See No More

by W B Dineen

  Tony shares, “We’re meeting Stefano out front in ten minutes to go to the lab. We talked last night and decided to leave Jake here with you ladies. I’ll accompany Nikolay and Theo.”

  I don’t realize I’ve been holding my breath until my lungs feel like they’re about to burst. “Did Stefano mention anything about having the weapon with him?”

  Tony shakes his head. “No, but he said he has a surprise for us that he’s excited to share. We can only hope he’s referring to the antimatter gun.”

  It’s hard to watch Dad, Niko, and Tony leave the house. We’re officially out of the loop until they’re back. Unless…that’s when a thought hits me, “Trina, are you there.”

  “I am here, Kate.” She answers almost immediately.

  “Can you watch my dad and tell us what’s going on at the lab?”

  “Of course I can. I can already let you know they have left four men on the property with you and have taken an additional two with them.”

  I’m astonished. “That means they have ten armed guards with them at the lab.” I rub my eyes and feel dread. That’s a lot of guns pointing at you under very stressful circumstances.

  Trina says, “Kate, let us try something. I want you to close your eyes. I am going to try to patch you in, so you can see what is going on for yourself.”

  I do as she says and wait for some otherworldly witchcraft to occur, but I’m not getting anything. Trina suggests I try to keep my mind open without letting any other thoughts in. I push my mom’s sour cream coffee cake out of the way and picture a whole lot of nothing. That’s when it happens. I have a very clear overhead shot of what’s happening with my dad.

  CHAPTER 83

  Theo, Niko, and Tony are descending the stairs to the lab ahead of Stefano and his crew. The bodyguards are circling the entrance facing outward. I open my eyes long enough to kick off my shoes and lie on the couch. I call my mom and Jake into the room to tell them what’s happening. They sit down eagerly to await my play-by-play Kate-a-vision.

  “Okay, Dad, Niko, and Tony have gone down the stairs, along with three of the goons. Stefano is next. Two more body guards follow him, while two remain at the entrance. The other three are heading toward a black van. They’re opening the side door and pulling out a metal thing. Oh, okay, it’s a wheeling cart. They’re setting it up.”

  Jake interrupts, “What are they wheeling on it?”

  “Nothing yet. No wait, they’re raising the height so it’s flush with the entrance to the van and now they’re pulling something onto it. By pulling, I mean two are pulling the carpet or rug with a long case on it and the third one is pushing it from the other side. Whatever it is, this thing must weigh a ton.”

  “If they’re moving the weapon, it’s no wonder,” Jake interjects. “There are seventy-two hundred and fourteen troy ounces of sterling silver used in its production, and that’s just the silver. That doesn’t include the steel and other metals. The whole unit weighs close to seven hundred pounds.”

  My mom whistles. “That’s huge! How did anyone ever steal it out of Caltech?”

  Jake replies, “Not without a lot of help.”

  I switch from watching them move the weapon and go back inside the lab. Theo and Niko are unrolling some papers and Tony is huddled in the corner with Stefano. Tony shakes the Italian’s hand and moves over to my dad. He speaks very quietly, “Theo, they’re moving the weapon now. Are you ready?”

  My dad nods his head in response. He looks excited and afraid at the same time. Niko has his back turned and appears to be doing calculations.

  “Dad is talking to Stefano and says they’ll need at least ten days with the weapon to work on adjusting the magnification. Stefano tells them they have four days, no more. Dad is arguing, saying four won’t even be long enough to set up the test, but Stefano is determined not to give them longer.”

  I open my eyes and sit up. “Jake, what test is Dad talking about? I thought they were going to dismantle the gun.”

  He shakes his head. “Before they do that, they have to assure Stefano they’re on the up-and-up and doing exactly what they say they’re doing.”

  My mom pipes in. “My God, Jake, what could you possibly be willing to eliminate that’s bigger than an entire island?”

