by R J Johnson
“What if you didn’t?” The Patron asked, cocking his head.
“What if I didn’t what?”
“We could suppress your memory. Insert you within the simulation, and with only a few subtle tricks, nudge you two together through specialized events.”
“You’re talking about destiny.” Alex said.
“That is a way to look at it, yes,” the Patron responded, clicking his mandibles together. “You would have no idea what was coming, and yet, it would be foretold all along.”
Alex sighed and turned, looking at the Patron. The spiderlike body had long since stopped freaking him out. He saw the Patrons as friends. His friend was trying to help him live out his one true fantasy.
What would life had been like if they had ended up together?
Alex turned and looked out the window, wondering if it was worth it. He could always go back to playing pretend Rambo, or take the Enterprise out for a few spins anytime. What the Patron was offering him now was a look into a life he had never lived. The road not taken.
How many chances did a person get for that?
“Changing the subject has always been your first defense Alex McCray,” the Patron replied, not dropping the subject. “I have taken the liberty of removing some of the memory suppressant from our clinic. It’s harmless and when you awaken from the simulation, you’ll retain all the memories of the experience and your previous life.”
Alex turned back to the Patron and took the vial of blue liquid from the Patron. He twirled it in his hand, and found himself wondering what it would really be like.
Would it be so bad to look into the life never lived?
“Imagine the life Alex McCray,” the Patron whispered. “You would complete the ‘what if’s’ of your life without consequence. The right decisions made. The correct choices. The world you never got to see…”
Alex looked down at the vial and back at the Patron.
“A sip of the liquid is enough. I will insert and begin running your program.”
He looked over at the Channel where he had spent the better part of the last thousand years. What else could he possibly do in there? Even the most exciting dogfight in tie-fighters wasn’t going to be enough after the sixth thousandth time he’d run the simulation.
What could it hurt?
Alex looked at the vial and twisted off the top, drinking it down, immediately sliding into unconsciousness.
Chapter Twenty-One
Kline walked through the crowd in Hong Kong, people and authorities parting before him. The police, generally known for knocking heads first and asking questions later, began to push people out of Kline’s way as he moved closer to the portal that had nearly destroyed the city.
People had come from far and wide to witness the power of the portal still swirling with energy in the center of the courtyard. Ever since Alex and his friends had disappeared into the portal, the destruction that nearly destroyed Hong Kong had been contained within a ten-foot radius. Authorities had cordoned off the plaza, but, people still crowded around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the swirling vortex of energy.
But Kline had no need to wait in such lines. He was special, and the people around him knew it.
He grasped his new stone, cradling it as if it were a newborn baby. He approached the time-travel stone stuck within the vortex, knowing that he would need every ounce of energy to free the stone from whatever it was that was keeping it locked within the paradox. Kline could feel the power of the time-travel stone calling to him, begging to be freed from its prison.
Kline approached the swirling vortex of black and purple energy, the wind picking up as he grew closer to it. He extended his granite hand to the time-travel stone, and willed it to come to him.
Lighting shot out of his hands, clashing brilliantly with the vortex. People cried out in shock and began running, covering their eyes from the bright flashes of light as Kline’s energy began to interact with the vortex.
At first the stone didn’t budge.
The billionaire frowned and leaned forward, sparks beginning to fly out of the stone he had claimed from the crystal chamber.
Lighting reflected off the vortex, slamming into a passerby who was instantly vaporized. His wife seeing her husband of thirty years disintegrate in front of her eyes began screaming. The crowd around them began to flee, as people began trampling over each other to try and escape the vortex and Kline’s lightning.
Sparks began dancing on and around the black hole surrounding the time-travel stone. Kline roared in concentration and leaned forward, attempting to willing the lightening to penetrate the paradox and free the stone within.
The wind began whipping up around the courtyard as the black hole began swirling around the time stone. More lighting reflected off the vortex, hitting several more innocent Hong Kong citizens, instantly ending their lives.
Kline grit his teeth and willed the power to grow in intensity, using the full force of all eleven stones at his disposal to free the time travel stone. People continued to scream and flee the area as Kline ignored them, willing the filament of energy playing around the time stone. He could feel the stone begin to rock free from the vortex as the filament of energy played around the time stone.
With a massive roar, Kline used every bit of willpower available to him, yanking the time stone out of the vortex, and shielding his eyes from another massive flash of light and heat.
Using the rest of his stones in concert, Kline struggled to contain the energy from the explosion, packing it down using a shield of energy he projected around the vortex, using it to absorb every bit of energy.
And just as suddenly it had begun, the chaos stopped. A clinking sound echoing through the now silent courtyard as the time stone was wrested free from the knot in time Alex had created.
Kline stood, cautiously approaching the time stone as a crowd gathered around him. He reached down and retrieved the stone from the pile of rubble, feeling the power course through his body.
The crowd behind him erupted in cheers, the sound roaring through the courtyard.
