by Grant Fausey
Samuel nodded again and stepped down off the matter transfer platform. The small black-eyed human male led him to the center of a dimly lit structure. The walls a dull grey, covered in an organic material that supported the plant life that surrounded him. Other foliage crept up the walls toward a hole in the center of the atrium, to where another small grey individuals smiled, looking up at him with his large black eyes. The being hovered in the low gravity a few meters from the floor.
"This way," he said. "The professor is waiting."
Samuel Nomad followed the short grey, bug-eyed individual into a dwelling chamber, where he stood at the far end of the structure looking over a long maze of intertwining technologies. At the far end of the room sat a single seat and, in it, supported by an array of life support apparatus, convened a feeble old man, Renniska Brennan Nomad. "Father," he said soberly. "I came as soon as I got your message. You're lucky. I was rerouted to New Earth."
"Come in, son," whispered the old man. "Let me look at you. They've done a good job this time. How long has it been? Not since my last lunar visit, has it?" He paused. Thought about what he had said for a moment, and then continued: "That's got to be centuries ago. Even by the Alpha standards."
Brennan smiled at him. But the smile seemed artificial somehow. Programmed. "Well..." he stated. "Don't just stand there, boy! Come over here and give your old man a hug."
Samuel blushed.
Emotions, he thought, feeling sentiment. Renniska Brennan held him tight in a loving embrace.
"Now tell me," he said softly. "What's so damn important back on Earth?"
Samuel sat across from his father, his body trembling uncomfortably. "Father..." he said wincing at the idea of being exposed. "I didn't come here to become an artifact." His father laughed. "Believe me," the professor added, "it's not on my agenda either.”
"Good," said Samuel. "Now relax and tell me all about this mystery you've uncovered." Samuel was scared. He didn't really want to be comfortable. Being subdued was irritating. "Control," said Renniska Brennan. "I control you. You control me. We control them. They control us. It's simple, really. I want you to understand the difference. Consider it part of your training. It's an exercise in fertility."
"You mean were all lab animals?"
"Not exactly. You'll get the gist of it. Now, tell me about your discovery."
"We've uncovered something, Father. A little plot I guess," said Samuel worried.
"A little plot against whom?" asked the professor.
"Humanity," continued Samuel Nomad. The professor stood up and hovered next to his son.
"I need more than that, Samuel. I need to know what you know!"
"That's all I know," he said hesitantly. Matthew mentioned..." Renniska Brennan's eyes darkened to pools of black.
"So much for the little chat," he said to Samuel. "I'd like you to take a little journey, Samuel. It won't hurt. But it could be very enlightening for both of us." Samuel looked at him with terror in his eyes. He didn't know this imposter. Somehow, he knew he was going to die.
• • •
ATARRELL CORPORATION LUNAR HEADQUARTERS
EARTH
On the moon, at the Atarrell Corporation's lunar headquarters, hundreds of workers, technicians, aliens and humans alike walked in the lush green courtyards of the structure located beneath the enormous disc shaped facility. The edifice dangled suspended above the ground by a star shaped power source, which emanated from the center of the facility. The blue green light deposited a brilliant glow across the surface of the buildings, crisscrossing the artificial environment below the disc.
The complex stretched across the garden, etched into the tile floor of the structure. The entire courtyard was magnificent, clean and quite beautiful for being on the dark side of the Moon. But that didn't matter to Senator Cobson Rondell as he hurried through the crowds taking the down stairwell into the interior of the Atarrell lunar complex. Although the Senator’s oversized humanoid body did make his movements awkward. He wasn’t fat, but rather large, a hulk of a man who paced himself in long strides along the down ramp. Behind him, perched on the platform, a star bus separated from a lunar shuttle arriving at the facility. He hoped he could reach the bottom before the star bus touched down. There was no excuse for his tardiness. Trying to look his best, he managed to darn his heavy suit and long flowing black and red delicately detailed overcoat.
