-CHAPTER 5-

I leaned against Carlos as he slept in his seat aboard the transport. We had done our best to give the appearance of a happy couple on vacation, and in my mind, that was exactly what we were. The last two weeks of travel had been a vacation for me from all the cares and loneliness I had felt for...

How long had it been? More than a year? Longer?

It didn't matter.

I was happy. This wasn't happiness at being free from captivity like had been the case early in my and Jack's marriage.

This was happiness for its own sake. The happiness of new experiences, not dread of old ones.

I looked at the chronometer. We'd be landing in San Francisco in another forty-five minutes.

Time enough for a nap.

***

"Are you sure they didn't plant any information into your consciousness?"

I let out a chuckle at Pervalt's question. "I'm sure, but the psychologists you had examine me would know better than I would."

"Dr. Lau, even the smallest detail could have ramifications none of us can guess at." The old man ruffled through a set of papers he held in his hand. "To discover the Ancient Progenitors were using temporal dislocation for an as yet undisclosed purpose requires us to take extreme measures to prevent them from altering the timeline."

"I don't think that was their intention."

Several members of the panel leaned forward, and for a change, took an interest in the debriefing.

"What makes you say that?" the previously silent Belvedere asked.

"If they had wanted to change the timeline, wouldn't it make sense they'd have done something to prevent their own destruction on Hely'ra?"

Belvedere smiled. "Yes, I suppose so."

I didn't like the way Belvedere stared at me. He had that infuriating look someone has when they know a secret and won't tell you.

I hated that.

A temporal agent named Sherman took over the questioning. "Dr. Lau, these Wubon you met, do they correspond with any known species today?"

"None that I am aware of."

"So you think they are extinct as well?"

"I really can't say. The Galaxy is a big place." I leaned forward in my chair. "But I think there is a connection between the Wubon and us."

Eyebrows raised on the faces of all twelve panel members.

"That's a rather bold statement," Sherman said. "What exactly do you mean?"

"I think they..." I was into it now, no time to back down. "They may have played a significant role in the origin of the Ancient Progenitors, and therefore in our origin."

"Really," Belvedere more stated than asked. "Please do elaborate, Doctor."

"From my experience in their time, it appeared to me that they had a hand in various parts of the Progenitors' plans. And there was part of a conversation I overheard..."

"That's all very interesting, but we have little interest in your opinion of bits of chatter," Pervalt said. "The facts will do us quite well."

"I understand," I said. "But I intend to pursue this as an archaeologist."

Pervalt smiled. "Be our guest."

"Then I can use the reports of my experience to begin this line of study?"

"Certainly not."

"But this may completely expand our knowledge about who we are."

"It would also break the direct link between us and the Ancient Progenitors, a species now viewed with less than pure motives by some. Rather convenient for you considering recent news reports," Belvedere said. "Do you really think the Wubon are any more noble?"

"Yes." I knew there was some truth to what he said about my motives, but there was a larger truth here to be found. "With those reports I can get the Archaeological Council to support this, and their approval will..."

"No." Belvedere said. "This information is classified. If you wish to pursue the question of the Wubon through your own work, you may do so, but any reference to your experience in the past is forbidden."

"You can't do that!"

"Mind your place!" Belvedere barked. He seemed on the verge of exploding. "We can do far more than we are. Be glad we let you pursue the matter at all, Dr. Lau."

I got the impression this was not the time or place to push this. I'd ask Carlos about it later to see what possibilities were available to me. One thing I was certain about, Belvedere frightened me, and for the life of me, I didn't know why.

Sherman jumped in again. "Now Doctor, about the device which sent you back to us..."

***

I smiled when I found Carlos waiting outside the conference room in the wide, curving hallway. It was already dark outside and I was starving.

"Hi," I said as I put my arms around him. Having him hold me again made be feel much better.

He paused to look into my eyes. "Everything okay?"

"Well..."

"I thought I saw something."

"What?"

"That look you get."

"Another look? What's this one?"

"An intensity in your eyes when you are angry and determined to do something about it."

I stepped away from him, careful to make sure no passersby paid us too much attention.

"That inquisition in there. The damn fools won't let me report what I've learned about the Wubon."

"I am not surprised. They can't very well let you speak of your temporal experience."

I couldn't believe it. "You agree with them?"

"Mei, the general public doesn't know about the specifics of time travel for one important reason... they don't want to. It would unsettle the safe world they believe they live in."

"That's self serving Temporal Investigations crap and you know it!"

"If people were to learn their existence might cease without warning in the blink of an eye because someone journeyed five hundred years into the past, do you really think they could cope with such knowledge?"

