CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:
It never comes easy…
The lights in Mayor Wilkins's office were burning late into the evening. He was taking a meeting with some "gentlemen" to discuss resolving his robot problem.
Calling the beings the Mayor was meeting with gentlemen was being generous, but he wasn't picky about who he made deals with as long as they got results and these beings promised results. The Mayor looked at the two demons sitting in front of him and he hoped that they would be able to get him the results he wanted.
"So we hear there is some kind of robot running around town killing demons." One of the demons said.
"I ain't heard of no robots before… I find it hard to believe such a thing exists." said the other demon.
"Well believe me… It exists and it's unlike anything I've ever seen before. It's serious and dangerous." Wilkins replied in his customary politician's persona not showing his frustration with his current situation.
"And so you called us to help remove this problem from your hair?" said the first demon.
"Yes… For now it appears that we have an understanding in place, but I feel that I should have some 'insurance' in place to remove this robot when I feel the time is right… Can you do it?" Wilkins asked.
"For the right price we can do anything… We have access to some of the latest military hardware. Just so you know this kind of operation won't be cheap and it could be loud and messy." the first demon said.
"Whatever you need to do… Can you be ready to go in five days?" the Mayor asked eagerly.
The first demon turned to his partner, "What do you think… Ten man team… .50 cal sniper rifle with armored piercing rounds… RPG's and maybe something a little heavier... Just to be sure?"
"Yeah… That sounds about right…" said the second demon.
The first demon nodded and turned to face the Mayor, "Yeah… We can be ready to go on your schedule… It will cost $1.5 million for the job though…"
The Mayor tried to maintain his composure at hearing the price, "That's a lot of money you're asking for."
"Hey… For the size of the team and the type of weapons to be used on such a short deadline, that price is a bargain. We're taking into account your particular situation and needs." the first demon replied.
Wilkins sighed as he knew that he didn't have many options available to him, "We have a deal then… Just make sure you're ready and you get rid of my problem when the time comes." he said.
Both demons smiled at the Mayor showing their sharp razor teeth, "We'll turn that robot into scrap metal when the time comes." said the first demon.
oOoOo
Faith had no words and was disoriented as everything for her suddenly went white. Then just as suddenly the whiteness faded and normal colors started to reappear. She found herself trying to reorient herself, she was still standing next to Michael, but they were no longer in Angel's living room—they were in a room that was all white and brightly lit. It was a strange looking room and the light seemed to be coming from everywhere, but she couldn't see a light source.
She had recovered enough that she found her voice and was going to ask Michael what had happened and where they were. She thought she heard what sounded like a door open behind her. Turning quickly she saw an opening in the wall that looked like a doorway, but it was the light bulb hovering in front of them that caught her attention. If that wasn't strange enough the light bulb spoke to them…
"Reclaimer! It is good that you have returned! I have important news for you! I also see that you have brought someone with you… From facial recognition I have identified the female human as Faith, but she appears to be younger than your records indicate." the floating light bulb spoke rapidly in a cheerful voice.
Michael answered the talkative light bulb, "Hello Eternal Vigilance. Yes I did bring back Faith with me…" Michael paused and let out a sigh, "…It seems you were right in your assessment. It didn't matter what I did… I have affected the time line and have changed the future… So I'm trying to make some 'adjustments' to try and offset the changes I have made."
Faith watched the ongoing exchange between Michael and the floating light bulb as they started to walk towards the doorway, leaving her standing there. She felt completely lost and she had no idea where they were or what was going on—she didn't like that feeling.
"Can somebody tell me what the hell is going on and where we are?!" Faith said in a loud voice trying to control her frustration.
She saw Michael and the floating light bulb both stop and turn towards her, "I'm sorry Faith. Let me introduce 414 Eternal Vigilance… He is the 'caretaker' of this installation." Michael said.
"What installation? He's just a machine?" Faith said in a confused and frustrated voice.
The floating light bulb spoke in a slightly miffed tone catching her by surprise, "I prefer to be called an AI Construct as I am more than just a machine…and you are currently in the Forerunner 5414 Erde-Tyrene Installation."