The doors at the base of the ramp puffed open with exhale to reveal Professor Renniska Brennan, oversized, overdressed and expunged. Rondell acknowledged him and the shuttle. He was in time to greet the dignitary, regardless of what he thought. "Greetings Renniska," he said in a polished, professional tone. "It's good to see you again. But what in the God's name are you doing on the Moon? I hurried over as soon as I heard your star bus had arrived from the border worlds. I wanted to talk with you before your return to Earth Corporate.” Rondell huffed slightly out of breath. “It seems Vex Redford has gone into business for himself."
"You mean we've lost another runner?"
"Not exactly, but close," he gestured. "Walk with me, Senator, or we may both find ourselves rushing back to the settlement on an unscheduled Atarrell transport."
Rondell led the way. "Corporate has reported that we lost a unit and regretfully most of the crew," stated Rondell. "There were still life signs from one of the crew members, but very faint. We're considering her terminated. Corporate doesn't want to spend the money to retrieve a single; especially, if the unit is non-operational. I tried to reach you earlier about it through your sons. But it didn’t go well. Did he contact you?"
"No. I haven't heard from Samuel in over a year.”
Rondell was fishing, but Renniska wasn’t biting. “When did they break the barrier?"
"Zero two zero ... twenty-two ten, nominal."
"And what do we have on Redford?”
“You mean what's Vex done to get himself involved this time?" Rondell paced his steps, staying just behind the off-worlders. "We trailed a Hydaran runner out of the past, locked on to it just before it made the same jump as an independent with Redford's traditional T and R markings. They're similar to his original Shangri La operation. Earth Corporate vintage."
Renniska stopped at the edge of the courtyard. He stood there for a moment looking out over the lunar surface and the eternal night sky. "You're sure it's Redford? No mistaking him for Rex's group? We don't need another crossover between the universes. That mess with Rune Linka nearly put us out of business."
"No mistake. He’s wide open. We'll find him, all right."
"Let me know if you come up with anything. I'll report your findings as soon as I get back." Rondell smiled, "And for Alvericon's sake, check in on your son. He's one of the best operatives we have –– you'd be proud of him."
Renniska nodded and turned away. There was no way of knowing his intentions. The mission to the Moon was complete or, at least, the intended deed was done.
Daylight came early to the rainforest and Vex Redford wasn’t very patronizing when it came to operations outside of the Shangri La complex. The spiraling vortex allowing Hansen's runner to exit from the transit field was still in operation. Hansen’s expedition was home. Shangri La was once again quiet. But that of course didn’t last long. “Requesting medical assistance shouted Hansen's husky voice. "Have Katrina Malee standing by. We're going to need her services."
The secret docking bay yawned open, revealing a hidden portal entrance to the base near the surface of the genetically engineered tree fortress. A thick layer of undergrowth, an arrangement of beautiful tropical plants and shrubs, lifted and separated allowing Hansen's runner to enter the base through a surface portal.
Vex Redford watched from the observation windows until the sleek ship disappeared into the Mansion. Everything outside returned to normal. "We have a new recruit for you, Vex," announced Hansen. "But she's pretty broken up."
"Understood," echoed Katrina Malee's voice over the intercom. "We'll meet you in
medical."
The injured pilot Hansen referred to was alone in the center of the room, suspended from a medical analyzer table. Several circular rings of light passed along the length of the table, covering each and every part of the woman's body in the rejuvenating rays of purely medicinal light.
Katrina Malee approached Vex and grinned a half smile. She checked her data carefully. Acknowledging his presence, before discussing anything about her new patient's condition. "How's she doing doctor?" he asked, genuinely concerned. "Any changes to her condition?"
"No––" said Katrina Malee, looking over the instrument pack attached to her forearm and hand. She made an adjustment to one of the panels watching the results in a little trail of light that danced across the top of the medical instrument. "She doesn't seem to be responding to treatment; at least, not yet. Her genetic makeup is different than ours. There’s something really strange about her, as if she's had her DNA rewritten. It's possible her DNA’s been alter."
