Time Heist: A Paradox of Time Prequel Novella

by Mara Amberly

  “That would be incredible,” Eric said, smiling but trying not to seem too eager. “You’re very kind, and I’m grateful for your hospitality.”

  “Come with me to the library, and I will find some volumes and other pieces for you to take back.”

  Eric found it interesting that such an advanced culture still had a library and, as he soon discovered, still had books made from thick, smooth paper.

  The canvas sack was heavy in his arms as he returned to the portal with Mira, the young woman who had first helped him. She hadn’t gained the same ability Hannarin had to understand him, but she still seemed able to get her meaning across.

  “Thank you,” Eric said, and not for the first time that day. The portal hadn’t yet been opened, but he knew the time was approaching for him to leave. He put his helmet back on and re-engaged the oxygen supply.

  He remembered asking one last question of Hannarin before he left him, and that was how to get out of the sealed vault. Now, equipped with the information, he waited until the portal flared to life.

  The young woman gave him a bow, and Eric nodded back to her, before stepping through the portal into the gravity-free environment. He was immediately back on the other side, and the portal remained open behind him.

  Eric left the portal room and managed to pull the door closed behind him. From there he approached the sealed panel and marked a symbol on its surface with his gloved hand. To his great relief, the door opened… and he was free again.

  Chapter 9

  May 2080, The Asteroid of the Lethian Vault, Draylach Space

  Eric was relieved to see the Equinox at the end of the tunnel. There was no sign of Rich, suggesting he’d probably returned to the ship, but Eric realised his comms should work now. When he was further down the tunnel, he tried contacting the crew.

  “Viktor, this is Eric. Do you come in?”

  “Eric?! It’s you,” Opal exclaimed. “We got a transmission saying you were safe and would return, but we didn’t know what to make of it.”

  “Well, I’m back now. I’m also outside the ship. If you take down the shields—if they’re up—I’ll proceed to the airlock,” Eric said.

  Eric carried his ‘haul’ carefully and brought it into the airlock with him. There, he waited until the airlock pressurized.

  He was soon in the cargo bay, where he set down the sack and took off his helmet. It was good to breathe the ship’s air again. It might not have been as sweet as that on their moon, but it was preferable to the space suit and felt more trustworthy somehow.

  Viktor might not have been as fast on his feet as he used to be, but he was the first one to meet Eric in the cargo bay.

  “How did it go, lad? What have you got for us?” he asked.

  Eric was reminded that this wasn’t just his haul; the others would share in it too. He still wasn’t entirely sure about the books they’d given him, and what they contained, but then it was just as likely no one else would fully understand them either.

  “It went better than I’d expected,” Eric said. “A portal in the room led through to a place where its caretakers kept a collection of Lethian artifacts. In exchange for information about the current state of affairs, and of the asteroid, they gave me some books and statues.”

  He opened the bag and lifted out three heavy hand-bound books. The statues were small but finely wrought. One was modelled from clay and chips of a silvery metal, and the other appeared to be pure gold. Eric didn’t understand the relevance of the figures, aside from the fact Hannarin told him the golden woman was a goddess who their people had once worshipped.

  “Good job,” Viktor said, grinning. “Can we go back for more? Perhaps we can set up a trade relationship with these caretakers.”

  “They’ve clarified that isn’t what they want,” Eric said. “I think they’re going to send some of their people through to reinforce the vault, so no one else can do what we did. We might be best cutting our losses and leaving before the Draylach catch up with us. I know this might not seem like much, but it’s likely the last anyone will get from them.”

  “It’s my mission, so I’ll be the judge of that,” Viktor replied. “So where are these Lethians?” he asked. “Who are their caretakers?”

  “Those who honour the Lethians but don’t want to make the same mistakes they did. You see, the Lethians were involved in a war with the Orviens; one that would have destroyed both of them…”

  Eric wasn’t sure that would convince Viktor to leave, but he was exhausted and needed to rest. After a meal and a necessary bathroom break, he slept for hours, and left the others to whatever decision they reached of their own accord.

  “They’ve locked us out!” Viktor fumed in anger. He walked straight past Eric as he made his way onto the bridge.

  “What did I do?” Eric asked.

  There was no sign of Rich there, but Opal was sitting in the captain’s chair, looking quite at ease.

  “We can’t get back in,” she said. “Rich has tried dozens of combinations, including the one you used to reach the portal. Did you say something to them to stop us getting back in?”

  Eric already knew the answer to that question. “What? Oh, no,” he said, playing dumb. He wasn’t sure how convincing it was. “They’re just concerned their people won’t be safe if the Draylach or anyone else gets in. I’m surprised they didn’t just disable the portal.”

  “Well, you tell that to my father,” she said. “He wants us to blow it open.”

  Eric winced at that. He had enough respect for the Lethians to not want that to happen.

  “I’ll go talk to him,” he replied.

  It was easier now that Eric wasn’t teetering on the brink of exhaustion. He followed Viktor down the hallway. While ordinarily he might’ve left him alone to cool down, he wasn’t sure what actions Viktor might take. He needed to reason with the man before he started blowing things up. Eric pressed the intercom button.