"Forerunner whatzit?" Faith said still confused and now feeling out of her depth.
Michael removed his helmet. He held out his hand to her and smiled, "It would be easier if I just showed you."
Faith took his hand and they exited the room followed by the AI.
oOoOo
Michael led Faith through the installation. He could see her eyes widen in amazement at the surroundings as she took everything in.
Eternal Vigilance was giving a running commentary, "This installation was constructed by the Forerunners 158,000 of your years ago… For just over 100,000 years this installation has been off-line under my care during that time… Now that a Reclaimer has returned this station has been brought back to full operational mode…"
Faith was still puzzled and confused, "Forerunners… Reclaimers… Are we talking about aliens here?" she asked.
The AI continued, "The Forerunners were the species that built this installation… They were a highly evolved and advanced space-faring species that spanned the galaxy that you call the Milky Way… The installation you are currently in was used for scientific research to explore, map and catalog alternate dimensions."
"So I'm on another planet?" Faith asked stilling trying to get a grasp on where she was.
"You are on 5414 Erde-Tyrene…" the AI answered.
"That doesn't tell me anything!" Faith said getting impatient.
Michael found it hard to keep from chuckling as he watched the exchange between Faith and the AI. They had finally arrived at the installation's living quarters' area in the upper levels.
"Maybe I can explain…" Michael said as he led Faith into one of the rooms and towards the open balcony, "…We never left Earth. We're still on Earth or 5414 Erde-Tyrene which is the Forerunner designation for Earth. We are just on a different Earth…in a different dimension."
As they stepped out on the balcony, Faith found her breath taken away by the view.
"Whoa!"
She could barely find the words to express what she was feeling as she found herself looking at a view of a lake that was deep blue in color and a sky that was light blue and seemed to stretch forever. She saw the dark green forests and the mountains off in the distance.
"Some view you got here… So we're on Earth, but not my Earth… Right?" she asked trying to understand what she was seeing.
"Yup… This is one of many Earth's…" Michael said as he saw her take in the view. He suddenly had flashbacks of all the times he'd spent here with his Faith. He was struck by a sad feeling welling up in him. He couldn't explain it, but it felt as if he had lost something.
Faith didn't see the change in Michael's expression as she was still looking out and taking in the scene, "Is this your Earth?" she asked.
Michael shook off the feeling and pushed away the memories and focused on the here and now—the memories and feelings could wait for later, "No… The Forerunners and I are from a different dimension. The Forerunners built this place to research other dimensions and universes." he answered.
"Are we going to see any of these Forerunners or any aliens? And why does light-bright here keep calling you Reclaimer?" Faith asked curiously.
Eternal Vigilance spoke up quickly to answer her question, "Oh my no… The Forerunners have been gone for over 100,000 years… They left or died off after firing the HALO arrays to defeat the Flood…"
"Now you're losing me again… What are HALO's and Flood?" Faith asked getting another confused look.
The AI didn't miss a beat as he continued to answer her questions, "The Flood is a parasitic life form that feeds on all sentient life… The HALO arrays were a last resort weapon built by the Forerunners to defeat the Flood. The HALO's were fired and stopped the Flood infestation in the home dimension. Humanity was chosen by the Librarian to be the Reclaimers…they would inherit the Mantle of Responsibility for overseeing the galaxy. They would take the place of the Forerunners—"
"This is all just too much… I've heard of alternate dimensions, but I thought they were only hell dimensions filled with demons and other scary things." Faith said shaking her head as she tried to grasp everything she was seeing and hearing.
Michael smiled gently at her as he knew that this could be a lot to take in at one time, "Trust me there are plenty of scary things in my universe… Hell even I don't know the whole story… In my home universe, for all of our technology, compared to the Forerunners we're like ants… We don't even understand what a lot of their technology does or how it works."
"But why bring me here?" she asked.
Michael didn't hesitate as he was going all in now—for better or worse, "I wanted to show you more of who and what I am… Plus this is where we lived or will live depending on how history turns out."
Michael saw the look on her face and eyes change and that she suddenly started to look uncomfortable and her body language got more awkward. She couldn't meet his gaze.
