Drake picked up their daughter, Roux carried their son, and together the Collins family entered the portal. Trok stepped with them into the lights, and once inside he made the hand motion to close the swirl.
It opened again in the living room of a country home on the other side of the Northern Continent.
Outside time
After leaving the Collins family in their new home, I reentered the swirling light’s realm. It was then I discovered a new portal window, a new glimpse of the future. Curious, I floated in the lights to see what this future held.
It was devastating.
In less than an hour, I’d finally begin my work as a Bearer. But I couldn’t be happy about why this was so.
I’ve sensed the end approaching, I thought. When you’ve been at this as long as I have, you learn to recognize the signs. But I’m not ready for this.
My armband pager activated. I read the screen and saw a message from my brother. The message said only that he needed my help, and I suspected Lee must be desperate if willing to break his long silence.
This only reinforced that this horrible future was already in motion.
Making the now-familiar motion with my hand, I opened a portal and stared absentmindedly at the snowy forest. I forced myself not to show foreknowledge in my expression, and I prepared to see my brother. Then I stepped into reality.
Real time
As Trok emerged from the swirling portal, he saw a thick mist hanging over the woods where the Kota remnant camped. The early morning hour meant no one stirred outside the tents. The remnant had been forced into these woods in the northwestern region only a few days ago. In the snow, tracks from the Kota’s few vehicles could still be seen leading up the hill into the camp.
They don’t even know how to cover their tracks, thought Trok. It’s a miracle the Dominion’s taken this long to find them.
Despite the eerie setting, Trok felt no connection with the physical world around him. He did, however, have a strong sense of apprehension.
As Trok approached Lee’s family tent, he saw his brother standing outside its opening. From the look on Lee’s face, Trok guessed his feeling of uneasiness was warranted.
It was strange to Trok that Lee was bodily older than himself now. Lee’s face was wrinkled, his hair fading, and his eyes were full of stress. Trok knew at once that Lee’s once dignified spirit was defeated. The determined pride of his youth had burned out. Trok had always loved Lee’s confident look, even as quarreling children and later as bickering adults. It was disturbing to see his sullen expression now.
Everything looks exactly the same as the future window showed me, thought Trok. Even Lee. I knew this would be hard…
“Lee, what’s wrong?” Trok kept his voice low so he wouldn’t wake anyone.
“I need your help,” Lee said in a cloudy breath. “The Dominion is coming. Today. We can’t run this time. Somehow they know where we are. Please, I need you to take my children away before the drones get here.”
Trok couldn’t explain his foreknowing sadness to Lee, so he simply nodded. “Okay. I’ll take them.”
Lee let out a short sigh of relief. Had he doubted Trok would help? “Trok, for what it’s worth-”
Trok stepped forward and put his hand on Lee’s shoulder.
Our quarrels mean nothing now, thought Trok. There’s no time for it.
“It’s all right, Lee. You were right about one thing; a plan is at work here. Take that as comfort, dear brother. We’ve known I’m meant to foster these children, so now it’s my turn to see if I’m up to the task. I’ll do everything I can for your children. The Dominion won’t get their way. These prophecies will be fulfilled. I promise you that.”
With a sad smile, Lee said, “And you used to be the doubtful one.”
The tent flap opened as a dark-haired, slender, six-year-old girl slipped outside to stand at her father’s side. The girl’s deep green eyes looked up at Trok. Her face was pretty, but her eyes fixed on Trok in a way he’d never seen a child’s look.
Loree has a bit of her mother in her, thought Trok. But she also looks like…like she has a sense of purpose. My goodness. After five centuries and then some, I’m finally in the presence of the Warrior Leader destined to save Earth.
It was an incredible thought, and Trok understood why the Kota remnant was equally mystified by the girl. But, seeing this girl now brought his work into perspective. This was a real girl. A real child. And she had a tremendous duty ahead.
Lee also examined his daughter, and apparently he was thinking much the same as his brother. “Loree’s the firstborn child with the Mark. She’s the Leader of the Warriors. These children will wipe evil from Earth, and she will lead them.”