"You mean she's some sort of mutation?” The thought never crossed her mind: A hybrid maybe, but a mutant? An enhanced human being for sure."
Katrina stepped over to the apparatus and stood next to Vex, joining Hansen and a tall, very mechanical computer assisted med tech. "Not exactly," she continued. "It's more like she's come from another version of the Earth. She's different than us."
"Another version of the Earth?" questioned Vex, startled.
"You mean another planet?" interrupted Hansen, questioning her statement.
"No," said Katrina flatly. "I still think she's been altered. The basic structure has been addressed and changed down to the subatomic level. Everything that makes her human is being rewritten."
"Rewritten," whispered Redford. He looked at the young light green skinned woman and thought for a moment then spoke directly to the computerized assistant. "Pull a DNA sample and display it in the "VR" room, will you A47. I think we need to take a closer look at what we have going on here."
"Agreed," interjected Hansen.
The mechanized assistant nodded, acknowledging Vex's orders.
"I think we have some historical data of our own that could use some addressing, doctor, said the genetics engineer calmly. “Maybe we have a little rewriting to do of our own."
"Okay, Vex," said Katrina. "I'll catch up to you just as soon as I have some answers.
"Fine," said Vex Redford satisfied. "Have the rest of the team meet me in the lounge. I think we have a some exploration of our own to perform."
Vex headed for the door. Hansen raised an eyebrow. It seemed the day had just begun.
– 5 –
EARTH CORPORATE
• • •
THE THIRD UNIVERSE
THIRD DIMENSION
The shape of the Earth Corporate headquarters paralleled the insect world. A foreboding structure as complex as a nest of spider-shaped wedges that created a huge arrangement of interconnected filaments. Its towering legs hovered above the Rocky Mountains, suspended between the high peaks by thin web like superstructures. Each supported by its own weight. Everything from the main building to the eight smaller corporate offices held in the fine mesh of substructures. From where he stood, Alexander Bay; an unusually tall, slender individual, well dressed in a three-piece business suit, along with his companion, the wide-eyed Lexus McKay; one of Earth Corporate's green skinned experimental humanoids watched the arrival of the starship Destiny. Commanded by none other than the legendary daughter of Cappy Houston ... Tiana Steppon Houston.
Houston only fell in love once and led her to the ends of the Earth vanishing through a gateway to a place between dimensions. Together with his band of cutthroats, taking a vow of silence to never reveal the course. For at journey's end, hidden in the corridors of time beyond the pillars of the black sun was a place in the universe where all dimensions crossed. Legend said Kellnar ruled the Empire of the Industries from here. It was corporate all right. No single future escaped it. All that was known of the place, was its name ... New Haven.
Both men, Alexander Bay and Lexus McKay, walked from the edge of the observation ring standing in front of the building's placard. The main complex towered over the courtyard like some giant spider web, each strand opening into the time displacement gateways of a massive vortex that hovered in the center of the complex. Each allotted to runner passage. Five Earth Corporate runners emerged from the threshold of the vortex, accompanied by not more than ten huge cargo whales. The cargo ships thundered across the horizon, disappearing one after another into the vast armada of ships that docked beneath the structure.
Even Trinod Rex's ships could be seen, dressed out in their traditional Haulers Incorporated logos. One of the enormous ships hovered into position. Both Alexander Bay and Lexus McKay followed the spectacle with dazzle in their eyes, staying transfixed on the starship until it disappeared into the interior of the complex. Alexander smiled at Lexus, gesturing to him. They walked casually toward the main entrance to the corporate terminal building they stood in front of. Once inside, they stepped lively across the observation ring to the courtyard terrace and stopped. At the edge, overlooking the Rocky Mountains, behind the safety of the railing, Alexander Bay spoke.
"Another successful mission to the Orrane system," he said to Lexus McKay. "They're stealing Trini corporate blind and losing a ransom in artifacts in the process."
