Beyond Eternity

by Paul Deaver

  "Beats me. All the prisoners and workers with access to this section have been accounted for."

  "He had to come from somewhere. What are they going to do with him?"

  "Our orders are to bring him to the Capitol Building for an audience with the Patriarch."

  "We better not keep Him waiting. Let's wake him up."

  A moment later, I was jarred by an electric shock to the ribs. I recoiled to the corner of the small room, away from the door. A guard had his baton extended through the bars of my cell. "If you give us any trouble, we'll have to teach you how to behave properly."

  I considered the odds of fighting my way out of this, but didn't like my chances against four guards. Maybe I could take out four unarmed men on a good day, but this wasn't a good day, and they each carried electrified batons. Besides, I had no idea where I would go if I somehow managed to get past them. Maybe I wasn't condemned yet if they were bothering to take me to meet someone in the "Capitol," wherever that was. It appeared my best chance at survival was to cooperate, at least for the time being. I said, "Take it easy and I'll do what you tell me."

  The guard gave me another shock. I did my best to keep my anger from showing. He yelled, "You won't speak, move, or even look at me unless I tell you to do so."

  I was about to nod in agreement, but caught myself.

  "Now stand up, put your hands on the wall, and spread your legs."

  The senior guard ordered two men into my cell. After frisking me, they took hold of my arms and tugged me out of the room. I showed no resistance as the four men led me down a hallway to some kind of subway station. We got to a platform next to a large spherical car that sat atop two metal rails. As we approached, the top half of the sphere raised up, exposing several rows of seats that could accommodate about twenty people. We climbed aboard and I noticed that the shell of the sphere was actually two layers that could move independently, apparently allowing the passengers inside to stay upright while the outside of the car rolled along the tracks.

  The lead guard withdrew a slim electronic device from his pocket and typed something into the screen. The top of the railcar reconnected with the bottom, and we started to accelerate. It wasn't possible to see outside the car, but it felt like we were traveling rapidly. Then the transport began to decelerate, and surprisingly, started moving straight up. I guessed that these strange railcars were magnetically connected to the tracks and could travel in any direction.

  The railcar arrived at the top floor of the Capitol Building, and the guards tightened their grip on my arms. When the sphere opened, I was greeted with a renewed sense of dread. Standing before me was the burly man who had caught me with his whip when I arrived in this strange place. He signaled my four guards and said, "I'll take him from here." The brute grabbed my arm and shoved me ahead of him, down a broad hallway with gigantic double doors at the end. The four guards fell into step behind us.

  As we approached, a stunning green-eyed woman with fiery red hair exited through the large doors. She wore plain black coveralls and leather boots, similar to everyone else I had seen. Time practically stood still when she got closer. Her eyes glistened as she struggled to hold back tears. Although she caught my gaze, I was unable to look away. I wondered what could cause this poor creature such pain, and why she was trying to hide it.

  A rough shove to the middle of my back reminded me of my current circumstances. I was led to the center of a spacious audience chamber. In front of me, three throne like chairs stood elevated on a rostrum. A huge, glossy black flag covered most of the wall behind them. The middle chair was occupied by a mature, regal looking man with wavy, peppered-brown hair and a closely groomed goatee. He had a warm demeanor while remaining an imposing and statuesque figure. Immediately to his left sat a beautiful woman with jet-black hair and piercing eyes. They both wore the same style of plain black coveralls that everyone else was wearing. The chair to his right remained unoccupied.

  My captor growled, "You will kneel before our Patriarch, the Great Savior of Humanity." He slapped my face so hard that I imagined my jaw flying off.