"About that… I'm not sure how to take all this 'Leave it to Beaver' and family stuff… I'm not exactly mother-type material and I know I have never thought about getting hitched!" she said.
Michael sighed as he heard the hesitation and doubt creep into her voice. He knew that there was a risk in bringing her here and laying out all his cards.
Faith heard him sigh and spoke up quickly, this time meeting his eyes, "Hey… I care for you Michael… I mean I really care for you deeply…but I don't know if I'm ready to use the 'L-word'. I enjoy being with you and I feel something that I've never felt before and the sex… Well let's be honest…sex with you is mind blowing… I just don't know about the serious commitment stuff."
Michael looked at her and he understood what she was saying, but another sigh escaped him, "I figured as much… I can't force you to be with me in the future, but I want you to know what potentially awaits you and that you have options…you have choices. I love you Faith… Nothing will ever change that… I won't force you to do something or follow a path that you don't want or are not ready for."
Faith caught him by surprise as she reached out and took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently. A small smile returned to Michael's face as he looked at her.
"I'm going to go down and get out of my battle armor and we can spend some time here. This is a safe place where the Mayor, the Hellmouth or any vampires and demons can't get at us." Michael said still smiling at her.
oOoOo
Michael left Faith on the balcony as he headed down to one of the labs to take off and store his battle armor. He was accompanied by Eternal Vigilance who hovered beside as they made their way down to the lab levels. Michael still found it hard not to call him Virgil, but maybe that time would come again—he hoped.
"Reclaimer… I have important news to inform you!" the AI said as they moved.
"Go ahead Virg— I mean Eternal Vigilance… What's so important?"
"I found information related to the energy field and your temporal displacement!"
Michael froze in his tracks turning quickly to face the AI, "That's great news! What did you find?" he said with building excitement and relief at finally getting a break.
The AI started to outline what he had found, "It appears that in the final days of this installation's operation and due to the desperate nature of the conflict with the Flood it would seem that the Forerunners were looking at another solution other than firing the HALO arrays… It appears that they figured a way to open a portal that would bridge the space-time barrier. The portal would, in theory, allow transmissions, people and objects to be sent back in time… The purpose would be to warn the past about the Flood and allow for counter-measures to be employed."
"I can see how that might be preferable to firing the HALO's and wiping out all sentient life." Michael replied.
"Exactly… The experiment was to start by sending a test message to the past and that the results could appear without major impact to the timeline."
"And what happened?" Michael asked as he tried to rein in his growing excitement and control his impatience.
"Nothing… No test message appeared nor were there any effects or changes observed to the time line…" the AI replied happily.
Michael was a little stunned and taken aback by the response, "How is that going to help me?" he asked as he suddenly felt his excitement start to fade.
"Maybe I didn't make myself clear Reclaimer… When you came through to the past you actually came through into a separate time line! The time line you came from still exists! It has not changed and still continues!"
As this news sank in, Michael felt a surge of excitement and hope that he hadn't felt in days, "You mean that if I can return to my point in time that everything would be as it was?"
"According to the experiment data results… It is a very high probability." replied the AI.
"You said that the Forerunners were able to bridge space-time… Is the equipment still here to recreate the experiment?" Michael asked hopefully.
"No Reclaimer… That equipment was disassembled and returned to the home universe… Even if the equipment was here I don't think it would be able to do what you would require. I have studied the power requirements and compared the energy signature for your 'event' to the experiment. Though the signatures were similar at first glance, there were subtle differences in the frequency… I don't have the necessary power or the equipment to match the frequencies. You will still need to recover the 'Staff of Uman' as it was what sent you here and it should be able to send you back if we are able to study and determine how to activate it and use it properly."
"Home… I have a chance to get home now…" Michael muttered to himself.
"Ahem…" said the AI interrupting Michael from his thoughts of getting back to his home.
"What is it?" Michael asked as he recognized the tone and hoping he wouldn't regret the question.
"There is one thing… Though I am not able to recreate the Forerunner experiment, I can use the sensors in this installation to view and monitor the space-time bridge… I can see and measure the temporal hole that you created coming here. Unfortunately the hole that you created between temporal realities is closing…once it closes…even if you do obtain the staff, it may not be enough and there exists a possibility that you could create another temporal displacement…and you could end up in a different temporal universe."
