Hi everyone. Okay, first of all I would like to apologise for the bold and italics and stuff going wonky in this story; it's my computer and I've tried everything but it just won't behave. But hopefully it's still kind of legible. Secondly, please don't worry if this storyline doesn't make much sense yet, it will later, I promise (I have a plan lol). Lastly, a big thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing. Hope you enjoy.
For Disclaimer see chapter 2
Chapter 8: Five Years Ago…Five years ago in that very room in the dark, dusty museum stood a young man with a shock of red hair and fear in his eyes. He banged his fists against the Dreamcaster shuttle in desperation, pleading with the figure inside.
"Please, Theodora, don't do this. Just talk to me. I don't understand!"
His wife looked at him from the controls of the ship, her normally rosy cheeks pale and waxy, her dark hair slick to her head with perspiration. She looked up at her husband with cold, dead eyes.
"Why so sad, Adam?" she inquired in a monotone drawl that was clearly not her own. "I must prove myself."
"I don't understand," Adam replied.
"I love you."
A single tear escaped Adam's eye at his wife's emotionless proclamation.
"I love you too. Please don't leave!"
Theodora turned to the controls again, and the control panel lit up. "I have to prove myself, Adam."
With that, the shuttle vanished, creating a small sub-space portal to escape the station. Adam stumbled forward, the metal he'd been banging against suddenly not there.
"No!"
He ran out of the museum, his mind whirling with a mixture of shock and fear. He was dizzy, and the whole station was spinning. The first thing that came into focus was a hovering information screen. He vaguely remembered Theodora and himself laughing about them when they first boarded Gambit Junction: they seemed to look over your shoulder and listen to your conversations. But maybe it could help now…
He stumbled over to the screen, which turned to face him.
"Where has the Dreamcaster shuttle gone?" he demanded.
'One moment please, sir…' came the automated reply.
The screen flickered, and a grainy image with the caption 'GJ7 STARBOARD' appeared. It showed the Dreamcaster heading away from the station.
Adam hollered at the screen.
"I need to speak to the hostess!"
Instantaneously a visual link was established between the hostess' office and the hovering screen. She wore a cool, icy expression, and a badge that read 'Rathah Hightj, Hostess.'
"Can I help you sir?"
"My wife, she's… the Dreamcaster… she's left in the Dreamcaster shuttle!"
A wry smile appeared on the hostess' face. "I think you should get some sleep, sir. I'm sure you'll find her right as rain in the morning."
The visual link was severed.
She doesn't believe me.
Adam decided to take matters into his own hands, and turned to the screen once more. "Let me talk to the Shadow Proclamation…"
----
The hostess looked out of the window in her office, nursing a hot beverage. She frowned as she saw two large uniform ships far off in the distance. It took her a moment to realise who they belonged to. When she did, her eyes narrowed in disdain. "Judoon."
----
Inside the Dreamcaster, Theodora was almost glued to the controls. Her mind was screaming at her body to stop, but she found another force was in control.
-Not far now, Theodora Smite. Your journey along the hidden path is almost complete. You will prove your love to your other-
Suddenly, a blinding light flashed in front of the shuttle, and something like a bolt of lightening tore a hole in space.
"Wh-what is that?" Theodora stammered, tears rolling down her face.
-That… is time-
"What?!"
-Hurry, Theodora Smite. The Proclamation is here. Hurry to fulfil your journey-
----
Adam sat against a wall, somewhere on Gambit Junction. He didn't know where. He didn't care. All he cared for had vanished with a mysterious shuttle.
The sound of heels clacking against the metal floor echoed up the corridor towards him, but he didn't notice until two feet stood solidly in front of him, and he looked up. It was the hostess.
"Sir, come with me."
She led him to the Medical Bay. Adam vaguely remembered it: he'd brought Theodora here a few days ago because she had suddenly become very tired. And to his delight, he saw his wife, lying still and serene on the medical bed. He rushed over to her, only to find that she was strapped down and sedated. He turned to the hostess, who had dismissed the medical staff.
"I explained our little misunderstanding to the Judoon. They weren't particularly agreeable to letting us keep her, but as they have no jurisdiction over Gambit Junction they really had no choice."
"W-what's wrong with her?" he stammered, longing to release his love of those terrible restraints.
The hostess followed his gaze to the straps, and took a step forward. "A necessary precaution. She's… not exactly… herself."
"What does that mean?"
"All in good time." She paused. "How did she get into the museum?"
If Adam hadn't been overwhelmed with grief, he might have noticed that it wasn't a genuine inquiry. He may also have noticed that she had locked the door.
But he didn't. He turned away from the hostess to gaze at his wife, taking her hand as best he could through the restraints.
"The card key," he said simply. "We shouldn't really be here anyway. It was just luck. A stupid competition at work, and we won the best suite here for the week. Must have cost my boss a fortune."
No response.
"Anyway, the card key was a bit weird anyway, really shiny. And it let us into the cinema yesterday when we were late. I just thought it was VIP access, but it let her into that shuttle as well. Why would a VIP pass let you into a museum display?"
"It's not a display."
Adam frowned. That wasn't the voice of the hostess. He turned around to see an old woman, face worn with age and wisdom, her features distorted in anger.
Adam took a step back in surprise.
"It is not a display," the woman repeated. "It belongs to my dear friend. Who is now your wife's dear friend."
"Who are you?"
"I am the Keeper. And you have spoiled our plans, Adam Spite."
He turned briefly to look at his wife, anger growing in his heart.
"What have you done to Theodora?"
"We have waited for a long time for a troubled soul to assist us. It seems this time our plan was not meant to be. But you and your wife will serve as worthy compensation for my friend…"
Adam felt a tugging on his leg, and looked down. Too late. Something engulfed him in a flash of silvery-blue light, while the old woman looked on with an emotionless, icy stare, ignoring the screams and crunches.
----
The hostess opened the door to the Medical Bay, stepped out onto the balcony, and closed the door behind her. Poised in her heels, she glanced down at the card key in her hand, which flashed sliver-blue before settling to a regular colour.
"Don't worry, my friend," she said in an undertone. "We can wait."
----
What do you think? I know that was a bit random, but it will help to explain things as the story progresses. Reviews always welcome xx