Several weeks had passed, and reports from the alternate universe seemed to indicate that the war had paused for a time. In those weeks, Slavik had his technicians duplicate the lunar base's Chronosphere. He had a more important use for their first. Upon completion of the duplicate, the determined commander ordered that the first be move to a remote area, far from the base. He also insisted that he go along with it, though no one knew why. When the time came, and the device was dropped off, he ordered everyone to return to the base.

Finally alone, he was free to go about his task for the moment. He was going to attempt that which had brought the device into Nod's possession in the first place. He was going to chronoshift the device itself, and go along for the ride. Except unlike its creators, he knew exactly where and when he was headed. He input the coordinates, made sure the temporary power source was charged, and initiated the process. It was a good thing they managed to make it a bit smaller, he thought absently.



Egypt, 1995. Shortly before the end of the first Tiberium War

Kane sat alone in a massive, subterranean portion of his command center that he kept hidden even from his top lieutenants. Suddenly in front of him appeared a large device, with a hemispherical front, and a long trailing end. Next to it stood a blond young man wearing a uniform identifying him as part of the Black Hand of Nod.

"Who are you?" Kane asked.

"My name is Anton Slavik. I have come from the beginning of the year 2032." With that introduction, Slavik told his story as Kane listened intently, fascinated by the information.

"You have done good work, Slavik. I am glad to see I so wisely chose a commander for my forces. Your gift should prove very useful."

* * *

Some time later, Kane sent Slavik back to the lunar base, and the faithful soldier found himself back in his private room in the base. But he sensed he was not alone. He spun, raising his sidearm, and stopped, immediately snapping to attention.

"Good to see you again, Slavik. I'm glad things have gone accordingly. I was beginning to wonder when you would set out on that particular venture."



End



Nothing like a cliffhanger ending, eh? Wanna know what's coming next? I'm going to be working on other things for a while, but here's a little preview for you.



Coming Whenever I Feel Like It.

FD2: Timeless

The war between universes rages on, and finds its way to the doorstep of the United Earth Directorate! With one Earth destroyed already in the conflict, can another stand strong? Elsewhere and elsewhen, Kane embarks on a journey with his newly acquired Chronosphere. Over the course of his travels, he sees his own future, and meets up with a very familiar figure.

I'm torn on what my next project will be. It will either be the follow up to Dark Vengeance, my Star Wars fic, or the first in a Mega Man X trilogy. (Or maybe something else. You never know.)