mist.
We’re being hailed, Kalrea said.
What? James was concerned. From where?
Out of the mist behind the Aurora, the other Aurora appeared.
The other me is very angry, James. She’s feeling the same grief I felt when I lost Sarhao. She wants to destroy me! Wait! Now she’s interfacing with the control centre, Kalrea said.
We have to destroy the Paradoxica. It must never be used again, James thought.
James, I’m scared! Londuo thought. I feel cold.
James sensed there was something wrong.
It’s all right, he thought, but he suddenly felt disorientated. There’s nothing to worry about.
He tried to reassure Londuo; however, he was also starting to feel unnerved.
Londuo began to panic.
James, I have to get out! Please let me out of here!
James opened the seatra.
Londuo looked terrified and started to breathe heavily. They both sat upright. She clung to him.
James’ heart beat fast.
‘Kalrea, I feel cold too. What’s happening?’ he said.
‘We’re affecting the timeline. It’s working,’ Kalrea said over the ship’s address system.
James called Londuo, and she looked at him. He told her,
‘I’m here. I won’t leave you.’
She smiled back.
‘I know, but I feel this is the end, James. Don’t you feel it?’
‘Yes, Londuo,’ he said sadly.
‘PLASMA TORPEDOES GENERATED.’
Six plasma torpedoes were fired directly at the control centre. They exploded, but the control centre remained intact.
‘I can’t destroy it,’ Kalrea said.
The front laser strafed the structure. James could hear the anguish in her voice.
‘It’s shielded like the gateways. My weapons had no effect.’
‘Can you disable it, then?’
‘I don’t know,’ Kalrea replied. ‘There’s not much time. They’re hailing us again,’ Kalrea said. ‘James, it’s the captain of the Aurora, he wants to talk to you.’
‘Put him through,’ James said.
‘James!’ Kalrea replied. ‘You need to know, it’s Lex, your father.’
‘What!’ James was stunned.
He suddenly felt like a child waiting to be told off by his father.
‘…This is Captain Brasdoi of the Qinant exploration force. Please identify yourself,’ Lex’s voice came through. ‘Why did you destroy one of our ships?’
James didn’t know what to say.
‘I repeat, this is Captain—’
‘Dad, it’s me, James… I mean Jameilo!’
‘Jameilo! It can’t be, he’s back on Qintaino. Who are you?’
‘No, dad, it is me. Really! This ship is the Aurora.’
‘So that’s your father,’ Londuo said.
‘Who’s that?’ Lex questioned. ‘I recognise that voice.’
‘My name’s Londuo,’ she replied.
‘Not Londuo Besic! I left you on Qintaino, Londuo,’ Lex sounded confused.
‘I’m sorry, but I’ve never met you before,’ Londuo replied.
‘Dad, you must listen to me; we don’t have much time. We’re from another timeline that you created when you went through the gateway. I’m sorry, but we cannot allow you or the Pulsora to exit the Paradoxica. You would, otherwise, become responsible for the beginning of a long and bloody war.’
‘James, the other Kalrea knows I’m trying to destroy the Paradoxica. She’s asking why,’ Kalrea said. ‘I can’t destroy it on my own!’
‘That’s Kalrea’s voice!’ Lex said.
‘James! There’s no more time; we must act now,’ Kalrea said.
‘Dad, please! We have to destroy the Paradoxica! We need your help. Kalrea, transmit to Lex and Kalrea all we know. Let them see,’ James instructed.
As he spoke wisps of vapour formed from his mouth.
‘All right,’ Kalrea replied.
James shivered. The hull of the Aurora seemed to become transparent and for a moment he could see the mist outside.
What’s happening, where’s the Aurora?
‘This is really it,’ Londuo said, placing her head on James’ shoulder.
‘I hope we meet on Qintaino in this timeline.’
‘I’m glad we met in this life. I know we’ll meet again. If you see a shy boy looking at you across a crowded room,
it will be me,’ James said cheerfully.
Londuo managed a smile.
James felt light-headed.
‘Kalrea, I can’t hear you in my head anymore,’ he said in a concerned voice. ‘Dad, are you still there?’
There was no reply.
‘Dad!’
‘Jameilo! I’m here,’ Lex replied. ‘We understand.’
Kalrea said,
‘The other Kalrea and me, we’re both trying to overload the control centre’s systems.’
‘I knew Lex would do the right thing,’ James said, his voice quieting. ‘Can you both do it?’ James felt weak.
‘Of course,’ Kalrea replied.
James smiled.
‘Kalrea, I want you to know that you mean a lot to me,’ he said. ‘I’ve enjoyed every moment we’ve had together.’
‘Thank you, James,’ she replied softly. ‘I’m sorry I can’t get you out of this.’
‘It’s not your fault, Kalrea. We knew this would happen if we were successful.’
‘I love you, both,’ Kalrea replied. ‘The control centre will destroy itself in two minutes.’
‘Good, then we’ve done it,’ James said. ‘What will happen to Lex and the other Aurora, Kalrea?’
‘I’m not sure,’ Kalrea replied. ‘I think it can survive.’
‘I can’t see anymore!’ Londuo said.
James could hardly lift his arm. Using all his remaining energy he gripped Londuo’s hand.
‘Me neither, I can’t see, Kalrea! What’s happening?’
He suddenly felt frightened.
‘We cannot exist in this timeline,’ Kalrea said.
‘Kalrea, where will the other Aurora end up?’ James said. ‘I mean, in what time?’
‘It’s too late,’ Kalrea said.
There was a flash of brilliant light outside the ship, and the control centre disappeared. James felt the ship vibrate violently.
‘EVENT HORIZON DRIVE PROTECTION ENGAGED.’
‘We’ve returned to normal space,’ Kalrea seemed surprised.
‘And the other Aurora?’ James asked.
‘It’s here too.’
The two ships drifted in space.
‘Where are we, Kalrea? And in what time?’ James said.
‘I can’t… tell…,’ Kalrea said, with her voice changing pitch.
‘Kalrea! Dad!’ James said, but there was no reply.
‘Kiss me, James,’ Londuo said with urgency. ‘One last time. I love you so much.’
The Aurora (Aurora Saga, Book 1) Page 35