"Yes."

"You are being naive, Mei-Wan."

"Go to hell."

He was about to say something else, but I saw the shift in his demeanor.

"Am I really the one you want to argue with?" he asked.

"No," I said. "But I can't believe you don't see this as clearly as I do."

"I understand your position quite well. I have on occasion argued it with my superiors. But over the years, I have learned the psychology of the general public rarely follows the ideals we might wish it to." Carlos looked down the hall. "They're starting to come out. We should go."

"I'd like to talk about this."

"How about we meet for dinner?"

"Okay."

He leaned toward me, giving me a far too quick kiss. "See you at the hotel?"

"Sure."

I watched him leave. After he was out of sight, I turned to the large curving windows overlooking San Francisco. Night descended in all its fullness.

And so did my spirits.

***

I fought all evening to set aside my troubled thoughts. Carlos and I had gone to a comedy club after dinner, and for a couple of hours I had forgotten.

The two of us had laughed and joked the entire walk back to hotel.

But now as I lay on the bed, my heart slowing after our lovemaking, it all came back again.

Carlos stood at the window, its panes wide open, allowing a strong wind to toss about the curtains.

The air felt good, despite how cold it was.

I rolled off the bed and walked over to the window. I leaned against Carlos, enjoying the glow of his skin against mine.

He continued to look at the city. "This isn't going to work, is it?"

Our conspiracy of silence evaporated like so much morning dew struck by the heat of reality.

I put my arm around him. "I wish..."

He smiled. "So do I."

"You keep secrets. I've dedicated my life to uncovering them," I said. "That's about as mutually exclusive as you can get."

"Don't push Temporal Investigations too far, Mei. They have a way of finding your weak points and pressing them hard."

"Did they tell you to say that?"

"Please... I can keep your secrets too."

I ran my hand over his back. "Fortunately, I have few."

He took a deep breath. "But there is one they could use against you if they knew about it."

"What?"

"Belvedere asked me to look into something concerning you."

I moved to face him. "What?"

"He wanted me to get the genetic records for your sister's child."

My legs nearly faltered. "What... what about him?"

"He wanted me to find out who the boy's parents were."

"What's the point of that?" I could see in his eyes he wasn't buying it.

"I ran the tests myself, Mei. Don't take me for a fool."

I walked away and sat on the edge of the bed. "Did you tell Belvedere yet?"

"No."

"How long before you do?"

Carlos turned to face me. "I go to see him tomorrow."

"Please, if I've meant anything to you..."

He smiled. "The records show Enlai Lau is genetically your sister's son."

I shook my head. "But..."

"I altered them."

I smiled, relieved he had chosen to keep the secret of... my son. "Thank you."

"We all have secrets we want kept."

"The universe won't be harmed if no one learns he's my baby."

Carlos sat next to me. "Perhaps. But I have found with each piece of fruit we take off the tree of knowledge, we lose another part of Eden."

I looked into his eyes. "Thank you, Carlos. I owe you."

"I like that idea," he said with a grin.

I leaned toward him. "I suppose I should go."

Carlos moved his face to within an inch of mine. "We could enjoy the rest of the night... together, before we are cast out of the dream we both hoped would become reality."

"I'd like that," I said as our lips touched.

***

Several hours later, I rested against Carlos in the bed. The window was still open. I enjoyed the combination of the chilled air on one side of my body, and his warmth on the other. It gave me a peace that allowed my mind to drift.

I wanted to hold onto him and this moment for as long as I could.

But the god of sleep pulled me down into his dark abyss.

My last thought before hitting bottom was, I'm in love with him. Why do I have to...

- - - - -

"Hmmm, my... what do you call it?" the dark skinned man asked.

"It's a pawn," I said.

"Yes, pawn. It seems destined to be lost."

"Don't worry about it. You've got seven more. That's what they're for."

"Really?"

I looked up to see his eyes. He seemed more stern than the last time.

"So should I indulge my interest in the Wubon?" I asked as I took his pawn.

"Are you asking for direction or confirmation?" He studied the field of play intently, then moved another pawn.

"I value your opinion." I moved a bishop across the board. "Aside from my parents, you've known me longer than anyone else."

"Every deed brings the destruction of what was, transforming the world into what will be. And each is birthed by a choice."

"And what of my choice to pursue the question of the Wubon?"

"What else..." He leaned forward, his face blank. "Pain, suffering... and death."

His hand moved a knight forward and took my bishop.

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Dark Horizon Story and Characters Copyright ©2008 Michael Gray

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