by Adair Hart
“Analysis. You are correct. I believe Evaran’s hypothesis that the ship is the initiator of timeline jumps is accurate.”
Dr. Snowden raised his eyebrows. To understand the implications of a temporal aura made him realize how much he had learned traveling with Evaran. He noted that the Torvatta flew just a bit above Billozein’s ship. He figured that was probably to avoid anything that might give away the Torvatta in Billozein’s ship’s wake, assuming it could detect that.
After twenty minutes, Billozein’s ship arrived just outside the landing pad to the facility. It paused for a moment as massive hangar bay doors slid back. Once they were inside the hangar bay, the doors slid shut.
Dr. Snowden checked out the interior of the docking bay. He wondered if any scans had detected the Torvatta when it flew in. The memory of the Kreagans scanning it and saying it did not exist, even as it sat right in front of them, made him think they were in the clear. He now knew that the Torvatta had scan profiles, and they were probably using the first one. It made sense that with someone like Billozein, who would know what to look for and had specialized equipment to deal with Evaran, might have been able to detect the Torvatta. Maybe not, though, given that no alarms had gone off and the Torvatta was hovering in midair off in the corner of the hangar bay.
“Your wait is over,” said Emily, staring at the right screen, which had switched back to Evaran’s chest view.
Evaran nodded.
They waited until Billozein’s ship powered down a few minutes later. A side door raised up with a ramp sliding out to the floor.
Dr. Snowden shook his head as he saw Billozein walk out of the ship alone. He found it interesting that Billozein flew solo. Given how powerful he probably was, it seemed out of place. Maybe temporal auras granted a temporal shielding effect like the Torvatta. If Billozein did have to time jump, having more along who would not fit into the new timeline would be a burden, something Billozein’s personality would not deal well with. Billozein was a Voss this time. Dr. Snowden could not get the image of Billozein as some type of large bacteriophage-looking creature out of his mind.
After several minutes, Billozein was escorted out of the room by several Voss who had come to meet him.
Dr. Snowden faced V. “So … you place the beacon now, right?”
“That is correct,” said V. “I have identified a location on the side where the magnetized quantum beacon container should go undetected. The Torvatta will hover next to it, and I will toss the container onto the hull.”
Dr. Snowden sighed. “Then we wait some more.”
“Yes,” said V.
Dr. Snowden noted Emily was fidgeting in her seat. He could almost feel her anxiousness like an aura that reached out and consumed the command center. They would do their part, and when it came time to get Evaran, the Voss would not know what hit them.
The Torvatta hovered just off to the side of Billozein’s ship.
V disappeared to the back and exited the medical lab in body mode while carrying the quantum beacon container.
Dr. Snowden, Jane, and Emily followed V to the edge of the Torvatta ramp outside.
V gripped the container and extended it in front of him. After positioning his arms, he shoved it out.
The container shot out of the Torvatta’s shielding and attached to the hull of Billozein’s ship. It shimmered for a moment before disappearing from view.
Dr. Snowden held his breath, wondering if anyone had heard the clanking sound when the container hit the hull.
After a moment of silence, they retreated back to the command center.
V switched back into orb mode and rejoined them. He looked at Evaran on the right screen. “The quantum beacon has been placed, and tracking has been activated. Rift technology has been detected on Billozein’s ship.”
Evaran nodded.
Jane sat back in her seat and exhaled loudly. “That was more intense than I expected.”
“I hear ya,” said Dr. Snowden. He rubbed his chin. “Rift technology. I bet that has something to do with Billozein jumping around time.”
“I’ve read about rift technology. It’s very rare,” said Jane.
“Yeah. Emily and I got to see it up close.”
V moved the Torvatta back to the corner of the docking bay. “Sit tight, and do not let the bed bugs bite.”
Dr. Snowden chuckled. “That’s sleep tight.”
V’s lights pulsed for a moment. “Acknowledged.”