  Jake inhales deeply before answering, “An even bigger island.” Then he explains, “The one they shot off the map near New Caledonia had an area of six square miles. We estimate they had to fire the gun around forty times to accomplish that task. Theo and Niko really are going to magnify the weapon and prove to Stefano they can eliminate a sixteen mile stretch of land with one discharge.”

  My left foot jitters around as nervous tension is dispelled from my body. “What stretch of land is that?”

  “Tony’s father’s private island is sixteen square miles. They’re going to eliminate the entire mass in one go.”

  The look of horror on my face must say it all because he sighs mightily. “Look, Kate, Bethanie, you knew there was going to be some collateral damage. The Trēdecim is planning to kill over fifty million people. We’re only looking at around twenty or thirty people. It’s a hellish thought, but it’s got to be.”

  I’m not as concerned about the loss of life as I am about how Tony’s dealing with this, and I say as much. “Are you sure he’s prepared to kill his parents?”

  Jake nods his head. “He is. It can’t be easy for him, but the alternative isn’t an option.”

  I try to process this information but can’t. “When is the test supposed to happen?

  “Well, we thought they’d have a couple of weeks, but according to what Stefano said, I guess four days from now.”

  This game keeps changing. As soon as I begin to wrap my head around something, it morphs into something new. “Where will you fire the weapon from?”

  “From Stefano’s jet. We should be able to take the whole island from a cruising altitude of forty-two thousand feet.”

  “Can Dad and Niko alter it in time?”

  He shrugs his shoulders. “They’ll have to. I just have no idea how.”

  Suddenly, Trina’s voice pops into my head. They can do it. I will show them how. Have your father explain to Stefano he is going to need to bring in extra staff to make the deadline. I will be there in a few hours.

  CHAPTER 84

  We continue to check in on Dad and Niko during the morning, but for the most part they’re writing down formulas and looking at the gun. They haven't started any real work.

  Mom goes back to the kitchen to knead out her anxiety by making bread dough. Jake walks around the property spying on the guards as they ostensibly “protect” us. I’m left to my own devices. I play with Buddy for a while. He’s picking up some of the tension in the house and has gnawed two tennis balls down to their hollow centers in two days.

  At 2:00 p.m. there’s a knock on the door. It’s Trina. She looks as radiant as ever and I greet her with a warm hug. “Thank God you’re here!” I usher her inside and call for Mom and Jake.

  Once we’re situated in the living room, our alien friend explains she has the knowledge to magnify the weapon to the necessary degree, and it won’t take her more than a day. She’ll go to the lab with everyone tomorrow. Then she adds, “There is something I should tell you.”

  Being that we already know she’s not from our world, I’m not sure she can say anything that will surprise us. “What’s that?”

  “Aphresians have a very strict code of ethics, especially for those who travel to other planets to lend aid. We cannot encourage violence in any way.”

  I tilt my head in question. “But you’re planning to work on the weapon yourself, aren’t you?”

  She nods her head in confirmation. “I am. But by doing so, I will face repercussions. I have already discussed these consequences with the elders, and while they do not support my decision, they will honor it.”

  Jake rubs Buddy’s belly and looks at our visitor. “What are the consequences?”

&nbs
p; “Did Kate tell you about the history of my planet?” Jake indicates that I have. “In the days when we exiled our wrong-doers to Earth, it was with the understanding they could never return. For them, your planet was a life sentence.”

  She explains, “We’re allowed to come and offer aid in the form of guidance and counsel, but we are not allowed to interfere.”

  I roll my head to the side to stretch out my neck which is quickly filling with a mountain of tension. “What happens to you if you interfere?”

  “If I involve myself in ways not approved by the elders, I accept the same sentence as our wrong-doers. I will be banished to your planet for life.”

  Now that shocks me. “Trina, why would you do that? Don’t you have family and friends on Aphresia? Don’t you have a life to return to?”

  She smiles sadly. “I do. I have a most loving situation in my world.”