  “Get out!” Viktor shouted through the intercom.

  Eric opened the door, hovering on the threshold of the room. “I can’t do that because I’m not ‘in’ yet. Unless you mean get out of the airlock, but I know you’re a better man than that. We need to talk. There are reasons not to blow up the vault.”

  Viktor gestured for him to enter, and Eric did so, closing the door behind him.

  “The people on the other side of the portal are concerned that enemies are going to find them there. Whether it’s the Draylach…”

  “You mean the Orviens, don’t you?” Viktor asked.

  “I wouldn’t say that,” Eric replied, glancing at him meaningfully. “Essentially, they’re the same as the Draylach now, as they’re a conquered species. Then there are the Rizians, who we know are coming here. If I could find the portal, they probably could too, and we know they won’t be gentle about breaking in. They’ll take the vault apart piece by piece if they have to, because that’s who they are. All they care about is profit.”

  “Well, you’re not wrong about that,” Viktor replied. “So you told the aliens about the Rizian Syndicate.”

  It was a statement, not a question.

  “The aliens wanted to know what threats were out there, so I told them who might be coming. They gave me the artifacts I brought back and they reopened the portal for me. They have high technology, but they also seem like simple village people in how they live. There are families with children there. Honestly, I didn’t want to put them at risk, and my major focus was getting back here alive. They were good and generous to me. This might be a vault, but I’m not up for trying to raid their settlement.”

  It seemed to dawn on Viktor that he was being unreasonable.

  “I suppose not,” he said with a sigh, “but could we have traded with them? Anything they give us would be worth a mint in our time, and you know it.”

  “We’re in Draylach Space, Viktor. We can’t stay here.”

  “We’re in a time-ship, Eric. We can go wherever and whenever the hell we want!
” Viktor replied.

  “And you know, just as I do, that changing the timeline has consequences. We could go back in time and approach the Lethians when they were still living in this space, but it would be a bad idea. It might change the course of their war, and that could have implications for everyone. Even if we dodged Draylach patrols, you should know the portals likely use fifth-dimensional technologies. They said they’re in a different time.”

  Viktor looked unimpressed with Eric’s argument. “Where does the portal lead, anyway?”

  “I’m not sure, exactly,” Eric said. “They wouldn’t tell me, but they said it was on a moon. I’m guessing somewhere far away, perhaps even closer to our own space.”

  Viktor opened his desk drawer and closed it again, probably not finding any glasses there.

  “I believe they’re going to have caretakers coming to further protect the vault and the asteroid it’s on. My suggestion would be to leave soon, so we don’t get caught out by their security precautions.”

  “This is your fault, Eric,” Viktor replied, sighing.

  “Maybe so, but I didn’t come back without relics.”

  He decided not to mention the readings on his scanner, though he would give the thought due consideration.

  “Why don’t we see what those objects are worth? They’re thousands of years old.”

  Viktor finally gave in, and Eric created the rift to take them home. Eric could’ve just taken them through the field surrounding the Lethian asteroid, but it made more sense to stay in fifth-dimensional space, and take them back to both their own time and a place much closer to Valtera. After all, they’d have to do that, anyway.

  Once they were underway, Eric and the others had more time to think, rest and examine their haul from the unnamed moon. Eric knew little about valuing artifacts, but he could confirm through the use of the ship’s systems that they were all over five thousand years old. The golden statue and one of the books were the oldest at over six thousand years old.

  “So what are we going to do with these?” Eric asked.

  They’d gathered around the table in the mess hall. They all had partially eaten dinners and Rich had given up on his, instead drinking something frothy and pink, resembling a milkshake.

  “I’m going to ensure they’re chronyon-shielded, so no one can go back in time and erase them. We could split the artifacts between ourselves, but I have a buyer who I know would be interested in them,” Viktor said. “My suggestion is we see what he’ll offer us and if we’re satisfied with it, split the proceeds.”

  “That sounds good to me, Viktor,” Eric said.

  There was an air of slight disappointment among the crew, and Eric knew that was because of him. As far as he saw, he didn’t have any choice but to do what he did. Maybe it was a spark of honour shining through, or maybe he’d seen enough fighting to know he wanted those people on the alien moon to be safe. He knew he couldn’t do everything right, but that was one thing he didn’t regret.

  “I have contacts of my own,” Opal said, “but let’s see what yours say first, before news gets out that someone’s found the Lethian vault. It’s better if we can remain anonymous, otherwise the cartel will have proof that I betrayed them.”

  “I trust my contact, so I don’t think we need to worry about that,” Viktor told her. “In order to be safe, I’d suggest you stay away from the Syndicate and its cartels. I know they have people everywhere, but there are a lot less on Valtera. I would feel better knowing you’re safer, closer to home.”

  “I know,” she told her father. “I knew I was burning a bridge with them, leaving with the coordinates, so I can’t say I mind.”

  “You’re welcome to stay on as my pilot, if you want to,” Viktor offered Opal.

  “Is Eric staying?” she asked, tilting her head curiously, then glancing his way with a playful glint in her eyes.

