The Time Stone

by Jeffrey Estrella

  PART 3

  DEMONS AND ANGELS

  CHAPTER 59

  Months later, the streets of Chronix Bay were littered with the remnants of ticker tape, balloons, and confetti after a grand parade in honor of the heroes who save the town from the beast. The local newspaper reporters were reporting it as a miracle from God and some people in town were talking about government cover ups and other worldly visitors while others were grateful they survived. In the midst of the central tower complex on the top floor, a meeting takes place that projects the hope and vision of the future of the city.

  “My friends,” spoke Milton Drax, brilliant legal scholar, thrilling adventurer, strong minded advocate for the wealthiest of citizens, and chief legal officer of Temporo, Inc. “We are gathered here for one of the noblest purposes, participation in a quest unlike no other.” He was a man of revere red excellence and fame, dark smooth hair, thin mustache, large scale ego, brilliant mind, and whimsical personality in his shiny expensive custom made suit and tie. He spoke to a conference room full of eager business people, politicians, and the police chief and commissioner. “We have seen firsthand the evil that awaits us and we have an unprecedented opportunity before us. There is a threat to this city, nay, to this world unlike any other we have ever encountered as evidenced by an attack on our own downtown Chronix Bay and a similar incident on the outskirts of Juarez City, Mexico. We are being threatened by a force not of this Earth and we have to strike back fast with a preemptive maneuver before the next one occurs. I suggest a quest of our own. We invest in embarking on a pursuit for the truth behind these attacks.”

  “Are you suggesting we invest corporate resources to chase a witch-hunt?” Screamed a seventy-seven year old and five foot man with a tight fitting suit.

  “Mr. Acherman, as acting chief financial officer you must understand that our purse strings are being threatened and spending money on this venture will be the only way to save money down the road as we respectfully feel, myself and others on this board, that we need to find out the truth behind these attacks and to do that we would find out more on the greatest possible adventure mankind has ever embarked on. Further disruptions are bad for society, bad for our businesses, and bad for humanity!” He shouts and there is a loud eruption of applause from the board members on all sides of the room. Mr. Acherman modestly sat down and felt humbled.

  “Mr. Drax,” said Broad Staffnight standing up and walking to the podium to stand next to him. “Well said, you shall have your funding.” The room erupted in applause as Milton Drax smiled near Broad Staffnight who smiled in return and shook his hand neither man knowing the true purpose behind the other’s smile.

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  As the winds blew harshly outside, the dark pinstriped suits in the Chronix Bay County Courthouse were like silhouettes in the lighting as the guards out front let in people bit by bit. Attorneys proudly displaying their identification walking by the masses on line waiting for their turn by the great gargantuan titan of justice and infantry of the metal detectors and court officers checking bags filled with makeup kits and gum without even the simplest desire of finding some hidden arsenal therein but merely creating the illusion of security in a system corrupted by fear. The line was filled with men and women in simple pedestrian clothing akin to inner city life. Amongst the chosen few walking past smiling at the guard who ushered him with a nod of the head, Milton Drax, Esq. He walked checking the time on his expensive Presidential gold watch increasing the pace in his step to the courteous awaiting of a young woman pacing back and forth wearing a Hijab, waiting by the elevators.

  “Hello, Ms. Anderson,” he put down his briefcase and pressed the up button on the elevator panel. “You know the judge is going to be upset over the whole bail jumping thing but you need to be apologetic, sympathetic, show remorse, and cry a little, she’ll be lenient.” He looked at the petite young frightened child before him, no more than seventeen. He knew Judge Makers was known as a hanging judge but had a soft spot for truly hard luck cases. “Don’t worry, it is your first offense and you got ties to the community.” He empathetically counseled his client and tried to sympathize but he felt his mind wander as he was elsewhere and adrift in thought that maybe he was meant for something better, bigger, a higher purpose.

