Aurora Saga Books 1-3, page 35
I never want to leave her, he thought.
‘James, I don’t want to lose you. I want to be with you,’ Londuo said, before getting up and wandering over to the seatra.
She wiped her eyes, before she sat down on its edge.
‘If we enter the Paradoxica we won’t come back.’
‘Then we won’t go,’ James said.
‘We have to; don’t we, Kalrea?’ Londuo sounded solemn.
‘Londuo is right, James. We have to enter the Paradoxica,’ Kalrea said. ‘We can’t destroy it from here.’
James sat down alongside Londuo on the edge of the seatra.
‘There’s no coming back if the timeline is restored,’ Londuo said. ‘We will cease to exist in this time.’
James felt Londuo’s hand on top of his. They stared into each other’s eyes.
‘I love you,’ she said softly.
‘I love you, Londuo,’ James replied, feeling strangely relaxed.
‘When we restore the original timeline, none of this will have happened,’ Londuo said. ‘Our meeting on Qintaino, this conversation and most of all, how I feel about you.’
James gently caressed the side of Londuo’s bruised face with one of his hands. Her blemished skin felt delicate and smooth beneath his palms. She closed her eyes and tilted her head backward. He then ran his fingers through her tangled, yet soft hair.
You’re so beautiful. I wish I could meet you again in whatever place or time I end up, he thought and then said,
‘At least we’ve had this time together. Who knows; maybe this timeline was meant to be…’
Their faces slowly edged together and they kissed tenderly, savoring the moment.
I really want to stay here with you, James thought.
‘I wish this moment could last forever,’ Londuo said, as they embraced.
‘Me too, Londuo. Me too,’ James replied.
‘I don’t want to lose you,’ Londuo said quietly.
James kissed her gently on the neck a number of times, before they both fell gently backwards inside the seatra. The lights dimmed, and James placed the telementor on the rim of the seatra, interrupting his connection with Kalrea, who understood immediately they wanted to be alone.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
James picked up the telementor and placed it on his wrist just as Londuo entered the bridge. They were both dressed casually.
‘Your steam shower is much better than those on the Lonori,’ Londuo remarked. ‘At least there’s room to swing a kiol in it.’
She made her way over to the monitor and combed her hair in the reflection.
James watched her.
‘It took me a while to get used to the zero gravity. I have to say, the way they massage the skin is very relaxing. Could have done with showers like that on Earth,’ he commented.
Londuo turned toward him.
‘This is it, then?’
James nodded and gazed at her for a moment, and then thought, this could be the last moment we spent together. I hope I get to see Londuo again. He went up to her and stared into her eyes. I’ll always remember those eyes. Always.
James felt Londuo’s hands touch his. She pulled him closer and they kissed lovingly.
If only things were different, James thought. He felt sadness, like it was the last day of a long holiday and he had to be at work the next day.
‘We’d better get in the seatra, James,’ Londuo said.
I could stand here all day, looking at you. He nodded slowly, and then sighed.
‘Okay, let’s do this. Kalrea, can you disable your internal interface with the other Aurora and Pulsora? I wouldn’t want them to know what we’re doing.’
‘Done.’
James and Londuo entered the seatra together. As the lid started to close, James remarked,
‘It’s time to go.’
Londuo smiled and glanced over at him, but her thoughts seem to be elsewhere.
‘What’s on your mind?’ James asked.
‘It’s what you just said, “time to go”,’ Londuo replied. ‘I was thinking about the other me; the older Londuo who also exists on Earth now. I’ll never view time in quite the same way, anymore.’
James smiled back.
‘I see what you mean.’
The lid of the seatra clicked shut.
We’re ready to go into the Paradoxica, Kalrea, James thought.
To enter it, I will need to get the temperature of the Plyane hull increased in a controlled manner, Kalrea said, turning the Aurora towards a nearby star. That star will do, but its intense heat will put me offline for a while, so you’ll have to keep the ship under control.
