The Last Time Traveler

by Aaron J. Ethridge

  “Whoa! Don't move!” Robert exclaimed. “That thing can fry your brain!”

  “Seriously?!?!”

  “Nah,” the traveler laughed. “I just like messing with ya. Anyway, this wouldn't mean anything to you. Just sit back and let us handle it.”

  “But honestly, Rob, that can't be right,” she insisted.

  “It is,” he nodded. “Can we clean out some more space; maybe erase some of his memories?”

  “You want to what?” Morgan said.

  “More space?!?!” Sister replied at the same instant.

  “Yeah,” the travel said. “I want just a tad more space. Can we wipe out the memories of like every time he wanted to talk to a girl, but was scared to? You don't want those memories do you?”

  “I want all my memories!”

  “Up to you, I guess,” Robert replied. “Can we back 'em up, Sister? Then we can put 'em back after the mission.”

  “I guess so...”

  “Is that OK with you, Morgan?”

  “I guess,” he sighed.

  “Alright,” she said, shaking her head before rapidly pressing buttons. “There. It's done.”

  “Can you speak common?” Robert asked, turning his gaze to Morgan.

  “Nope,” he replied in common.

  “Awesome,” the traveler smiled.

  “So I do speak common?” Morgan asked, stunned at his own cognizance of the tongue.

  “You do now,” Robert nodded. “Thanks, Sister.”

  “Anytime, Rob,” she replied. “You need anything else?”

  “I think you know what I need,” he grinned.

  “Rob...”

  “Right, right,” Robert replied. “I need Cleo.”

  “No way, Rob,” she said shaking her head. “Sorry, not this time.”

  “I have to have her, Sister.”

  “You can't, Rob. She's taken herself out of rotation. That's it for now. You know the law.”

  “The law,” he laughed. “What does that even mean?”

  “I think it has something to do with the prison, Rob. I'm serious, she doesn't want to see you. She's gone back home.”

  “Mmmm,” he said slowly. “That is bad... back home... Ouch...”

  “You left her on the island for a year, Rob. What did you expect?”

  “That wasn't my fault!” the traveler exclaimed. “I got back as fast as I could.”

  “Don't tell me, love, tell her,” Sister replied, shaking her head.

  “You're right,” he sighed. “Just tell me where and when she is so I can.”

  “No way!”

  “Sister, the fate of the universe is on the line.”

  “Then make an application,” she replied.

  “I don't have time,” he insisted. “Seriously, just one more bend of the rules. She won't complain, she won't say anything, trust me. You know as well as I do that she wants me to come get her.”

  “Rob...”

  “You know it,” he said, gazing directly into her eyes, a smile on his face. “She was mad. She's over it by now. Don't do it for me, do it for Cleo.”

  “This has got to be the last time, Rob,” Sister sighed.

  “Absolutely!” he said, placing one hand over his heart and raising the other.

  “I'll send the coordinates to your ship.”

  “Thanks, Sis,” the traveler replied, leaning over and kissing her on the cheek. “I owe you one.”

  “You owe me a lot more than that,” she said, a trace of a smile on her lips. “And, Rob, be careful.”

  “Always, love, always,” he replied, helping Morgan to his feet.

  “And Morgan,” she said, turning her gaze to the young man, “lose the neck-beard.”

  “One last thing,” Robert said as they were headed for the door. “How long has she been there?”

  “Two years now,” Sister replied.

  “Wow!” he exclaimed. “Where was I?”

  “If you don't know, I can't tell you.”

  “Two years... geez...”

  “That's bad?” Morgan asked as they stepped back in the docking bay.

  “Yeah, Morgan,” Robert nodded. “That's real bad.”

  Chapter 2: Cleo

  “How's this?” Morgan asked, leaning his head back.

  “No neck beard,” the traveler nodded. “It's a start. And you grabbed a pair of sneakers. You're certainly heading in the right direction.”

  “How much longer before we get there?”

  “About ten minutes or so,” Robert replied.

