The Pathfinder Trilogy

by Todd Stockert

  “I believe we were meticulously and deliberately created as emotional beings to bring diversity into our mix,” noted Thomas. “We were meant to grow and evolve into something better over time, learning from our mistakes. But the proverbial forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge comes with a price… it allows us to choose whether we want to be good or evil.”

  “Maybe the life of Jesus wasn’t the final Covenant,” suggested Noriana Roh. She had been content merely to listen up until now, but looked to each of them, one by one. “Don’t you see? The Bible was written by the people of those times who were writing down what they believed was going on… what they thought they were seeing and hearing. What just happened on Earth is very similar. Perhaps it is a new Covenant, one that promises us that we will be watched over even in our greatest hour of need.”

  “We’re the people living in this time,” acknowledged Glen with a wide smile. “Perhaps we get to decide what this Covenant is… to write what we believe has happened for later generations to ponder.”

  “Trust me, it’s ridiculously easy to misread this David entity,” Adam countered somewhat skeptically. “What happened on Earth could easily be a mulligan, a one-time ‘do over’. It could be serving as a warning to never again let down our guard so completely. The message could just as easily be, ‘don’t ever let this happen again’.”

  Kaufield laughed at Adam’s cautious manner. “Then our records of these recent events, even though they’ll be written by people from a more knowledgeable, modern civilization, will end up just as diverse. What we record should be just as full of optimism and pessimism as ancient history. Isn’t that the way it should be?”

  Shortly thereafter, the meeting was adjourned.

  *

  An hour later found Thomas standing in front of the door to Adam’s quarters aboard the Lexington. Noriana answered the door and hugged him, quite obviously glad to have both of the Roh brothers back again. She had already stated that any future ‘implant missions for Kaufield’ would be handled by her. Thomas and Adam would only be serving on Sentinel duty now – they had more than earned the reprieve. She and Adam were in the process of finishing a light dinner, and they immediately invited Thomas to join them. He quickly agreed, noting that it was good to be eating real, cooked food again after almost a week of mostly MREs.

  Accepting a plate of food, Thomas studied the two of them carefully. “I gave Fika to Valiana,” he told them. “Kari and I obviously don’t have room for a dog that big back in our yard on Tranquility. Since both of them have committed violent acts – mostly against their inner nature – I thought it would be fitting to put them together. They’ve both seen the good and the bad inside themselves, and can heal each other with kindness.”

  “That was a great idea Thomas,” smiled Nori appreciatively.

  “You served in the U.S. military,” he mentioned to her. “I know I’m Monday-morning quarterbacking fifteen years late, but just how the hell did we permit a nuclear holocaust to occur on Earth? What did we do wrong that allows something like that Brotherhood to rise to power and destroy all of Earth?”

  She smiled ruefully before responding. “How does that kind of thing ever happen?” she replied, answering his question with another question. “Sometimes evil sneaks up on you, bit by bit and you don’t see it coming. And historically it has always been inaction on our part that triggers the larger wars. There was a lot going on prior to both of the first two world wars, but most countries tried to isolate themselves from it all – America included. ‘If we intervene,’ the isolationists repeatedly told us, ‘we will suffer military casualties. Let other countries solve their own problems’. That’s always the way things are… it’s very easy to convince people to look the other way, and then the worst of the problems grow progressively worse with the passage of time. They’re like a snowball rolling downhill. By the time they’re large enough to see, it’s too late. A world war is in progress and casualties end up numbering in the millions rather than hundreds or simple thousands. It’s tougher and much harder to address problems while they’re still relatively small, but that’s the time to stop them.”

  “Pearl Harbor is a great example, but the birth of the Brotherhood of the Dragon is a better one,” Adam growled as he finished his meal. “Three times now, smaller conflicts have had to escalate to the point where they affected us directly before people allowed themselves to recognize the truth. And the third time our weapons had developed to the point where even the sacrifice of billions became unavoidable.” He shook his head and pushed his plate in. “People are so damn stupid sometimes… as long as bad things are happening outside their safe borders, well, then it’s just not our problem…until it IS our problem.”

  “Maybe this time people will remember,” suggested Nori thoughtfully. “There was so much death and Earth is still scarred from the war, even if animals and plant life are flourishing again.”

  Adam shook his head. “I don’t think so,” he said. “Remember the 9-11 terrorist attacks? That was the beginning of modern terrorism in the twenty-first century. And yet, as soon as several new generations matured into adulthood, it was a distant memory. The seeds for what happened to us were planted right then and there. All it took was time for the rot to grow and a lot of politicians who postponed the problem, leaving it to their successors.” He looked Thomas directly in the eyes. “I wouldn’t have done any of it – this mission or the Wasteland – if it wasn’t for Kaufield. He is the only leader I’ve ever met with a focus on positive outcomes instead of a political agenda. Without him they would have had to find someone else. I trust him with my life.”

  “I know,” his brother replied. “Me too.”

  Adam noticed Nori begin to stack plates. “Why don’t you let us do that?” he suggested to her. “Go for a walk or something… if you don’t mind, I need to visit privately with Thomas for a while.”