  Jake interrupts, “Why would you give that up?”

  “Because I am Pleyn as well as an Aphresian. My genetic line helped seed your planet. While there is no stigma in being Pleyn, there is a great desire within us to undo that which once caused harm in our world. It is why we are the only ones to leave Aphresia to aid Earth. We feel responsible.”

  Jake sighs deeply. “What do your elders want you to do?”

  “They believe you should be allowed to make your own mistakes, as we once did. Even if it takes you another four billion years to evolve to our level, they believe the time is up to you, not us.”

  I ask, “Then why are you disobeying them?”

  “Because none of the elders have ever been here. They do not understand that the majority of you are good and desire peace. From my perspective, you are who we were before the Great War. Aphresia became the victim of a small percentage who sought power above all else.

  “We are told stories from the time we are very young about the atrocities that took place. I do not understand why we would sit back and let your planet endure the same outcome. As an Aphresian, I do not believe in violence, and I do not support its application. But as a Pleyn, I cannot allow annihilation, even if that means participating in violence myself.”

  For some reason I want to know how old Trina is. She looks like she’s in her early thirties, but her wisdom is that of someone much older. So, I ask her.

  She responds, “On my planet, I am two hundred and sixty-four of your years.”

  “Holy crap, Trina! How long do people live on Aphresia?”

  She smiles at my reaction. “Our natural span is around five hundred years, but that can increase. For instance, some of the elders have lived more than a thousand years.”

  “And how long will you live on Earth once you’re banished here?”

  “I will have a relative life span to your own. My physical being is the equivalent to someone with thirty-four of your years. I will age accordingly. I will also become susceptible to your same illnesses and diseases. My immunity, like yours, will eventually weaken and die. I will lose all contact with my planet and my people. As far as they will be concerned, I will be no more.”

  For the life of me, I can’t understand her selflessness. We aren’t her people, yet she’s willing to trade her life for ours. I don’t think there’s a person on Earth who would sacrifice as much. It’s a humbling thought.

  CHAPTER 85

  The rest of our crew comes home from the lab in surly moods. Their day was fraught with worry and anxiety about how they’re going to accomplish the herculean task of modifying the weapon in an accelerated timeframe. They tried to talk some sense into Stefano, but he adamantly refused to discuss extending their deadline.

  The Italian isn’t with them and has apparently declared he won’t be joining us tonight. We’re obviously thrilled not to have the additional pressure of entertaining the enemy, particularly when he’s responsible for upping the game to such an extreme degree.

  Everyone greets Trina warmly. Our alien friend explains how she’s come to help with the weapon and what will happen to her once she does. Theo asks, “What if you told us what to do and didn’t actually touch the gun? Would that make a difference?”

  She shakes her head. “No. Sharing information is enough to get me banished. Plus, it will be easier if I perform the work. I will tell you everything I am doing as I go.”

  Tony asks, “What will you do with your time on Earth? I assumed you’d planned on going home at some point.”

  “I did, but now that I am committed to staying, I suppose I will try to create a new life for myself here. Of course, I would like to continue to help you remove the Trēdecim.”

  Tony nods his head vigorously. “We would be honored to have you stay on our team. I’ll make sure you receive a generous raise, as well.”

  Trina smiles. “Thank you. I am sure that will be helpful in adjusting to your world long-term.” She seems sad by the thought, and really, who can blame her? She’s agreed to walk away from her family and friends, her whole life, to help us reclaim ours.

  My mom excuses herself to put the final touches on dinner and within twenty minutes we’re sitting down to a heaping pot of chili. About halfway through our meal, Jake drops his spoon into his bowl. The noise makes me jump.

  I look over to see what’s spooked him and catch him staring at Trina with his mouth wide open. Then I look around the table and see similar reactions from everyone else. I clear my throat and announce, “Trina, I don’t think your shield is working anymore.”

  She looks up from her meal as a tear forms in her eye. “It is done, then.”

