Western Years (Free Preview)

WESTERN YEARS

Mark A.J. Cristobal

 

Prologue: First Catch of the Day

David Navarro just closed a deal with the biggest client they have and as a bonus, his boss gave him a month off with pay.

The first thing he did was head off to the Embarcadero Center to buy Yvonne and Alida that giant inflatable pool they’ve been bugging him since three Christmases ago.

After that he drove down the Battery and made the turn to 1^st and straight to Lincoln ignoring the Friday afternoon traffic.

His wife, Natalie was already serving dinner when David got home in their small villa at Berkeley Hills. The kids were ecstatic when they saw what he got for them and Nat was surprised when he told her the big break they got in the company.

That night he enjoyed his dinner with his family, read Yvonne and Alida a story before they sleep and made love with his wife like it was their honeymoon once again.

Saturday morning he busied himself setting up the new pool with the kids and Malgus, their nosy and playful Great Dane interfering with his assembling.

When the pool was finally ready and was filled up, the kids, Nat and even Malgus dove in. David then attacked the meat he bought and started grilling them.

Malgus kept leaping in and out and the kids were wrestling at the edge while Nat got out and worked on her tan. David was taking the video of the kids and his dog when their weight leaned too hard on the side causing the pool to spill. The gush of the water went straight at him and the force of it toppled him and his grill.

David swallowed water… and it was salty. Confused he tried to get up but more water buried him deeper and deeper. He searched for a footing and found none, much to his disbelief, he opened his eyes and the seawater stung. The undercurrent tugged at him and he struggled to swim to the surface.

Surface? Seawater? What’s going on here!

He didn’t know how long it was, seconds, minutes, hours, before he finally shot out in the surface. A cloudless morning sky loomed above him and he found himself in the middle of the sea.

“Nat! Alida! Yvonne! Malgus!” he shouted repeatedly first with concern then with panic and lastly in fear and desperation until his throat hurts and he coughed more seawater.

The strain in his legs was beginning to get to him but he ignored it and continued to swim, not even knowing which direction he was heading at. He lost track of time, his wristwatch was gone so where his clothes, in fact he noticed for the first time that he was naked.

Confused, terrified and exhausted, he pushed himself forward until he felt numb. The unconsciousness finally took over him.

* * *

“Oy! Willy, get your fat ass over here and help me with the net!” George shouted as he struggles on the heavy weight of their fishnet.

Willy wiped the mustard off his mouth and hurried over to where George was straining and gave a hand, “Of all the days we were docked in Castalone, your crane chose to break down today. Today!” the Irish complained.

“Quit yapping and help me sort these catch… wait…” George stopped short and reached down on the pile of tunas. When he pulled up he was holding a pale left foot, and attached to it was a naked body of a man.

Willy almost choked on his snack, “Blimey! Is he dead?”

“I feel a pulse, call the captain!” George said holding the man’s wrist.

The captain and his first mate assisted in carrying the stranger down the mess hall and place him on the table. The rest of the crew gathered to look as the captain who is also have knowledge in medicine studied the man and search for injuries or clues as to what happened to him.

Moments later, the captain addressed the crew, “His alive and stable. He’ll be awake in an hour or so. George, Willy take him to my cabin and put some of my clothes on him.”

“Captain, do you think he’s one of the…” Nathan, the first mate asked.

“Shush. I don’t think so. The question is what on Ancient Earth is he doing here in the middle of nowhere. We’ll get our answers soon enough though.” The captain shrugged.

Later that day, David bolted up screaming and a huge man hurried inside the room to check on him.

“Who are you? Where am I? Where’s my family? Nat! Alida! Yvonne! Malgus!” David shouted and tried to run for the door but the massive bulk of Willy blocked him and held his arms to calm him down.

“Easy, mate. No need to go berserk on me. ‘Ye must have hit yer head or somethin’. Calm down. Tell me who you are first…” Willy said.

“David. David Navarro,” he finally said as he let Willy put him back on the bed.

“And you’re from?”

“Berkeley Hills, California. Where am I?” David asked.

“We are somewhere northeast of the North Pacific Ocean. How did you get here?” Willy inquired.

“I don’t know. All I remember is I was with my family back home. The pool spilled and the water toppled me, then I was in the sea. That’s all I know… what is going on here? How long have I been out?” David was starting to panic again.

“Easy there…” Willy felt awkward, he wasn’t used to sooth anyone in his life.

“What day today? Is it still Saturday?” David asked.

“It’s Friday.” Willy supplied.

“ I’ve been out a week? Please, help me! I need to get back to Berkeley…” David cried.

“I’m sorry mate, I’m afraid that would be impossible.” Willy hesitated.

“Why? San Francisco is nearby you can drop me off the shore…”

“You don’t understand, that area of California no longer exists,” the captain said stepping in the room and nodding at Willy who stood and left.

“What do you mean?” David felt his stomach tighten, fearing what the captain might say but dreading to know the truth anyways.

“The place is a chasm, we call it The Tear. It was two times wider than the Grand Canyon and goes straight down to the core. That area of America is uninhabited for five thousand years now,” the captain revealed.

“FIVE THOUSAND YEARS? That’s impossible!” David gasped.

“I can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now. I myself still find it impossible to hear that you came from that place.”

“What year is today then?” David looked at him.

“9099,” the captain answered.

Chapter 1: Questions and Answers

“It’s been a week now, when are we going back on this Castalone Island of yours?” David asked while helping himself on the coffee maker.

“Tomorrow morning, before we go there I must tell you that it might be of a culture shock to you considering the time…” Captain Ross Stevens said.

“I understand. You mentioned that this island was actually a meteor from the Asteroid Belt? How did it get there? Did it crashed or something?” David inquired as the two made their way out of the kitchen and up on the platform where the rest of the crew where working on the last batch of their catch.

“Mornin’” Willy greeted, the captain and David acknowledged him with a nod and went to the side looking at the serene Atlantic Ocean.

David gave a mild chuckle as he stared out at the calm waves, “Flashbacks?” the captain raised an eyebrow.

“No not this time. It’s just that California is supposed to be east from us and this is the Atlantic Ocean. It’s supposed to be the Pacific. I still have to get used on the new geography. Nat and my friends won’t believe this. I just skipped an entire process of a major continental drift. Hell, even the poles have moved.” David mused.

“Indeed, it’s a lot of data to absorb. I would have gone nuts had the situation reversed. I am truly sorry about what happened to you and I hope you will eventually find the answers and if possible, get back to your own time.” Ross nodded.

“Me here right now is already impossible. So I’m not losing hope just yet.” David finished his coffee and smiled at the captain.

“Are you ready for some quick history lesson, my friend?” Ross regarded him.

“Of course, that would be most helpful if I am to survive this… era.”

“North America, as your age would call it, is now the American Union. I know little about history at least farther than the formation of the Union, but this much I can tell you; there are now only six major continents and governments.” Ross began.

David cocked his head, “The Union of American Nations, or simply the American Union.”

“Yes, but that is North America only, and Mexico. Then there’s the Latin Confederate, south of us.” Ross continued.

“South America,” David implied.

“Yes, is that what you call the area below Mexico?” Ross said and the other nodded.

“Then the most powerful of all; the Union of British Nations, from Great London, to the Centrality, New Centrality, Easterners and Atlantic.”

“Atlantic? People live in the ice?” David frowned.

“God no, there’s no ice on Atlantic, except only in winter.” Ross shook his head.

“Oh yes, I forgot, the poles have shifted. Go on.” David winced.

“The Asian Empire, the only continent powerful enough to resist the dominance of the British Union. There’s also the United States of Africa…”

“AFRICA? United States?” David choked and laughed.

Ross just looked at him with mild confusion, “Sorry, another era difference,” David smiled, head shaking in disbelief and amusement.