Don’t worry, Kalrea; my piloting has come on a bit since Normia, James thought cheekily.
The Aurora accelerated toward the star.
We only need to skim the surface, Kalrea said. Keep the Aurora on this vector, James.
Will do.
Temperature rising. Now at 10,000 Joplis; 20,000; 50,000; 80,000—
Kalrea’s voice stopped abruptly.
James took over control of the ship.
120,000. Okay, keep it steady, he thought. We’ll approach critical phase in five seconds.
Without warning, the Aurora was enveloped in an orange and yellow swirling space.
We’re in, James thought, before peering expectantly outside the ship. The broken reflection of the Aurora shimmered across the surface of a patchy mist.
What an eerie place, Londuo remarked.
The mist is thicker than I imagined, James thought. It looks almost metallic. There must be billions of small pieces of metal or something similar floating within it. He watched the mist part ahead of the ship.
What do we do now? Londuo asked.
We’d better wait for Kalrea to come back online before we attempt to find those other ships.
A few seconds passed.
All systems responding, Kalrea informed.
Kalrea, see if you can locate the other ships, James thought with urgency.
My scanners cannot penetrate the mist. You have visual only, Kalrea replied. I’ll try to interface with the Paradoxica’s systems to establish their position.
Without warning, a bolt of white light streaked across space close above them and headed into the distance.
What was that? Londuo asked.
That was a charge of plasma energy, which is used to power the gateways, Kalrea replied. I think I’ve located two ships. They will appear somewhere off the port side.
James replied, Somewhere, Kalrea! It’s not like you to say, somewhere. It’s not very accurate.
Sorry, I haven’t managed to access the Paradoxica’s tracking scanners, as yet. This is based upon entry event data and a bit of a guess, I’m afraid.
James peered anxiously out into the mist for other ships and thought, she guessed!
Two minutes passed.
Kalrea, are you sure they’re heading this way? James thought. It seems like it wasn’t a very good guess—
Wait. There! Londuo thought.
In the distance, off the port side of the Aurora, the outline of a ship was just visible through the mist. The Aurora turned towards it, but the mist enveloped the distant ship. The Aurora quickly reached the location where the ship had been seen.
It’s gone, Londuo thought.
It can’t just disappear. It’s got to be somewhere around here. Come on, Kalrea, James thought impatiently. Where are they?
The Aurora moved slowly through the mist on an approximate course of the other ship.
This is no good. James thought to himself for a moment. Kalrea, if the other Aurora and Pulsora were here, then they would have tried to use the nearest gateway. Are there any along this vector?
The nearest is two hundred and twenty kilometers away, Kalrea replied.
That’s got to be the one. James thought. Try and get there before them. I don’t want any surprises.
The Aurora powered rapidly away in an arc to avoid detection by the other ships.
Look James! Is that a gateway? Londuo thought, indicating towards something which appeared to be a hole in space.
Kalrea, is that what we’re looking for? James thought.
Yes it is. That’s one of the wormholes.
The Aurora approached slowly.
James peered out at the gateway in amazement.
It’s huge, he commented. It must be three or four kilometers in diameter. The edge looks like it’s pulsing.
He watched a regular ribbon of white light which was travelling around the edge of the gateway.
It’s dancing, Londuo thought. So beautiful.
James could see the hole was shimmering, like the surface of a still pond. He was captivated by it and watched as a bolt of white light flashed past the port side of the ship and dissipated into the edge of the hole. Beneath the surface a planet appeared and then disappeared within the hole, staying visible for just nine seconds.
Wait! There’s Earth, James thought.
Earth appeared, and then faded.
Those planets must be where you can travel to, Londuo thought.
It’s incredible.
Qintaino! Londuo thought. It must be in the past. Look, James, you can see some of the tall buildings.
Time appears to be random within the gateway, Kalrea said. You just saw Qintaino 83 sykals ago.