"It seems a pity," acknowledged Lexus. "There's no way they'll ever discover what's missing. Who would have thought that one of the five great corporations could fall by simply making a few adjustments to the cultural history. Just misplace a few pieces of junk and presto, you've instant hostile takeover."
Alexander chuckled, pleased about the entire operation. "Right," he reiterated to Lexus. "Just a few pieces of junk can change the history of an entire world. It's remarkable, isn't it? How do we know they're not doing the same thing to us right now? Or something worse." Alexander turned to face the mountains. He stared at the Pike's peaks in the distance. "What if we wake up some morning and Earth Corporate is gone? What do we do then, hey?"
Lexus looked at him, astounded. The idea of everything he knew being gone startled him. "I guess," he said frustrated. "We'd have to drop back twenty and punt, Alexander. We wouldn't stand a chance!"
Alexander patted Lexus on the back and motioned him on. "Come on, you old pessimist. We've a staff meeting in twenty minutes.”
The thought was irrelevant. Renniska Brennan returned earlier this morning from the border worlds. He wanted to address the alliance ... corporate says it's a matter of life and death.
“I just wondered whose?"
Alexander grinned at Lexus. There was something snide about his comment as if he knew something Lexus didn't.
He continued the walk.
Behind him, unnoticed, silent, a darkened figure emerged from the shadows. The assailant's body fashioned itself, becoming one of the corporate types itself. She sniffed the air, catching a whiff of their distinct odors as Alexander and Lexus walked past. Her deep inset eyes followed them with an envious glare until they disappeared across the courtyard. Then, with the coast clear, the dark shadowy figure stepped away from the pillar, morphing into the image of Samuel Nomad.
– 6 –
INQUIRY
• • •
THE THIRD UNIVERSE
THIRD DIMENSION
As the sun rose high into the sky, the team assembled in the Mansion's observation lounge. Vex Redford took the seat at the head of the conference table. "All right, gentlemen...." he said confidently. "And ladies … let's take a closer look at what we have so far."
Hansen smiled at Tiana, raised an eyebrow with a wink. Tiana chuckled, giving a glace to Vex Redford. Display the last mission logs and cross reference them to any previous runs involving similar interference."
A three-dimensional image fluttered into existence above the center of the conference table expanding to the edges of the oval chamber, depicting the tactical information from the last
trip through time. "All right," continued Redford. Everyone studied the projection, carefully considering the information as it displayed. "According to this report," stated Vex. "This is the third time we've been attacked by the Hydaran Corporation. It seems we've stumbled into a hornet's nest! The Atarrell Corporation tailed us on every one of these missions. They're sort of bird dogging us, like we're about to blunder onto something we're not suppose to notice."
Hansen agreed on the fly. There was definitely a pattern emerging. "For some reason," he said inquisitively. "They don't want us to find out what they're doing! There has to be some sort of connection between Hydaran and the Atarrell Corporations.”
“Something we're not seeing,” added Tiana. “But I don't think they're after the same things we are. It's more of a blockade run.
“And it goes pretty far back,” Interjected Kyle. “Our last run was to the Jurassic period. Whatever’s happening has to be further back than that."
Redford couldn't agree more. “Agreed," added Redford. "I think we should investigate the time periods surrounding our last series of runs and take a closer look at what we're missing."
Whatever it was, it was covert. And covert operations meant trouble. The genetics engineer turned to Hansen and switched into "Commander mode".
"I want you and Tiana to couple an assault pack out onto the back of a runner. Have Hudson and Kyle give you a hand. I'm sending you on a run into the past. We're not going to find whatever's out there, unless we do some exploring of our own. It seems to originate in a period prior to Jurassic, so don't lock your thinking into one dimension. Remember, multiples create multiples. They're definitely working in both the past and the present. They could be working the future as well." Vex Redford turned to Jason Tennerick. The other members of the crew stood up from their respective seats and headed for the conference room exit.