“The two Collins children are safe,” said Trok. “I’ve seen to it.”
Lee nodded with a passable degree of concern. He bent at the waist to his daughter’s level and said in a sweet tone, “Loree, this is Trok, your uncle.”
Just then, a lovely blond woman came out of the tent. Zada cried quietly so she didn’t wake the boy she held. She looked at Trok in slight surprise, but she seemed to know who he was and why he was there. She whispered to him, “Please, take care of them.”
Them, thought Trok. Not him. Zada cares as much for Loree as she does for her own son. This is a good woman. It’s a shame she didn’t come along first…
Lee took his sleeping son. “This is Zaak.”
Trok exchanged a look with his brother. Neither of them said a word about it, but it was clear from the name that Lee was seeking redemption. Trok had assumed Lee would name his son after himself, but the name ‘Zaak’ showed humility that Trok hadn’t expected. Zaak was named mostly after Zada, as Kota tradition guided. In a way, Lee had honored Trok’s own change in name – he’d acknowledged the Kandoya family name as Trok had done by placing a ‘k’ on the end.
The children’s uncle took Zaak from Lee and looked at Loree where she now peered at him from behind her stepmother. Loree must’ve been told the plan, and Trok was relieved she didn’t object when Lee gently ushered her toward her uncle. Trok adjusted the boy on his side and used his free hand to open a portal. Then he held out this hand for Loree, and she placed her small hand in his.
Now, thought Trok.
Zada shrieked as a portal opened, but Trok knew from his earlier view of this point in future time that the portal hadn’t caused her outcry. The serene peace of morning that had made the situation bearable ended in that moment.
“Vedanleé,” Lee gasped. “What are you doing?”
Trok turned and saw his brother’s ex-wife with a group of Dominion-cloned drone soldiers at the bottom of the hill. Vedanleé’s otherworldly, spindly, golden hair hung to her knees. Trok noted she was still absolutely beautiful, but her beauty had turned unnatural and grotesque at the same time. After a sneer, Vedanleé started running up the hill straight for them. Greater than fifty Dominion drones followed, and Trok knew there’d be no escape for the Kota remnant.
Nothing that followed happened quietly. The drone soldiers swarmed the camp, doing what they were programmed to do. They dragged many terrified Kota men and women out of tents and killed them on the spot. Soon chaos broke out across the hilltop, and the condemned Kota ran for their lives as the drones laid waste to the campsite. Fires erupted among the tents, and cries filled the air as the drones fired their assault weapons into the running crowds.
Trok, disconnected, watched as if this scene moved in slow motion. Then Loree squeezed his hand, and Trok snapped to life and tried to help Lee and Zada find an escape. But, deep down and with increasing awareness, Trok knew there’d be none.
Vedanleé ran straight for them, and it was clear she’d be no more merciful than the drones. Her eyes turned on Trok when she saw he had her daughter, and her pace quickened.
Lee yelled at him. “Trok, get my children out of here!”
Trok looked at his brother in anguish. “I’m so sorry I can’t do more-”
Trok held the boy as they entered the swirling light, and the girl clung to his other arm. Trok tried to make the motion to close the portal, but Zaak was now wide awake and trying to get free. Loree wouldn’t let go of his other arm.
Vedanleé struck Lee and Zada aside as she rushed toward the portal’s opening. Trok scrambled to close the portal, but Vedanleé grabbed her daughter’s leg and pulled. Loree screamed in terror, and Trok strained to hold her. Zaak continued to cry and squirm for freedom, and the jostling didn’t allow Trok to focus on the boy’s sibling. Loree screamed again as Vedanleé pulled her halfway back out of the portal. The drones closed in, and Trok knew he had little time.
Vedanleé also realized this and glared at Trok. “You have a choice, Immortal! Give me Loree and escape with the boy, or lose both of them and your own life. It’s up to you. I have no interest in the boy.”
“Why are you doing this?” Trok shouted over the gunfire and screams in the camp. “Veda, the Dominion will kill Loree! You know the prophecies!”