She continued to speak while planet after planet appeared in the gateway.
There’s Uolcol at 639 sykals in our past, Kollonm at 4635—
That’s the Treitan home world, Polimop! James thought, interrupting her.
Londuo peered at the planet.
Are you sure?
I’ve seen a holographic picture of it. That’s it!
That was Polimop, 823 sykals ago, Kalrea said. I’ve just managed to access the Paradoxica’s tracking scanners and have located the two ships. You were right, James, they’re on an approach vector.
Can you disable all the gateways? James thought.
He glanced out of the ship in all directions.
I need more time! Kalrea replied.
What direction are they coming from? James asked.
They’ll appear on the starboard side in 17.3 seconds, Kalrea replied.
I don’t want them to see us, Kalrea. Move us away from the gateway, but keep us in visual range, James instructed.
The Aurora slowly drifted away from the gateway. Occasionally the mist thickened, obscuring their view.
I still can’t see them, James thought.
There! Londuo thought.
Passing parallel to the Aurora were two identical ships.
‘WEAPON SYSTEMS ACTIVATED.’
It is them? James thought. The original Aurora and Pulsora? Look, they don’t have any weapons.
The mist thickened once more.
The mist keeps getting in the way, Londuo thought.
I still have them, Kalrea said.
The two ships reached the gateway.
Keep out of sight, James thought.
What are they doing now? Londuo thought.
The other Kalrea and Sarhao are working out what it is, Kalrea said. Damn, I have a problem! she added suddenly. Sarhao is interfacing with the machine. He hasn’t detected me yet.
Make sure he doesn’t.
James was starting to get nervous.
You must disable the gateways.
Look! Londuo thought. The ships are starting to move into the wormhole.
‘PLASMA TORPEDOES GENERATED.’
The two ships moved slowly closer to the gateway.
They’re about to enter, Kalrea said. We must stop them!
I know, James thought, targeting the rear event horizon drives of the Aurora and then the ones of the Pulsora.
Quick, before they disappear! Londuo thought.
James hesitated.
Suddenly, six plasma torpedoes left the front of the Aurora. James watched them scream through the mist, striking the rear of the Pulsora, just before it penetrated the gateway. There was a bright orange flash from its event horizon drives, followed by a huge explosion within the ship. The Pulsora’s hull distorted and changed from black to a rainbow of colors, before the internal forces cracked it open. There was a massive explosion. Large rings of white light swept away from the debris.
The other Aurora was hit by the blast and thrown away from the gateway. Kalrea turned the Aurora towards the shock wave. It swept into them and James heard the noise from the drives deepen. Kalrea tried desperately to keep the ship stable, but suddenly an alarm sounded, and the ship was tossed, like a piece of paper in the wind, through the mist.
‘OVER-RIDING DRIVE PROTECTION.’
Kalrea, what happened? James thought.
We’re all right, Kalrea replied.
She regained control over the ship.
The force from the explosion was too great. Drive protection engaged.
Did the explosion penetrate the gateway? James thought.
No. There’s some kind of shielding built into it. The blast was contained, Kalrea replied.
I think that got their attention, Londuo thought.
Where’s the gateway? James thought, and the other Aurora?
The other Aurora was thrown clear from the blast as well. I don’t know where it went, Kalrea said. The explosion has interfered with the Paradoxica’s scanners.
Damn! James replied.
It can’t be far—, Londuo thought.
Kalrea interrupted her.
I’ve got control of the gateways!
Shut them down. Do it now! James thought urgently.
James stared out at a nearby gateway. The white bolts of energy ceased and the pulse of light which ringed it slowly faded away. The wormhole imploded in an instant. James felt some relief.
At least no one can exit the Paradoxica now.
What’s that over there? Londuo thought.
I’m not sure, James replied. It looks large, whatever it is.
Off the starboard side of the ship, bright red lights were flashing. The Aurora turned and powered slowly towards them.
