Episode 24: Memories Left Behind- A New Life Awaiting
As the mysterious events in the Canadian Territories drifts farther down the river of time, the concern to discover its source also died away. The investigation drew to a close, and the United Earth once again focused its attention on itself.
However, there were a select few who kept their eyes to the heavens; waiting and planning for when whatever, or whoever, was out there to play their hand…
"Congratulations, Aelan Marcus. To be chosen for a position of tenant is a great honor. You have demonstrated aptitude, and leadership qualities beyond any normal person."
The collective voice of the Tenant Council seemed somewhat pleased, a pleasure that Aelan shared. He looked up to the massive bowl seating, and quickly spotted the empty chair that he was soon going to fill.
"You may take your seat, TENANT Marcus." The collective ordered, and with a large smile, Aelan did as commanded. As he sat down, his eyes scanned his new surroundings. From above, in the visitor's seating, Yeara and his father Talor were beaming, most likely reflecting Aelan's appearance. Across the conclave Kiron Gorrs smirked, and nodded gently.
"Things are definitely going to change… for the better." Aelan thought.
He couldn't have been more wrong. In a matter of just three weeks, his entire life collapsed…
"The cyborg has lost control!" Ventrali shouted, "Evacuate the premises! I repeat, evacuate the premises!"
Supposedly, routine drills were taken every other day to create an orderly method of leaving a dangerous area. It became obvious that the drills failed miserably. Chaos ensued the moment the alarms blared, and red lights began to flash, signifying the escape route.
Even if the assembled dignitaries had tried to escape in an orderly fashion, it probably wouldn't have mattered. The cyborg jumped from the testing lab floor, and through the tinted windows into the spectator section, ramming through the main support beam of the lab as it did so.
The attack left everyone scrambling, and Aelan fell from his position at the top of the bleacher seats, falling backward onto the ground a couple meters below. For a moment, the wind was knocked out of him. He was actually fortunate, as the cyborg didn't seem to notice that Aelan was alive, rushing out of the spectator's booth, and rampaging through the rest of the facility.
Aelan slowly stood up; listening somewhat vacantly as the automated security system continued a running account of the situation. The cyborg had broken loose from the Level 5 security. At this rate, it would escape from the facility in a matter of minutes. From there… all hell would break loose.
Clearing the cobwebs, Aelan took a running jump from the spectator seating, down to the lab floor. Halfway down, he realized the drop was a little farther than he had expected. His knees nearly buckled as he hit the ground, but he remembered quickly to roll forward, taking most of the shock off his legs.
Even before he knew it, he was bolting for the console that supposedly controlled the cyborg. The automated security announced that the half machine had broken out of Level 4 security. Aelan knew it was only going to get easier as it progressed through the security lockouts, and that he didn't have much time.
Finally, Aelan reached the console, and prepared to give all access override. From over his shoulder, he heard a feminine voice gasp, "Aelan…"
He whirled around. Inside the test bay, pinned underneath a large beam, was Yeara. Aelan started to go to her when the automated security confirmed that the cyborg had cleared Level 3 security.
"Stop that thing… before… it gets loose…" Yeara demanded.
"I'll be back!" Aelan shouted back then rushed to the console. Meanwhile, Level 2 security had been breached. Aelan had to stop the monster now. Waving his hand across the console ID system, he ordered, "Clearance Override: Tenant Marcus. Access code 33473. Terminate Eternal Project Case Study, Immediately!"
Suddenly, the alarms ceased, and the automated security system confirmed that all threats were abated. Aelan sighed in relief, but his comfort was short-lived. From above, he heard a sharp crack. Spinning full about, he watched in dismay as the ceiling above the test lab came crashing down, burying his wife under 3 tons of debris.
Three hours later, Aelan was sure that he had seen the depths of Hell without even being sent there. As he watched them pull Yeara out of the rubble, her body torn and broken, Aelan felt as if his soul was trying to abandon him.
Kiron tried to turn Aelan away, "Aelan… you don't need to see this…"
Aelan then pushed himself away, and snapped, "You have no idea what I need and don't need to see! Just give me my last chance to see her."
"I'm just warning you. You probably don't want to see what is left."
Ignoring Kiron, he approached the small bag that Yeara was being placed in. Sure enough, Yeara was beaten beyond almost all recognition, but all Aelan saw was the beautiful face of the woman he would never be with again…
Aelan walked into the Tenant Council dejectedly. Despite the fact that his wife had died not 3 days before, he was called into the council to report for duty. But before he could enter the chamber, Kiron stopped him.
"What do you want, Mister Gorrs?" Aelan snapped, "They want me inside."
"That's why I'm here. We figured that you'd best hear it from me than some disembodied voice."
"There have been reports that your father is having outside communication." Kiron explained.