  My mom puts her hand on top of the redhead’s. “What’s done, dear?”

  “They have lifted my shield. I officially belong to Earth.”

  I want to cry for her. I want to say something helpful and comforting, but I have no idea what that would be. I mean, I miss my sister, I miss my house, but at least I’m with some of my family and living on the planet I grew up on.

  Trina stands slowly and forces a smile. “Would you all excuse me, please?” And we watch as she walks out the front door.

  My dad wipes a tear of his own. “That’s one brave lady.” Then he shakes his head. “And Katie, wow, I see what you mean. She’s stunning! It’s going to be hard to protect her from all the attention she’s going to receive.”

  The reality of Trina’s sacrifice really hits me. She’s been disconnected from her lifeline, which must feel like a death. Her death. I excuse myself to join her on the front porch.

  As I walk out the door I see her standing by the support beam looking up into the sky. She hears me come out but doesn’t turn around. She just keeps staring. “On Aphresia, we have two moons and our sunset is violet. Our oceans are pink.”

  I stand next to her and take her hand in my own. “Trina, who have you left behind in your world? Did you have a husband and children?”

  I watch as a trail of tears runs down her cheeks. “I have a life partner and together we share fourteen children. Our children have children and so on for many generations. I am leaving behind many hundreds that I hold dear.”

  I can’t grasp such a thing. She turns to look at me and says, “Their love gives me the strength to do what I must. As I am Pleyn, so are they, which means they support my decision.”

  I shake my head. “They’re obviously more highly evolved than I am, because I’m not sure I would.”

  My God, life is such a freaking ride. It’s fragile, and tenuous, and so very precious. I’m not sure I want to go back to my old existence anymore. Standing next to Trina makes me wish I could be a thousandth of the woman she is. It makes me feel like it just might be time to make some sacrifices myself.

  CHAPTER 86

  Remember when you were a kid and time seemed to drag on forever? One school day or an afternoon at the beach felt like a week? I’m sitting at the dining room table discussing this phenomenon with Theo. He has his own take on why that is.

  “Say you live to be ninety. When you were ten, you’d only lived a ninth of your life,
a tiny fraction. But at thirty, you’ve lived a third. By the time you’re my age, you’ve already lived two thirds of your life. Time feels like it’s speeding up because it is. The more time you’ve lived, the less of it you have.”

  “You’re saying that I’m running out of time? Thanks a lot!”

  He laughs and drinks down his remaining coffee. “In essence, that’s exactly what I’m saying. But you’re only running out of time in your body, on this planet. You’ll start anew when you shed your mortal coil.”

  I pick at my sesame bagel and really try to grasp what he’s saying. “Then the clock starts running again, huh?”

  “Ah Katie, I’m not so sure about that. I’m not a big believer that time, the way we think of it, exists beyond the confines of our perception.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Every time the Earth completes a rotation, we call that a day. Our planet revolves around the sun once every three hundred and sixty-five days, and we call that a year. Our concept of time is based solely on how our planet rotates, and how often it travels around our energy source.”

  Comprehension begins to form in my head. “You mean time is relative to the planet you live on. So, when Trina says she’s two hundred and seventy-four of our years, that might only be thirty-four of her own.”

  “Exactly. Now take it a step further and think about this. When Carl Sagan sent his famous Arecibo message into space in 1974, it was projected twenty-five thousand light years away.”

  I interrupt, “What’s a light year again?”

  “It’s the distance light travels in a vacuum in one year of earth time, or five point nine trillion miles. Sagan’s message was sent twenty-five thousand times that far.”

  “Holy crap!”

  My dad smiles. “Pretty much. In 2000, a crop circle discovered near the Chilbolton Observatory in England appeared to be a response to Sagan’s message.”

  “Dad, please don’t tell me you believe in crop circles.” I’m pretty sure he’s going to confess to believing in the boogeyman and Santa Claus next.