by Razi Imam
He flipped over his left wrist and pointed to a tattoo. It was a clock with Roman numerals. The outer edge had waves representing sea or ocean, and the minute and hour hands were in the form of a fish. Maria and Fabienne leaned over for a closer look. It was beautiful.
“You see,” Charles said, “there’s old folklore among the Zulu tribe of Africa that says there’s an animal residing in the deep caverns of the ocean. The Zulu god Nkulunkulu created this marine animal to control time. It’s the one that has given grief to so many sea captains.”
“Hmm, Isikhathi Isilwandle,” Fabienne mused. “I like it, it’s a great name.”
“What other strange things have happened since you found this specimen?” Charles asked, leaning forward.
Fabienne turned to Sebastian, who nodded. Fabienne shared recent events about the specimen and its time nodule, including how the third particle had led them to meeting him here at the coffee shop.
“Cryptozoologists knew of Isikhathi Isilwandle, but we’ve never heard of these other details.” He paused, then asked “How can I help?”
Maria spoke up. “As Sebastian mentioned, we believe this marine animal was found near the Paracel Islands. We need help navigating the islands to find its source.”
“I can do that!” Charles said, unable to hide his excitement.
Sebastian recommended that he and Adora visit them at the base the following morning at nine o’clock.
Charles shook his head, almost interrupting Sebastian. “You expect me to wait until tomorrow morning to get a glimpse of something I have been searching all my professional life? Impossible. I can’t wait that long. Please, I want to come along with you now, if you don’t mind.”
Sebastian checked his watch. It was almost 6:30. The sun was still high in the sky, but not as intense. “Give me two hours to get the proper clearance for you both. How about you come over around eight?”
Charles smiled. “Perfect. We’ll be at the gates of the base at eight o’clock.”
As they all got up to leave, Sebastian paused. “Hey, Charles, did you do the mural at a restaurant in Panama called Ultimo Rufugio?”
Charles’s eyebrows shot up. “Yes, that’s mine,” he said, surprised that Sebastian recognized his work.
“Great work.” Sebastian said. “I knew I’d seen you two before.”
Charles nodded, sitting in a state of shock as the three marine biologists jogged into the distance.
He got up and walked over to the window. He asked Franc if Adora and he could leave for the night, they had an important meeting to attend. Adora looked over from her station and saw the expression on Charles’s face. She had seen it before, something big had happened. Franc had no problem with Adora leaving early and would gladly close up for her. Adora wrapped up the order of the customer at the drive-through window, untied her sarong, neatly folded it, and placed it in a bin assigned for staff.
She waved at her colleagues, and quickly made her way to their car with Charles, who lowered the windows, reversed the car, and made his way out of the parking lot.
“What’s going on Charles?” Adora asked.
“You will not believe what just happened.” Charles said.
He then brought Adora up to speed in his meeting with Sebastian, Maria, and Fabienne. He shared with her that the people he met were actually marine biologists working at Andersen Air Force Base, and they may have found Isikhathi Isilwandle. The reason they had met with them was due to El Sitio, being at the right place at the right time caused by Isikhathi Isilwandle. Adora knew exactly what this meant.
She had supported Charles when he lost his job at the university, when he was repeatedly ridiculed by countless academics, through all the failed expeditions, the hours of waiting, searching, reading clues written on the side of Mayan statues, trekking through inhospitable terrain, getting innumerous bug bites, and carefully avoiding poisonous snakes. And most importantly, she had put her career on hold because she believed in him.
She had met him at the University of Surrey campus. He had a group of students around him, and he used a variety of chalk paint to draw animals on the sidewalk. These animals didn’t look like any regular animal, his stories about them were fascinating. She had stood there watching him move and sway elegantly while drawing pictures and regaling the features of the animals. He had them fully engrossed, and that was where her love for him started. She wanted desperately to be a part of his life, and his passion. Now, after visiting three continents, draining their collective savings over the past many years, and working odd jobs, it appeared that Charles’s wild ideas might finally be getting a break.