Kline turned to his admirers, showing off the twelve stones he had collected.
“Who is your God now?” Kline shouted from above.
The crowd below began chanting Kline’s name as the power coursed through his body. He smiled, and for the first time in his life, felt complete.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Emily approached the dinner table, reaching her hand out for the time stone. It didn’t matter what the Old Man had said. It was clear to her that she was the only one who could Alex and the time travel stone was the best way for her to do that. And if she could help him somehow, she wouldn’t pass up the chance to do so.
Emily reached her hand out for the stone, but just as her fingers were about to close around it, the stone shimmered and disappeared.
She cocked her head, unable to comprehend what she had just seen.
But she was certain of one thing. Without the time travel stone, they were stuck in 1987 for the time being.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The Old Man and Chrissy approached the half-man, half-dragon gargoyle that Scott had been turned into by Kline. Thanks to the time travel and Kline’s actions around the world, it felt like an eternity since Chrissy had seen Scott, even though it had only been a few days.
Chrissy rushed up to Scott’s gargoyle and caressed his cheek. “We’re getting you outta this, hold tight.”
She turned, looking at the Old Man. “Well?”
The Old Man rolled up his sleeves and touched the stone statue.
The granite around Scott’s face and body began cracking, the wind picking up. The Old Man grimaced and pressed harder on the granite surface.
“Come on back to me Scotty…” The Old Man whispered.
The cracks around the dragon body began to get larger until the statue split open, revealing a hollow core inside. Christina shrieked, covering her eyes with her hand, hoping against hope that S
cott was still inside and alive.
There was another bright blue flash as the granite exploded off Scott’s face.
The Old Man leaned back, exhausted by the effort. Christina rushed forward, scooping Scott up, brushing the scattered rubble away from his face and body.
“Baby, are you with me?” she asked, tears running down her face. “Please, be alive. Because if you’re dead, I’m gonna be so pissed.” Another tear ran down her cheek, falling down onto Scott’s peaceful face.
Chrissy pulled Scott in close, the tears ran freely as if a spigot had been opened wide. She looked up at the Old Man, whimpering.
“We were too late…” she whispered.
The Old Man looked down at the scene, ashamed. She was right. He had taken too long to get back to Scott and he hadn’t been powerful enough to keep him alive.
“I’m sorry,” the Old Man whispered.
The Old Man stood over the pair, uncertain what to say or do.
Chrissy caressed Scott’s face. “Remember our trip to Maine? Those memories will last me a lifetime. That’s where I fell in love with you. That’s where I learned you were different. That I was different. That we both were hurt in the same kind of way. And we both sorta knew that we were the only two people who could put each other back together.”
A tear ran down Chrissy’s cheek, landing on Scott’s face.
Scott sputtered and began coughing. Chrissy’s eyes went wide and pulled Scott up.
“Easy there,” Scott said through the coughs. “I didn’t think I’d come back after that.”
Chrissy pulled back for a moment, examining Scott with bright, shining eyes. “You didn’t have a choice so far as I was concerned.”
She kissed Scott hard on the mouth who returned her embrace.
“I’ve got some catching up to do apparently,” the Old Man commented watching the touching scene below him.
The pair ignored the Old Man, as they were too busy being lost in each other’s eyes.
The Old Man coughed, hoping to grab their attention.
“How long have I been out?” Scott asked Chrissy.
“Three days?” she said hesitantly. “It took Alex some time to find the reality stone.”
“He still alive?” he asked.
Chrissy glanced over at the Old Man.
“We’re not sure,” the Old Man replied. “As I said back in ’87, I only have information about what needed to happen up until Kline ‘killed me.’”
“Does he have the twelve stones yet?” Scott asked, sounding worried.
“If not, he’s closer than we’re probably comfortable with by this point,” the Old Man said sounding serious.
“Then what are we doing wasting time here now?” Scott demanded. He sat up, and attempted to stand on his own power when his legs gave out. Scott stumbled, Christina catching him at the last moment.
“Maybe you need to take a few minutes first,” Christina cautioned.
“I’m a big boy, I can walk it off.” Despite Scott’s bravado, he looked humbled and moved to get up far more slowly before attempting to stand on his own power again.
“Right,” the Old Man said watching Scott get up. “We ready then?”
Scott looked back over at the Old Man and felt Christina squeeze his shoulder.
“’Bout as ready as we’ll ever be I suppose…” Scott grumbled. “I still owe Alex a punch or three for getting me into this mess to begin with.”
“Then we’d best make sure you get your chance,” the Old Man replied with a twinkle in his eye. The Old Man stepped forward, lightly touching Christina and Scott’s shoulder.
The trio disappeared into the ether, intent on stopping Kline.
Chapter Twenty-Four
By now, Nathaniel Ash didn’t even question the orders he telepathically received from Kline. Sometimes, Ash had already begun executing an order than hadn’t been given yet. Ash wasn’t sure if that was because he was proving to be an excellent administrator for Kline’s operation, or, if there was something deeper happening thanks to the stones.