  “How long will it have been for her?” The young man asked.

  “I plan to give her about fifteen minutes,” the traveler said. “That'll have given her a little time to cool off. You can be sure she was getting more and more angry the entire trip back. Fifteen minutes is like the minimum safety window. It's kind of the ideal time. Any sooner and she'll scratch my eyes out, any later and she's going to want to know where I was.”

  “You think she's expecting you?”

  “No,” Robert replied with a smile. “That would imply that she didn't know. But she does. She knows I'm coming for her. She only left to make a point.”

  “Sister said she'd been gone two years,” Morgan pointed out.

  “Yeah,” the traveler nodded. “But we're going to fix that. When we're done she'll have only been gone fifteen minutes.”

  “Will she know?”

  “Only if she figures it out.”

  “Will she?”

  “Yep,” Robert sighed. “Now hold on for a sec. We gotta land.”

  The ship entered real space above a beautiful ocean planet dotted with countless islands. The entire world seemed like a tropical paradise and the color of the water ranged from aquamarine to deep sea green. The cockpit became transparent once again as they descended into the atmosphere. They made their way to a small isle surrounded by hundreds of miles of empty ocean before touching down on its tree covered surface.

  “You might want to stay here,” the traveler said. “This might not be pretty.”

  “Nah, man,” Morgan replied. “I got your back.”

  “Cool.”

  The pair strode down the gangway side by side and stepped out onto the verdant soil that made up the island. In the distance, on the beach, a single figure sat, back turned, head down, arms wrapped around her knees. The last time traveler marched forward with complete confidence.

  “Hey Cleo,” he said as soon as they were in speaking distance. “Long time no see, sweets.”

  In response the figure reached up, quickly rubbing one cheek and then the other with their hand.

  “How long?” she asked.

  “Like maybe fifteen minutes,” Robert chuckled.

  “No,” Cleo said, turning to glare at him. “I mean how long was I really here before you showed up?”

  The moment her face entered his view, Morgan's heart stopped. Until he had seen this woman he thought Sister was as beautiful as a woman could be. Now, however, he realized that poor Sister was past her prime. This woman certainly wasn't.

  Her features seemed fragile and almost unreal, as if she were a perfect porcelain doll. Her large eyes where a bright violet and her jet-black hair was pulled back in a ponytail that hung down to the middle of her shoulders. Her skin, which was also green, was a slightly darker shade than Sister's had been. And her lips were also a darker, and somehow more living, blue. The young man hoped that this was as beautiful as women could get, because any more than this would kill him. As it were he wished they had brought a portable defibrillator, just in case.

  At the moment she was wearing long pants and a long sleeve shirt. He wondered if she had tans lines or not, but was afraid that finding out might cost him his life. Under the circumstances it was hardly surprising that he lost control of his mouth.

  “Another one,” he said, straining as if he were about to burst a blood vessel.

  “Another what?” she asked, turning her gaze to the now neck-beardless young man.
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  “Ponytail!” the traveler instantly replied. “Another ponytail. It's the second one he's seen today. They were very rare in human culture and he's just a little overawed.”

  “I know all about human culture, Rob,” she said, glaring at him once again.

  “Oh, yeah...”

  “She's green!” Morgan interjected excitedly.

  “Rob, who is he?” she asked. “And what's his problem?”

  “He's the new guy,” Robert replied. “He's just excited to be here. You'll like him once you get to know him. He's like a laugh a minute.”

  “I'm not going to get to know him,” she said. “Because I'm not going with you this time!”

  “You have to come with me,” Robert pleaded, pulling the young woman to her feet. “I need you, Cleo!”

  “You don't mean it, Rob!” she replied, tears welling up in her eyes. “You never mean anything you say!”

  “I do,” he said, taking her by the chin and turning her face to his. “I meant everything I've ever said to you.”

  “How long, Rob,” she replied. “How long did you wait before you came to get me? And keep in mind that I'm going to ask Sister!”