“Adora. Adora.” She turned to Charles on hearing her name.
“Where were you?” Charles asked. “You were lost in some deep thought.”
She found him so incredibly irresistible, and at the same time, vulnerable.
“Charles pullover there,” she said pointing.
Charles was confused, but he noticed it was a parking lot of a building and the lot was empty. He chose a spot and brought the car to a complete stop. The office was closed.
Adora looked around and then opened her bun, her hair danced down her back and along her bare shoulders. She moved over to him, stared into his eyes, and began kissing him deeply. Charles was a bit surprised, but loved where this was going. They made passionate love in the parking lot of the Guam Social Heritage Center in the quiet, tropical evening. Their years of pent-up tension, frustration, and anxiety had finally been released.
Charles told her that Sebastian had seen his mural at Ultimo Rufugio. Pulling her tank top over her head and tying her hair back into a bun, she stopped. “That’s where I think I saw Sebastian. I thought I’d seen him before,” she said.
Charles was staring at her. “Okay, now stop staring at me. Let’s get home, we have to change and get to the base tonight.” She kissed him again on the lips. Charles was still a bit dazed, noting and loving the fact that Adora was such a flirt. If there was any delay, it was due to Adora’s sudden and loving escapade. Adora to him was strong, sexy, and most of all, extremely intelligent. The fact that she was with him was easily the best thing that had ever happened to him. She was his true hidden animal.
BACK AT THE hangar, the click of the small door’s electronic lock echoed into the rafters. Shiloh, Nidal and Michelangelo lifted their heads, expecting to see Sebastian and the team. Instead, two men walked in, and Shiloh’s heart began to race.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Déjà Vu
“Are you jealous of the ocean’s generosity?
Why would you refuse to give this joy to anyone?”
~ Rumi
“HELLO, SHILOH,” THE procurement officer said. With him was the cadet who had delivered their mat. “I made it a point to deliver the crystals myself. I didn’t have the necessary clearance, so I asked our lead cadet responsible for your security to accompany me. I hope you don’t mind.” The cadet once again appeared to be overly curious, looking at all the devices and honing on the opaque incubator.
Nidal and Michelangelo left their work and joined them.
“Thank you, you didn’t have to make the trek. Couriers would have been fine.” Shiloh opened the box, confirming it housed the crystals he needed.
“No problem at all, it was my pleasure,” the officer said. Shiloh walked them to the door, thanking them again.
Moments later, Sebastian, Maria, and Fabienne busted in, sweaty and a bit out of breath from running hard. Maria and Fabienne headed straight to the showers, while Sebastian sat at the kitchen table and drank some water. He had Poseidon bring up pictures of Charles and Adora on one monitor, and their complete dossier on another. Shiloh, Nidal, and Michelangelo joined him.
“So, what happened?” Shiloh asked. “Did you guys find the expert?”
Sebastian, between taking big gulps, spoke. “We did, and it is a fascinating story.” He brought them up to speed.
“So, this validates our understanding of the
third time particle,” Shiloh said, listening to the details.
“Yes, that would be putting it mildly. Now I’m working on getting approval for them to visit us tonight,” Sebastian said.
Maria and Fabienne emerged from the showers, and the team decided to make dinner. This time, Nidal and Michelangelo took the lead and began to prepare spaghetti aglio e olio. The aroma of fresh garlic being fried with dried red peppers filled the hangar and attracted everyone to the kitchen.
Fabienne decided to help by making a large salad. She opened the freezer, looking for green peas, and came across a full pomfret—a blunt-headed fish abundant in the Indian Ocean. It was packed in a service tray covered with plastic wrap. She stared at it for a moment. “Strange,” she said to no one in particular. “We have one fish set to change the course of human history, and another all prepped for human consumption.” She shook her head and closed the freezer, going back to her salad.
As they all sat down for the meal, Shiloh shared that he had gotten his crystals to make the portable device, and that the procurement officer and lead cadet had delivered them to him.
