by Kevin Gordon
It had been two weeks since the old man was knifed to death, since Charlie perished in an accidental fire on Beaver Island, yet Brian couldn’t get either of their faces out of his head. A part of him still felt compassion, still felt guilt over letting himself be abused, over ordering his death, over killing the one man who seemed to truly care about the future of humankind.
But he was learning to smother that compassion.
It helped when Dawn suddenly took an interest in him. While he never trusted her, she had a newfound strength that was oddly compelling. She broke ties with Todd, and began to run a prayer service at Scott. While Brian never believed, never really cared about God, seeing her everyday bring some joy, some hope to those under his command, warmed his heart to her. And when she pursued him aggressively, instead of the teasing he endured with Rachel, something in him broke, and he became hers as she became his, and they, as a team, began to plan for the eventual takeover of the Homestead.
Gustav beamed with pride everyday he saw Brian. All the archetypes saluted him and paraded for him as if he was a new, younger Charlie. The prototypes quickly fell in line behind him also, and soon Brian had Scott organized as it should be, with clear delineations of hierarchy.
Joe found a new respect for him, and they spent some time together. Brian even invited him and Jess to watch the final takeoff of Eve and Enterprise. They now sat in grandstands set up at Scott for the launch, watching as final preparations were made to the ships.
“Are you sad, the way things turned out, son?” asked Joe.
“Not as sad as you were. I understand you so much more. We were both victims of circumstance, as was the whole world. All we can do is make the best of what is given us, and forge ahead.”
“We have launch!” blared a voice on the loudspeaker.
Eve took off, bearing Enterprise and its cargo of ten team members, with Todd as captain. It was a graceful thing, like a gangly white bird, rising confidently and effortlessly into the sky. There was no bombast of thrust or roar of rocket motor like in the old videos of the STS takeoffs, but it was still immensely satisfying to all present. A part of Brian was supremely envious of Todd, but it was fading to a dull roar in the back of his subconscious.
“What do you think they’ll find up there?”
“Does it really matter? They can’t bring all the dead back; they can’t bring back all the plants and animals. We’ve got to do that.”
“You mean you’ve got to do that.”
Brian put his arm around his father. “You know, a lot is going to happen, now that Eve has launched.
“I kinda figured that,” said Joe, with a wry smile. “You and Dawn are really gonna get rid of the council?”
“Yeah. It’s time. My generation will never be settled, until its own kind takes over. The council may have to die, but I know I can make it so they will be the only old ones that do.”
“No riots? No mass genocide?”
“No, father. Rest easy.”
Joe slung his arm around Jess, who giggled in reply. “Wish we could have another child. I do miss Iris.”
“Me too. Me too.” He slung his arm around Dawn. She wasn’t much for that kind of behavior, but she quietly tolerated it, while they were in Brian’s parents’ presence. “I’m sure we can give you something more to care for.” His thoughts suddenly grew nostalgic, as he thought on Rachel lying dead somewhere, with his unborn child inside. While rape may not have been a crime anymore, he did want to start things off fresh in his new rule, and didn’t want any lingering issues to complicate matters. He glanced down at Dawn, and set her free of his grip, meekly cupping her hands in his. She beamed with joy and understanding, and drew him in for a long kiss.
“Ten . . . nine . . .”
“Is that?” The whole complex got to their feet, as an androgynous voice could be heard on every radio, as numbers flashed on every screen.
“Eight . . . Seven . . .”
People bolted for the main pool, a cacophony of bodies tumbling over one another. Dawn broke into a mad dash, while Brian tried to pull his father, but Joe wouldn’t budge, just sitting with Jess at his side.
“Six . . . five . . .”
Joe shoved him away, and smiled at the same time. Brian understood, and ran with all his might to the pool, watching as Dawn dove in.
“Four . . . Three . . .”
He paused, just outside the pool, debating if he really wanted to live.
“Two . . .”
A hand, Gustav’s hand, suddenly reached out, and pulled him in.
“One . . .”
As the waves of time washed over the world, Brian looked out of the water, at his father’s smiling face, his tears mingling with the water of his salvation.
Chapter 20: Interlude 1
“Ten . . . nine . . . eight . . .”
The Countdown began as Enterprise reached minimum orbital altitude. Todd whirled in his seat, double checking the instruments.
“It can’t be!” he yelled. “Not now—not when we’re so close!”
“Seven . . . six . . . five . . .”
“What will happen if we don’t go with the Earth?” asked Sarah, his co-pilot, as the rest of the crew unbuckled their harnesses and gathered around them. “What happens to us?”
“Four . . .”
“The fabric of space time will snap back with a terrible shock,” answered Gordon, the scientist of the group, “most likely destroying us.”
“Three . . .”
“But I can see the Watchers! They’re right there!”
The crew of Enterprise could see the faint detail of one of the ships of the Watchers. It was a golden ship with white stripes along its length, and it hovered tantalizingly close.
“Two . . .”
Todd suddenly switched on the comm. system, frustrated and angry beyond belief. All his life had been building to this launch, all the hopes of humanity pinned on him and his crew, and now he knew, that no matter what, he was going to let them down. It seemed immensely unfair to him, and he knew there was precious little he could do about it.
“Watchers—are you friend or foe!”
“One . . .”
“Tell us—please!”
The Earth suddenly vanished beneath them, taking the moon along with it. And just before the shockwave of the fabric of space-time snapped back, obliterating their ship in an instant, one word came over the comm. system;
“Friend.”
CONTINUED IN SEVENTH AGE OF MAN PART II: MATURATION