Whatever happened, besides some isolated places of rebellion (mostly headquartered in the Western states with a proud tradition of standing up to tyrants), life was beginning to settle down. People had started to realize that their lives would not change significantly with Kline in charge. Some major business had been interrupted, but with the soldiers and engineers Kline had directed to help, the infrastructure destroyed by Kline’s initial takeover was quickly being rebuilt.
Ash couldn’t help but admire the efficiencies of Kline’s dictatorship. If Ash wanted something done in Kline’s name, it was done without question and usually accomplished exactly as asked. If there was one thing people had learned over the last few days dealing with Kline - it was there was no room for error.
There were still a dozen governors or so left to install around the country which would help calm the rebellions. Kline would take care of the rest by: “re-educating the citizenry,” as the billionaire liked to call it.
Ash reached the end of the paperwork pile, hoping he might be able to tear himself away from the Oval Office to eat something when an aide entered, handing him a note.
“This came for you. Priority message from Kline.”
Ash was perplexed. Why hadn’t Kline sent the message telepathically? That would have been far easier and much more secure.
“Thank you. You may go.” Ash took the note from the aide, who exited the Oval Office quickly.
Ash unfolded the note, noting the handwriting was not Kline’s.
“Well, you’ve gotten yourself into quite the situation. I should know. I was in your position for years before you.”
Ash check the bottom of the note for a signature. It was from Geoffrey Tate. Kline’s former right-hand man who had disappeared.
“We need to meet. And the less people know about it the better. If you can get away tonight, signal by leaving two lanterns on the White House Portico. I’ll handle the rest.
- Tate
PS: There’s no point in betraying me to Kline. If he suspects you even for a moment, you’re as dead as I am.”
Ash stared at the note attempting to digest its meaning. It was clear the note was meant to be friendly. And he didn’t think it was a trap by any means.
He had to admit, the offer to meet was tempting. He could get away from the Oval Office for a few minutes to meet with Tate to see what he had to say. If Kline ever discovered what happened, then perhaps he would be killed.
And at least, it would bring an end to this hell that Kline had placed him in. Running a country was not all it was cracked up to be.
“Elba,” he called out to his secretary, “I’m going out for a few minutes. I’ll be back before 6 or so.”
“Very good Mr. Ash,” she replied. “Can I get a destination for the log?”
Ash eyed the log that Kline had implemented for all his senior staff. It was intended to keep track of the subordinate’s movements lest they begin gathering together to foment dissent against Kline.
“Georgetown,” Ash replied, the lie coming quickly. “I have to speak to the educators about how to move forward with their curriculum after Kline’s new mandates.”
Elba wrote the destination down, handing Ash a small black box that reminded him of a pager.
“Keep your tracker activated in case so we don’t lose you to rebel forces.”
Ash eyed the tracker, “It’s mandatory I know, but, in my case, I was hoping…”
“No exceptions,” Elba replied firmly, her hand moving to the dial on the phone. “Unless you’d prefer I called Mr. Kline to authorize your excursion without a tracker…”
Ash picked up the tracker, shoving it into his pocket. “That won’t be necessary. I’m just being difficult. I’ll see you before six.”
Elba returned to the paperwork on her desk, “Travel safely Mr. Ash.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
When a man falls in love, he rarely knows it. But, the
first time Alex saw Emily inside the Channel simulation, he knew she was the one for him. He had no idea why, or what the feelings meant when he saw her, but he knew it’d be folly to deny them.
He had approached her at the fraternity party, and struck up a conversation, the both of them, clearly feeling the mutual chemistry between them. There was something about her that drew him in and no matter how he tried to resist, he couldn’t help falling in love with her.
Fortunately, she was just as enamored with Alex as he was with her. They breezed through college together, finding common ground in the subjects they studied. Alex was working his way through the architecture program at Stanford while Emily completed her Masters at Berkley.
When Emily got the offer to move to Peru, Alex supported her the best way he knew how, promising that they would find a way to make the long distance work. He held off on proposing marriage, knowing how she felt, deciding to trust in her love for him to keep their relationship strong despite the distance.
And while it had been a rough time in their relationship during the six months Emily had been away, they had gotten through it together. From writing each other daily e-mails to webcamming when Emily was able to find an internet connection fast enough, their relationship thrived.
While Emily was away working on her program, Alex graduated with honors from Stanford, and immediately went to work for one of the top architecture firms in San Francisco designing high tech offices for tech companies. He had a knack for the work and soon enough, his designs were in demand.
When Emily returned from South America, Emily surprised him by asking Alex to marry her. She described a revelation she had in the jungle not too long ago, and that had changed Emily’s mind about the institution of marriage.
Through their separation, Alex had more than proven to her that he was nothing like her father, and would always be there for her as her rock, and able to support her when things got rough, and when things were good.