“What, they just barged in?” Sebastian asked. “We’ve got to develop a better protocol for people coming into the hangar.”
They had just finished clearing up when Sebastian’s phone buzzed. It was an automated text informing that Charles and Adora were being escorted to the hangar.
All eyes fell on them as they entered. Adora gave the impression of an Arabian princess with a swan like neck and straight back supporting her hip-length, bone-straight black hair. She wore denim shorts with a sleeveless red-checkered shirt, both ends of her shirt tied in a knot above her navel. Charles wore a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and black jeans. His strong hands and muscled forearms showed off his significant tattoos, and they were clear evidence that he had seen a lot of outdoor work. Both smiled, their eagerness visible in their eyes.
Sebastian and Maria shook hands and walked them toward the center of the hangar. Charles and Adora took in the jet parked to one side, and the series of scientific equipment arranged in a semicircle, forming a command center.
Shiloh glanced at the four of them walking over and could not help but observe the pairing. He stepped up to introduce himself. Adora automatically smiled at him, that elusive attraction Shiloh possessed instantly appealing to her. Maybe it was his innocent, boyish look, or his smiling eyes. She could not put a finger on exactly why but she felt a strong fascination for him nevertheless. Michelangelo and Nidal introduced themselves. Lastly, Fabienne wandered over and greeted them as well.
After the customary introductions, Fabienne led them to the incubator. “Are you ready?”
Charles nodded, not sure what he was about to see. Removing a pair of thin-framed glasses from his shirt pocket, he put them on and kneeled as close as he could to the glass. He also took out a soft leather-bound diary from his back pocket and a small pencil. “Ready,” he whispered, taking in a deep breath. Adora leaned close beside him, her hand on his shoulder.
Fabienne flipped the switch and the glass cleared, displaying the hidden animal. “Oh, my God!” Charles gasped. He felt a sharp pain in his stomach, as if someone had punched him. The magnificent fish sat a mere twelve inches away from him, its hypnotic luminescent nodule in a Petri dish beside it. He kept staring, unable to believe his eyes.
He lifted his hands and touched the glass. “Have you any idea what a significant find this is? What this means?” He began sketching making broad strokes in his diary.
Sebastian gestured everyone to gather at a table that faced the whiteboards, now covered with notes from the three particles already tested. He shared the details of their adventure, of finding the specimen, their trip to Vietnam, Dr. Vu Ha, and Pham Kai the fisherman, hinting at the possibility of finding the source of this hidden animal near the Paracel Islands.
Charles took copious notes as Sebastian spoke. “I still can’t believe what I’m hearing. I do have a question,” he said, holding his pencil in the air.
“Yes, go ahead,” Sebastian, urged.
“When you do find the source of Isikhathi Isilwandle, what do you plan to do?” Charles asked.
“Protect it from poachers, safeguard its habitat, and learn to biomimic its capabilities,” Sebastian replied. “This is why we all signed up for this job.”
Charles closed his notebook satisfied with the answer and then asked a second question. “How secure are you guys here at the base? How many people know about this find?”
“Good question,” Sebastian responded. “The brigadier general has increased security around the hangar, and a drone follows us around when we so much as go for a jog. Also, no one can enter this hangar without proper security clearance.”
Charles nodded and did not push the question further.
Adora, taking advantage of the pause in the conversation, asked Fabienne, “You mentioned that the nodule has six sides, each with an indented mark, a sort of symbol. Can I see them?” Fabienne brought up the images on the two large monitors.
As Adora studied the images, her expression changed. “I know these biological symbols!” She pulled out her phone and started searching it. “Yes, that’s it,” she said, handing her phone to Fabienne. “Can you display this picture on the monitors with the others?”
“Sure,” Fabienne said. The picture was of an ancient Mayan stone tablet with rugged edges, about the size of a large book. There were dozens of small squares etched into it, and in each were two symbols.
