Darbian froze. “How did you know all that?”
“Perhaps I’ve been watching you as well. No worries. Things are looking up!” The Timekeeper twisted his staff.
Where he stood, out of the floor came a podium. It featured an hourglass on top, ticking mechanisms all over the exterior, and a few buttons that resembled constellations.
The Timekeeper punched a few of the buttons and turned back around. “There, they’ll never find us here.”
Darbian looked around for signs of a ship having budged, sounds of power, or the tug of gravity. “We’ve moved?”
“Yes, look for yourself,” said the Timekeeper.
One of the walls moved once again, this time revealing an array of stars on the other side of the pool.
Gregorical piped in. “Yes, sir, it appears we’ve moved and quite far.”
The Timekeeper laughed. “Yes, you could say that. We traveled 15 billion light years.”
“Not possible,” said Darbian.
“More than possible. Now to the mission.” The Timekeeper turned and walked back to the platform.
“What mission? Stop speaking in riddles! Why are we here?” Darbian screamed louder with every question.
“Now that’s a good question, my dear Darbian. One that will be answered in time. That I promise you.” The Timekeeper nodded once.
“I don’t want answers in time. I want to know everything right now.” Spittle came out of Darbian’s mouth as he spoke.
“Know this, Darbian. You have a role to play the likes of which you’re not yet ready to understand. So do you, Micah! And you, Hannelore. Even you, friendly spaceship.” The Timekeeper put his hands together as if to pray. “But first, come the tests.”
“Tests?” Darbian had calmed down.
“You seek the means to bring back the Wardein, to defeat the Halinkoy Cult, to protect innocent life, and to find your purpose. That last one you didn’t even know you were looking for. It will be given to you, all of it. But first…” The Timekeeper paused.
“Why didn’t you make yourself visible when we first arrived? We couldn’t even detect you on our sensors.” Darbian placed his hands on top of his head.
“Because I was waiting for Micah to wake up,” the Timekeeper said.
Darbian looked at the boy. “Micah is here by accident.” He faced the Timekeeper again. “He’s from a planet that’s yet to travel the stars. That he’s with me at all is a fluke.”
“Really now?” responded the Timekeeper. “Is he here by accident? Darbian, I don’t believe in accidents.”
Chapter 15
Aboard Halinkoy’s flagship, the self-appointed Supreme One had been rebuilding his armored suit while his soldiers sought Darbian.
A Tammeder soldier walked into Halinkoy’s chamber to update him on their progress. “Supreme One, the Warden’s ship has disappeared from our sensors. I’m sorry, sir, but we’ve lost him.”
Halinkoy picked his head up. “You lost him?” He threw a piece of his armor down in a fit. “We monitored the communications between the Warden and the last Council member. What sort of incompetence does it take to lose track of that ship?”
“I’m sorry, sir. I’ll sacrifice my life, Supreme One, if it pleases you. Your anger must be satisfied.” The Tammeder soldier kneeled down before Halinkoy.
Halinkoy looked at him and paused for a moment. “That won’t be necessary.”
“Yes, my Supreme One. Thank you for sparing my life,” the Tammeder soldier said.
“What would please me is the demise of the last Warden.” Halinkoy kept tinkering with his armor. “But I have a plan on how to achieve that. No more Tammeder warships, no more fighting fair. Contact Aculpus Atronis. I wish to speak to him.”
“Yes, my Supreme One,” the Tammeder soldier rose and exited the room. He relayed the command to the communications operators.
They went about contacting the great traitor of the Wardein.
One of the soldiers broadcasted to Aculpus’ ship. “Aculpus Atronis, the Supreme One wishes to speak to you. You will answer.”
The broadcast found Aculpus finishing up the destruction of Wardein Base 7713, a remote outpost. As he fired upon the base for the final time, he opened communication with the Tammeder flagship. “This is Aculpus Atronis, sworn servant to the Halinkoy Cult. I’m responding and ready to take commands from my Supreme One.”
“I’ll connect you with the Supreme One now,” said the communicator.