  “Okay,” she stated gratefully, bending over long enough to kiss him firmly on his left temple. “Mary said the logistics of trying to handle a new Earth government, in addition to our work on Tranquility, is proving to be a huge challenge for our President. Perhaps I’ll stop by the Command and Control center and take a look at their plan. I’ve got a few suggestions that should help her out.” Again she kissed him tenderly on his forehead. “Welcome back husband,” she stressed firmly. “Don’t plan on going anywhere for a long while.”

  “I won’t,” he said with a huge grin. “My combat days are behind me.”

  They watched her leave, with Thomas still nibbling at a small serving of beef tips and gravy over pasta. “I’m almost done,” he told his brother, reaching for another biscuit. “Then I’ll help you clean up.”

  “I’ve got a better idea,” Adam proposed in response. Rising to his feet, he moved into the small adjoining bedroom and came back with a large, charred fireproof box. The two of them had found it on Earth, in the ruins of their parents’ home and brought it back with them. He set the large box on the table with a heavy clunking noise, pushing it toward Thomas. “How about I clean up the dishes while you open this? It’s all we have left of our family now, and I must confess to being very curious to see what’s in there.”

  “Okay,” agreed Thomas instantly. He too stood up and activated his implant’s defensive shield around his right hand. Enhancing his normal strength, he grabbed the locking mechanism holding the box tightly sealed. It was a standard, home-sized fireproof safe, designed to preserve precious legal documentation and family heirlooms in the event of a catastrophe. Their parents had used the box ever since the Roh brothers were kids – Thomas felt a bit of exhilaration, knowing that he was about to touch at least a part of what his parents had once been… right before the end. “I’m glad we didn’t find their bodies in that house.”

  “I don’t think there are any to be found,” noted Adam as he scooped up kettles, plates and silverware while moving into the room’s small kitchen. “The ones in the street were gone after the energy w
ave passed over us. In areas where people are still living they were all buried shortly after the war.” He shrugged his shoulders as he filled a sink full of hot soapy water. “It makes sense, given that a lot of people are going to start returning home now that all nations are livable. Having to come home to the incinerated or rotting remains of loved ones would simply force everyone to relive the pain of everything all over again.” He sighed heavily, contemplating the matter. “Whoever sent that energy wave really planned ahead.”

  Using his enhanced strength, Thomas squeezed the fire-safe’s lock until the metal squealed with fatigue. He pulled the entire mechanism loose. Glancing enthusiastically toward his brother, he opened the lid and began removing all kinds of folders containing a variety of papers and legal documents. “Last will and testament,” he read from one folder’s tag. “Living will and trusts, vehicle titles, property and income taxes, insurance documents… this is all mostly legal stuff,” he said with a very disappointed frown. “I was hoping that they would put a flash drive or something in here – it would’ve been great to have additional family pictures other than the ones we took with us.”

  “Keep looking,” Adam suggested. “I heard something clunking around in there.”

  “That would be Dad’s coin collection,” grinned Thomas, pulling a large, heavy cloth sack out of the safe. It jingled when he set it on the table. “This will be legendary… priceless in fact. There are coins from countries all over the world in here, souvenirs from all of the places Dad traveled during his working years.” Abruptly he paused, removing the last of the folders and searching the very bottom of the deep box. “Oh… wow… Adam, take a look at this,” said the young scientist with renewed enthusiasm. He removed a small brass pocket watch and gold chain from the box. “David really did know what he was doing. He guided us back through time and then right back home to everything that was left for us… this is Dad’s watch! It’s been passed down through the family for at least four generations!”

  “Let me see that,” Adam decided suddenly, leaving behind the dishes. He accepted the object from his brother and opened it up. “There is a photo of Mom and Dad in here,” he grinned cheerfully. “And it’s a recent one too. This is a wonderful find, Thomas!”

  His brother didn’t respond immediately, causing him to turn toward his brother thoughtfully. “Adam, there’s also a note.” Thomas held up a carefully folded letter.

  It was deadly quiet in the small room for a few precious seconds. “Read it,” Adam said finally.

  Thomas opened up the paper carefully, tears appearing at the corners of his eyes. “I can’t,” he admitted, handing the letter to Adam. “I can’t Adam. Not right now.”

  His brother accepted the piece of paper. “Then I will,” he said. “My dearest Adam and Thomas,” he began earnestly. “It’s in Dad’s handwriting!” He cleared his throat and continued reading.

  “My dearest Adam and Thomas,

  By now you will have heard about the war that is tearing apart our world. At first the bright flash of the bomb blasts and shockwaves was distant, restricted to the larger cities and military installations. And yet they grow closer to us with each passing day, and your mother and I know that not much time is left.

  We tried to contact you on the moon but all private communications have been down for several days now. Military channels are no doubt still operating, but they have no time for us. Your mother is upstairs right now, trying to find any news channels still on the air so she can learn whether or not America can even fight back before everything ends up destroyed. We talked about putting together something special for you to remember us by, but there isn’t time. The end will arrive at any moment. It’s only a matter of time now.

