Vortex of Evil

by S D Taylor

  “So you waited six weeks? Seems like a pretty short time to ‘date.’”

  Doug smiled. “Six weeks alone on a strange island, wondering every day if you are going to live, die or end up in some other space or time should be plenty of time to sort out your romantic feelings. But I wasn’t in a big hurry. It wasn’t like I was going anywhere and the other guys on the island all had machine guns or axes were pretty nasty. I figured I had a real edge if I was patient.”

  Erin leaned over and hit him gently in the arm. “So you took me, her, for granted, huh? Wait until I get back and let her know.”

  “Listen, after all the years, she has heard about all the skeletons that are rattling around in my closets and she still keeps me around. When she finds out I have come back from the dead, I am guessing anything I did back then won’t get me in too much trouble.”

  Erin laughed at that, but then turned serious. “How did you guys decide to have children? I just can’t imagine that I would have ever made a conscious decision to do that.”

  “It just seemed like the thing to do. After a while we realized that we were pretty vulnerable on the island with just the two of us and we reverted to thinking like people in earlier times. After all, that’s what we were. People living in earlier times with limited technology. Subsistence living in caves on a wilderness island. With groups of people around who attack us every now and then. We knew we would need to hunt for food daily and face all the challenges of getting sick, getting hurt or just having to be apart. It made sense that if we could have a family we could survive better. We have never regretted that decision for one minute. The girls have been the joy of our lives and we are both very proud of them. And it made for a much better life having them around.”

  Erin felt a tear escape her eye as she listened to his words. “I hope I can get to meet them. Erin told me about them. She is a proud mother and was very worried about her girls. I am sure that she and Doug have them in a safe place.”

  “Erin can take care of herself, but then you know that. She is extremely tough and resilient. Far more than I would have expected, even after the adventure and fighting of our first two weeks together. No matter what happens to us, she is always cheerful and optimistic. And she’s an excellent parent. Lots more consistent than I have been through the years. It is harder to spoil children when you live like a caveman but even so, I was always more ready to let them off the hook on chores if they just gave me that ‘please Daddy’ look. Erin didn’t fall for it. Maybe it is just a woman thing to recognize when other women, or girls, are trying to put on the charm to get men to do their bidding.”

  Erin started forward to hit him again, but he held up both his hands in surrender. “Go ahead and tell me it never happens, Erin.”

  She had to smile at that comment. “Maybe once or twice, but it was only when there is a good cause. I am really curious how the childbirth went. Seems like that was the riskiest part of the whole adventure.”

  “It was all natural in the most real sense of the word and I won’t pretend to know what suffering Erin really had to go through. But we got it done and there were no complications. I had helped out with a few deliveries during my time in Chechnya, so I had the basics down pretty well. Without anesthetics or antibiotics, we had to be pretty well prepared and careful. I guess you guys are descended from tough Irish stock that can handle life’s events without problems. It sure impressed me. Enough so that we did it again three years later.”

  Erin was going to ask about how they solved the diaper situation but decided to leave something to talk about with the older Erin when they next saw each other. Erin didn’t want to lose sight of the goal of returning to her time. Making a list of things to do when she got back helped her believe it would happen.

  “I guess from my perspective, the life you and Erin lived will be like a film I might have starred in but was turned down for the part. It is a version of what might have happened, but now it never will.” Erin felt another pang of remorse thinking about how the man sitting across from her had spent many difficult but happy years with her older version in a timeline that was made nearly impossible. Besides the fact that they were sitting there discussing it, Erin realized that the timeline had forever been modified by Rin and the girls being brought back to her time. Doug’s story of his life with his Erin was not going to be her future now. She and her Doug would have a different path ahead of them. But if they were lucky, if the end of this adventure resulted in them all getting back together in a safe place, she could have a future with her Doug. And maybe a chance to spend time with the daughters she might have had. It was almost as if she got to live two lives and see the results of both. Maybe this was something she should be thankful for rather than regretting.

  Doug didn’t say anything. His usual style had always been to try to get involved, make comments, and try to help with every situation. But over the years he had learned from Erin that sometimes women just want men to listen and not try to fix everything. And there wasn’t a hell of a lot he could do to change the time and space they found themselves in now. Or the timeline changes that would result in their lives taking different and unexpected paths going forward. Their only real chance to get home, whatever that meant at this point, was to use the device on the boat that could travel through time and space to specific locations. He had to assume that was a part of Dara’s plan. Provided what she had told him was legitimate and they weren’t going to Lopfa on a wild goose chase. Doug wondered who would be there to meet them.

  Suddenly Erin pointed towards the ocean. “Look! Whales!”

  Doug turned and was surprised to see a pod of killer whales swimming south towards the open ocean. With them was a calf that couldn’t be more than a few weeks old. He felt deep emotions thinking about the endless cycle of life still going on in this strange and faraway version of the world he knew. After their discussion about the girls and his life with Erin, Doug felt the loss of his family more acutely than he could remember. He reached out and pulled Erin close to him and hugged her tightly. He said nothing, but Erin heard him think, “We will get back to our loved ones, Erin. I promise that with all my heart.”

