by R J Johnson
There were no paradoxes. The universe continued on as if nothing happened.
At first Kline avoided his younger self, but he soon realized how foolish that would be. He would have to bring him in sooner or later of course. The cycle would need to be kept complete if Kline were to continue on and have his chance at revenge on Alex McCray and his band of friends.
But he held back. He couldn’t tell the younger Rupert what he was about until he had proof of the stones. Then, and only then would he be able to convince the young man what it all meant.
And then he would be free to remake the world in his image, long before the universe had even heard of Alex McCray.
Finally, the day came in which their company found the house with the safe. Kline watched it from a distance at first, waiting for his younger self to enter it first, and find the safe, as he had done so long ago.
The rest of the company had been sending loot back home, and Rupert had so far come up short. With the war beginning to wind down, young Rupert’s thirst for some kind of trophy was the strongest it had ever been.
Which made it a great time for Kline to introduce himself.
Rupert was busy hooking some leftover dynamite to the wall safe when Kline entered the room.
“Good, Caldwell, you’re here.” Rupert continued to string the wire from the explosive to a small detonator in his hand. He pulled the ring of wire to the other side of the room, until he was standing next to Kline.
Kline had taken to the name Caldwell while in the army. It wasn’t as if he could go around telling the younger version of himself that he had the same name after all.
“You want the honor?” Rupert asked, holding the detonator out to him.
Kline smiled, thinking back to this moment. It had seemed so innocent at the time. Now, he knew.
“You found the safe, you should have all the fun,” Kline replied.
Rupert nodded his thanks to Kline and twisted the detonator. The flash of smoke and sound echoed through the basement walls. Rupert was already climbing through the rubble to see what was there.
“Congratulations Caldwell,” Rupert called over his shoulder. “I think we have ourselves some decent loot outta this one.”
Kline pushed forward through the rubble and pulled Rupert back, and away from the safe. This was his chance to retake the stone of strength. To have his second chance at taking over the world.
“What are you doing?” Rupert cried out, trying to get back to the safe.
Kline ignored young Rupert. The stone of strength was the only thing he cared about.
Rupert knocked the stone out of his hand, and Kline’s eyes went wide.
“You fool!” Kline cried out. “You’ll betray everything I’ve worked for!”
Kline reached for his side, hoping to grab his pistol and knock some sense into the young man, but Rupert saw him reach for his gun and that was it.
Rupert grabbed his rifle and shot Kline several times in the chest and head.
The stone of strength fell out of Kline’s hand, bouncing several times until it landed next to Rupert.
Rupert picked up the stone of strength, examining it closely when he realized what it was doing to him. He glanced around looking at his friend’s dead body.
The story wouldn’t look good, not to his seargant, not to the brass. Not anyone.
No one could know about what had happened here tonight.
Rupert took the stone and the remaining cash in the safe and exited the basement, intent on creating a new life for himself.
Chapter Sixty-Four
Emily watched Alex exit the terminal at LAX. It was over. He was now on his path to Onyx where he would see his father for the first time in six years. Where he would discover his true destiny.
She only hoped it would be the one he had always wanted.
Emily turned to the young boy holding her hand and pointed at Alex entering the cab. “That’s your father.”
The boy didn’t say anything. He was still too young to say much. But the comprehension was there. Emily told her son stories about Alex every night before he went to sleep. They had watched over him.
Nathaniel would grow up in a world where science and extraordinary events and powers would be the norm. Where he would interact and learn from species from all over the galaxy.
Where he would be without his father.
Emily swallowed and looked down at Nathaniel with a smile. “He’s a good man, who’s on an important journey right now.”
The boy looked over at his father that was now getting into the taxi.
“Fadda…” the boy attempted, looking over at Alex.
Emily smiled, the tears flowing freely now.
The cab drove off, as Alex took the first steps on a journey that would save them all.
Emily swallowed and looked down at Nathaniel.
“What would you say to some chicken fingers?” She asked, the smile returning to her face. “I think chicken fingers sounds delicious!”
The boy’s golden face screwed up in a smile as he howled back “CHIKKIE FINGERS!”
Emily and Nathaniel trotted off in search for some food. She was proud of Alex. Proud of Scott and Christina.
They had all come together. And more than anything else, is what had saved humanity from themselves.
Whatever happened next, whatever twists and turns that awaited Humanity as they reached for the stars, Emily knew they had a lot to learn.
And even more to teach.
The End.
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