“Yes, finishing early is always a bonus.” The way Kayla grinned made Jaden wonder what she was up to. “Now that the gliders aren’t with us anymore, are you going to tell us what had you so distracted this morning? And about those notes you made on your PAL?”
Oh yes, he had forgotten. “Why don’t we get dinner on the table, and I’ll tell you while we eat?”
“I can live with that.”
Chapter Twenty
An hour later, dinner was ready, but Sven hadn’t joined them yet. Accustomed to his unusual work habits, the teens didn’t wait. They took their places at the table, tucked into their food, and listened as Jaden outlined his idea. “I’m going to go back in time and see if there’s another way I can help my parents.”
Kayla’s face scrunched up. “Not this again! I thought we’d decided that wasn’t possible. And even if it is, you can’t pull them through from the parallel universe or wherever it is you go when you use the arcachoa. I also distinctly remember you saying you can’t communicate with them across timelines either!”
Jaden held up a hand to stop her tirade. She glared, and he sighed. “Didn’t I promise that if I was going to make plans that I would discuss them with all of you first?” Kayla raised her eyebrows. “So this is me keeping that promise. Just because I’m floating an idea doesn’t mean I’ll actually do it.”
That calmed Kayla. She gave him a tight smile, leaning back in her chair and folding her arms. “Okay, so let’s hear what this plan is, then.”
Yup, she’s definitely already biased against it. Aloud, he said, “So you know how the relic stones counter the numbing effects of the Gaptor’s EMP?” Nods all around. “When my mom told Kayla and I about her dream, she said the first thing she remembered after waking up was that she was numb. She couldn’t move or speak, but she could hear and smell. Sound familiar, Kayla?”
Kayla blinked. “That sounds exactly how I felt after the Gaptor zapped me. You think that’s what happened to your folks?”
“I do. And I think if I can get the relic stone to them before they’re taken, they’ll be able to counter those numbing effects.”
“How will that help?” Iri asked.
“If they aren’t numb, perhaps they’ll be able to escape.” Jaden anxiously twisted his relic stone around on his finger as he waited for their response.
“The first problem is that we don’t know where they are—you said so yourself,” Iri pointed out.
“True, I don’t know where they are now,” Jaden agreed. “But I do know where they were when I gave my mom the key.”
“And you think because of that, you can use the arcachoa to take you back there, then give them your ring?” Kayla reasoned.
“Yes.”
“Bro, you’re forgetting you can’t cross timelines,” Atu reminded Jaden.
“No, I haven’t forgotten. But there’s something we haven’t considered. What if artifacts can cross timelines?”
No one said a word.
“You’re going to risk using the arcachoa based on a hunch that you might be able to pass the relic stone across timelines?” Kayla finally rasped.
“I think it’s worth a shot.” Jaden looked at Atu. “What would you be willing to risk if it was your parents?”
Atu didn’t even have to think about it. “I’d do the same thing.”
Kayla still seemed unhappy. “Have you discussed this with Han?”
“Yes, he heard me making the notes on my PAL. And before you get all upset with him, he only agreed to say nothing if I promised to share my plans with you.”
“That’s not an answer.” Kayla huffed. “Let me be more specific—what does Han think of this idea?”
Jaden wanted to shake her. Why wouldn’t she just agree with him? She knew how much his family meant to him.
As if she had read his mind, Kayla said, “I’m not saying you can’t do this. I just want to be sure we’ve evaluated all the implications before we make a mistake we can’t correct. What if you destroy your relic stone trying to do this? Or if doing this gets you trapped in that other world like Taz said happens sometimes?”
That made Jaden pause. They were valid points. “You’re right. And to answer your question, Han was dubious about the plan.”
“Well, doesn’t that tell you that perhaps it’s not such a great idea?” Kayla snapped. “We should get the gliders to weigh in on this before we make any decision. And I think we should get Sven’s input too.”
“I agree with Kayla,” Iri piped up.