  It took Erin a second to realize what had happened. She suddenly pulled back from his grasp and looked at him with shock on her face. She said nothing, but by then he also realized what had happened.

  She hugged him again and he heard her thinking, “I heard your thoughts, Doug. Whatever happened, we can hear each other’s thoughts now.”

  Doug paused for a minute before his next thought, and he quickly decided it was best to lighten up his thoughts if he was going to be sharing them. “Then I suppose the cat’s out of the bag about how cute your ass looks in that blue thing you are wearing.”

  The Yir-Lak Command Watchers couldn’t understand why the two people in the People Mover car were hugging each other and then the woman suddenly pushed the man away and hit him on the arm. And then they both laughed.

  Chapter 35

  Lopfa was a large resort town with at least a dozen hotels along the waterfront. There was a spit of land that extended out into the water with a walkway that led to a number of restaurants that clung to either side. High mountains could be seen in all directions and the scenery was quite impressive, even when factoring in the sparse number of evergreen trees on the surrounding hills. Erin thought how beautiful this place must have been in her time. She resolved to complete her trip to Anchorage if she ever got back to her own time.

  The people mover station was in the center of town and was considerably fancier than the one in Selenton where they started. There was a short tunnel just before you arrived at the station that featured advertisements for` various Lopfa establishments. The ads were all low key but they featured appealing pictures and the simple arrow directions that were popular in Transarctica. It seemed that most directions were based on immediately going from where you are to where you wanted to be. Researching a route in advance seemed to be considered unnecessary
and Doug had taken some time to work out how to get to Lopfa. He eventually realized he just needed to lie about where he was and then ask directions. His Viewtonc didn’t verify its own location so he was able to get the directions step by step. About that time he discovered that there was a people mover express that went to Lopfa four times every weekday (and six on the weekends) and he only needed directions on how to get to the station.

  Just before the train stopped, he reached out and took Erin’s hand. They hadn’t tried the thoughtlink again after the initial discover in case somebody got suspicious. But now they were arriving at the destination, the mission officially started and they had to take some chances.

  “Can you hear me?” He looked at her expectantly without being too obvious. She squeezed his hand to signal that she had heard him but she didn’t look at him. She was trying to get this spy thing down. Add in a little misdirection in case they were being watched.

  “Yes. You are loud and clear.”

  “Whatever happens next, just roll with it.” He gripped her hand tighter. “Promise me you will just roll with it. I have no idea what to expect.”

  Erin felt herself tense up like she was about to be punched but she continued to look at the scenery in the opposite direction from Doug with her smile unchanged. “I promise.” He let her hand go and she immediately wanted to ask him what that was all about. But Doug had grabbed their two small backpacks and didn’t have a free hand. The both stood up as the people mover gently stopped at the station and the clamshell door opened with a slight whoosh of air.

  Doug stepped on the multicolored platform and turned towards Erin with a smile. “Welcome to Lopfa. From the advertising back in Selonton, this must be the closest thing to heaven that you can find in Transarctica.”

  Erin paused to take in the scene as the many vacation-bound riders exited the people mover. All of them were carrying bags and many were herding their small broods of children. She couldn’t help notice that everyone was young, healthy and attractive. No grandparents were going to the beach resorts with the family. In this culture the concept of grandparents didn’t exist. She noticed that many people took note of Doug with his gray hair and beard. She doubted the two of them would have generated any more stares if Doug had been a Kodiak bear.

  “You are quite the attraction Doug.” Erin looked around at a group of small children who were pointing and laughing. “We could sell tickets.”

  “I have been getting that reaction since I arrived in Transarctica. Every time I go to a restaurant or walk around in public. People are unsure how to deal with handsomeness on my level. It makes them uncomfortable until they realize I am not just another pretty face.”

  Erin laughed out loud. “No matter the situation, you can always make me laugh. I guess it is better to try to find a lighter side of this now before we decide to just throw ourselves under a, ah, people mover.”

  “No point in that. It has a sensor that would prevent any serious injury.”

  Erin shook her head and turned to walk toward the exit that was labeled “Resort Shuttles This Way.” As she got to the entrance, a square panel on the wall suddenly lit up with the message “Erin O’Neill - Ponder.” She turned to Doug with a quizzical look. “What am I supposed to Ponder?”

  He laughed and pointed to the resort list on the opposite side of the exit. “Ponder is one of the resorts. Apparently, we have a reservation there.” Doug didn’t receive any details from Dara, other than go to Lopfa and you will meet someone. From his years in the spy trade, he knew that this could be pretty unsettling and he tried to prepare Erin. For them to see and trust someone, it would have to be someone they already knew. That meant Dara or Jelk, or someone from their world. In any event, it was likely to produce a strong reaction from Erin that could give away their whole effort if anyone was watching.. He hoped she was truly ready to roll with the punches.