"With who?"
"We don't know. We aren't even sure if it's true. That's why the Tenant Council needs your help. You'll be able to get closer than any of us." Kiron stepped away slightly, as if expecting to Aelan to snap at any moment.
"I'm made of stronger stuff than that, Kiron." Aelan retorted, almost insulted by his friend's actions. "Granted, such suspicions towards my only remaining relative sting, my personal feelings have to remain irrelevant. If my father is communicating with the outside, he is endangering my home."
Aelan then took a deep breath, and said, "I will do what only I can do. Tell the Tenant Council not to worry."
Aelan sat down at the long resting chair, and reclined back as his father brought him his favorite beverage. Aelan smiled slighty, and gratefully took the cup, sipping the hot liquid gently.
Talor Marcus sat down, and said, "I can't believe that they asked you to return to duty so quickly. You'd think that they had never lost a loved one."
"It's quite all right, father." Aelan replied, "Perhaps it's a good thing for me to come back to work. It takes my mind off… other things."
"If that is what you find acceptable… I won't stop you. Just whatever you do, don't let this thing dwell. The sooner you confront your pain, the better off you will be." Talor stood up, and took his now empty cup to the cleaning bin.
"I'll take that in mind." Aelan replied. Talor had always been a loving and supportive father. 'How could someone suspect him of endangering his home?"
Talor emerged back into the living room, and commented, "It is getting a little late. Why don't you spend the night here?"
Aelan agreed. This would be a perfect opportunity to prove or disprove all the accusations. Talor left again, this time upstairs to prepare his humble abode for an unexpected guest, and Aelan took the opportunity to plant a high-frequency scanner in the living quarters.
Night finally fell, and Aelan pulled out his small display unit. If anything was amiss in the elder Marcus's household, the sensor in the living area would pick up on it. For hours, nothing happened, then a small spike on the readout caught Aelan's attention. The spike quickly became two, then a straight transmission line. There was definitely a transmission occurring, and it sure wasn't a local call.
Aelan tried to trace its destination, but when the transmission line left the ionosphere, it became quite clear that the message wasn't for anyone on Eden. "It's true… my father…"
Aelan rocked on his heels for a second, his mind reeling. He had only agreed to spy on his father because he had been sure that Talor wasn't doing anything wrong. "But he is… he's putting all of Eden at risk. Dad, what in the hell are you thinking?"
With a heart that felt like it was suddenly made with lead, Aelan made a motion to his signal unit. Tapping the small device, Aelan waited. Within seconds, there was a sound of forced entry, and Talor's shout of surprise.
Deciding that it just wouldn't do to remain upstairs, Aelan walked down to meet his father one last time. There was no doubt in his mind what would happen to his father, the same thing that happened to every person who threatened the people of Eden. A one way trip to the prison called Hell.
Aelan looked over at his father, Talor Marcus, now restrained by several peacekeeping personnel. Aelan quickly looked away, and said, "I'm… sorry."
Talor merely smiled, and answered, "Don't be. You were just doing what you needed to do."
Aelan was now sure that one didn't need to be a prisoner to be trapped in Hell. While HIS life was better than it ever was, all those who had been close to him had seemed to suffer because of it. A life without those to care for you… was it even worth living?
During a short recess from the Council, Aelan sat down on the grass outside the large chamber. Despite the fact that the sun was shining, the world could not be darker in Aelan's eyes.
He was so engrossed in his own despair that he didn't even notice that Kiron had sat down next to him until the elder Edenite said, "Damn… I wouldn't wish your life on my worst enemy. I know it doesn't mean much, but I'm sorry."
"Do you have something meaningful to say, Kiron?" Aelan snapped.
"Actually, I do." Kiron said, "I'm being sent out again."
"ANOTHER planet?" Aelan said, "That's your fourth mission!" Kiron really didn't show it, but he was nearing the century mark, almost 40 years of his life spent on alien soil.
"I know." Kiron answered, "I've convinced the Tenant Council to let you be my partner this time around."
"What?" Aelan nearly sputtered, "You have to be a tenant for 5 years before you're even eligible."
"I convinced the Council that this was the best thing to do. This is a special case, and I think you could use the chance to leave Eden for a while. This could be your chance to create a new life somewhere for a while, to distance yourself from all that has happened."
Aelan thought about it. All this pain… he could be able to leave it all behind, for as long as this mission would take. To give himself time to sort it out. For the first time in what seemed like ages, Aelan smiled, and replied, "If you are willing to accept this rookie's company, I'd be glad to join you."
Next time…
Aelan's father returns to center stage, and it appears that he has renewed his old acquaintances. Their plans don't seem to be of the peaceful nature, either, as the Fold relay system of Earth comes under attack by forces from Eden…
Coming in Episode 25: Sins of the Father