Vedanleé tightened her hold on her daughter. “I’ve made a deal with Thurston. I was to lead his drones to exterminate the Kota, and he was to let me take Loree and go free. He’ll never keep that promise, but I’ve made sure he’ll pay. I’ve used my arts so he’ll perish the instant he sends anyone after Loree or me. I’m going to take her and go free, now that I’ve kept my end of the deal.” For emphasis, she looked behind her at the burning Kota camp.
Will that curse work? thought Trok. Do such things really work?
Vedanleé locked eyes with him. “Thurston Olander will never kill anyone ever again. My sons will soon rule his Dominion, and Loree and I will be safe. I don’t care about these prophecies. It’s brought me nothing but pain! I just want what’s mine! We’ll disappear, Trok. Loree will be safe. I promise. Just give me what I brought into this world of my own great pain! You know I deserve this! Give me my child, or lose your life and the life of the boy!” She looked frantic.
For a brief instant, Trok felt sorry for the crazed woman. He saw the drones approaching, and his heart sank as he made his decision. He’d seen this of the future, and he at last accepted that it had to be.
Trok released Loree as the drones reached Vedanleé, and the girl was pulled out of the portal with a final scream. Trok then quickly made the prescribed motion that closed the portal as the drones hurried to reach him.
Outside time
The portal closed before the drones could enter.
I floated in the portal’s pulsing lights while the boy clutched my chest. At once, I snapped alive so I was wholly myself again, and I gasped and sobbed as I realized what had happened.
“No, no, no. Why this way? Why?”
Taking a moment, I sought a way to undo this horror. But, no, there was nothing I could do. As the Interceder, not even I could alter what was meant. I’d seen this catastrophe in a future window, and such futures were never alterable. I should’ve better prepared myself. But no fate had ever struck this close to home.
My brother was dead.
Our Kota people were exterminated.
The Warrior children, the hope for mankind’s future that I’d sought for so long, were scattered.
I took a deep breath. “Calm down.” I held the boy and closed my eyes. “Think…”
The Collins children were with their parents, for the time, but I suspected they couldn’t hide forever. Loree was lost, but I knew Vedanleé genuinely loved her and would protect Loree for as long as she could. I had Zaak, but I couldn’t think of anyone who’d be able to keep him safe. My only option was to take Zaak somewhere and raise the boy myself.
Yes, I thought. I’ll raise Zaak. And I’ll train so I can prepare him for anything he might need to do. As the only Marked child in my direct care, Zaak will be the one I’ll use to unite the Warriors.
I’d watch after each Warrior, but I suspected much would take place before their reunion. Until then, I’d trust that things were under control, though certainly not mine.
Completely inept, I looked down at the boy against my chest. Zaak was staring at the churning lights. He clutched my armband pager and didn’t seem willing to release his grip of me. He was only a toddler, but what potential did he have? I’d seen enough of history to respect how things take time to develop into greatness. Someday, the destined boy in my arms would become one of the four Warriors who’d drive evil from Earth.
What do I know about taking care of a child? I thought. Oh, well. Now I am indeed a Bearer, and my life no longer belongs to me. From now on, these Warrior children are all that matter. I promised Lee that much.
Part III
The Warriors Prophecy
__________
10
“I’m an enigma”
Real time
When Thurston Olander’s heir inherited the Dominion throne, he made swift upgrades to the global empire. First, Cruelthor relocated the Dominion seat of power to a metropolis now called Capital City. This was the largest city on the Northern Continent’s northeastern coast. Cruelthor ordered several costly renovations to the Capitol compound, but he allowed himself all the luxury he could afford – and he could afford quite a lot.
Although only in his mid-twenties and younger than the majority of his subjects, Cruelthor held power none dared question. As new Lord High Commander, he even banished his younger twin, Beathabane, upon his coronation. This exile, Cruelthor coolly explained to the public, had been done as a precaution against Beathabane ever challenging his rule. This turned out to be a brilliant first move, and no one questioned ever again if Cruelthor had a soft spot. It didn’t hurt that Cruelthor possessed mutate-genes which enhanced his physical strength. He had every confidence his rule was secure, and he didn’t even bother appearing cold and ruthless. Everyone knew. Cruelthor was unabashedly proud of being more intelligent, pitiless, and tyrannical than his father – and that ‘great man’ set a pretty high bar.