  Erin noticed that “Doug Cameron – Ponder” had replaced her message as soon as Doug was even with the panel. She saw the other resorts listed besides Ponder were Forget, Remember, Connect, Accept, Reflect, Fantasize, Transform and Escape. “How did they come up with these crazy names? Do the activities relate to the name of the resort?”

  Doug had studied a few of the brochures on the Vutonc. “All of them featured beaches, pools and a variety of activities. But there are themes underlying everything from the décor to the food. The guests decide what best suits their needs and they choose a resort to match their needs. Or they go with whatever is available. ‘Fantasize’ tends to fill up quickly. ‘Reflect’ and ‘Accept’ seemed to be more available.”

  “What are they fantasizing about?”

  Doug gave her a look that said she could probably use her imagination. Humans may be put in weird situations with threats at every turn but they can still generate some pretty good fantasies about what they would prefer to be doing.

  Erin gave the older Doug the same exasperated look she used on the younger one. “Well what about Accept? Or Reflect?”

  Doug remembered what he read in the Accept brochure with a certain pang of emotion. “It is about accepting loss or dramatic change. Usually something that is not positive. For many people here, it is accepting that life ends at thirty-six. Certain people want to work on coming to grips with that fact and work on accepting. Others try to ignore it until the very last minute. I didn’t see any resort called ‘Ignore’ but I imagine if there was one it would have the best parties.”

  “Well I am glad we ended up with Ponder. Sounds like a nice middle of the road choice between the party animals and the doom and gloom crowd. And neither one of us is ready to accept things here.”

  Doug touched her on the shoulder and established a thoughtlink. “Whoever picked it made a reasonable choice. Maybe even sent us a hidden message. Here’s our shuttle. Keep your eyes open.” He took his hand off her shoulder and pulled open the door on the compartment, holding it for Erin to enter. There were bench seats on either side that held three people each. On the left side as she entered, Erin noticed a blond woman who wore a large straw hat and was intently reading a Vutonc. Next to her were two young boys who were grade school age. The younger one held a small dog that was watching Erin closely as she entered the compartment and sat down opposite the blond woman. As Doug closed the door and sat down next to Erin, the blond woman looked up and smiled. “Hello, Doug. It is so good to see you again. And Erin. Good to see you also.”

  Erin felt the blood drain from her head and all the air leave her body as she sat motionless across from Dara. She barely recognized her in the brightly colored sun dress with her hair flowing gently down around her face. And Dara’s warm smile and happy greeting tossed whatever was left of Erin’s sense of reality out the window.

  “These are my boys, Jontu, who just turned seven and Larn who is almost six. And the pup is called Balla. She is two years old. Boys, this is Doug and Erin. They are going to be staying at the same resort we are going to. They are friends of mine.” The boys smiled and said hello in turn. Doug reached over and made a great show of shaking hands with each boy.

  “I am pleased to meet two such fine boys as you. And you too, Balla.” Erin smiled as he shook the paw of the pup as well. Balla wagged her tail at the added attention. She was a small cream colored dog that appeared to be the result of a poodle mixed with some other dog. Erin wasn’t sure which one. A cute one, she thought looking at the bright eyes that little Balla had trained on her.

  Dara and Doug both looked at Erin who was fully embodying the phrase “the cat got her tongue.” She managed to smile at the boys and muttered “Nice to meet you.” She turned to look at Dara and while her brain said things like attack, evil and kill, her lips only formed the words “Good to see you again, Dara. How have you been? That’s a lovely dress you are wearing.”

  Dara laughed at this strained comment and reached over and grasped Erin’s hand so quickly she didn’t have time to pull it away.

  Erin heard Dara’s thoughts as
she briefly held her hand. Verbally Dara said, “You are looking well, Erin. I hope Transarctican weather is to your liking.” But Dara’s thoughts told a different story. “I am not who you think I am. These really are my boys and I intend to save them from this life. Try to understand and go along with whatever happens. Our safety is in your hands.” Dara released her hand and continued to smile.

  Erin looked her straight in the eyes and saw something she didn’t expect. Dara had an intense look that was pleading for Erin to avoid doing anything that might put her boys at risk. Almost instantly Erin lost much of her hatred for this woman. What replaced it was a sense of wonder on the power of deception in the hands of these future people. Erin wondered if anything was as it seemed. Clearly Doug had some idea that this could happen but he had been unable, or unwilling to share it. Dara leaned across the small compartment and gave Doug a kiss on the cheek and hugged him. Erin knew it was to pass some brief telepathic message, maybe even the plan for this mission, but it still caused a visceral reaction within her. It was one thing to put Dara in a slightly better category than “Evil Spawn of the Prince of Darkness.” But watching her kiss and hug Doug, even the older Doug who wasn’t technically “her Doug,” was too much. Erin coughed loudly and said, “What a cute dog! Can I hold her?” Dara had barely released Doug when Erin thrust her arms towards the surprised and now somewhat scared pup. Larn handed the small trembling dog to Erin who cradled it in her arms as she looked into its hopeful little face. It was only a couple of minutes before Balla decided she had a new friend and was wagging her tail and licking Erin’s hand.