Dr. Snowden sat back in his chair and contemplated the situation. Billozein would meet Evaran again, except this time in person. Dr. Snowden did not get to hear what Billozein had to say the first time around, and he was interested to know what the exchange would be like. It seemed half the information he knew of Evaran had been gleaned from Evaran talking to his adversaries. All that was left to do was wait until Evaran gave the signal to V to place the UIC. Then the Voss control communication would be disrupted, and it was show time.
Jane clenched her jaw when she saw Billozein appear on the left screen. It had taken Billozein forty-five minutes to reach Evaran. Jeetrozein stood behind Billozein. The holo-room view was still fresh in her mind, and while the screen view was more limited, it was still powerful in its own right.
Although she had seen Billozein earlier in the docking bay, she had an up-close look this time. He had slick brown hair that covered his body with streaks of gray. She was surprised he had a smaller stature, as most Voss were a good half inch taller on average, for the males at least. Her attention focused on Billozein as he paced in front of Evaran’s cell.
Billozein waved Jeetrozein away.
“Why can’t I stay?” asked Jeetrozein.
“Because I said so,” said Billozein with narrowed eyes and a low growl.
Jeetrozein shook his head and exited the room.
Billozein focused on Evaran. “So … once again, we meet. I’m beginning to think you can’t get enough of me. Inferiority complex maybe.”
Evaran drew his lips flat.
“Right … straight to business. I’ll admit, I’m a little surprised at what you’re doing here. I suspect it’s a trap of some sort. Although … ,” said Billozein, looking around, “it would appear I have the upper hand. Where’s your ship?”
“It is in a safe location,” said Evaran. “If you agree to my proposal, then it is yours.”
Billozein laughed. “You would give me what I want … for what exactly?”
“Leave Earth, Fredoria, and Roeth alone regardless of the timeline.”
Billozein narrowed his eyes. “What is it with you and Roeth? It’s a subpar planet with a weak species. And Earth and Fredoria? Even weaker.”
“I have friends there.”
“The timeline’s changed! You know that! Whatever friends you had, they no longer exist.”
“Maybe so, but the Kalesh and humans do not deserve what you are doing to them,” said Evaran.
Billozein scratched the side of his neck. “So that’s it … the noble thing again. Ridiculous. Speaking of ridiculous, where are your friends?”
Evaran looked down. “They did not make the timeline transition.”
Billozein uttered a low growl. “Surprised you made it out … but we both know you’re different. I figured your ship had temporal shielding like mine and did not extend to the crew outside the ship. Leaving your friends behind must be tough. Maybe trying to capture me wasn’t such a smart idea after all, huh?”
Evaran clenched his jaw.
Billozein waved a hand dismissively in the air. “Anyways, so Roeth, Earth, and Fredoria not to be touched, regardless of timeline, for your time-traveling ship. I know you could go back in time and change things, and then we do this dance again, so what game are you playing?”
Evaran shook his head. “Those events have been established. I cannot interfere in my past.”
“Again … pathetic. Respect the timeline. Integrity,” said Billozein, smirking. “That’s a fool’s game, and you seem to be a gra
nd master at it.” He gestured at the shielding between them. “Like my Palisin energy shielding?”
“You must have gone to great lengths to get it. It is very rare.”
“Oh, it is. I had to expend a lot of resources to get it, and not just for this facility, but quite a few others,” said Billozein. He wagged a finger at Evaran. “Seems you’re remembered quite harshly by Illitech. Funny thing about the Ildoran … they have quite the memory. Even after a thousand years, your name still resonates hatred in some corners among them. I guess killing Seeros, the hero that liberated their planet, will do that.”
“It was necessary.”
Billozein chuckled. “They still had all that specialized gear Seeros had made. It makes me wonder if they ever planned to use it. I got it in a great trade deal. I offered them my augments for inclusion into their world-building package, and I get all of that rare gear, and of course, profit. It won’t matter when I conquer them, though. And now … here we are. I get to finally put it to use. It’s quite effective from what I see.”
“Back to my proposal … to go through time requires me on the ship, so you will still need me around.”