Jaden shot her a look. Is she using those senses of hers again? Does she know I’m thinking of simply going ahead anyway?
Kayla tried again. “Jaden, I know how much your family means to you. I think we all just want to be sure that there are no downsides like there were last time.”
Yes, he had made mistakes when he gave his mom the key because he hadn’t bounced his ideas off the rest of the team. But Jaden was sure this plan would work. Would he have an ally in Atu? “What do you think, dude?”
“We’ve only scratched the surface, and Kayla has already raised two very real risks. What others haven’t we thought of yet? And could they be even more dangerous? I think the gliders can provide information that will help us reach a more informed conclusion,” Atu suggested carefully. “Shall I go see if they’re outside?”
Jaden slumped in his chair. They were all going to veto the idea before it was off the ground. Then he leaped up. “No, I’ll go.”
Before anyone could object, Jaden was halfway to the door. If he gave them enough time, they would come up with more reasons why he shouldn’t, but he just had a feeling that this had to be done. He was so engrossed in his own thoughts, he nearly ran right into Han. “Oh, you’re here.” How was he going to get Han to agree without getting the others involved? “Are the other gliders with you?”
Han studied him before answering. “No, I told them I would investigate why we felt we were needed and summon them if necessary. But I am sensing you’re happier now that you know it’s only me. Why?”
Jaden wished he’d had more time to come up with a plan. But he had to get out of here before the others realized what he was doing, and Han coming alone seemed like a sign. “What I am planning is better if it’s only you and I.”
“I presume this has something to do with that recording you made this morning?” Jaden nodded. “You told the others, but they don’t agree with you?”
Jaden winced. That made him sound like a spoiled kid throwing his toys out of the cot because he didn’t get his own way. “They don’t understand. I know this is what we have to do. But they’re all sitting there and debating it like we have all the time in the world to reach a decision.”
Han’s gaze sharpened. “When you say you know we have to do this, how do you know that?”
“I just have a feeling it’s the right thing to do.” Jaden shrugged. “I don’t have any hard facts or evidence . . .”
“Just one of those feelings of yours,” Han concluded.
Jaden nodded, then sighed. “Do you think this is a terrible idea?”
“That question can’t be answered without a full assessment of the plan. What I can say is that I think it’s foolish to take action without considering the consequences.”
“But we don’t know what the consequences are. All we can do is guess. Look, can we discuss this in the air? I don’t want the others walking out here and finding us.”
“I suppose there’s no harm in that. I’ll be back.”
Han took to the air, and Jaden forcibly relaxed his aching jaw. He hadn’t realized how tense he had been. A second later, Han dropped down, and Jaden aerial-connected. Seconds after that, they were high above the house. It was cold, and Jaden was glad he hadn’t removed his smart suit before dinner.
“Alright, explain yourself more fully,” Han said.
“As I was saying, we can only guess at the consequences. You and Taz don’t really know any more about using the arcachoa than w
e do. That means whatever course we take will be risky. Shouldn’t we just take the chance and trust this feeling I have? I mean, there should be a reason why I sense things, and if this mission isn’t a good reason, then what is?”
“Stop, you’re making my head hurt with all that circular logic,” Han moaned. After a moment’s silence, he added, “You’re obviously set on this. Much as I’m sure I’m going to regret it, I’ll go along with your plan.”
Jaden almost stopped breathing. Had Han just agreed? “Wait, you’ll let me try giving the relic stone to my mom?”
Han’s shoulders rolled under Jaden as he sighed. “Yes. When are we planning to do this?”
“How about now?”
“What? You have no supplies with you. And it’s two days back to your parents’ home. Because that’s where we’ll need to be for this to work.”
“I have my smart suit, my DD, and my relic stone. What else do I need?”
“Food and water.” Han smirked. “With food being your priority, of course!”
“I can order a cash pickup with my PAL. Can we go already? Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet!”
“No, I’m just wondering about giving up the relic stone when it’s such a powerful weapon.”