Michael grimaced at the thought, "How much time do I have?"
"I would estimate no more than eight days before the hole closes… I must again caution that while I can target different dimensions and universes to transport you to, I do not have the ability or information to target different temporal time lines or realities. I would need to study the staff to determine how it works. Have you been able to locate the staff yet?" responded the AI.
Michael sighed and started walking again towards the lab, "That's the problem… I may not get the staff for another six days. But from what I have been able to learn seems to confirm what you have said. The intel I gathered talked about the staff containing the "essence of time" and acting as a doorway…"
"I must stress the urgency for you to recover the staff as soon as possible." replied the AI.
Michael didn't need to be told twice as he nodded his understanding, "Why does it seem that everything is always on a tight deadline? It never comes easy for us Spartans." he sighed.
"I would need more data to answer your inquiry Reclaimer."
Michael sighed again, "Don't worry about that… I have another task for you and this takes priority while Faith and I are here."
The AI glowed a cheery happy color, "I would be most delighted to do work for you."
Michael outlined what he wanted the AI to do.
"Are you sure you wish to proceed down this path Reclaimer? I cannot predict what the outcome will be on this time line." responded the AI.
"I'm sure of it." Michael responded as they continued to the lab.
oOoOo
Faith was restless and found she couldn't sleep as she tossed and turned in bed. She finally got up at first debating whether to get dressed, but decided to pick up a bed sheet that had been tossed off the bed and wrapped it around her. She caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror.
Twice in two days… Could start a new look…
She made her way out on to the balcony. She didn't feel cold as she stood there and saw the full moon light up the night and reflect off the lake—it was breathtaking. She soaked in the peace and beauty. It was almost like being in a fairy tale and she was the princess living in the castle with her prince charming. Faith snorted at how she was thinking.
I've never acted or felt this way before… This isn't like me, but I can't deny that when I'm around Michael that he makes me feel this way… He doesn't do it on purpose… He's just being himself… He's treated me like a person…not a sex object…not a Slayer…not some loser in life…an equal.
Memories replayed in her mind as she recalled when Michael returned that they had a nice dinner and then watched the sunset over the mountains with the rays dancing and lighting up the lake. When the sun had gone down they had gone back into the bedroom. Faith had been prepared for another repeat of what they'd done the night before, but she was surprised by how much more intense and passionate it was this time.
That was one of the reasons she couldn't sleep. The sex was great and she felt the warm afterglow, but the intensity and feelings she was having were troubling her. She knew she'd never felt this way before with anyone and it bothered her. She could feel her emotions and she had a stark realization that she didn't want to lose this feeling and she dreaded what she would do if she loss Michael. She'd heard and read stories about love and relationships like this, but that had been only in stories—that didn't exist in real life—not for her.
Or did it?
As Faith enjoyed how she was feeling, she was hit by a small wave of guilt. The memories of what she'd done for the Mayor came rushing back and for a moment she thought that she didn't deserve to feel this way. She felt she hadn't earned or deserved to feel this way. She sighed as she knew that even with Michael in her life, she still had to work to redeem herself and make amends to everyone for everything she'd done.
She tried to push the guilt away as she thought she at least deserved a small moment of happiness in her life. Michael hadn't judged her, he'd looked into her and saw something there that was better and worth saving and loving and accepted her. She got the feeling that he just expected her to do the right thing—make the right choice—and admit when she screwed up and work to fix it.
Filled with those thoughts, she turned away from the beauty of nature and looked back in towards the bedroom. She saw Michael sound asleep in bed. A smirk came to her face at seeing how she'd worn him out, but she wasn't upset as he had pushed her limits as well. Her mind was still racing with thoughts and emotions and she knew that she wasn't going to be able to sleep—not yet at least. She'd never felt overwhelmed like this before in her life and it was starting to feel too much. She decided to take a walk around the installation to try and gather her thoughts and relax, besides she was curious to see more.