  Involuntarily, a grin came across my face. The young woman on the throne saw my expression and produced a quick smile in return. When my captor noticed, he became enraged and charged straight at me. As his shoulder drove into my chest, I let his head go underneath my arm and tightly wrapped my forearm across his throat. Using his momentum, I was able to rotate slightly and cushion my fall with his face. A loud thud echoed across the chamber as his head hit the marble floor. I held my choke hold for a few moments, then rolled his limp body off of me. He was knocked out cold, and his nose was a broken, bloody mess. The rest of the guards were momentarily stunned in disbelief, then quickly ran at me, ready to strike with their electrified batons. I sprang to my feet and prepared to take them on.

  With a booming voice, the man on the throne said, "Enough." The guards froze in place, and the stately man continued in a calm voice: "Take Erlik to the clinic to get his nose fixed."

  The guards hesitated for a moment, then carried my rival back through the giant double doors. The eminent man returned his attention to me and renewed the genial expression on his face. "Please excuse my son. As head of the Harmony Guard, he occasionally gets carried away."

  "That was your son?"

  "Have no fear of reprisal. I am Father to all of society, but yes, he is my offspring."

  He must have noticed the bewildered look on my face and said, "It is best that we make proper introductions. The people have given me many titles, but my name is Rexxor. Those closest to me call me Rex." He raised an open hand and pointed toward the woman to his left. "And this is my daughter Katrina."

  The black-haired beauty was beaming at me. I said, "Sir, my name is Robert Stone."

  "No need to call me sir. Rex is sufficient." He smiled and continued, "This room is best for large gatherings. Join me in the executive quarters, and we will find a more suitable spot to get acquainted."

  He stood up and led me to a door in the back corner of the room, while Katrina trailed a few paces behind us. Beyond the door was a living room with several soft couches positioned around an oval table. A window at the far end of the room covered the length of the wall and revealed an extensive cityscape in the fading light of the setting sun.

  Rex sat down in a plush chair, and I took a seat on the sofa next to it. Then the door clicked shut, and Katrina stalked forward with feline grace. She picked a spot next to me and sank into the cushions.

  Rex studied my face and said, "You are obviously a stranger. How did you find your way here?"

  "I wish I could tell you. To be honest, I don't even know where 'here' is."

  His eyes focused on my left wrist. "How did you happen to acquire that bracelet?"

  The truth seemed like the safest option, but I decided to hold off on telling them about my mother and the agonizing death of the mysterious man. "I was going for a walk, and a man appeared out of nowhere. In an instant, he vanished, and all that remained was this bracelet. The next thing I knew, it was on my wrist, and I haven't been able to figure out how to remove it."

  "Daddy, do you think he saw Jonathan?"

  "Perhaps. This could explain his disappearance."

  "Who is Jonathan?" I asked.

  Rex pondered for a moment. "He was a promising young man. Jonathan led a mission to explore new worlds, and that metal band around your wrist was the key to making it happen. His loss is regrettable, but I suppose the thing to do now is find a way to get you back to your world. Would you like to go home?"

  I dreaded going back and attending a funeral, but I didn't belong here. The thought of seeing my mother's lifeless body was more than I could bear and released a flood of unresolved emotions. I did my best to hide my inner turmoil and quietly responded, "I would appreciate that." Thankfully, my stomach let out a low rumble which quickly changed the subject.

  "Daddy, Mr. Stone must be starving."

  Rex said, "When did you last eat?"r />
  "I'm not sure how long I've been here, but it's been at least a full day."

  "That is unacceptable. What would you like to eat?"

  I smiled and said, "I'll eat anything that can't outrun me."

  Katrina looked at me with wide eyes, and Rex responded, "I believe he was making a joke, my dear." He returned his attention to me and said, "You see, Mr. Stone, this has necessarily become a vegetarian society. During an age of turmoil, raising livestock became unsustainable. Only by optimizing planting techniques were we able to feed the masses. However, I am sure we can obtain some meat if that is what you desire."

  The thought of a big, juicy steak made my mouth water, but I conceded, "Oh, that's not necessary. Anything quick and easy is fine."