Thus, Aculpus and Halinkoy were connected. Halinkoy could view Aculpus on screen, but Aculpus could not perceive two-dimensional images.
“Aculpus, my wise servant, have you finished destroying the Wardein bases?” Halinkoy asked as he put his new armor down for the first time since his old suit was stripped from him.
“Not quite, my Supreme One. I’ve used the Wardein databases to find all the outposts, but I haven’t quite had time to finish the job,” Aculpus said.
“In time, I’m sure, but I have a more important mission for you. Are you aware that the last Warden, Darbian, has escaped?” Halinkoy tapped his fingers on his knees.
Both sets of ears perked up for Aculpus. “No, my Supreme One. I wasn’t told of this. I assumed he had been killed at Crystal Dawn.”
Halinkoy raised his nose to the air. “I’m afraid not. He has escaped and is in search of something called the Astrolabe. Have you heard of this thing?”
“No, my Supreme One. I’ve never heard of it. Is it a weapon?” Aculpus clenched his teeth.
“Time will tell what it is, but it doesn’t matter now. At this time, we must plot his demise, and I’ve already conjured a plan to do so. You’ll go to Earth, the planet of my birth and the bane of my existence. Darbian cares for this place. He fears for its survival, and that makes him vulnerable.” Halinkoy leaned forward. “We’ll use this against him.”
Aculpus put his hands together as if to clap. “Excellent, my Supreme One, what shall I do?”
“You’ll proceed to the planet and broadcast a warning to Darbian that if he doesn't meet you in battle on the surface of Earth, then his beloved planet will be destroyed. My Tammeder army will arrive in orbit soon. I’m eager for a confrontation.” Halinkoy smiled.
“My Supreme One, I’m honored that you would give me the opportunity to kill the last Warden. I thought, though, that you wanted to do this personally?” Aculpus bowed his head as a sign of respect.
“I won’t be engaging Darbian and his young allies face-to-face. It is my will you should do this instead. It’s not that I’m incapable, but I must perfect certain technologies before I go into battle again. My mind must be sharp,” Halinkoy said.
Aculpus bent forward, “Are you having any troubles, my Supreme One?”
“No, you sniveling insect! I'm in perfect health. I have discovered a weakness in the Tammeder technology, however. Not one of my creation, of course, but if my mind is connected to an individual, then I also gain their memories. If one of these memories is triggered, then my ability to concentrate is limited. The boy…the boy with the Warden, I recognized him. His father is one of the humans I captured and placed in stasis. His mind is invaluable, however, or I would remove him.” Halinkoy peered at the floor and grimaced. “Darbian must never know this.”
“Of course not, my Supreme One. They could exploit such a weakness,” Aculpus responded.
Halinkoy stood up and screamed, “I don’t have any weaknesses! The Tammeder’s wisdom was limited. It is a flaw of their mind, not mine. Do you understand?”
“Yes, my Supreme One. I apologize,” Aculpus replied.
“Darbian will have the children of Earth with him. Don't let your compassionate sensibilities get the best of you. Kill them as quickly as you can. They're unusually sharp and may pose a threat as I’ve seen in person.” Halinkoy winced.
“Compassion for the useless is no longer one of my qualities,” Aculpus responded.
“Good,” Halinkoy said.
“Do you intend to sp
are the planet if he meets me in battle?” Aculpus said.
Halinkoy slammed his fist on his chair. “No! I have longed for the day when Earth would be reduced to ashes. As soon as the Warden’s defeat is made sure, we’ll exterminate the human plague from this universe. You’re up to the task, aren’t you, Aculpus?”
“Absolutely, my Supreme One!” Aculpus spun around in his chair and plotted a course. “I'm far more experienced in battle than young Darbian and far more committed to a just cause at that.”
“Then go now. Once you’ve contacted the Warden, inform me. My fleet will be ready to enter the solar system as soon as we know the Warden’s ship is there,” Halinkoy rested in his chair once again.
“Yes my Supreme One. Long live Halinkoy!” Aculpus turned off the communication and proceeded to Earth.
Far away at the Astrolabe, the Timekeeper and Darbian continued their conversation.