Sebastian drew closer to the monitor. The symbols had faded over time and were hard to identify, but halfway through the tablet he recognized the biological symbol that appeared on the first side of the nodule. It was the side that emitted Rahpido particles, and next to it was a Mayan symbol of a man sleeping. “What does this mean?” Sebastian asked.
“I think this hidden animal may have been abundant in waters close to what we now know as Panama and South America,” Adora explained. “We know the Mayans were a race of expert mathematicians and had a sophisticated understanding of astronomy and time. At several archeological sites, we’ve found elaborate tablets with symbols such as these etched in them. We never could understand what they meant, but now it’s making sense. If the Mayans had somehow come in contact with Isikhathi Isilwandle, and if they had figured out how to mimic its abilities, it explains a lot about why the invading European armada had such a difficult time finding them. It also suggests some possible solutions to their many mysteries.”
“Do you know what any of the Mayan symbols signify?” Sebastian asked.
She gazed at the monitor. “I do recognize them. They’re varied representations of Mayan life and people. For example, the first side of the nodule that you tested and lost twenty-two hours in the real world, that accompanying symbol on the Mayan tablet signifies a human sleeping. I never could understand what this meant before today. But if that particle helps you pass time, maybe they somehow used it to hibernate during the winter months. They could have slept for eight hours and passed days or longer in real time.”
“Wow, this is fascinating,” said Shiloh.
“What about the second symbol?” Maria chimed in.
The second side of the nodule was accompanied by a Mayan symbol of a child and a man. Adora smiled. “Wow, this is unreal. For the longest time, archeologists have been fascinated by stories represented in hieroglyphs that during war times, Mayan baby boys were taken into a red mist, emerging as adult’s only days later. Isn’t that what happened to you guys? You spent five hours surrounded by red mist, and when you stepped out, only five minutes had passed in the real world. This is all making sense now.”
“What about the third symbol—the time particle that gave us the premonition to meet you at the coffee shop?” Fabienne asked.
Adora stared at it. “Of course, the Mayan symbol connected to the third side of the nodule is of two men walking toward each other, one holding a bow and the other an arrow
. Meaning they both have something of value to each other and meet at the right time.”
“Adora, your analysis of the symbols on the first three sides is amazing,” Sebastian said. “Can you decipher the three symbols on the remaining sides that we haven’t tested?”
She nodded. The accompanying symbol of the fourth side of the nodule was of a Mayan king. It didn’t make sense to her. She went back to her bag and consulted a notebook. “Oh, wow,” she said reading her notes. “I don’t believe this. There’s an ancient myth about a king who never aged. He remained young for centuries. His people thought he was a god. It might mean that the particle emitted from the fourth side somehow stops our bodies from aging.”
Fabienne gasped. And everyone sat thinking about the implications. Could the nodule really be affecting aging? She typed something into her computer. Scanning through an article, she started to read aloud. “‘In 2007, three American scientists, Francrey Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael Young received the Nobel prize for their work on isolating the gene that regulates our body clock. They called it the ‘Timeless’ gene.’ This time particle may somehow affect that gene.’”
Adora nodded and hiding the tremor of her hands she continued to leaf through her diary. “The fifth symbol is a set of twins, representing duality.” She paused. “I’m not sure what a time particle has to do with duality.”
Sebastian started pacing. “I think I may have a theory. What if the fifth particle allowed two people working on the same task to have the same thoughts at the same time? It’s called the ‘Twins Paradox,’ because twins have been known to have the exact same thoughts at the same time.”
“That could explain it,” Adora agreed. She moved on to the sixth and last symbol. “If I’m reading this right, there are two Mayan symbols representing the sixth symbol, and they have been decoded as repetition and memory.”
“What does that mean?” Fabienne asked.
Michelangelo spoke up. “This may be a stretch, but what if the time particle from the sixth side creates a time field that allows you to experience some kind of déjà vu? We all know déjà vu hasn’t been explained by science, yet we’ve all experienced it at one time or another. What if this particle creates, for lack of a better term, a ‘time memory,’ or a ‘time loop?’ ”