Bullseye knew her powerful brother was very, very accomplished. It was a bit much to live up to.
A trim-bodied girl of sixteen, she sat tipped on her chair’s back legs and twisted her shoulder-length, dark hair. Bored, she admired the Capitol’s grand meeting hall. The room was fashioned with tiled floors, high ceilings, stained-glass windows, and spiraling pillars. Two marble tables faced each other down the length of the hall. At the far end of the facing tables, Cruelthor’s seat stood like a throne.
This hall was where Cruelthor gathered the Elite, those chosen few who governed entire regions of the world. Their current discussion focused on what to do with a potentially treacherous, Mainland-Euro executive who might’ve given information to the Underground rebel group. Cruelthor seemed more interested with looking around his grand hall, however, and the Elite were coming to no conclusion. They’d gathered over an hour ago.
Haven’t any of them noticed Cruelthor’s apathy? thought Bullseye. He’s just sitting there, bored, and they keep arguing and shouting.
She looked at the Elite through her crystal water glass. She recognized them from newscasts and political studies. Malice governed the Northern Continent’s northern region. Crow governed the Mainland-Euro’s central region. Yanka governed the Mainland-Asian’s southern region. Abduction governed the Southern Continent – all of it, except the lost territory in the interior.
From their glances in Bullseye’s direction, she knew none of them had a clue why she was there. True, she was only classified as a member of the Dominion Youth, so she had no real right to be present. And she hadn’t said a word.
Her green eyes swung to examine the man on the throne. Cruelthor wore an earned look of superiority on his chiseled face and a tailor-made suit on his commanding physique. But he wasn’t paying her any attention, so Bullseye ceased her probing.
Yanka, in the third most common legal language, suggested that th
e executive in question couldn’t have known what he was doing. He’d always been loyal, so why would he throw away what the Dominion had given him?
Malice, a younger man with an absurdly pointy nose, pulled his blond ponytail in exasperation. He answered Yanka in English, the primary Dominion language, in an obvious attempt to put Yanka in his place. “The Underground undoubtedly offered the executive sanctuary if he gave them information about our cerebral augmentation technology. They’ve already captured a handful of our augmented operatives, so they’ve seen the enhancing effects. The rebels want their own people to undergo the surgery, and they’re offering high rewards for inside information. The executive probably jumped at the chance. I fail to believe he accidentally left that security gate open and accidentally turned the password-lock offline.”
This could go on forever, thought Bullseye. Are all the Elite this dumb? Maybe I don’t want to be one of them. No, of course I do. The rulers of the world may be hotheaded, but they still get to rule the world. If these idiots can be Elite, I can swing it too. What will make them take me seriously? Cruelthor’s not going to introduce me, apparently.
She tipped her chair to sit level. “Sure, but-”
“I’m with Malice.” Crow had earlier been bordering on insubordinate behavior, and now she turned up her nose as she faced the Dominion leader. “Cruelthor, we have to eliminate this executive before he repeats his treason. We can’t wait around to see if he’s loyal or not. Let’s take him out in a show of force. That will send a message.”
“Crow’s wrong, sir,” said Abduction.
Bullseye gulped. As Cruelthor’s trusted friend, Abduction had more liberties than most of the Elite, but there were other reasons he was feared.
When Cruelthor first made improvements to his empire, Abduction’s region conducted research on the space dimension. Common knowledge said that magnetic storms and lightning involved a slight tear in the dimension of the portal lights. Abduction’s experiments had tried to hold such a tear open longer than usual, but the dimension was impossible to control. During an experiment involving a storm, lightning struck Abduction (or whatever name he’d used at the time), and his subordinates assumed they’d lost him. However, while his physical body was destroyed, he hadn’t exactly died. Some part of him had connected with the space dimension in that brief instant, and his ghost-like being separated from his body. To stay connected to this world, he existed now by inserting himself into other physical hosts. It was a brutal form of possession, and he’d earned his new name well.
The Kota Page 9