  Rex retrieved a small electronic device similar to what the guard had used to unlock my holding cell and control the sphere. It wasn't surprising that it could also be used for communication. He summoned his senior assistant.

  A portly man with a distinguished brown beard and receding hairline knocked on the door, then strode into the room. "Yes, Father?"

  "Edgar, please fetch us some food. Anything that can be prepared quickly will suffice."

  "Certainly, Father."

  "Thank you, my child."

  Edgar bowed and departed with surprising swiftness. After the door shut, I asked, "Is he your son, too?"

  "Most who do not call me by a formal title simply call me Father, and I regard every one of the people I serve as my Children. However, he is not one of my descendants."

  The curiosity must have shone on my face. His jovial smile was replaced by a solemn expression.

  "Civilization was on the brink of self-destruction. The weak were being oppressed by the powerful. The rich would feast while children were starving and dying in the streets. The greed of the few became a pestilence upon society. People would work and toil while the rich and powerful stole the products of their labor. It was my moral responsibility to do everything possible to rectify the evil that had plagued humanity for far too long. I led a revolution to free the people from their oppressors. Just when we were on the verge of accomplishing our goals, everything nearly fell apart when my brother betrayed me and murdered my wife. I had been blind to his wickedness. His treachery only strengthened my resolve to shape a perfect world by any means necessary.

  "It became apparent that the structure of society itself was rotten to the core. The only way to prevent the rich from returning the common man to shackles was to completely discard the old system. We had to start fresh and rethink the way everything worked, and create a world that is fair to all and treats everyone as equals. We shed the oppression of government and built a Family for all of mankind."

  Where was this equality and fairness yesterday while I was being whipped and prodded in a cell? Some things needed to remain unsaid while I tried to work my way into the good graces of this new benefactor. I caught back on to the conversation when Rex asked, "What do you do where you're from?"

  There were several ways I could have answered that question, but I decided to provide the most basic answer. Details could always be added later, but never taken back.

  "I'm a pilot."

  Rex thought this over for a moment then said, "That is most fortuitous. The path to getting you home is ripe with complexity and hazard. If you have a background in flight, that may bring you a step closer to your goal."

  Just then, Edgar entered carrying an overflowing tray of food. He placed it on the table in front of us and we began to eat. Although I was famished, I forced myself to eat slowly to avoid looking like a slob. Rex stood up and said, "Robert, you are free to live here as one of my Children and a member of the Family until such time as we are able to send you back to your world. Please excuse me while Edgar and I arrange living quarters and fresh clothes for you to wear." The two men departed through the door to the audience chamber.

  There was an uncomfortable silence as Katrina and I sat unaccompanied for the first time. As soon as we were alone, she transformed from an innocent daddy's girl into a sultry woman. Her silky black hair was held up by an ornate pair of golden chopsticks with glistening orbs on the ends. I became intently aware of her deep brown eyes, majestic face, and pouty lips. The entire time her father was talking I had avoided looking at Katrina and did my best to ignore her luscious aroma. Finally, she spoke. "I've never seen anyone stand up to my brother like you did. You are either brave, or incredibly foolish."

  I was leaning towards the latter. Her brother didn't strike me as someone accustomed to embarrassment and probably wouldn't take it casually.

  "I wouldn't call an instinctive action bravery. He was coming at me, and my body simply reacted."

  She slid across the couch and ran her fingers across my cheek. "Even when he struck your face, you were unfazed. Most people cower in Erlik's presence, but you seem to thrive with adversity. That's an uncommon trait. Even with my father giving you refuge, my brother won't let your actions go lightly. My father is a busy man, and he can't always look out for you. You need friends here." Katrina inched closer and whispered in my ear, "I could be your friend."

  Her warm breath on my cheek was tantalizing, and the full meaning of what she said slowly sank in. Then she kissed me firmly on the lips. With the mildest hesitation, I returned the embrace. When I caught my breath, I said, "Wait, what about your father?"