Hey…it isn't every day you end up on an alternate Earth in an alien installation wandering around wearing nothing except a bed sheet, Faith thought as she made her way quietly through the bedroom and exited without waking Michael.
She hadn't gone very far when she was startled by a voice, "Do you require any assistance?"
Faith turned and was looking at the AI floating in the air. She was still trying to get used to the idea of an actual machine talking to her and acting like a regular person.
"No I'm fine… 414 Eternal Vigilance is it?" she asked.
"That is my designation." responded the AI.
"Seems like a mouthful… Can I call you by something shorter?" Faith asked.
"Well according to the data records that I have downloaded from the Reclaimer's combat skin, he did call me Virgil… From what I can determine I approved of this designation and usage." responded the AI.
Faith looked at the floating AI pondering it for a moment. A smile came to her face as she spoke, "Virgil… You know what? I think that name suits you."
Who would have thought or believed that I would be having a conversation with an alien machine, she thought.
"May I call you Virgil then?" she asked.
Faith saw the AI start glowing a bright color which she could only assume was a positive response.
"Yes… I think I would like that very much." responded Virgil sounding even more cheerful.
Faith shook her head slowly as she still had a hard time believing where she was and who she was talking to. Suddenly a thought came to her as she remembered what Virgil had said about downloading data records, "Virgil… Since we're best buds now… I need to ask you a favor?"
Faith saw the AI glow a bright cheery color again, "I would be most happy to assist you Faith… What is it that you require?" responded Virgil.
It had been bothering her since Giles had brought up the subject and now she had a perfect opportunity to get an unbiased, unedited and unfiltered version, "I need to know what you can tell me about Michael... He told me his story, but I don't think it was the whole story… I think he only covered off the highlights… You said you downloaded information from him… I need…want to know him better." she asked.
"Yes… I can provide you a report from all data that I have obtained. It is quite extensive… I would recommend that you follow me to one of the conference rooms as it may take a while and you can make yourself more comfortable and I can provide refreshments." Virgil responded happily now being able to perform actual tasks outside of his caretaker duties.
"Lead on then Virgil…" she said with a smile.
oOoOo
The first rays of light were just beginning to show as Faith slid quietly back into bed. A small smile came to her face as she saw that Michael was still sleeping soundly. Her eyes moved up and down his body—noting the numerous scars and old wounds that crisscrossed his body.
Jesus… He's been through and seen so much suffering and death… That he can still show love and compassion after all that is a minor miracle, she thought as her smile faded and she shook her head sadly.
As she snuggled closer to him, memories replayed through her mind. Virgil had been very helpful and thorough and hadn't held anything back. She now knew the details that Michael had held back—being kidnapped at age six for the Spartan-II program. She knew about the augmentation procedures that he had to endure with the 50% mortality rate. She knew about the training he had to endure and she now knew more about the Human-Covenant war.
She tried to imagine what Virgil had told her about the war—over 20 billion people dead, with whole planets burned to cinders. She saw the video imagery of the surface of planets being blasted and burnt away by spaceships. She still couldn't believe what Michael had to face. Virgil told her from the battle records that it was normal for Michael and other Spartans to face off against the enemy with the odds stacked 100 to 1 or higher against them and still they fought on. She saw the video of the aliens Michael had to fight against—taking on aliens that were 2-3 times larger than him. Each time there had been no hesitation or fear.
What really struck her was the records from the Battle of the Hellmouth. She saw the video and heard the radio traffic. It was surreal as she heard her own voice calling out for Michael and then thinking that he'd died. She could feel the heartbreak and pain in that voice and it struck her deep as she knew it was her or would be her.
She saw the records of Michael's determination to get back to her—his Faith. She began to think if maybe Giles was right. Was there anything in the world or anywhere that Michael and the other Spartans really feared?
Faith thought she'd had a rough life and upbringing. She had always been angry about being "a chosen one" as she hadn't wanted to be a Slayer, but she saw how Michael hadn't had any choice in being a Spartan, but he still did what was needed and required. A tear ran down her cheek as she looked again at the scars that were on his body and face.
He's given and sacrificed so much… He's now fighting for his wife and family… How can you not love someone like that?