“Last but not the least is the Australian Union from Australia to the Archipelago Clusters and Antarctica in the Southeast.” Ross finished.

“The Atlantic Ocean is between the American Union/Latin Confederacy and the South Pole. The Pacific is still between the Asian Empire/Australian Union and the borders of Atlantic Ocean, and then this Union sea in the middle of Latin Confederacy, British Union, USA and Australian Union?” David added.

“Yes exactly.” Ross threw a playful punch at his shoulder and went to inspect his crew. George casually went to David and offered some bread.

David shook his head and leaned closer to whisper his question at him, “So how the captain did know all of this?”

“I heard he was originally from the British Union, holding some very important position until something happened there that made him leave, change his name and live a simple life on Castalone as a fisherman. That was about ten years ago.” George shrugged.

“He never talks about it?” David was intrigued.

“Not ever. He’s even touchy about hints to that topic. He’s a good man, a fair captain, we respect his privacy.” George answered.

“No family back in Castalone?”

“There’d been lovers but he never settle down with any of them. Willy said he once saw the captain staring at an image of a woman and a boy, we suspect it was his family back in the Brits,” George lowers his voice.

“I see. Thank you.” David smiled.

* * *

“Can’t sleep?” Tony took a barrel to sit beside David as the latter was sitting on the stern gazing at the stars.

David nodded at the cook. Tony offered him a glass and poured a whiskey. “I’ve been meaning to ask you some questions,” he said in preamble.

“ Shouldn’t I be doing that?” David grinned.

“Well, yes, but I know nothing beyond fishing so I wouldn’t be much help at all to you.” Tony drank straight from the bottle.

“Alright, what is it you want to know?” David decided there was no reason not to let the other have his questions out since he is obviously equally baffled to him.

“How was it possible that you’re still alive after five thousand years?” Tony grimaced.

“I’m as clueless as you are, that is why I want to reach Castalone quick, find some answers.” David said.

“And why would Castalone be the place to give you answers?” Tony prodded.

“I don’t know man. I have to start at somewhere right? Might as well be there,” David said feeling a little awkward now.

“Can you keep a secret?” Tony suddenly changed his tone.

“It depends I guess.” David felt that this conversation is turning into something he did not need to be involved with.

“Relax it’s nothing like I’m luring you in a conspiracy or mutiny. It’s just that I know someone in Castalone who’s been around all the continents. He knows people who know people, that sort of thing.” Tony admitted.

“And what does this person has to do with me?” David felt his suspicion being replaced by curiosity.

“He might know something about your… predicament.”

“Is that so?” David mused.

“He might.” Tony emphasized.

“How do I find him?” David asked.

“He’ll find you. I’ll put out the word once we’re docked at the harbor.” Tony replied.

“How will I know it was him?” David met the other’s eye for the first time, and he felt… afraid.

“Trust me, you’ll know.” Tony grinned, emptied his bottle and threw it at the sea and left.

“David, I have a bad feeling about this,” he told himself and it was very convincing, very much so.

* * *

“Dad, wake up!” Alida’s voice floated in the dark as if coming from a deep well.

“Daddy, you said we’ll go today!” Yvonne said in turn.

“Go to mommy first…” David groaned, his pillow still covering his face.

“Mommy’s already in the kitchen preparing our basket.” Alida countered and tugged at his left arm while Yvonne was on his right leg.

“Ten more minutes…” David begged, he still wanted to sleep.

“David! You’re the only one not dressed yet!” he heard Nat’s calling out from the stairs below.

“Make it five more minutes then,” David curled but Alida and Yvonne pulled down the blanket and started teaming up in pulling him by his legs out of the bed.

He felt something warm and wet on his cheeks, lips and ears and when he partly opened his eyes he saw Malgus licking at his face. The Great Dane barked loudly when he saw his master open his eyes.

David got up as both dog and kids jumped at him, “Yehey! Mommy, dad’s up!” Yvonne shouted.

David ushered the kids and Malgus out of the room to wait for him downstairs while he went to the bathroom to take a shower.

He turned the knob to hot water and opened the shower but freezing cold sprays of water pounded his face and body and he shouted in surprise, “Mother f- honey, the heater is down again!”

Then he felt an earthquake as the bathroom seems to tilt back and forth, the lights went out, opened again and started flashing on and off. Then he heard the roar of waves, a crackling thunder and the yell of several men.

When he looked around he saw Willy tying a rope at his waist and started pulling him away from the edge of the Wind Maid.

“What the hell?” David cried out as he saw himself back in 9099 again.

“Tony, Bert, secure those lines! Jake, help George below decks! Willy get David back inside!” David heard the captain shouting over the noise of the storm.

Willy and David went to take the wheel and struggled to keep the ship steady, after what seems like forever the captain came and took over. The two retreated inside to help George and Jake with the holes.

By the time they were done the ship’s rocking has stopped and they all went up to look outside. The rest of the crew and the captain were busy rearranging the overturned crates and barrels.

David made a mental count and was assured that all crew are present. He shook his head, either he was dreaming here about home or he was dreaming at home about here. If his mental discipline had been weaker he would have surrendered to the insanity of his situation.

“Are you alright, Mate?” Captain Ross asked him but moved on to the mast before he could answer.

“Ahoy there, how was the storm?” a man shouted from afar and David turn to look in surprise… and awe at the sight.

It was like traveling back in time, even though he knew he was in a far too distant future. Before and around the Wind Maid were dozens of far larger and grandiose ships. Wooden ships, Galleons in fact.

The sails were of dirty white and other earth hues, flags of different colors proudly brandishing their emblems through the strong breeze.

Seagulls, kingfishers and many other birds flew here in there, the orchestra of birds, waves, flapping sails, horns and shouts of many men from all ships felt like a solid wall of breathtaking impact at his senses. It was overwhelming.

Captain Ross Stevens fell into step beside him and spoke proudly, “Welcome to Castalone Island,”

David turn his gaze to where the captain was nodding at, there before him, a kilometer away was the impressive sight of the meteor turned island, it was of dark brown hue with a metallic glint everywhere the sunlight touches it. It looked out of place in the middle of the sea surrounded by hundreds of ships.

On the surface were like brown grasses sprouting from its uneven and crater filled body were layers of wooden houses, structures and towers.

Behind Castalone was the faint silhouette of Los Angeles, California. David shook his head and corrected himself out of new habit. No, it isn’t Los Angeles anymore. It’s West Angeles, California of the Union of American Nations.

This has to be real. All of his senses says so, as his logic who finally gave up on the absurdity of his displacement.

“It is real,” he voiced out then with gathered confidence he repeated it in a shout, “It is real!”

“Wait till you see the eastern side of the island,” Ross whispered to his ears knowingly and went to prepare the crew.

Chapter 2: The Writer of Colombia

“David, help the crew in unloading and in delivering our catch. Remember, stick with George and if anyone asks you anything let him do the talking.” Ross instructed and made his way to the left platform.

“Where are you going?” David called out.

“To Port Authority, I need to make you legit.” Ross winked and strode away.

David easily blended with the rest of the crew of the Wind Maid and with the natural camaraderie of each other; no outsider would even suspect that he’s new.

James, the First Mate went out to give an order to George who in turn took David to their biggest buyer, and introduced him to her, “Vice, this is David, our new crew.”

“Hello David, welcome to Castalone Island. I’m Mary Perry; Vice Mayor of this city and president of Perry Fishing Industry. Yes, I know, but that’s my name. You may call me Vice when we’re among friends. I trust that this is your first time here?” she asked.

“Yes, uhm… Vice.” David shook her hand and let George and the Vice Mayor talk business.

An hour and a half after arrival, they were rejoined by Ross who spoke briefly to George before beckoning David to follow him.

As they walk past uneven and twisting streets and side alleys, David took this opportunity to observe, gawk and marvel at the strange yet familiar surroundings.