  "Don't worry about him. There are video cameras in the audience chamber. I can access them on my DigiCom, and I'll see him before he interrupts us."

  "Your what?"

  She pulled out a slim electronic device and activated the screen. "It's a digital communicator. How do people coordinate with each other where you come from?"

  "Oh, we have something like that. I just wasn't familiar with the term you used."

  Katrina turned the screen towards me and replayed my bout with her brother. She smirked and said, "I'm going to save that one." Then she switched to a live feed and panned through several cameras in the audience chamber. The video showed her father and Edgar crossing the room towards the door to the executive quarters.

  I said, "Maybe we had better stop before your father gets here."

  She sulked and moved back to her side of the couch just before Rexxor and his assistant entered the room. Rex said, "Robert, I hope my daughter has been keeping you entertained. Everything is set. Edgar will show you to your quarters and help you get situated. Then tomorrow morning a runner will show you where to go."

  My mind was spinning as Edgar led me out of the room. I suppose I should be grateful that Rex took me in without hesitation, but what was up with his daughter? Women didn't just come on to me like that, at least women that look like she does. Katrina either wanted something besides the obvious, or had some serious daddy issues. Maybe it was a bit of both.

  Edgar guided me across the audience chamber toward the railcar platform. As we passed through the double doors, I wondered if Katrina was watching on her DigiCom. We boarded a sphere and descended far down into the building before stopping at another platform. When the craft opened, a sign indicated that we were on the seventeenth floor. Edgar led me through a long hallway crammed with apartments on both sides and paused in front of a door near the end.

  He handed me a DigiCom and said, "Mr. Stone, you will be staying in room number seventy-six. This will unlock your door, and you can use it to find your way around. As you can see here, the closest dining facility is on the twentieth floor. If you happen to get lost, press this and it will guide you back to your room." Edgar demonstrated the basic functions of the device. There was a touchscreen on the front and cameras on both sides. Although the screen was flat, a slight current simulated the sensation of touching three-dimensional buttons. Edgar finished by saying, "If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me on your communicator. I will send a runner in the morning to show you around."

  Edgar walked back down the hallway toward the railcar platform, and I entered my room. It felt mo
re like a large walk-in closet than living quarters. The room was about six feet wide by twelve feet long, and the sole decoration was a poster of the Patriarch with the caption, "Father Knows Best." A single bed stood just inside the doorway. The wall locker at the foot of the bed contained several pairs of black coveralls, t-shirts, shorts, socks, and two pairs of boots. At the far end of the room was a toilet, sink, and a cramped standup shower.

  I dug through a drawer and found some toiletries. It was about time I washed some of my worries away. I turned the temperature up as hot as I could tolerate and let the flowing water work the knots out of my muscles. When I shut the water off, I was surprised by a surge of warm air coming from the ceiling of the shower stall. Within seconds, I was almost completely dry. Then I shaved the stubble off my face, put on some shorts, turned out the lights, and stretched out on the tiny bed.

  As sleep was approaching, I heard my door open. Someone entered the room, then let the door click shut behind them. My eyes hadn't fully adjusted to the darkness, but I could make out their silhouette. After the guy crept past me, I sprang up and grabbed his shoulder. I was immediately rewarded with a sharp elbow to the ribs and a boot stomping on my bare foot. Stumbling backwards, I received a harsh side-kick to my stomach. However, when he tried to follow up with a punch, I deflected his arm and grabbed his wrist. My intruder had a surprisingly slender build for someone who could hit so hard. I jerked them close then easily lifted them off the ground.

  In an instant, something became abundantly obvious. My intruder was most definitely the female variety. She tried to squirm loose, but I kept a tight grip on her. I moved over to the wall and activated the light switch with my elbow. When the room lit up, I was astonished to realize I was holding the lovely red-haired woman who passed me in the hallway to the audience chamber. I dropped her, and she was about to continue her attacks when she recognized me. She said, "What are you doing here?"