“Timekeeper, the question at hand is can you help us bring back the Wardein? For now, that’s all we have time to focus on.” Darbian massaged his temples.
“As I said, there are tests that must be passed. A journey that must be taken.” The Timekeeper continued to speak in riddles.
“What tests? We don’t have time for tests,” Darbian asserted. “The fate of the universe is hanging in the balance. Don’t you understand that? Without the Wardein, our cause is lost. Halinkoy and the Tammeder will wreak havoc unless they’re defeated soon. Whole planets will be destroyed. And you insist on playing games!”
“Ah yes, I remember the Tammeder. Nasty bunch of fighters they were,” the Timekeeper reminisced.
“How could you remember the Tammeder? They’ve been gone for millions of years,” Hannelore said as she stopped being a wallflower in this bizarre conversation.
“I’m old, my dear. I’ve seen peoples come and go for millions upon millions of years,” the Timekeeper responded.
“You’re ancient then, ageless I suppose. Almost as if the Astrolabe exists outside of time and space,” Darbian theorized. “Do you think that gives you the right not to care about the people who could die?”
The Timekeeper lifted his chin. “When did I say such a thing? All people matter, all of them. The ones who are, the ones who’ve gone, and even the ones who’ve yet to come. They all matter. I know this better than even you, Darbian, and that will be plain to you soon.”
Darbian smacked his fist against his palm. “Then stop playing games, old man!”
“These are no games. The tests are necessary. You must be found worthy if you are to understand the secrets of the universe. Knowledge is a terrible thing in the wrong hands, Darbian. Surely, you understand that.” The Timekeeper turned and walked towards a wall.
Darbian relaxed as he had to admit the Timekeeper had a point.
“There are three tests…compassion, courage, and wisdom. These three things, Darbian, you must show them in abundance. So must Micah. So must Hannelore. You will all be tested.” The Timekeeper set his staff up against the wall. “The tests will begin now. As soon as I remember where to send you that is.” He winced.
Darbian threw his hands up.
“What good does it do to test us?” Hannelore said.
The Timekeeper pulled a book from the wall where there did not appear to be a bookshelf in front of him. He opened it and read to himself.
Micah shrugged. “Don’t we need the Wardein? What good are we against an army?”
The Timekeeper looked back over his shoulder. “Children, do you see where the light comes from in this room?”
Darbian and the children looked up to the ceiling.
“Yeah, looks like there’s one big light fixture up there,” Micah said.
The Timekeeper smiled. “That’s right my child. One light…and from even the darkest corners of space, it shines.”
Hannelore reached out her hand towards the light. “It’s not very bright though.”
The Timekeeper looked down at his old dusty book. “Yes, but even a dim light is enough to read by.”
“I don’t get it,” said Micah.
“Just a little light my child, that’s all you need to do anything that’s truly important,” responded the Timekeeper. He then thrust his finger onto the page he was reading and popped the book as though he was crushing a spider. “Ha! I remember now where I need to send you. How delightful!”
Gregorical spoke up. “Sir, there’s a message being broadcast for you. It’s from Aculpus Atronis.”
“Yes, I see the message now,” said the Timekeeper. “You’re about to be tested in a very different way I see.”
Darbian leered at the Timekeeper. “Gregorical, I’ll come inside and view the message there.”
“Of course, sir.” Gregorical then teleported Darbian and the children inside the ship.
They walked to the main screen, and the message played.
Aculpus Atronis spoke. “Darbian, my old friend. You’re the last Warden, the last of a dead order. You’ve already been defeated, but I will give you an opportunity to regain some of your honor. At Crystal Dawn, you needed children to rescue you from certain death. I offer you the chance to face me, your former mentor, in battle. In fact, I can guarantee you’ll show up because if you do not, then Halinkoy will destroy Earth, the world you care for. Meet me on the surface of that planet within the next day or your little friends will be rendered homeless.”
The message repeated as it was on a loop.
Darbian stared at the screen and watched the message repeatedly even though he full well understood it the first time.
Micah glanced at the screen and then back at Darbian. “What are you going to do?”