For the most part of their walk, Ross was silent and a couple of steps ahead of him. David noticed that the ground weren’t paved or developed at all and instead it was practically left untouched, revealing the mineral rich surface of the meteor. He was even shocked to see gold and diamonds among the compound mixture of the ground and to his bafflement no one seems to care at those treasures.

Ross was looking at him and smiled, “ I’ve read once back in college that in the ancient times; gold, diamonds and other gems were worth a fortune. Although the idea of it was simply absurd, as a persistent learner I did more research about ancient currencies and finally understood their value to your era. But here, as is in the entire planet, the most valuable material is paper.”

David laughed, “You’re kidding right? How does a paper became more valuable than gold and diamonds?”

“I don’t understand your question. Gold and diamonds are mere shiny rocks, paper is rare, precious… expensive.” Ross said as they enter a vast courtyard.

David paused and took a deep breath as he realized they were now at the peak of the island, the view below and the horizon ahead was spectacular.

“Magnificent isn’t it?” Ross smiled.

“I’m at a loss of words.” David agreed.

“Well, we’re here. Wait here, I’ll be back.” Ross said and went to a second gate. David didn’t saw anyone opening it but it swung open to admit Ross and closed as he passed through it. Beyond the gates were a wide lawn and a three story mansion.

“There has to be some sort of modern technology out here,” David muttered to himself as he looks around at the garden.

That part of his situation also bothers him a little. Even if everything he have seen so far were of 1800-era design and materials, he couldn’t discard the thought of modern technology that must be present in this island. So he kept looking for anything that could be powered by electricity. The gate he suspects is one of those but he couldn’t be sure.

A moment passed and Ross returned with a man reminiscent of Abraham Lincoln, minus the beard.

“David, this is Mayor Charles Anderson.” Ross introduced.

“The Man out of Time. Come inside, I have much to ask and I am sure you too,” the Mayor beamed and placed his arms around Ross and David ushering them back inside.

The moment David steps into the inner courtyard he felt an invisible tingling all over his body and halted in confusion.

Ross and the Mayor stopped to regard him with a smile, “Bioscan, a mere precautionary measure. Obviously there was no trace of viral infection in your system or the alarms would have alerted me.” Mayor Anderson explained.

“So there is modern technology at work here!” David grinned.

“Of course there is, it’s 9099.” Ross nodded.

“But I didn’t see anything in your ship, or in the docks and in our way up here.” David exclaimed.

“We’re conserving energy, that’s all. We can sail without the sails and the use of the steering wheel. The autodrive can handle that but in this time of financial crisis we need to minimize the use of nuclear batteries.” Ross explained.

“Nuclear?” David’s eyes widened in understanding.

“It’s the only source of power in this planet… allowed,” Mayor Anderson said.

“Allowed?” David frowned. A butler, human-like but David could tell it was a robot with synthetic skin, came and escorted them to a table at the center of the garden.

A meal and refreshments were served by three robot maids and the mayor answered his question when they were all seated and eating, “After the last Nuclear War during the early stages of the major continental shifting, the world was plunged into its darkest era. Death, chaos, disasters ruled this world for two thousand years.”

“The generation that remained to see the aftermath of this dark period struggled separately without any semblance of government or order. Until the natural order of evolution provided us with several individuals who fought to unite their respective people. Gradually through the next couple of hundred years governments began to rise and later on unite.” David and Ross listened closely.

“The Unions were established and when the Moon Colonists return to Earth, they provided the Unions with the lost technologies and valuable historical records dating as far as the biblical times. The new leaders learned a lot from humanities past mistakes. They all vowed to preserve nature, forbade mining, controlled the forests and repopulated the planet with animals, including those that were supposed to be extinct and endangered,” the mayor continued.

“A colony in the moon, nuclear wars, cloning…” David mused.

“At some point in our past, there was a conflict rose between Union leaders and the Moon Colonists, it resulted with the Moon-men, a slang we call the Colonists, left and returned to the moon. The trade continued though, between Earth and Moon.” David cleared his throat to interrupt.

“Where does the paper value come in?”

“The moon-men’s primary exports are their modern technology, the Asian Empire monopolizes the paper making industry and the British Union provides the Nuclear Power Production. Our currencies are made of papers, a uniform currency system. We call our money Earthen. And only the Asian Empire can produce Earthens. The Empire is closed from the outside world. The traders are only allowed to go on the Outer Ports on their colony in the United States of Africa in Madagascar.” Mayor Anderson explained.

“So the Asian Empire has behaved like what China did before.” David surmised. “I still don’t get why gold and diamonds became unimportant.”

“It’s abundant. Anyone can pick it on the ground everywhere in the world.” Ross answered.

“The second Pangaea, I understand now,” David smiled.

“That’s enough history lesson for now, I’m sure the captain here has much to do so let’s get on with you really came here for,” Mayor Anderson said and snapped his fingers. The robot butler came forward and handed him a scroll.

“A scroll?” David smirked.

The mayor nodded and rolled it open, the parchment’s surface glowed and to David’s shock the mayor started typing on the glowing keyboard that appeared on the lower part of the parchment and the rest of it became a monitor.

“You need forged documents, highly undetectable of course, to make your new identity legitimate. You will also need a passport, money and clearances from all countries except for the Empire. We can’t hack in their system.” Mayor Anderson said.

“Wow!” David eyed the scroll with amazement and a little envy. I want one of that!

“Here you go, since there is no record of your real name, we might as well keep it. You’re still David Navarro but not of Berkeley Hills, it doesn’t exist in this age. You will be from the Latin Confederate since Ross here mentioned that you were of Colombian lineage. He also told me that you were in the marketing business and also a writer. I reversed it a bit; you were a writer with marketing background.” Mayor Anderson handed him a piece of plastic with his record embedded and glowing in it.

David took the plastic with care and admiration, “Amazing!”

“We call it a leaf.” Ross supplied.

“And since you are a writer, you must have this with you all the time,” Mayor Anderson took another scroll from the butler and handed it over to him.

David felt elated to have one at last, but it was a little different, as he opened it, a female voice spoke; “State your name for the permanent imprint.”

“David Navarro.”

“Voice Imprint Completed. Welcome to BlackLeaf; Model BlackLeaf V99, Operating System Mark81, 320 Yotta Bytes with MoonNet Access.”

“It’s the latest.” Mayor Anderson winked.

“Coolness!” David held his BlackLeaf like it was a delicate crystal.

“Mayor…” Ross prompted.

“Yes, yes. Ross here is a bit impatient. David, about how you got here. I have a wild theory but forgive me if I can’t voice it out to you or Ross yet. But I think it may have something to do with the Asian Empire. Only them are capable of advance technologies here on Earth, the moon-men in the lead of course. So, if there ever was an answer to your situation they may hold the key… or the moon-men. I must make it clear that this is only my personal hunch.” Mayor Anderson said to him.

“Thank you so much, sir! You’ve given me too much already.” David shook his hands once again.

“Not so fast, I still have one more thing to give you, a place to stay. I can’t just simply hand you the money to reach West Angeles. That would raise too many questions around here. What you need to do is stay here for a while, do some writing, sell your novels and earn enough to begin your travel to West Angeles. Ross will take you to meet your Innkeeper.” Mayor Anderson stood up.

Ross and David thanked the mayor once more and started their way back down the villa.

“He was an old friend, before he entered politics.” Ross told him as they got back on the Wind Maiden.

David nodded. The mayor has a British accent. Ross must have known the man when he was still in the British Union. But he didn’t voice it out, knowing what the crew said how touchy the captain could be about it.

“We’ll sail around the island to meet your innkeeper. First I have to meet with another dealer. You can join the crew on their sojourn at the taverns but don’t wander away from any of them. I’ll be back before sundown.” Ross said to David and left instructions to George before leaving.