That’s the control center of the Paradoxica, Kalrea said. It’s the source of those bolts of energy, used to power the gateways.
The control center was spherical in shape and at least half a kilometer in diameter. Its diameter was changing constantly, moving slowly, as if it were breathing. Large transparent towers protruded out into the mist. From their ends the brightness of a scarlet light oscillated like a beating heart, repelling the surrounding mist.
We’re being hailed, Kalrea said.
What? James was concerned. From where?
Out of the mist behind the Aurora, the other Aurora appeared.
The other me is very angry, James. She’s feeling the same grief I felt when I lost Sarhao. She wants to destroy me! Wait! Now she’s interfacing with the control center, Kalrea said.
We have to destroy the Paradoxica. It must never be used again, James thought.
James, I’m scared! Londuo thought. I feel cold.
James sensed there was something wrong.
It’s all right, he thought, but he suddenly felt disorientated. There’s nothing to worry about.
He tried to reassure Londuo; however, he was also starting to feel unnerved.
Londuo began to panic.
James, I have to get out! Please let me out of here!
James opened the seatra.
Londuo looked terrified and started to breathe heavily. They both sat upright. She clung to him.
James’ heart beat fast.
‘Kalrea, I feel cold too. What’s happening?’ he said.
‘We’re affecting the timeline. It’s working,’ Kalrea said over the address system.
James called Londuo, and she stared at him. He told her, ‘I’m here. I won’t leave you.’
She smiled back.
‘I know, but I feel this is the end, James. Don’t you feel it?’
‘Yes, Londuo,’ he said sadly.
‘PLASMA TORPEDOES GENERATED.’
Six plasma torpedoes were fired directly at the control center. They exploded, but the control center remained intact.
‘I can’t destroy it,’ Kalrea said.
The front laser strafed the structure. James could hear the anguish in her voice.
‘It’s shielded like the gateways. My weapons had no effect.’
‘Can you disable it, then?’
‘I don’t know,’ Kalrea replied. ‘There’s not much time. They’re hailing us again,’ Kalrea said. ‘James, it’s the captain of the Aurora, he wants to talk to you.’
‘Put him through,’ James said.
‘James!’ Kalrea replied. ‘You need to know, it’s Lex, your father.’
‘What!’ James was stunned.
He suddenly felt like a child waiting to be told off by his father.
‘…This is Captain Brasdoi of the Qinant exploration force. Please identify yourself,’ Lex’s voice came through. ‘Why did you destroy one of our ships?’
James didn’t know what to say.
‘I repeat, this is Captain—’
‘Dad, it’s me, James… I mean Jameilo!’
‘Jameilo! It can’t be, he’s back on Qintaino. Who are you?’
‘No, dad, it is me. Really! This ship is the Aurora.’
‘So that’s your father,’ Londuo said.
‘Who’s that?’ Lex questioned. ‘I recognize that voice.’
‘My name’s Londuo,’ she replied.
‘Not Londuo Besic! I left you on Qintaino, Londuo,’ Lex sounded confused.
‘I’m sorry, but I’ve never met you before,’ Londuo replied.
‘Dad, you must listen to me; we don’t have much time. We’re from another timeline that you created when you went through the gateway. I’m sorry, but we cannot allow you or the Pulsora to exit the Paradoxica. You would, otherwise, become responsible for the beginning of a long and bloody war.’
‘James, the other Kalrea knows I’m trying to destroy the Paradoxica. She’s asking why,’ Kalrea said. ‘I can’t destroy it on my own!’
‘That’s Kalrea’s voice!’ Lex said.
‘James! There’s no more time; we must act now,’ Kalrea said.
‘Dad, please! We have to destroy the Paradoxica! We need your help. Kalrea, transmit to Lex and Kalrea all we know. Let them see,’ James instructed.
As he spoke wisps of vapor formed from his mouth.