Billozein rubbed his snout. “I figured as much.” He harrumphed. “It takes a big person to admit they were wrong and submit to those of superior intellect. I will need some time to mull over your offer. I need to weigh the advantages of having your ship, and the security to keep you around, versus outright killing you and removing any threat you may pose.”
“Take your time. I know when I am defeated.”
“Yes … yes. That’s right. I’m glad you recognize that, but doesn’t mean I trust you yet. I’ve been wrong about you before.”
“You clearly control the situation.”
Billozein grinned. “I do, but keeping you as a trophy has some appeal, in your favor, of course. We’ll see. Get comfortable. I’m in no rush. You’re going to be there for a while.”
Evaran looked down as Billozein exited the room. After Billozein had left, he raised his head.
“Should I deploy the UIC now?” asked V.
Evaran nodded.
V took off out of the Torvatta. He had stealthed and was scanning for a nearby console. It took several minutes, but he found one in a secluded spot. He placed the UIC on it and then shot a projection over it, effectively camouflaging it.
Jane jumped as V’s voice rang out over the communication system.
“UIC is in place,” said V.
Jane glanced at Dr. Snowden. “Do we go now?”
“I think when Evaran gives us the go-ahead,” said Dr. Snowden. He looked at the right screen. “Evaran, nod twice when you’re ready.”
Evaran nodded once.
Jane rubbed her fingertips as her gaze bored a hole in the screens. The tension building up to this moment caught her by surprise. She had been in tight situations before, but not ones where the very existence of a timeline was at stake. She watched as Evaran moved his fingers around. The ARI Evaran used must be different than the one she used. Hers was a set distance away for interaction, yet Evaran was able to access his, even in restraints.
Evaran nodded twice.
A loud shrieking noise echoed out across the base.
Dr. Snowden gritted his teeth and hunched down as the Torvatta cut off the screeching noise. “I guess it’s go time.” He waved toward the exit. “C’mon.”
“I’ll get the neutralization orbs,” said Emily.
They waited on the Torvatta’s ramp for V to get back.
V flew back with the UIC in one of his clawed hands. He entered the Torvatta, then lowered it to the ground.
Dr. Snowden, Jane, and Emily jumped off. The Torvatta rose again and, once it was hovering, parked in the top corner. V flew out to meet them.
Once they were all together, they took off to a nearby corridor. The overall lighting had dimmed, and warning lights flashed around them while a deep alarm sound pulsed.
“So the Voss’s control communications have been disrupted?” asked Dr. Snowden.
“Analysis. Evaran seeded a rogue program that gives independent thought prior to shutting down control communications.”
“Oh … so … what will that do then to the ones who were under control?” asked Dr. Snowden.
Jane pointed to several Voss on their knees, trembling and looking around wildly. “There’s your answer.”
One of them jumped up and charged, shaking its head around.
Emily stepped forward and hit it with a stun beam.
The Voss kept coming.
“They’re jacked up!”
Dr. Snowden and Jane fired a repulsion beam that sent the Voss tumbling back. A pair of Voss nearby jumped on the fallen Voss and began tearing chunks out of it.
Jane grimaced. “This isn’t good. They must be the uncontrolled Voss.”
“At least the repulsion works,” said Dr. Snowden. He glanced at V. “You know how to get to Evaran? Right?”
“Acknowledged,” said V. He took off ahead.
They followed him to a larger corridor. A dozen or so more uncontrolled Voss stood around, shaking in a jerky manner.
A shiver went through Jane. These uncontrolled Voss had never tasted freedom and were unsure of what to do. From their last encounter, it seemed that their base instincts were triggered. Her heartbeat ramped up as the uncontrolled Voss slowly turned their heads and faced her. They emitted guttural growls and a whooping noise and charged forward.
Emily fired her repulsion blast first, sending a few tumbling.
As Dr. Snowden raised to fire his PSD, another uncontrolled Voss tossed a nearby canister. He switched to his shield as Jane stepped forward and hit it with a repulsing beam.