“David my mate, it’s time for you to experience what the Wind Maid Crew calls the Booze and Babes of Castalone!” George grinned.

Willy, Jake, Bert, Tony and Ned piled out of the ship to join him and George. David saw the First Mate still standing by the bow watching them in silence, “He’s not coming?” David asked to no one in particular.

“He’s a loner bugger, leave him be.” Willy snorted and drag David with them as they head off to the tavern district.

David fell back a little and took another look at his leaf. It was like a transparent digital dossier of himself, “David Navarro, the Writer of Colombia. Yup, that’s me now.”

Chapter 3: A Shady Encounter

The Shackles was one of the most frequented taverns in the northeastern district of the Lower Tier of Castalone Island, it serves the best beers and provides the most beautiful women, or so Willy says.

David wasn’t at all surprised when it did not live up to Willy’s description. The interior reeks with sweat, stink and other indescribable odors. The women weren’t promising as well so he refused all that came to him that offers their company.

The barkeep greeted the Wind Maid crew with much fervor. When Willy introduced David to him, he noticed that the man looks exactly like Willy, only older and bigger, “David this is Billy, my older brother.” Willy was saying.

“Nice place,” was all David managed to say as he was pulled rather hard by George where the rest of the crew had seated.

The noise of the off keyed music playing in the sputtering speakers and the mixed chatters, arguments, shouts, screams, groans, moans, laughs, etc. of everyone in the tavern was too much for David’s more jazz-like taste.

Across the table he saw Ned mouthing something at him, he strained to listen and signaled to the other that he couldn’t hear him even though Ned was only a meter away from him.

David almost jumped out of skin when Willy’s voice suddenly boomed loudly in his left ear, “Ned’s asking if you want Shackles’ newest hostess!” as if Willy’s voice wasn’t enough, the man’s breath made him wrinkle his nose and pull his face away.

David shook his head and Ned shrugged and busied himself on his woman. After a few rounds they all began singing loudly as if competing with dozens of other groups doing much the same.

“Alright guys, time for the initiation!” George stood and waves his hand with his mug making it spill on the table and on David and Willy.

“What initiation?” David paled as they all turn to regard him mischievously.

“You my friend, first you must tell the crew what you know about each of us. One mistake and you need to drink a full pint straight, if all is correct the one you’re describing will drink two pints.” Tony explained.

David swallowed and eyed the tall pint with dread and resignation. He finally gave a nod and the crew cheered, drumming their fists on the table and stomping their feet at the floor.

“Start with me,” George challenged.

“You’re originally from North Angeles but grew up in the Navajo Regions with your Native American mother. You have six brothers and seven sisters. You had a wife but she died of childbirth. Your daughter was taken from you by your former employer as payment for your debt and you’ve been killing yourself with work from one side of the American Union to another just to collect enough Earthens to buy your daughter back.” David paused to drink on his mug.

“But when you finally got the money, you learned that your former employer have gone back to the Asian Empire which is pretty much of a dead end. You tried to kill yourself but a stranger stopped you and literally knocked some sense in your thick head. Because of that you devoted your life to your savior, Captain Ross Stevens.” David recited, “Did I get it all right or did I get it all right?”

“Blimey,” Willy gasped and pushed two full pints on George’s direction.

“That was easy George talks a lot about his life, now how about me?” Ned dared.

David took a sip from his own mug and leaned back grinning, “As you’ve said Ned, George talks a lot and I ask a lot remember?”

“You were a scholar at the Mineforth Institute of Technology, you were top of your class but when your parents were accused, arrested and sentenced by Union Agents you were forced to leave school and work to survive. The Australian Union liquidated your family assets leaving you broke so you stowaway on a ship bound for East Angeles and worked on the East Harbors. You moved from one employer to another until three years ago you met Tony who introduced you to Captain Ross. You met a girl here on Castalone, Mary was her name but her father does not approve so he took her away from you and migrated to the British Union,” David winked at Ned.

“Amazing! And all of it you learned from George, huh? Well, the name of my ex-girlfriend is Maria, not Mary.” Ned filled a pint and handed it to him.

“Oh man,” David playfully protested but drank the pint straight and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, “There!” he said placing the empty pint back at the center of the table.

“Bert, you have your own fishing boat back in Chile but your new found addiction to Virtual Gambling slowly and eventually bankrupts you. Your wife left you and took your son and daughter when she learned about your bankruptcy. You fled from the people you owe money from and found yourself taking odd jobs to survive at West Angeles. There you met Willy, George and Captain Ross and took your chances with them and you stayed,” David felt smug, “Oh, and you have, in time, recovered from your addictive habits.”

“Actually it is two sons and one daughter, but you are good, I give you that.” Bert laughed but Tony handed him the pint anyways so David obliged.

“Hmmm, next would be… Willy!” David patted his bulky friend beside him, “Willy was Castalone’s harbor urchin and very skilled pick pocket. The old man Rupert Stevens, the original captain of the Wind Maid was your would-be last victim but he caught you and was about to cut off your stubby little hand when his youngest son Ross cried out to spare you. The Stevens took you in and practically raised you like his own flesh and blood. You and Ross grew up like brothers but as you reach puberty you find yourself having nothing else in common with Ross except for your love of the sea and of fishing. So even though you two are still close, your old closeness somehow lessened but the bond and loyalty between you two remained.

“That my friend, this time, you got it all correct! Cheers!” Willy sniffed biting back tears and emptied both pints.

“Jake here came in with James after their parents, a close family friend of the old Captain Rupert, died on an accident during their business trip on the Australian Union. The old captain paid for your education; Jake on Cybermechanical Engineering and James on Universal Piloting and Navigation. You two were supposed to work for the British Space Command but they rejected your applications, repeatedly. Since the only other two Space Commands were on the Asian Empire and at the Moon Colony, you ended up sticking with the old Stevens and later on, with Captain Ross.” David raised an eyebrow at Jake for confirmation.

“Correct but if you vividly remember what I told you, it was Cybermechanical and Nano Engineering,” Jake chuckled.

“Ugh!” David winced and took his pint.

“Last but not the least is Tony!” David said.

“Oh this should be very interesting!” the rest of the crew laughed.

“Tony was a crew of the Union Sea Pirates. They had an encounter with the Glent Cross at the time when Captain Ross and the rest of you guys were aboard with your ship being towed back to East Angeles.” David began.

The pirate captain underestimated the manpower and firepower of the Glent Cross and they were slaughtered. Nolik and five other pirates, including you Tony, surrendered and was spared. Of the six, only Tony and Nolik were genuinely sincere of their surrender for the other four tried to murder the Glent Cross captain in his sleep. Tony went to stop the four while Nolik alerted Captain Ross and the rest of the crew. Thankful, the Glent Cross captain took Nolik with them while Captain Ross let you join his crew.” David cocked his head at Tony.

Tony stood up and nodded then made his way to David as he was drinking his pair of pints. The crew roared in cheering and songs congratulating David for surviving the initiation.

“Can you do me a favor?” Tony said to him.

“What can I do?” David grinned. The alcohol is beginning to get into his system.

“Ah need to puke, but ‘am ‘fraid ‘am too fockin’ drunk to make it out in time, can’s full too,” he added before David could say anything.

“Oh sure,” David got up and put Tony’s arm over his shoulder and help him walk outside. Tony dashed onto the rails at the side of the Shackles where the horses were tied, there on the steeds’ water basin, he puked.

David rolled his eyes in disgust and looked around. The streets were still full with passersby, merchants, and other people. The sun was already on its way down and he remembered that Ross said he’ll be back before sundown.

As he turn to look at the other side he spotted a man with a tipped hat lighting his cigar, through the stranger’s puff of smoke David thought he saw the man’s eyes looking straight at him.

He turned to call Tony but his shipmate was no longer there, and when he returned his gaze on the stranger across the street, the man nodded at him and cocked his head as he starts to walk up a dark alley.