  “Two years,” he confessed.

  “Two years!” she screamed. “Rob, you filthy...”

  “Excuse me,” Morgan interjected, his eyes locked on Cleo. “If I could be allowed to interrupt for just a moment. I'd just like to say that you are the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. You are at least ten or fifteen times hotter than all of my wildest fantasies.”

  “Thank you, Morgan,” the traveler replied, shaking his head. “That's really helped a lot, man. I had no idea that losing the sock-sandals would so increase your confidence level.”

  “Either way,” Cleo said, turning her gaze back to Robert. “You left me here for two years after you left me on the island for a year!”

  “The first year totally wasn't my fault!” he explained. “You can ask Vox!”

  “What's the point in asking Vox?” she replied, putting her hands on her hips. “He agrees with everything you say!”

  “That's not true!” Robert asserted. “You know he would never tell you a bald-faced lie.”

  “No! I agree with you there,” Cleo replied. “That's one real difference between the two of you!”

  “Wow...” he said. “I should have thought that out better.”

  “You should have thought a lot out better,” she said, shaking her head. “But it's too late now, Rob. I'm not going with you. Not this time. Not again.”

  “Cleo,” he said, taking up one her hands. “You have to. We need you. I need you.”

  “He's right!” Morgan exclaimed. “We really do need you.”

  She glared at the young man silently for a moment.

  “If I did come with you,” she said, her voice filled with venom, “I'd want a lock on my door!”

  “Whoa!” Morgan yelled. “Whoa! I find that highly offensive! You don't know me, lady! I was just trying to be nice! I mean, yeah! Okay! You're fine! You're real fine! But I don't have to take crap like that from you! The universe is... what word did you use, Rob? Replete? Replete with green women! I don't need ya, honey!”

  “Replete with green women,” she said, turning to Robert with fire in her eyes.

  “That's been taken way out of context!” he explained.

  “Oh I'm sure!” she yelled. “Either way, I'm not going anywhere with the two of you!”

  “Cleo...”

  “No!” Morgan interrupted. “Let her go, man! Who needs her?”

  “We need her!”

  “No!” Morgan yelled again. “There is no way I'm going to be on the same ship with a... a... a green woman like that! It's me or her, man! Take your pick. You want to take her that's fine by me. I'll stay here and live out the rest of my missing personhood on this island. I ain't gonna have a problem with it. I've watched I don't know how many survival videos on YouTube!”

  “Look Morgan,” the traveler said, pointing at Cleo as he spoke. “Before you make up your mind there's something I want you to think about: this is like the most clothes I've ever seen her wear. She must have been about to freeze to death right before she got here.”

  “Whoa!” Cleo yelled. “Now I find that offensive! You think I'm going to...”

  “It was a joke!” Robert interrupted. “I was just joking! I was trying to lighten the mood. You two have gotten way too serious!”

  “Forget it, Rob,” she said. “It's not working this time. You had three years to make it right. You didn't.”

  “Cleo,” he sighed. “It's only been a year and fifteen minutes. Well... and your trip time which was probably what? Four hours, maybe?”

  “That's not how it works, Rob,” she replied, tears once more in her eyes. “You left me here, alone, for two years. Then you flew back in your magnificent time machine to make it all right. That doesn't change the fact that you deserted me.”

  “Not to be argumentative,” he said, “but it does. That's exactly what it does. I wouldn't have left you hanging if I hadn't been able to fix it all.”

  “And what about the year on the island, Rob?” she replied.

  “I'm sorry,” he said. “I really am. And I'll explain after we pick up Vox. That way you'll know I'm not stretching the truth even a little. I really am sorry, Cleo. I would never do anything to hurt you on purpose.”

  “Close, Rob,” she laughed. “Really close. But not this time.”

  “Okay,” he sighed. “I didn't want to do it like this, but you've left me no choice.”

  Having said this he dropped to his knees on the sand and took both of her hands in his. He stared up into her face, the sunlight sparkling in his bright green eyes, the warm tropical breeze blowing around them.