  You both have our love.

  If any of us survive this war then it will truly be a miracle. In case one or both of you does make it home, I’m leaving my watch behind along with this note. The two of you can decide who gets it… I’m hoping that one day a grandkid or two can fight over it. Please know that my biggest regret is that we didn’t get to see you or even visit via video chat one final time. Not knowing what happened to you is the worst thing; it has torn your mother apart emotionally. You two are the brightest stars in our world, both smart as a whip and people who really could have elevated our culture to a new level. We’re so proud of both of you.

  I’ve got to go comfort your mother now; and we will love and care for each other with whatever time is left to us.

  May God bless you both and keep you safe,

  Dad”

  Tear streamed down Thomas’ face as he listened to his brother read the words. “It’s a message from Dad,” he said slowly, trying to wrap his mind around the astonishing, unexpected find. “It’s a fifteen year old message from our parents!”

  Adam simply stood there for a moment and let his brother shed his excess emotions by crying. It was something Thomas had not always known how to do. “Well obviously I can’t take Dad’s watch,” he told his younger brother with a small smile. “I already have one.”

  “You’re the oldest,” protested Thomas. “You should have it!”

  “I already have one,” Adam pointed out, producing the infamous silver watch that David had given to him in the Wasteland. “The inside of the cover is blank now. Perhaps I’ll put a family picture in there.”

  There was another prolonged silence as Thomas thought the matter over very carefully. “No, you should have Dad’s watch,” he insisted after fully evaluating the situation. “Let me keep the note and your silver watch in exchange for Dad’s. I want to do some experiments on that alien timepiece and see if I can figure out how it works.” He wiped away tears from his face and then scratched his head. “I’m still not sure if it’s preprogrammed with a sentient artificial intelligence of some kind or if it’s merely some kind of sophisticated transceiver.”

  Adam raised an eyebrow, clearly startled. “A transceiver?” He chuckled nervously. “That’s the most disturbing thing I’ve heard yet, Thomas. The idea that David has been covertly monitoring us all this time is frightening.”

  Now that he had a problem to solve, Thomas perked up noticeably. “It has to be programming of some sort,” he concluded. “Otherwise there would have to be a micro-wormhole structure of some kind, or its equivalent, in place for him to send and receive transmissions.”

  “Maybe there is and it’s so remarkably new we simply don’t yet have the means to detect it,” suggested Adam with a shrug. “You keep talking about a higher level of science, something that transcends everything we traditionally understand. Maybe it is a ‘magic’ of some kind.”

  “But surely Noah’s people would know something about that kind of capability?”

  “Well, they’ve kept secrets from us before, now haven’t they?” He smiled reassuringly at his brother and handed over the silver watch. “Agreed… I’ll take Dad’s watch if you keep David’s along with the note. We’ll both have something to remember the family by, and you can look into discovering how that blasted thing works.” He exhaled with frustration. “I must confess I would feel a lot better we did know.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m not sure that it’s completely finished with us yet,” he growled irritably. “It took years after the Wasteland mission ended, it waited until you developed time travel capability before it got excited enough to activate. Since we’re going to continue our alliance with Noah’s people, I’m sure it will want to keep an eye on what else we figure out.”

  Thomas laughed, his mood lightening noticeably. “Well, I’ll be right here keeping an eye on it, and I’m pretty good at unlocking the secrets of the universe!”

  “Good.”

  “Very good.”

  The two of them hugged each other warmly.

  *

  President Kaufield was on the Lexington’s command bridge, taking a night shift to allow Admiral Henry a reprieve, when Noriana arrived. “Mary is done for the night and has already gone off-shi
ft,” he told her, “so if you came up here to work, you’re wasting your time. Why don’t you go find her and do something relaxing for a change?” He smiled at her with satisfaction. “All of our usual, toughest problems are under control for a change. I’m just passing the time with a few friends.” He waved casually at the on-duty staff, one of whom smiled wryly at him in response.

  “You know me,” Adam’s dark-haired wife replied brusquely. “I wanted to work.” She folded her arms and paused next to him, looking out of the windows at the breathtaking curve of the Earth. “I never expected to see our planet whole again,” she admitted. “I really thought we blew the biggest opportunity the universe ever gave to a group of sentient life forms.”

  “Earth is a mighty prize,” Kaufield agreed. He glanced at her with mild concern. “How are the Roh brothers? Are those boys going to be okay?”

  “Yes,” she nodded definitively. “Dr. Simmons believes Adam suffered no ill effects from his brief… death. And Thomas has really come a long way – she was astonished at how well he handled himself, especially during the brief time Adam was unavailable to him. He finished those programming changes using only an eye HUD, hooked himself briefly to the Lexington’s CAS drive, and managed to defeat an unknown, powerful enemy with our enhanced energy source powering his wrist guns.”

  The President rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “The CAS drive hookup is what impressed me,” he decided. “He knew that he was basically going to hang an entire warship and its crew out to dry, whatever our situation was, so he made certain that his connections were as brief as possible. That took cunning and precision timing. He controlled his anxiety in a tough situation and I’m really proud of him.”