As Faith drifted off she had thoughts of what the future would be like…
Would being with Michael for the long term be so really bad?
oOoOo
Faith started to wake up as she felt a light warm breeze and the warm sunlight, coming through the open balcony door, dance across her skin. She opened her eyes groggily as she was still tired and her dreams had been disturbed—filled with visions of aliens, planets burning and those Turok-Han vampires. As she blinked her eyes to focus and clear away the sleep, she was greeted by the sight of Michael watching her with his head resting on his arms.
"Good morning sleepy head." Michael said as a smile came to his face.
Faith rubbed her eyes tiredly, "Hey…" she replied.
"How long have you been staring at me?" she asked trying to suppress a yawn.
"I don't know… I never keep track of the time when I'm looking at you."
"Hmmm… I must be quite the sight sleeping… With all the snoring and drooling." Faith replied teasingly as she became more alert.
"You don't snore too badly…and the drooling is manageable." Michael replied with a smirk.
Faith didn't hesitate as she gave him a playful shot to the mid-section and then they both laughed.
Michael's face changed as it took on a more serious look, "I could just spend hours watching you sleep… I know every curve and line of your face…every freckle…every hair…" he said as he softly and gently touched Faith's face.
Faith didn't have any doubts or hesitations as she leaned in and kissed Michael.
oOoOo
It was late morning by the time Faith and Michael got moving—out of bed. Michael saw the disappointment on Faith's face as he told her that they had to head back to Sunnydale today.
"Can't we stay one more night? It's so beautiful here." she said showing a bit of a pout face.
Michael found it hard to not accept her suggestion, but there was lots to do and prepare for, "I wish we could… But you know the saying… Things to do… People to see…"
Mayors to kill... Michael left unsaid.
"I have to see Eternal Vigilance first before we leave." he said as he changed the subject.
"Oh you mean Virgil…" Faith replied.
This caught Michael by surprise, "Huh? What? How did you know that was what I called him?"
Faith got a mischievous smile on her face, "He told me last night… We had a nice conversation while you were asleep."
Michael was feeling a little off-balance, but he went with the flow, "Oh really... Should I be worried about what he blabbed?" he said with mock concern.
Faith moved closer to him and she stood on her tiptoes and stretched to reach up and put her arms around his neck. She pulled him down closer to him, "You have nothing to worry about…" she said as she kissed him.
oOoOo
It didn't take Michael long to track down Virgil as he was running through his daily maintenance routine.
"So I hear you have been having late night talks with Faith?" Michael said.
"Why yes Reclaimer… She wanted to know more about you and I provided her a detailed background about your life and battle record."
Michael was surprised by this revelation and actually found himself at a loss for words, "Oh…"
"She was very interested in learning more about you… Was I not supposed to tell her that information?" the AI asked somewhat warily.
"No… It's fine… She would have to know everything sooner or later… Did you finish the task I gave you?" Michael asked still wondering about what Faith and Virgil had been up to.
"Yes Reclaimer… The item you asked for is in the lab where your battle armor is stored."
"Thanks Eter— I mean… Thanks Virgil."
"You are most welcome… Michael." Virgil replied catching Michael again by surprise.
oOoOo
Michael did his weapons check after armoring up. He looked at what he had left for ordnance.
Seven spare magazines plus one loaded for my assault rifle… One plasma grenade and my combat knife… The Desert Eagle is at the warehouse… Not a lot, but it will have to do…
Michael made his way back up to the living quarters' area. As he entered the room, he saw Faith standing on the balcony looking out over the lake. For a brief moment he considered again her suggestion to stay for one more night, but time was running out for him.
"Faith… It's time to go."
She turned her head and looked at him with a slight sad smile, "I know…"
Faith took another look at the view to take it in and then turned and walked to him. When she got to him she reached out and took his armored gloved hand in hers. As she took a hold of Michael's hand she looked up at him.
"Thanks Michael… Thanks for bringing me here." she said with a smile.
As they walked out of the room holding hands to head down to the installation's transport area, Faith turned and took one last look behind her to see out the balcony door and to the view of the world beyond it…