David assumed that was the man Tony had told him about that night at the ship before they docked. “Here goes nothing,” David told himself and strode to follow the mysterious man.

The alley he went in was darker than he thought but the glow from the other’s cigar served as his guiding beacon. The hidden moans and growls from the shadows chilled David to the bone, he felt goosebumps all over and his legs and hands were shaking in fear and anticipation to the unknown.

“David right?” the man asked, there was a hint of Irish descent in his accent but the Alabaman inflection was more prominent.

“You’re Tony’s contact?” David countered.

“Could be, could be not. What can you do for me?” he shrugged.

“You mean what can you do for me?” David corrected.

“Have it your way then. But my question remains. What can you do for me should I help you get the answers you seek?” the man crossed him arms.

“I don’t think I’m in a position yet to offer anything,” David admitted.

“How about a simple task that requires full discretion?” he said.

“That sounds fair enough as long as it is nothing criminal.” David fished.

“Nothing like that of course, we wouldn’t want to jeopardize our little compromise by attracting the attention of the authorities,” the other guy agreed.

“So what’s the deal?” David asked, feeling the need to get back with the crew inside the Shackles.

“There’s a man, an agent of the British Union currently on East Angeles. Goes by the name Lewis Scott, find him and give him this,” he handed him an obsidian marble the size of the old minié ball.

“What’s this?” he frowned.

“A Spheredrive, basically a digital memory storage device with a mere 500 pica byte capacity and whatever you do, do not open its contents. Now go,” the man literally shoves him off and retreated in the shadows.

David was heading back to the tavern when the crew came out singing and laughing. Tony avoided his eyes so David let it go and joined them on their way back to the ship.

Captain Ross and his First Mate James was at the docks talking when David and the others returned.

Ross addressed the crew as they came within earshot, “Hit the sack, we’re sailing early tomorrow to the Eastern Harbor.” Ross nodded at David and James as he joins the others back to the Wind Maid.

“David, please stay. I have to tell you something,” the generally reserved First Mate said to him.

“Uh sure, what is it?” David sat on the crate beside him waving at the others, “Goodnight!”

“They made you do the initiation right?” James smiled.

“Ah yes, it’s true. It was fun and I did survive,” David chuckled albeit feeling a little awkward.

“That you did,” James lit a cigar and offered one which David gladly accepted.

“You know the story of Willy and me and my brother how we met the old Stevens were true right?” James said not looking at him.

“Of course it is true.” David nodded not really sure what James is getting at.

“But George did mention before that the captain was from the British Union and that Ross Stevens wasn’t really his name.” James was now holding him with his measuring gaze.

“He might have said something like that, a bit confusing though, I must admit.” David confessed. He felt his stomach and hands have gotten a little colder than a few seconds earlier.

“The old captain really had a son named Ross. Willy and Ross did grow up like brothers and the Stevens are indeed our family friend. But the real Ross Stevens disappeared ten years ago, the same time the Captain Ross that you know came to the employ of the Wind Maiden.” James revealed.

“Why are you telling me this then? Does the crew know?” David inquired.

“Only I, Jake and Willy knows the truth. Did you also know that the real and new Ross were exactly the same?” James said.

“You mean a look alike or as in twins?” David’s curiosity was awakened.

“As in the same age and built down to their molecular and genetic levels,” James corrected.

“A clone!” David gasped in disbelief.

“Yes. Since we found you and learned about your story, Ross, me and my brother suspected that perhaps you two are also a clone of your real you. Complete with the original memory and not an imprinted one.” James said.

David stood up and paced back and forth in front of James, puffing his cigar and shaking his head, trying to process what he just heard.

“It can’t be… but it makes more sense than anything I’ve been speculating about my situation.” David muttered.

“Don’t forget that this is only our suspicion. The truth is yet to be learned. What we have is just a theory.” James raised both hands, palms facing him.

“Yes, yes, of course. You could be wrong or right. So does going to the Asian Empire will really get me answers?” David demanded.

“Most likely, unless you meet someone from the Empire in West Angeles.” James shrugged.

“I’ll take any options, consider any possibilities. I need to know the truth.” David grunted and threw his spent cigar. James offered him another and he took and lit it at once.

“Relax David. I don’t want you having a nervous breakdown in front of me. Perhaps you could use another round of drinks?” James offered.

“Oh no, you don’t! You are not making me go back to the Shackles again!” David protested vehemently. Recalling the stench alone almost made him vomit.

“Who said I’m taking you to that shithole? You’re talking to a Frenchman here! I’m taking you to a place with class!” James laughed, stood up and placed an arm around David as he took him back to the Lower Tier.

David thought he spotted a silhouette at one of the side alleys they passed and thought it was the stranger who gave him the spheredrive.

True to his promise, James took him to the Clair Rose Chatte at the Third Tier where the lights are brighter and people looks more… sophisticated.

What David did not notice earlier was that his entire conversation with James were being listened at from the Wind Maid by Tony.

Chapter 4: The Innkeeper

The sun was just about to start to come up when Captain Ross and James powered the Wind Maiden’s nuclear battery and made their way around Castalone to its eastern side.

The rest of the crew woke up halfway through the trip while David got up as the captain maneuver his ship through the maze of anchored ships, galleons and a couple of destroyers.

“What are those?” David gawked at the massive metal sea vessels that looked out of place among the sea of smaller wooden ships.

“American Union Destroyers,” George supplied.

“That must be about a hundred meters high from keel to main deck, and…” David squinted to see both ends of the large destroyer, “…about a kilometer from bow to stern. Wow!”

“Usually Castalone is visited by at least one destroyer twice a year but now these three has been here for five months already. Word on the Lower Tier is that the tension between the U.S. and the British are forcing the hand of the Americans to take side with the Brits.” Captain Ross approached them.

“U.S.? Oh the African nation… I forgot.” David placed a hand on his face.

“Don’t worry. We shouldn’t concern ourselves with disputes halfway around the globe. Come, James found a place to dock. You’re going to see your new home.” Ross smiled and squeezed David’s shoulder before leaving them.

“New home,” David closed his eyes and inhaled the sea breeze.

“The Captain maybe taking it lightly but the conflict between those countries could turn into a new world war.” George grunted.

“Is that so? Why?” David creased his forehead.

“Well, the American and Australian Union is allied to the British, while the Asian Empire has been trade partners of U.S.A. for as long as I can remember. I may be just a simple fisherman but I always listen to the news.” George explained.

“Will it be a nuclear war?” David asked.

“My God no David, nuclear weapons were disposed and permanently banned since the founding of the Union countries.” George shook his head, laughing lightly.

“Ah I see. Are those missile turrets?” David pointed up on one above before them.

“Missiles are for outdated pirates, those are laser turrets.” George answered.

“Lasers, ah yes, it is the future indeed,” David said to himself.

* * *

The eastern side looks the same to the western docks only cleaner and more populated and after the captain settled their ship, they all took their belongings and went down the plank.

Captain Ross and James were the last to leave the ship, they made sure it was locked and protected from thieves.

“So all of you live here?” David asked Ned.

“Yes, you can say that. Except for Tony of course, his apartment was on the western docks but he has some relatives here. Me, Willy and Bert lives on the First Tier,” Ned pointed his lips ahead, “James, Jake and George is on the Second Tier and the captain lives at the Third. I assume that is also where he’ll be taking you to stay.”

“Are the Tiers separated by class of citizens or it’s all mixed? David inquired as they left the docks and George hails a wagon.

“By class, the Lower Tier is where most of the workers live. The Second houses workers who earn more than the average person along with the middle class citizens. Third is where the employers and businessmen lives and that include the captains of all fishing, trade and transport ships of Castalone. The Fourth is where the rich and the hotels are. The fifth is the governmental district.” Ned said.

“No prison?” David added.