  He thought about Temporo, Inc. and the mission he had been authorized to pursue. “Could there really be more beasts? Could mankind have opened a doorway to a world beyond anything we have ever imagined possible? The possibilities were endless.” If the theory on multiple dimensions was true then there was an infinite number of possibilities. He smiled in reverence at the thought of embarking on the ultimate human adventure.

  CHAPTER 60

  “Across the world and throughout history there have been tales of legendary warriors who fight against all odds to defeat their foes. Often these heroes are faced with more than mere men, and are said to have interacted or fought against all manner of weird mythical creatures. Here are some of the stranger tales of how legendary warriors and weird mythical beasts have intermingled down the ages.” Professor Davis Armstrong Kowolski lectured at the Punister Hall in Chronix Bay University before a class of young and eager learners, some of which were falling asleep and were seeking elective credit by taking his course in the studies of Ancient Cultures’ Mythology but others, a small few eagerly jotted down every word. He knew they only cared about acing the exam and that his words were meaningless. He sighed as he turned the slide on the large device before him to change the image on the projector screen to those of several bird-like men in rapid succession. “ Many cultures worshipped beasts known as the ‘sky watchers’ or those who descended from above and taught mankind everything from our laws, our abilities to make fire, and our knowledge about space and the universe, even things like time. The oriental cultures had believed in mythical spirits known as The Tengu from ancient Japanese folklore that take the form of part man, part bird. They are believed to be protectors who came from above.” He sighed as he continued with the lecture expecting it to be long, his eye slightly veering towards the clock on the wall showing he indeed had a long way to go until the period was over. He smiled at his youngest student, his nephew Howard sitting in on the class at age ten eagerly doodling and taking notes on the topic of Birdmen. Professor Kowolski felt pride as he was watching the young Kowolski and potential future scientist he was molding.

  Inside the headquarters of Temporo Inc.’s illustrious and elite Research and Development Unit, the corridors were lined with bright alloys, silvery and polished of titanium. The doors slid open parting upon approach and the lights fixtures were partially golden, emitting a rainbow of colors lighting up the walkways and corridors. The main hangar, thousands of miles beneath the surface was laced with narrow tubing.

  “How fast does this go?” Elizabeth Peters said on the elevator heading downward at superior speeds.

  “Normally, 90 KPH but can go up to 600 max on a good day.” Said Dr. Malcolm Weeble, Broad Staffnight’s scientific attaché on staff. “We aim to follow the most stringent efficiency protocols when generating any new innovation, madam. We certainly welcome all inquiries as well.”

  “Thank you.” Said Broad interrupting impatiently sensing Dr. Weeble’s obvious display attraction for his secretary Elizabeth and wanting to stop him from embarrassing either of them. Dr. Weeble, a short and balding individual waddled across the floor like a little penguin as they exited the elevator on the ground basement level.

  “Come this way.” He escorted them around a narrow bend of work benches and hardworking scientific geniuses in lab coats toddling over various inventions before them.

  Elizabeth was in awe at the amazing technology before her, some looked like everyday objects, a pair of boots, a hammer, a cape, but each one Dr. Weeble assured her was a high tech top secret piece of equipment with a special purpose in mind.

  “We tend to create a lo
t of sabotage in our line of work and that is why we aim to disguise our products so the real world out there doesn’t become privy to this advancement as it is not part of mainstream development as of yet. We have a lot of high tech clients like the Department of Defense, US military, major computer software corporations…” The doctor started.

  “Enough doctor, just show us the prototypes.” Broad interrupted again. “Tell us.”

  “OK, come here and see” he leads them to a table nearby and shows them some items on the table, a small device that fits in the palm of one’s hand that has dials and a screen like a cellphone, a set of keys with a joystick pad attached, a vest with spikes and plating of metal, and a long tube with muscular arm plating.

  “This is a lab of wonder” Elizabeth said picking up the hand held unit.

  Milton Drax walked over with CEO Mark Cumberberry. Drax walked over to the table where the gadgets were laid out. “I see this party started without us.” Drax said.

