Chapter 11
It was late afternoon when Taylor's Rover drove through the front gate. The wheels splashed and slipped a little in the mix of melting snow and mud as the Rover skidded to a halt. Jim was standing nearby to greet him when he jumped out of the vehicle. Security had spotted the inbound Rover as it emerged from the trees a few hundred metres away, and Jim had come down to see what Taylor's mental state was like. He took a deep breath. He wasn't looking forward to the conversation, but his senior officer had to be told sooner or later.
"Welcome Home, Commander."
"Shannon." Taylor took a deep breath and looked around the colony in satisfaction. "It's good to be home."
He smiled at Jim and patted his friend's back as they walked toward the Command Centre. Jim smoothly concealed his surprise. When Taylor had left a week ago, they hadn't exactly parted on good terms. Nathaniel had been sullen and quiet since the occupation had ended and had ignored all concerns raised by his intention of going OTG for a few days. When Jim had tried to reason with him, Taylor had almost bitten his head off. Jim had been pushed roughly aside and Taylor had sped out the gates without another word. Now, it seemed, his little trip had done him the world of good! He had returned a changed man, and though Jim was reluctant to destroy his good mood, the deed had to be done.
"Commander-"
"Shannon, you should've seen it up there at sunset, overlooking the colony. Prettiest picture you can imagine. Of course, when the snow started coming in .." Taylor whistled and chuckled to himself. ".. that mountain redefined the word "cold", I can tell you!"
Jim laughed in sympathy.
"I can imagine."
"Ahh .." Taylor turned to face Jim just before they reached the steps. "Nature has its own way of telling us things, doesn't it?"
"Yes sir, I suppose it does."
Nathaniel nodded and looked thoughtful for a moment before shifting his focus back to his second-in-command.
"Well, how were things while I was away? I take it you had everything handled. I swear, Jim, you're getting almost as good at my job as I am!"
"No chance of that, sir!" Jim shook his head with a laugh before taking on a more serious manner. "There was one development .."
Taylor stared at Jim soberly.
"Well, spit it out, Shannon. I'm fading away here!"
As Jim opened his mouth to begin, an anxious soldier interrupted them. Glancing at Commander Taylor awkwardly, he turned to speak to Jim in a low voice.
"Sir, I, uh, need to talk to you."
Before Jim could reply, Taylor patted him on the shoulder with a short laugh.
"A commander's work is never done. Off you go, Shannon. We can talk later."
As Taylor ran up the stairs into his Command Centre, Jim turned to the soldier with a frustrated sigh.
"Well, what is it?"
"Sir, Lucas Taylor wants to see you. He says it's important."
If they had happened to glance up, they would've seen Commander Taylor's eyes narrow dangerously as he watched them hurry toward the brig.
Lucas sat up in his cot as Jim entered.
"You called?"
Lucas gestured to the floor with a smirk.
"Please, sit down. Make yourself at home."
Jim folded his arms and remained standing.
"What is this about, Lucas?"
Lucas smiled amiably.
"I have information for you. I'm willing to make a trade."
"And what kind of information would that be?"
Lucas sized him up for a moment.
"I know where the Sixers camp is. I can direct you there."
"I'm sure Mira would be happy to know you'd sell her out so easily."
"Mira and I have a working arrangement. She'd give me up just as quickly. Probably quicker."
Jim highly doubted that Mira would give Lucas up at all. Whatever she was, she was extremely loyal, but he said nothing. Lucas grew impatient.
"Do you want the location, or not?"
Jim smiled. He was going to enjoy bursting the smug genius' bubble.
"Lucas, we already know where the Sixers base is located. Everyone knows. It's not a big secret, pal."
Lucas narrowed his eyes at Jim for a moment before laughing roughly.
"Bucket. I should've known she'd turn and sell them out as soon as she got her mother back."
"Actually, Skye had nothing to do with it." Jim remarked flatly.
Lucas frowned at him.
"Then how-"
"Look, how we get our information is of no concern to you. What IS your concern-"
Lucas suddenly shook his head with a short laugh.
"Curran. Of course. I wanted to just leave him out there, but Mira insisted on taking pity on him-"
"Lucas, are we done here? Because I have actual work to do." Jim was losing patience.
Lucas tilted his head and sighed long-sufferingly.
"Alright. I can help you rebuild the Portal Terminus."
"Maybe we don't want it fixed."
"I can tell you where the Phoenix Group are headed."
"We already know they're headed back to the Badlands, Lucas. Come on, you're wasting both our time."
"I can tell you how Mira communicates with 2149."
Jim was silent for a few moments. This information at least could be useful. It could give them an advantage over the Phoenix Group. Jim studied Lucas.
"And what do you want in return?"
"I'll only give the information to Skye."
"No." Jim shook his head firmly. "Not gonna happen."
"Then the deal's off."
Lucas leaned back and folded his arms as best he could with his cuffs in the way. Jim nodded.
"Fine. Don't expect me to come the next time you feel like wasting my time." As he headed for the door, Lucas called after him.
"Just a few minutes, Shannon. The information's too valuable to refuse me that."
Jim slammed the door shut behind him, but Lucas smiled. He'd gotten through after all.