“There are in the sublevels, this is an asteroid remember? The island you see is just the tip of the iceberg. In the sublevels lies also the Union Military Base, it’s mostly ran by skeleton crews only since Castalone is hardly a hot spot for security measures.” Ned helped David get up on the wagon.

“Why Wagons, where are the cars or whatever you guys use?” David asked to anyone.

“Magnetic drives somehow don’t work well with the asteroid surface.” Jake said to him.

“And wagons are way cheaper to maintain.” Bert added.

“Well, this is us. See you later David.” Ned said as the wagon came to halt and dropped him off along with Tony, Bert and Willy.

“See you mate!” Willy waved at David as they resume their way up to the Second Tier.

The Second Tier was beautiful. The sidewalks are filled with various plants and flowers over a long line of cemented rocks filled with fertile soil. Streetlamps lined in equal intervals from both side of the street and the porous road was clean.

They rode in silence. David understood the mood. His new friends spends weeks at sea, often in hazardous territories, it’s understandable that they prefer to spend this moment in silence.

George arrived at his apartment and called out to David to visit him anytime. After a few turns, the brothers James and Jake got to their place and shook hands with him before the wagon went into the Third Tier.

There were security personnel at the entrance of the Third Tier and performed a bioscan to the entire wagon much like what the Mayor had in his villa.

They hadn’t gone far from the gates when the wagon came to a full stop and Captain Ross gently nudged him to get down.

“We’re here, welcome to the Foster’s.” Captain Ross sweeps his hand to indicate a huge mansion made of wood, rocks, marbles and some metals.

“Impressive!” David’s eyes grew wide at the marvelous Spanish architecture that gave a pang of old memories from his ancestral home in Salamanca.

“Mama Jen!” Ross said as a beautiful woman in her late fifties came out of the main entrance followed by large men that could only be bodyguards.

“Mama Jen, this is David. David, Jennifer Foster; but we all call her Mama Jen, an old friend of my grandfather. She’ll be providing you with a place to stay until you’re ready to go to West Angeles.” Ross introduced.

“Pleased to meet you ma’am,” David shook her hand but she pulled him into an embrace and kissed both his cheeks.

“We still have many vacant rooms so you can have your pick, come! Come inside!” Jen said.

The interior was even more captivating. Everywhere David look he could recognize Native American designs, carvings and woven carpets and drapes.

“Are you…” David hesitated because he could see no trace of Native American features on Mama Jen.

“My first husband was a Navajo, I met him when I was studying Ancient American Culture at the Republic University in Lubbock, R.T.” she opened a room and they went inside to look. It was simple, spacious. David noted that there are no appliances visible so felt a little crestfallen but Ross casually strode on the wall and tapped its surface.

“Canopy CF-4 Lightviewer.” Ross indicated the monitor.

“R.T.?” David threw an inquiring look at Ross.

“Republic of Texas,” Ross replied.

A four by six feet monitor was projected on that same wall only David could not see any projector anywhere. His reaction must have been too obvious because Mama Jen and Ross gave a polite laugh. His captain beckoned him to come closer.

“Remember your Blackleaf? This wall works in the same principle, only bigger.” Ross motioned for David to try tapping the glowing keyboard outline by the wall at the side of the large monitor.

“How does this work?” David experimented and the monitor changed in channel, he stopped it on the news.

“It’s Russian.” David scowled.

“Allow me,” Ross punched a series of commands but David’s eyes were quick and he memorized the sequence.

“…we can only hope that the claim of the Asian Fleet that their build up in the coastal borders of the Australian Union is really just a routine exercise and not as everyone else fears. This is Anna Marie…” Ross closed the monitor and pulled David into the bedroom.

“The kitchen is the best part of Mama Jen’s Inn…” Ross played the part of a tour guide while Mama Jen just shook her head in amusement.

David listened attentively at all of Ross’ instructions on the various gadgets in the kitchen and in the bedroom while Mama Jen adds bit and pieces of trivia about almost every item visible.

After a few minutes, David decided to pick the first room and Mama Jen gave him the laserkey and had his thumbprints read and coded at the  laserkey’s secondary recognition module.

Ross explained that the primary thumbprints that can use the laserkey are that of Mama Jen and her inn staff. The secondary is for the customer and will only be valid on the duration of one’s stay.

“Here’s a satlink, press this button to activate the features. Contact list will appear through voice command, just say ‘List’. If you need to call me or any of the crew or even Mama Jen just say their name and it will patch you to us, I’ve already encoded our uplinks in its memory. If you need to add a new contact just say “Add” and a keypad will be projected where you can type the code and say ‘Save’ or ‘Cancel’.” Ross handed him a circular gadget the size of his palm that reminds him of his wife’s simple compact foundation.

“Outstanding!” David grinned like a little boy.

“If you want to order food, beverages or anything, just let me know.” Mama Jen added as she and Ross started for the door.

“How much per day is this… room?” David looked around.

“Ross got it covered for a full week. It should give you enough time to work and earn for yourself.” Mama Jen smiled.

“Thanks Cap.” David gave a slight bow of his head.

“It’s nothing. Go and rest, you’ll love the soft bed.” Ross winked and closed the door after him.

Alone at last, David rushed to the living room and opened the Lightviewer, “Let’s see what sports channel you got… or better yet, what sports does 9099 got for me.”

Relaxing on his couch with feet on the small table before him, he surfed on the channels. Animations, Uplink, news, movies, documentaries, talk shows, variety shows, game shows and finally sports.

“Gun Duels?” David bolted upright in surprise and increased the volume so he could hear the instructions of the host.

Merone is still recovering from his little accident in Antarctica, millions of his fans fears that his wrist injury will cost him his championship title today and we cannot deny that the build-up of Obreyy’s victory sweep only a few days ago has made him the crowd favorite for tonight’s Gun Duel Championship.

David went to the kitchen and rummaged in the refrigerator and took familiar looking foods such as celeries and carrots. Using the laserknife, he sliced the vegetables into small pieces and mixed them in a bowl, “Good old improvised salad…” he took a bite and was rewarded by a fresh loud crunching sound.

Merone and Obreyy are now back to back, the latter having a good two inch height advantage over the former. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and…

David almost choked as the female host said zero and the two contenders swung at each other and fired. Merone staggered wincing but it was Obreyy who went down on his knees and slumped on the ground. The studio crowd cheered, clapped and congratulated Merone.

“90th century western duel, cool!” David said between mouthful, after the show a movie was scheduled to play and he was required by the Lightviewer’s basic AI to wear the Virtual Glass. He looked around and saw it slid out of the center table. David took it and put it on and the Lightviewer flashed once and the movie began.

“Motherf…” David exclaimed as the entire room vanished except for his couch. He was at the outer space and he knew it has to be some kind of simulation.

The logo of 90^th Century Fox appeared with its all-too familiar trumpet and drum roll intro followed by the logo of Lucasfilm, Ltd.

“I have a good feeling about this!” David’s smile almost reached his ears.

* * *

“David, wake up.”

“Nat?” David rose from bed still feeling asleep.

“Food’s in the fridge, the kids are already on the bus. We’ll see you later tonight okay? Bye.” Nat kissed him and rushed out of their room and down the stairs where the bus was repeatedly blowing its horn.

“What?” David frowned still confused. It took him a full minute before he got up and went down to the living room.

The bus has left and he went to the kitchen to see what his wife left him for breakfast. Then he hit the showers and tried to process everything.

I’m back! I was dreaming about 9099 all along!

A sense of dé jà vu nagged at him as he took his bacon and eggs to the living room. The Blu-Ray player was on and without checking what was in there he pushed the play button on the remote.

The logo of Twentieth Century Fox appeared followed by Lucasfilm, Ltd. And the Star Wars opening theme boom throughout the living room.

David still felt too sleepy to eat so he leaned back and allowed his eyes to close.