Jaden sighed. “Yes, I thought about that. But we don’t know of any other artifact that cancels the numbing effects of the EMP, so what choice do I have?”
“Fair enough. Have you contemplated the fact that there may be repercussions for passing the relic stone across timelines?”
Jaden groaned. “Not you too! I was getting enough of the third degree inside.”
“No need to get upset. I don’t know what topics you and the other seekers covered. I only want to be certain you’ve factored in the possibility of . . . other things happening that we might not expect or want.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. And yes, the others were already more than eager to tell me there could be unpalatable side effects. But I haven’t changed my mind. Are you still with me?”
Han chuckled and wheeled away from the house. “Young one, you will be the death of me.”
“Ah, don’t say that.” Jaden grimaced, leaning forward and rubbing the back of Han’s ears. “We’ll be fine!”
“You’ll be the one explaining all this to Tazanna when we succeed, then.” Han grinned.
“Oh, that’s what you meant.” Jaden laughed. “Yeah, she’s going to be a spitfire when she figures out what we did.”
The journey home didn’t take as long. They didn’t encounter any Gaptors along the way, so that helped, as did the fact that Han was trying to get them there before the others caught up. By the time they reached Jaden’s home, they were exhausted. However, they ignored the desperate need for sleep. If the plan didn’t work, they could sleep until the others arrived.
Floating above his home, Jaden removed his medallion from his wrist pouch. “Ready?”
Han nodded, and Jaden placed the medallion in Han’s arcachoa, the medallion-shaped indentation just below the ridge of Han’s neck. This time, Jaden was more prepared for the harrowing trip. When he and Han popped out the other side of the time tunnel, he was relieved to see his mother through the kitchen window.
“Try not to interact with yourself in this timeline,” Han cautioned as Jaden prepared to dismount.
“Yeah, time travel 101,” Jaden replied, making Han frown. “Never mind. I just meant yes, I’ll do that.”
Jaden leaped off Han, landing on the roof. He took a moment to prepare himself before he opened the door. When he glanced back to give Han a thumbs up, he couldn’t help but notice how worried his glider was. “I’ll be alright. I won’t take chances. I’ll get in, try to give my mom the ring, and get back out.”
Han growled. “See that you do. I’ll be waiting.”
With a final salute, Jaden opened the door and entered. It was more than strange to be in his home in this alternate timeline. The hairs on the back of his neck rose as he closed in on the kitchen. Was that a warning? Too late now. He reached for his mother.
Jaden wasn’t prepared when his hand passed right through her. What did I expect? Taking a breath, he pulled the ring off his finger and held it against the area his mother occupied. He almost had a heart attack when his mother jumped.
“Where did you appear from?” Clara asked. “I thought you were upstairs packing!” She trailed off, and abruptly, fear marked her features.
Jaden almost didn’t work it out. Why was she afraid? He scanned the kitchen, expecting to find danger, but saw nothing. His eyes drifted back to his mother. The way she retreated, then peered all around her gave him the clue he needed. The relic stone was no longer touching her. Had he just disappeared when that happened? Stepping toward her, he gingerly placed the relic stone in the area she occupied again. This time, he did his best not to jump away even though she let out a small shriek.
“How do you keep doing that?” his mother demanded. “Stop it! It’s creepy.”
Jaden grinned. It was so good to see her again. Then his smile faded. “Mom, I am upstairs packing.” His mother’s confusion was understandable. “The ‘me’ standing in front of you right now is from the future.” He gave her a moment to process that, then moved on. “I’m sorry if all this sounds unbelievable, but can you trust that what I’m saying is true?”
His mother nodded. “Why are you here?”
Jaden sighed. “Mom, there’s no easy way to say this. Your dream, the one you had about —”
“Yes, I know the one you mean. Get on with it.” A grim expression settled on her face.
“It came true.”