  “Thanks for joining us Milton.” Said Broad as he nodded to Mr. Cumberberry also.

  “The first item on the agenda is the multiplication piercer body armor capable of deflecting weapons of any source including withstanding its wearer through any known natural phenomenon.” Dr. Weeble holds up the metal plated vest and demonstrates how a knife won’t penetrate it. “It covers the body and face from harm in a crisis.” He presses the chest plate inward and it retracts a hood, long sleeves, and armored pants and feet coverings for the wearer made of the same material. With a second click, the clothes retract to the single plate for the chest area only.

  “Fascinating” said Drax. “What else you got?”

  “This is an arm gun.” Dr. Weeble holds up the long device. “It’s an offensive brand to go along with the defensive as one is not as good without the other. The device is worn on the arm and fired like a cannon. It generates electronic projectiles.” He put the device on his arm and grabbed the end of it. It started to charge up by lighting all around it.

  “Uh Doctor, let’s move on. Save the demonstration.” Broad uttered.

  “Uh right there is one of each for each of you, next is the crème de la crème, a super ride… here.” He picks up and hands the car keys to Broad. “I know how much it is important for the man to do the driving in the family.”

  “Thanks.”

  “The keys are for what’s in the garage, a super charged up and hyped up luxury vehicle equipped with the latest technology in electro kinetic trans-metamorphosis and multi-phase generator invisibility technology. Upon pressing the red button on the keychain, the car changes to a… well it’s a surprise but you needn’t take the car with you because when the time is right, it can come to you. It is called the XL Zoom Scorpion,” he hit a button on the keys and a small stop sign emerged from the side of the key box attached. Dr. Weeble clipped it back in. “That was my mistake.”

  “Moving on Doctor” said Broad growing tired.

  “Yes, lastly, all the technological wonders before you and more along with a full database of our super computers back at base can be accessed by holding this even from half way across the globe or beyond. This one is about as powerful as a cold fusion reactor or a rocket.” Dr. Weeble picked up the small cell-phone-like device and held it out pressing the sides with his hand and it began to blink in a variety of colors like the room, controlling it and all around it. The lights blinked off and back on. “If there was enough energy, the power issue wouldn't be a cause for concern.”

  “How does that work?” Drax said.

  “Well…” began the doctor.

  “Never mind now” scorned Broad.

  “Wow, amazing” said Elizabeth.

  “Come on,” said Broad “we got our equipment and we got our mission. Let’s get our luggage.”

  “Already packed, Sir” said Elizabeth.

  “We’re just an ordinary group of brave quest seekers, aren’t we?” Drax said.

  “Where are we embarking to?” Elizabeth asked.

  “According to our calculations the next attack that we are seeking will be in Turkey.” Mr. Cumberberry said.

  Broad looked at him seriously and with a curious smirk.

  “Yes” said the doctor as he moved about to the desk “we calculated it using the sunstone device and figuring the proximity of the next landing based on the triangulation of the last two and the projected origination points where the beams of light emitted from the sunstone landed. That device is amazing, it was built by the ancient Aztecs, amazing how a primitive culture developed it but we know they must have had help, even then it must of taken decades….” He spoke very fast and Broad began to lose patience.

  “Enough doctor.”

  “Oh OK… thanks and good luck” yelled the doctor as the four walked away with the bag of new equipment in check and Broad led his entourage down the brightly colored halls.

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  The four coworkers led by their fearless leader Broad were on the relatively uneventful flight to Turkey, with a layover in Prague.

  “Why couldn’t we get direct?” Broad said.

  “I’m sorry. It was hit or miss on the early bird schedule.” Elizabeth shrugged.

  “Well, you know this trek of Milton’s, it’s a farce. This is a pointless escapade to quest the hell out of the object and beasts. He is out of his mind but we have been obliged to follow through but we are going to carry on our own quest.”