“David, wake up!”

“Huh? Nat I’m already up…” David muttered.

“David, my name is Carrie Walters, Mama Jen wants you down on the lobby at once,” the woman closed the Lightviewer and put the V-Glass back on the slot in the center table and left, “Hurry.”

David covered his face with his hands and cried, “Natalie…”

Chapter 5: The Admiral’s Deal

Mama Jen, Captain Ross, the woman named Carrie and a tall handsome clean-cut man in plain white shirt and pants with polished black shoes who exudes an air of confidence and command were talking to each other at the main lobby of the Foster’s Inn having breakfast when David joined them.

David took a seat between Ross and Mama Jen, across the table sat Carrie and the other man, “David this is Admiral Leon Matthew of the AUN Castalone,” Ross said as the Admiral stood and reach out his hand to shake David’s.

“Mama Jen and Captain Stevens told me you need to get to West Angeles as soon as possible? Admiral Matthew asked.

“Yes. First I need a job here so I could earn enough…” David stopped as the Admiral raised his hand to him.

“The AUN Castalone is due to leave the island next week. I am to make an official visit to West Angeles, and you’re hitching with us.” Admiral Matthew smiled.

“Why thank you sir! May I ask why would you give such a generous offer?”

“The specifics of my offer will be discussed after our meal. To partly answer your inquiry, Captain Ross here called in an old debt which I can never refuse and no one in Castalone says no to Mama Jen.” Admiral Matthew grinned and the others mildly laughed.

David looked at Ross quizzically but the Wind Maid captain just cocked his head on the shrimps. David let it go and ate and they all spent the next hour swapping stories about their recent ventures.

Robot servers cleaned the table and served tea and some finger foods after the group had finished their breakfast.

“Leon here is my godson and he has his own suite here reserved every time his fleet visits.” Mama Jen told David.

“Is it true Admiral? That the Asian Empire is on to something at the borders of the Australian Union?” David asked.

“We suspect it, yes, although the Empire is always on to something. We’re just being mobilized to make sure whatever the Imperial Fleet does it has nothing to do with the Union Nations.” Leon replied.

“The Navajo thinks differently. My father says it is more likely just a diversion to keep our fleet away from home.” Carrie said avoiding David’s eyes.

“The Empire wouldn’t be stupid enough to sneak in on us, are they?” Ross frowned.

“Who knows? Millennia of human history are littered with reckless and unexpected tactics that often proves effective. We’re not dispatching all of our ships, just four or five but the entire force is at a constant alert.” Leon explained.

“What’s the problem in the first place? I mean between these nations? Power? Borders?” David expressed his confusion.

“The Latin Confederacy and the U.S.A. is on a joint venture to develop their own Space Program, the Asian Empire is against it because the original treaty of the New Nations signed thousands of years ago indicates that only the Empire and the Moon Colony has the right to absolute control of space explorations and programs.” Leon answered.

“So the Latin and USA is in violation of the treaty, the Empire does have the right to protest.” David pointed out.

“Five hundred years ago the Union of Nations questioned the original treaty and made a move to revise most of its content. Under New Nations Law, the treaty may be revised if more than half of the New Nations votes for the revision. All three Union Nations and the Latin Confederacy voted for the change and a hole was made to allow any nation to start their own space program.”

“So…” David said but the admiral continued.

“But the Asian Empire protested and presented various signed sub-treaties implying that the Moon Colony and Canopy Corporation are also considered as members of the New Nations. This of course was vehemently denied to be a legitimate claim by the Unions.” Admiral Matthew finished.

“Ah. I see. So we’re talking about gray areas here.” David finally nodded.

“Yes and a very nasty gray area.” Ross agreed.

“So Mr. Navarro, turns out you won’t need a job after all.” Carrie said, her eyes finally meeting his.

“Uhm, ah, I guess so.” David fidgeted.

“Admiral, David here is a writer, got anything for that area?” Ross said.

“Ross said you are off for some personal journey and a quest. Is that true?” Leon asked.

“Yes sir, sort of.” David confirmed.

“In which you would be going to town after town, meeting and talking to people?” Leon regarded him.

“Most certainly,” David gave a nod.

“I mentioned earlier that there will be certain conditions I would require you in return for the free ride. It won’t be much and it will certainly not impede your own agenda, whatever it is. I just need you to look around and see if there’s anything… any hints, rumors, talks, about Imperial presence in West Angeles or in American Union soil. Report anything you get in relevance to my request directly to me through your satlink. Name of source included.” Leon stated.

“Leon, we don’t want David to get caught in your political…” Mama Jen said.

“Don’t worry Mama Jen. I’m not asking him to engage of follow through any major leads, we’ll handle that part. We just need him to sniff around while doing his own digging. So David, do we have a deal?” Leon turns back to David.

“I suppose this is not negotiable?” David carefully said.

“I almost forgot Ross told me you’re into marketing too. Go ahead, name your price.” Leon smiled.

“I need protection. You can never say what I’ll encounter or how some will react on my snooping. I’m practically a stranger out there. Plus this issue between the Latin and the Asians, if there are, if only, there are Imperial infiltrators out there…” David said.

“You might present as a threat because of your Latin origins, most likely if there are Asian spies out there they might mistake you as a Latin spy. I understand your worries. Here,” Leon took something in his pocket and handed him a revolver.

“A revolver? No offense sir, but what can this do against modern weapons?” David chuckled awkwardly.

“It is a modern weapon.” Carrie intoned.

“Maffer G-96 30-Gauge Revolver, it can blow an exit hole for you on a yak’s body. Imagine what it would do on a man.” Leon explained.

David looked at the gun with renewed interest and awe, “A 30-gauge on a revolver? Neat trick! No lasers?”

“All guns have built-in lasers. Just press here,” Ross indicated a red button near the left side above the trigger, “And the micro-battery will turn on the laser feature.”

“Careful, that laser is needle-thin with a destructive range of one hundred meters, it will punch through all known metals. Don’t use it to cut very thick metals though, it will drain the power.” Leon added and threw him a small box.

“What’s this?” David said and opened it.

“Ammunition and a pair of reserve batteries,” Carrie answered.

“How’s your aim?” Ross asked David.

“Terrible.” David admitted.

“Leon?” Ross turns to regard the Admiral.

“I can’t, sorry. I need to be back on the ship after this.” Leon shook his head.

“I can’t too. I have to get back on the Wind Maid.” Ross said apologetically at David.

“I’ll do it.” Carrie stood and cocked her head to the garden.

The group stood up and bade each other farewell. Ross and the Admiral left while David and Mama Jen followed Carrie to the garden at the back of the Forster’s Inn.

* * *

David was a quick learner although he felt awkward in close proximity of Carrie throughout their firing lesson.

Mama Jen called then for lunch when they were done and the old woman insists on making Carrie take David on a tour on the island for the whole week.

Reluctantly Carrie finally conceded to the persistence of Mama Jen and told David to meet her at the gates in the afternoon.

Mama Jen stayed with David after lunch and he took the chance to get to know his innkeeper, the Admiral and Carrie through her.

“You like her don’t you? I can tell, there’s no point on denying it especially to Mama Jen,” she teased him.

“She’s beautiful and tough. There’s nothing not to like in her but I have a wife and two daughters. I miss them so much.” David said.

“Where are they?” Mama Jen inquired.

“Far away, out of my reach.” David sighed.

“My boy, in this world no one is ever out of reach of anyone,” the old lady lectured him.

“Everything was a mess in my head. I don’t know how to reach or even find them. All I know is that I’ll do anything to be reunited with them, anything.” David clenched his fists in helplessness.

“Clear your mind my boy. Empty your thoughts. It is filled with worries and assumptions that the answer couldn’t get inside. Your fear and longing is blocking the way for hope,” she said to him.