“Children, I have to go back to Earth,” Darbian said. “Halinkoy is moving the timeline. He wants to destroy the Earth now. I’m going to leave you here with the Timekeeper, however. I have to face Aculpus, but I'm not sure if I can save Earth from Halinkoy’s wrath. At least you’ll be safe here.”
“No, Darbian, don’t go alone,” Hannelore cried.
“We can help you beat Aculpus,” said Micah. “Vinitor tried this trick, but we figured out a way to beat him.”
“No!” Darbian shed tears. “You can’t help me anymore. You don’t understand! I appreciate everything you’ve done for us, I do, but it has to end somewhere. I can’t keep you safe any longer. You’re so brave, but you’re still children, and I’ve risked your lives enough. Our journey together is over. From here on out, I'm alone.”
The Timekeeper appeared inside the ship. “No Darbian, you’re not alone.”
“What do you have to offer, old man, except more riddles?” Darbian rolled his eyes.
“Halinkoy won’t stop until he destroys the Earth. This is a trap to make sure you’re there when he does,” the Timekeeper said.
“Yes, I know that,” Darbian responded.
“Darbian, I know you don’t trust me. One day you’ll see why we crossed paths. And one day you will understand why you need these children to go with you right now in this very moment.” The Timekeeper tapped his staff on the floor of the ship.
Immediately, all four of them were outside the ship again and inside the hall of the Astrolabe.
“Can’t the children stay with you? They’ll be in danger if they go with me to Earth,” Darbian responded.
“They could stay with me, yes, but you need them. Please believe me,” said the Timekeeper.
Darbian glanced at the floor and then fixed his eyes on the Timekeeper. “What if I believed you? What are we supposed to do when we face Aculpus?”
“I will help you with that.” The Timekeeper smiled.
“What do you intend to do?” Darbian listened.
“What you need is the Convergence,” said the Timekeeper.
“The Convergence?” Micah exclaimed. “But we lost it.”
“No, you lost the one from the present. I will show you how to obtain the one from the past,” the Timekeeper replied.
“How are you going to do that?�
�� asked Darbian.
“It’s in my name. I’m the Time…keeper. I keep time. Haven’t you been paying attention?” The Timekeeper smirked. “I’m going to send you to Armankour. At least, the version of Armankour that existed over three hundred years ago.”
“Armankour is hidden. How can anyone find it?” Darbian asked.
“The Astrolabe can find anything. That’s its purpose, to be a guide among the stars,” the Timekeeper said.
“Tell us what to do,” said Darbian.
“The Armankouri people, do you know how they hid their planet?” The Timekeeper walked back to his podium.
“Taurean said they used the Convergence to move their planet to safety. He never told me how they hid it. That would have been giving the secret away I suppose,” Darbian responded.
“Oh, that’s the trick." The Timekeeper punched buttons on his podium. "They moved the planet with the Convergence, yes, but they never actually hid it. They put it someplace where no one would ever look. You must repeat their plan.”
The rings around the Astrolabe moved in unison. The floor itself broke into circular sections and wobbled around. Clockwork pieces on the walls turned ever so slightly and yet the gears made a great deal of clanking and squeaking as the whole room spun.
“What’s happening?” Hannelore asked as her gaze shifted from one part of the room to the other.
“The Astrolabe isn’t moving this time; you are,” said the Timekeeper.
“Wait, wait a minute! Are you suggesting we move the planet Earth? Move it where?” Darbian screeched.
“You’ll know when the time comes, Darbian." The Timekeeper spoke louder. "But, for now, I must leave you to your work. Help, yes, I can do that, but I cannot interfere in the matters of the universe,” he said as he prepared to punch the final button.
“That makes no sense, Timekeeper!” Darbian was beside himself.
“You have time travel capabilities on your ship, no?” The Timekeeper pointed to Gregorical.
“Yes, of course,” Darbian responded.
The Timekeeper turned around. “Alright then, once you’ve taken the Convergence, then you’ll have the ability to return to this time and save the Earth! You must be vigilant and brave, for soon you will be tried as never before.”
The Accidental Astronaut Page 13