  Everyone glanced Eric’s way for a moment, and he practically withered beneath the heat of their stare.

  “It’s not what you think,” he replied awkwardly.

  “Why, what do I think, Eric?” Viktor asked him with a deepening frown.

  Opal laughed. “Don’t worry, he’s been nothing but a gentleman. It’s been fun watching him squirm.”

  Eric sighed, and the tension in the room was so thick, you could’ve cut it with a knife.

  “No, I won’t be staying on,” Opal said finally. “I think I need some time in the sunshine back on Valtera.”

  “I might stay,” Rich said. “I wasn’t going to, but this is a good ship and I’m curious to see what missions you’ll have in store. That’s if you would let me join as a civilian?”

  “I’d need to apply for the appropriate clearance, but I don’t think it would be a problem. I’d certainly welcome you aboard,” Viktor said. “Eric?”

  “Oh, I’m staying,” Eric replied. “There’s nowhere else I want to be right now.”

  Once Viktor and Rich had left the mess hall, Eric caught Opal’s arm before she could follow.

  “I’ll be up to the bridge in a few minutes,” she promised, calling out to her father, then turned back around to face Eric.

  “What’s this about? I’m really sorry about what I said. Sometimes I don’t really…”

  Eric cut her off as he kissed her.

  Opal stuttered, having lost her train of thought; then she grabbed Eric and pulled him close, kissing him back.

  She felt soft and warm with tempting curves, and Eric admired the scent of her perfume and the feeling of her lips against his.

  Eric realised she had the same ideas he did when she reached out a hand to lock the door.

  He decided to show her just what she’d miss when she left the ship. He already knew he’d miss her.

  Chapter 10

  May 2130 - Eric’s Apartment, Relsar’o, Valtera

  Eric set a large suitcase on his bed and carefully packed some of his clothes into it. He had an awful lot more than he was taking with him, but their return to Valtera gave him the opportunity to bring more things aboard than he had before his last mission. It was an opportunity he couldn’t refuse.

  “I still can’t change your mind?” Eric asked, as Opal handed him a shirt which he set on top of some trousers in his bag.

  “I thought about it,” she said, “but I’m not ready to go out there again yet. I feel like I lost myself and became mixed up with some destructive influences. No, not you,” she said, grinning. “At least, not entirely you.”

  “That’s alright,” he said. “I understand, and the truth is I’ve been there myself. I know what kind of life suits me, and it’s out there.”

  “I know,” she said matter-of-factly.

  At least she didn’t seem broken up about it, Eric reasoned, but then they hadn’t known each other very long. The console on Eric’s desk chimed, as someone was trying to contact him. Opal’s watch rang at the same moment.

  Eric looked to see who was calling. “It’s your father.”

  “Same here,” she replied.

  Opal gestured to his living room and walked out there, so their individual conversations wouldn’t overlap during the conference call.

  Eric closed the door around and then answered.

  “Hello, this is Eric.”

  “Eric, it’s Viktor.” There was a delay before he continued. “I have Rich and Opal here on the comms too, and I have some incredible news.”

  “What news?” Opal asked, though the wonder in her voice suggested she had an idea already.

  “My contact has assessed the artifacts that Eric brought back from the alien moon and confirmed that they’re Lethian. As they’re one of the rarest and most spectacular finds in the last hundred years—his words, he has offered to buy them off us for a sum of two million credits. You can see for yourselves, that’s a generous amount.”

  Viktor had offered Eric fifteen percent. He quickly worked that out to be in the region of 300,000 credits. That was an immense amount of money; he could retire t
o a life of luxury if he wanted to.

  “What’s the method of payment?” Eric asked. While credits were a given, some methods were safer than others, if you preferred others not to know about your windfall.

  “Anonymous credit chips. Several of them each, as it would exceed their maximum value,” Viktor said. “We’ve been assured of our anonymity as well.”

  “Then I agree,” Eric said. He idly wondered if another party would pay more for them, but it was likely safer to go with the option available to them and not shop the merchandise around.

  “I do as well,” Opal said. “Oh my goodness, do you know how much shopping I can do with that?”

  “Quite a lot,” Eric joked. “Hell, I could buy my own ship.”

  “I agree as well,” Rich said. “And I still want to remain aboard.”

  “Then I’ll make the final arrangements,” Viktor said. “Thank you all for your help, and ensuring this wasn’t the Rizian Syndicate’s payday, but ours instead.”

  A month later, Eric found himself in the city of Relsar’o once again while they docked the Equinox to prepare for a supply run. He’d had a few dealings with well-connected individuals over the years, and he had friends in both high and low places.

  He walked down an alley in Relsar’o’s Zone 2, and entered a small, run-down hotel called Mereve’s, which seemed to have little in the way of clientele. Unlike most of the surrounding buildings, which towered higher, it only had four storeys.

  He approached a blonde-haired woman at the counter, who looked up tiredly from her work. She was young—no older than nineteen or twenty, but she looked as though she’d rather have been anywhere else.

  “Hi, I’m told there’s a package you’re holding for me. It should be addressed to Rian Nellin,” Eric said.