  “I read the report, boss.” She nodded giving him the cute schoolgirl smile she gave him before with a wink. “I will stand by you.”

  “Good!”

  CHAPTER 61

  At the airport in Prague, Broad, Elizabeth, and Drax sat waiting for the connecting flight while Mr. Cumberberry was out.

  “Where is Mark?” Elizabeth asked.

  “He had to go handle his business, I guess.” Broad said shrugging his shoulders and then looking around.

  Within seconds, a loud scream was heard emanating from the back. Broad and Elizabeth rose to their feet and looked around. They saw a commotion unfolding in the distance and blood splattering. Broad saw a dark furry wing flapping in the hot air. “Oh no” he said. They ran over and saw in the far corner of the airport lounge, a six foot tall furry bat-winged creature with a long snout, wide eyes, pointed crooked horns, and hooves cross legged chewing on a human arm and having collected an assortment of other body parts surrounding him. People were running around fearfully screaming and panicking like it was the end of days. Broad looked at the creature with his eyes wide.

  “Satyr, you are incorrigible! In public, you animal, you couldn’t control your desire?” Broad held his arms at his sides with his fists clenched before him.

  “I can’t help myself.” He replied sitting there looking up while still chewing the flesh and dripping blood before him, his mouth slobbering inside and out with gore and blood. “I haven’t fed in over nine months.”

  Broad shook his head and lifted his right wrist to his mouth and spoke into a small box attached to his wrist like a watch with a blank screen, “we need a cover, situation critical, sector 333.2… I hope you know you are going to help clean this mess.”

  “I won’t shed a tear for some pathetic humans who wanted to see the Bering Strait.” Satyr joked sarcastically.

  “Let’s get this over with” said Elizabeth “this is grossing me out.”

  “Come on.” Broad looked around at the gathering people screaming and running at the sight of the beast feasting on corpses. “Hmm.”

  Minutes later the scene was clean and organized as dozens of men in dark suits had gathered throughout the area marching back and forth in specifically assigned tasks to make sure the news of the beast did not spread far or at all. They turned the airport lounge as if the event never occurred and the fearful public would never speak a word. Satyr had transformed back into Mr. Cumberberry and stood next to his trio of work colleagues ready to board
the flight to Turkey.

  “No more surprises, OK” said Broad.

  “Yes Sir” Mark Cumberberry replied with a curious grin.

  In Turkey, the skies were smog-ridden and thick, scented like honey suckle, and burning of incense as the foursome made their way passed the crowds in the national airport. Loud noises were heard in the distance, over the yelling and screaming of passersby and honking horns of the vehicles in the intense heat of the humid laced sweltering weather.

  “It is unbelievably hot here!” Elizabeth wiped her brow.

  “I know. Let’s get to a cab fast.” Said Broad. Broad walked forward down the streets as they hopped into a waiting car with one thing in mind, his pursuit of the objective he began long ago, power, control, hopeless conquest. His followers, Elizabeth and Satyr in his human guise as Mark Cumberberry, followed him with their eyes and hopes on him as they trusted him and felt pulled to follow him to whatever ends he desired, partly out of fear and partly out of envy. Milton Drax was more energetic and carefree almost sticking his head out of the cab window as they drove by rustic and historical scenery of beauty and splendor. He took the time, like a flavescent bloodhound, to track down the most interesting and savor each moment and enhance his experience in this new land as he walked eagerly looking about at the cobble stone roads, the gorgeous marketplaces, the fruits and vegetables sold eagerly by happy vendors, the sounds of children playing in the streets, and the smell of fresh baked bread and pastries filling the air as each in and of itself was enough to fill one’s heart with joy and bliss. He smiled as they rode to their destination, the Hilton Hotel at the far end of town. He looked out the window thrilled at the sights, the smells, the sounds, and the world around him. The communities they drove by were rural but full of lively markets, cobblestone pathways, and foods of various blends permeating the air in scents of fresh bread, dairy, and meats.