Clara stumbled toward a chair. The sudden movement made her lose contact with the relic stone again. Her eyes searched the room frantically as Jaden hastened after her and put the ring in place again. “Mom, you need to stay connected to the relic stone, or I’ll keep disappearing.”
“Oh, so that’s how you keep doing that,” his mother croaked.
"I'm sorry, I know this is a lot to take in, but I have to hurry. I don’t know how long I can safely be here.”
She waved a hand at him to continue, too overwhelmed to speak.
“This ring counters the numbing effects of the Gaptor’s EMP.” When his mother stared at him blankly, Jaden tried again. “You said that you were numb when you woke up after being taken. I think this ring will counter that. I’ve come back from the future to try give this ring to you, but usually there isn’t any interaction across timelines.” He was losing her again, so he waved an agitated hand in front of her. “Never mind. Can you see if you can take the ring from me? But don’t let me lose contact with it.”
His mother reached out and grasped the ring. “I have it.”
“You can feel it?” Jaden asked, hardly daring to believe this was working.
“Yes,” Clara sighed. “Now what do we do?”
Jaden suddenly realized how much of a burden he had laid on her. Keeping his hand closed over the one holding the ring, Jaden pulled her into a hug. “Mom, I’m so sorry. I know how difficult this is. But I said I would find a way to help you, and I believe this is it.”
His mother stayed where she was, just enjoying the contact. Then she pulled back and gave him a watery smile. “Thank you. Now, what do I have to do with the ring? You said you didn’t have much time.”
Jaden sensed the need to return to Han. “Keep it with the key on that chain—and keep it hidden. Hopefully it will stop you from being numbed so that you and Dad can escape. I wish I could give you more help, but I don’t know where you are, so you’ll have to help yourselves until I can figure that out.”
“Will do.” Clara lifted a hand and placed it against his face. “Now you should go.”
Jaden lifted his own hand, closing it over his mother’s and giving it a squeeze. “I love you.”
“I know, and your father and I love you too. Go. Be safe.”
Jaden turned before she could see the tears welling in his own eyes. As soo
n as his hand left the ring, he felt a chill. No, more than a chill. Like something fundamental had changed in the world around him. Panicking, Jaden raced up the stairs and burst onto the roof. At least Han was still there. “We need to leave,” Jaden shouted.
Han wasted no time, curling up and away before speeding back down for Jaden. Jaden was barely in place before he wrenched his medallion free of the arcachoa. The tunnel of light almost blinded him, appearing out of the blackness that surrounded them. Then he and Han were sucked through, all sounds silenced. In a rush, they were through and thrown back into their own time. But the dread hadn’t dissipated. It sat in his throat, clawing at him, making him want to retch. Something had changed. But what?
Chapter Twenty-One
“Just what did you think you were doing?” Kayla’s voice cut the air, sharp with iciness. Calling her angry was an understatement.
Jaden struggled to free himself from the effects of the time tunnel. Kayla’s presence was unexpected. He hadn’t thought the others would catch up so quickly. Or had he and Han been gone longer than he thought? And were the others here too?
Shaking his head to clear the fog that lingered, screaming that something was wrong, he opened his eyes. Why had his eyes been closed? Did that happen last time he and Han used the arcachoa? Reality snapped back into focus. Yes, they were all here. They were safe. At least that hadn’t changed. The relief coursing through him made him weak, and he tightened his grip on Han before he slipped off. Geez, he was exhausted! How long since he had slept?
“I asked you a question,” Kayla hissed.
Jaden finally looked at her—really looked at her. Anger etched every line of her face from her stormy green eyes to the thin line of her lips. Under the surface though, he saw relief. The two opposing emotions warred with one another, twisting her face into a mask. He sighed. Time to pay the piper. “I’m sorry. You were all taking forever to reach a decision. And I just had a feeling that I was supposed to do what I did. I—”
“You had a feeling?” Kayla lashed out. “You had a feeling? Why didn’t you lead with that when you were telling us your idea?”
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