Upon exiting the brig, Jim immediately sought out Taylor, but the leader of the colony was nowhere to be found. After searching the Command Centre for a second time, Jim ran his hands through his hair in frustration. Where could he be?! Perhaps after eating, he had gone straight to bed. Jim made up his mind and headed back down to the brig. Looking around as he approached the guard at the door, Jim breathed an internal sigh of relief. At least Taylor hadn't slipped past him and made his way down here! He addressed the guard at the door.
"Guzman, who's next on shift?"
Guzman looked up and knotted his eyebrows. After a moment, his face cleared.
"Brady."
Jim nodded.
"Listen, can you tell Brady that if he catches sight of Commander Taylor, especially down here, he needs to contact me immediately. Even if it's in the middle of the night. Same goes for you."
"Sure." Guzman frowned. "Do you think he might .. respond unfavourably .. to the news that his son is back in town?"
Jim shrugged. "I don't really know. Let's just hope he doesn't find out until I get a chance to tell him. Understand?"
Guzman nodded.
"Loud and clear."
Jim gave him a grateful pat on the shoulder and left the brig once again. He stepped outside just as Terra Nova's boundary lights were flickering on. One more stop before he could sign off for the night. As he walked past his house, he stared longingly through the window at his family. Elisabeth, Zoe, and Josh appeared to be getting ready for dinner. The latter two were sitting at the table engaged in an amusingly serious game. Just one more stop, then he could return. He proceeded on up the gravel street and soon arrived at his destination. Deborah answered the door on the second knock.
"Jim? Is something wrong?"
Jim glanced past her into the house.
"Oh, nothing too serious, but .. would you mind stepping outside for a moment?"
Deborah stepped outside and closed the door gently. She turned to him with raised eyebrows, looking so much like her inquisitive daughter that Jim had to hide a smile.
"It's pretty cold out here, so I'll make this quick. Lucas Taylor is asking to see Skye." He watched her closely. He hadn't known her before her husband's death and her own illness, but she still didn't look very strong to him. Hopefully this update didn't worry her too much. Deborah's expression barely altered.
"So tell him he can't see her."
Jim shifted in discomfort.
"It's .. not quite that simple. He .."
"He's offering you something in return." Deborah nodded as the understanding dawned. "What is it?"
"Information. How Mira communicates with the future." Jim continued as Deborah nodded again, smiling sadly. "I already told him no deal. I just thought you should know before everyone else does .. just in case."
"Just in case what?"
"Just in case people start putting pressure on her. You know. It's your decision whether you tell her or not." Jim hesitated. He didn't know this woman very well. "But if I may say so, I think Skye's pretty good at deciding what she can and can't cope with."
Deborah smiled at him and shook her head.
"She's so brave and she's been through so much already. She needs to move on, put this behind her. I don't want her seeing him. I don't want her to have to make the decision."
"Understood." Jim tensed guiltily as Skye slowly opened the front door. Deborah turned to smile at her daughter.
"I'm just talking to Mr. Shannon. I'll be in in a moment."
Skye didn't move. Instead she gestured to the door with a wry smile.
"These doors .. not very soundproof."
"Not when someone's standing behind them listening to other peoples' private conversations at any rate." Her mother raised a knowing eyebrow.
Skye laughed in mock indignation before becoming more serious.
"You don't want me making a decision about what?" She leaned against the doorframe with her arms folded.
Deborah glanced at Jim, who shrugged helplessly. Seeing no way around it, she sighed and turned to her daughter.
"Lucas wants to see you."
Skye frowned and looked past her mother, addressing Jim.
"Why?"
Jim looked at the ground for a moment, considering his words carefully.
"Skye .. I don't know why he wants to see you. I suppose he has his own reasons." He hesitated. "He was willing to give up some information, but only to you." Seeing the distress cloud her face, he hurriedly added, "I told him it wasn't possible."
Skye stared up at the oncoming night for a moment before staring right into Jim's eyes seriously.
"His information .. it's important, isn't it? It can make a difference."
Jim glanced at Deborah, who looked back at him gravely, but neither of them said anything. They didn't have to. Skye shook her head and laughed weakly.
"He always has a game plan."
Her mother stepped forward.
"Listen to me, Bucket. Skye, look at me." Deborah put her hands on her daughter's shoulders. "This is not your responsibility anymore. You don't have to do this."
"No one's asking you to do this, Skye." Jim added. "There are other ways we can get information out of hi-" He pulled up abruptly as Deborah shot him a warning look.
Skye pulled back from both of them.
"Thank you both, but I don't need protecting. I need to go to bed." She turned and went inside.
Jim and Deborah exchanged a helpless look.
"Guess the ball's in her court now." Jim stifled a yawn and rubbed his eyes. "It's been a long day. I'm going home. If you need anything, let me know." He patted Deborah's shoulder and disappeared into the dusk. Deborah watched him go and then stood for a moment, gazing up at the star-speckled evening sky. Gradually, she came to a decision. Jim may not be able to do anything, but she might. She wrapped her shawl around herself a little more snugly and headed inside. It was time she had a talk with Lucas Taylor.