  “Cleo,” he said, pausing dramatically for a moment before continuing, “would you please just get on the ship so we can get out of here.”

  “Rob,” she replied, gazing down at him. “Sometimes I could just scratch your eyes out.”

  “What if I buy you Krispy Kreme?”

  “Bear claws?”

  “Absolutely,” he smiled. “A whole box. No, two boxes. We should live a little.”

  “Starbucks?”

  “Pumpkin Spice Latte,” he replied. “It was even October the last time I was on Earth.”

  “This has got to be the last time, Rob,” she smiled. “If you ever do this to me again, don't come get me. Because if you do I'll kill you in your sleep the first chance I get. I can't take any more of this.”

  “I don't blame you,” he replied, leaping to his feet before bending down to kiss her on the forehead. “I'd do the same if I were you.”

  “I'm glad you understand,” she said softly.

  The trio quickly made their way back to the ship and prepared for lift off. Having had a few minutes to cool off Cleo decided to extend the olive branch to Morgan, who would, after all, be one of her traveling companions.

  “I'm sorry about that lock comment,” she said smiling at the young man. “I was just so mad at Rob that you’re supporting him in any way made me want to kill you, burn your body, and dance around on your ashes. I'm sure you understand.”

  “Certainly,” he chuckled. “And I'm sorry about the staring, and the drooling, and I'm really sorry for some of the things I was thinking back there on the beach. Can you forgive me?”

  “Sure...”

  “Maybe we should have like a friendly makeup hug.”

  “No,” she said. “No, I think it'd be better if we didn't. In fact, honestly Morgan, I think we need to keep a really friendly six foot distance between us, if you see what I mean. Good fences make good neighbors.”

  “I see where you're coming from,” he smiled.

  “I'm so glad.”

  “I do have a question, Rob,” Morgan said.

  “Who said you could call me that?”

  “But I already...”

  “I know,” the traveler laughed. “I'm just messing wit
h ya. What would you like to know?”

  “Well,” the young man said. “If you're the last time traveler how did Cleo end up in the past without you?”

  “He's not the last time traveler,” Cleo laughed. “He just likes to tell people that.”

  “No!” the traveler replied. “That is not true! I am the last time traveler.”

  “And he's very sensitive about his title,” she giggled.

  “Don't do that,” Morgan said, gazing at Cleo.

  “Don't do what?” she asked.

  “Don't giggle like that,” he replied, clutching his chest. “You're going to give me a heart-attack?”

  “Does it scare you?” she asked, one eyebrow raised.

  “No...” he replied, shaking his head. “No, it doesn't... Anyways, he's not the last time traveler?”

  “Yes I am!”

  “No, you're not,” she said, stifling another giggle.

  “Look,” he said, obviously agitated. “An automated delivery pod that is only used for insertions and removals is not a time traveler.”

  “Do they travel in time?” she asked playfully.

  “Yes,” he sighed. “But they don't count.”

  “Why not?” Morgan asked.

  “They can't affect the time-lines,” Robert explained. “I mean you might as well call commercial airliners time travelers. They take people to a certain place at a certain time just like the delivery pods do.”

  “But commercial airliners can't travel through time,” the young man pointed-out.

  “No,” the traveler admitted. “But the point is that they can't effect time. A pod brought Cleo to this island because no matter what happened to her here it couldn't change the time-lines. She would simply have gone back to being a missing person. That's not what I'm going to do. I'm going to fix things.”

  “Going to?” Morgan asked.

  “Well, yeah,” Robert replied. “We haven't actually done a job yet. Up to this point it's all been prep work. Just think about that, Morgan. You're on the ground floor of this one, man!”

  “That's good, I guess,” he smiled. “One more question.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Why couldn't you just go back in time and pick Cleo up on the island without her having to wait a year? And what is the island, anyway?

  “Yeah, Rob!” Cleo said, her voice filled with emotion. “Why don't you explain that to him?!?!”