Jane’s eyes widened as several other uncontrolled Voss closed the distance between them faster than she expected.
The closest one jumped on Dr. Snowden, with another two grabbing at his legs as he tumbled over.
Emily extended her PSD into a staff and whacked the nearest uncontrolled Voss on Dr. Snowden’s legs away. Jane grabbed the other one on Dr. Snowden’s legs and threw it into the wall.
Dr. Snowden angled his arm in a way that allowed him to fire his repulsing beam point-blank on the uncontrolled Voss that had jumped them. It flew up to the ceiling, and as it came down, V hit it with a repulsion blast, sending it flying backward.
The other uncontrolled Voss began to attack each other as Dr. Snowden, Emily, and Jane backed up.
“Keeping them at bay is going to be rough,” said Emily. “We have to focus fire. On my lead.”
Jane admired Emily’s take-charge attitude. She could see defiance in her eyes, and knowing that Evaran was incapacitated probably fueled that fire.
Emily advanced, swinging her arm in an arc and letting loose a steady repulsing stream.
Dr. Snowden, Jane, and V joined Emily, and together, they forced the uncontrolled Voss to fall back.
“Let’s go!” said Emily, marching down the corridor.
They reached an expansive control room.
Jane did not like the dim lighting, punctuated by weapon fire. Thankfully, with her helmet up, she did not have to smell the carnage going on around her.
Emily entered the room and dodged a shot at her head. “Get down!”
Dr. Snowden and Jane entered behind Emily and crouched behind a desk.
“There’s regular Voss in here, and they’re shooting at anything that moves. Our stun beams should work on them,” said Emily. “Get them ready.”
Dr. Snowden and Jane complied. On Emily’s command, they popped out and targeted the regular Voss who were looking for them.
One of the regular Voss got off a shot at Emily, but she deflected it with her shield. She returned fire, and the regular Voss crumpled.
Jane shook her head as she glanced at Dr. Snowden. “I keep forgetting about the forearm shield.”
“Trial by fire,” said Dr. Snowden.
Jane licked her lips. “Uh-huh.” She was not as confident as
Dr. Snowden and Emily were. Although she had been in firefights before, they were well executed agent raids, not fighting a facility of half-crazed Voss.
Emily motioned at V. “Scouting mode.”
“Acknowledged. Scouting mode engaged,” said V. He shimmered and flew farther into the room.
Jane raised her eyebrows as she watched the view form V’s perspective inside her faceplate. Between the suits, V, Evaran, Dr. Snowden, and Emily, she could see how their initial appearance, while disarming, hid their true abilities. V’s scanning showed no activity. She let out a sigh.
“Don’t rest yet,” said Emily as she walked around.
Jane pointed at the wall of screens. On it were various scenes from across the base. It showed regular Voss fighting the uncontrolled Voss. She homed in on one screen in particular. It showed some humanoid robots being torn apart by the uncontrolled Voss. Another screen showed a quadruped robot with a cylindrical body firing orange energy beams and clearing a path through the Voss, both regular and uncontrolled. She recognized it as a Voss judicator. They were feared, even in her period, for their relentless pursuit and determination in hunting down and killing whatever was their target. Having them loose on the station was not a good sign. She swallowed hard.
A sound at the door caused them to pivot. Two regular Voss with frantic breathing rushed into the room. Their eyes widened upon seeing they were not alone. They raised their hands. One of them stepped forward. “Please, we’re unarmed.”
Emily paused for a moment, then gestured at Dr. Snowden and Jane. “Let’s go.” She looked at the two regular Voss. “The room is yours.” She exited the room with Dr. Snowden, Jane, and V in tow.
After they had walked to the end of the corridor, Jane jumped as she heard the shrill yelping of the two in the control room, fighting for their lives. Her instinct was to rush back and help them, but Emily had given them at least a fighting chance. The regular Voss could have sealed the room. Maybe they did not know how to. It was not like she, Dr. Snowden, or Emily could either, and taking them along would not make any sense. She looked down as they walked through the dimly lit corridor.