“What if my quest turns out to be for nothing? What if there is no way for me to get back with them?” David felt his tears beginning to escape from his eyes.

“As long as you keep them in your heart and mind they will never be lost to you.” Mama Jen countered.

“But can I survive that? Be content to cling on to their memory forever?” David grunted.

“You don’t have to cling, you need only keep,” she said.

“But…”

“Boy, listen to old Mama Jen. My husband was my first love. He was a Captain of the British Union Fleet and I a simple daughter of a fisherman and an innkeeper. He only comes to Castalone once a year and for only two to three days. We only get to be with each other on one day and we make the most out of it.” Mama Jen began her story.

“For five years it was like that, we’ve only seen each other for fifteen days and five of it we spend together. There are many women, far more beautiful and richer, influential and famous than a mere island girl like me that are constantly being met and paired to him by his wealthy parents. Many sailors, soldiers and officials and also rich bachelors have tried ceaselessly to win my heart and make me forget him but both of us kept strong and resisted the endless stream of temptations.”

“My situation is… different, Mama Jen.” David said to her.

“Every situation is different. All teaches as the same lesson, one way or another.” Mama Jen placed her hand on his affectionately.

“My Edmund, he was sent to lead the British Fleet during the Australian-Asian War thirty years ago. The Imperial Fleet was defeated but he and some of the other ranking officers were captured. The Emperor executed them in public and it was showed live on all countries. Edmund and his companions’ death bound the world together to move against the Empire and overthrow Emperor Zang,” Mam Jen continued.

“He was a hero then, a martyr.” David commented.

“The New Nations placed their own ally in power to rule the Asian Empire. Unfortunately, the new emperor was also the president of Canopy and he did not open the Asian Empire to the world as planned. Since then the rift between the Empire and the rest of the world grew. The Canopy gained more power to wield, their monopoly once again secured.” Mama Jen winced.

“Politics and business, such a nasty combination,” David nodded.

“Indeed,”

“And here I thought you were just another sweet old innkeeper, you have quite a life Mama Jen! Your name would probably been written on history books.” David laughed.

“Now you’re making fun of me. My husband was the hero. Me, I’m just exactly what you first thought me to be.” Mama Jen smiled.

“What about Admiral Matthew and Carrie?” David inquired.

“Leon’s father Captain Larry Matthew, was my husband’s bestfriend, Larry died during the battle before Edmund was captured. Leon’s mother died of childbirth so I raised him as my own until he joined the fleet.” Mama Jen answered.

“Carrie on the other hand is the granddaughter of the woman who saved my husband’s life back before we got married. He was kidnapped by a syndicate and tried to kill him in the north but Carrie’s grandmother and her father came and saved him. The Walters became our close friends since then,” she said.

“When Carrie graduated from the university, she took over her father’s business and opened an exclusive trade here because she wanted to see me as often as she could. You like her don’t you?” Mama Jen repeated.

“Come on Mama Jen, it’s nothing like that.” David said half convincingly.

“She’s a wonderful person. Hard at the edge but a real flower,” Mama Jen added.

“Are you trying to hook me up with her?” David snorted.

“You’re old enough to do it on your own. I’m just giving you an alternative,” Mama Jen countered.

“Now you’re making fun of me!” David retorted.

“There you are. I’ve been waiting for you at the gate for an hour now!” Carrie growled from behind and startled David and Mama Jen, the old woman laughed when she saw it was only Carrie.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize the time…” David stood and went to Carrie to apologize.

“Whatever, go get your coat. We’re going on the Mayor’s party, you too Mama Jen. The Mayor insists that you’d be there.” Carrie told them.

David hurried to his room while Carrie accompanied Mama Jen to hers.

A few minutes later, all three of them were on a carriage heading up to the Mayor’s Villa.

Chapter 6: The Myth of Billy Blackboot

“Ah David, it is nice to see you again. How’s your stay at the Foster’s Inn?” Vice Mayor Mary Perry greeted as David, Mama Jen and Carrie arrived at the villa.

“Feels like I’m back at my ancestral home in Salamanca,” David said.

“I thought you were from the Confederacy?” the vice mayor’s surprise gave her tone a tinge of sudden suspicion but it quickly passed as Mama Jen took her by the arm towards the dance floor.

“Come let’s go find someone to dance with like old times,” Mama Jen insisted and threw David a conspiratorial wink.

“What did I say?” David put up his hands innocently.

“Let’s dance,” Carrie only said and pulled him along in the swirl of dancing pairs all over the center of the garden.

“I’m really not good at this…” David protested but Carrie was already pulling and spinning him around.

“Just try not to step on me and we’ll be fine. If you’re wondering about her reaction when you mentioned Salamanca, the vice mayor has a very… shall we say colorful past with the British Union, specifically with Spain.” Carrie said to him.

“Is it political or personal?” David stole a glance at where the vice mayor were dancing.

“A bit of both, but do not concern yourself with it.” Carrie replied.

After the dance Mama Jen rejoined them accompanied by Admiral Matthew, “David, Carrie, the mayor requests that we join him in their table.” Mama Jen told them.

The mayor had David seated beside him at the left while his wife was on the other side. Carrie took the chair left of David followed by Mama Jen while Admiral Matthew sat across Carrie with the Vice Mayor coming in last to take the seat beside the Admiral.

Polite greetings were exchanged and the robot servers placed several menus on their table. When they had started eating, the mayor signaled for his robot butler and the machine clapped demanding the silence and attention of the rest of the crowd.

“Cassius, let our special visitors come in,” Mayor Anderson said aloud to the robot butler.

Cassius with its mechanical voice began the introductions. He announced the mayors of several cities and towns from the American Union one by one and each presented a gift and gave praise and wishes for the mayor’s birthday.

“It’s your birthday?” David exclaimed and whispered his greetings, “I thought this was just a social party,” he blushed.

“It’s alright David.” Mayor Anderson smiled.

David ate and watch in amusement at the proceedings. It reminds him of old kings accepting gifts and hearing pleads from the peasants. It was weird seeing such displays here among people who were dressed like the old Wild West carrying gadgets thousands of years ahead of his own time.

The Mayor kept asking him about his life in the Confederacy, subtly cross-referencing his questions based on David’s answers from his other inquiries.

The others seemed oblivious on this casual exchange and kept on with their respective conversations with the others on the table except for Carrie and the Admiral. The two were talking about the Navajo Country but shrewdly eavesdropping on David and the mayor.

Mama Jen interrupted David and Mayor Anderson and told the celebrant that she needs to get going. Admiral Matthew walked her to the gates where her carriage awaits.

Carrie rescued David from the mayor’s endless questioning and asks him to dance with her again.

A few minutes later Captain Ross arrived at the party rather underdressed and went straight to pull the mayor away to a dark corner to talk to him.

David felt Carrie stiffened and her relaxed demeanor became suddenly tensed, her eyes darting from Ross and the mayor to everyone around them.

“What is it?” David frowned.

“Shut up and follow me,” Carrie said rather sharply and almost dragged him out of the dance floor and into the left side of the mansion where some of the robot kitchen staff were busy cooking and preparing.

She took him to a side door and locked it, “What in the world is going on with you?” David demanded.

They were in the mayor’s armory and she took a couple of projectile weapons that David was familiar at, an X95 assault rifle which is by definition already an ancient relic. He pointed it out to her but she just handed one to him.

“This is a Canopy Standard X9000 assault rifle. It’s a relic too but not as ancient as your X95. For now it’ll suffice, just remember this switch turns on the magnetic shield piercing bullets. Rotate this knob right here and select the colored dots…” Carrie explained.

“Wait wait, wait… why are you taking this gun, are we in trouble or something?” David wanted to know why she’s suddenly acting paranoid.

“…blue for tracking bullets, red for armor piercing, green for EMP, yellow for stun charge and white for mech-stopper…” she went on and opened the door.

“Damn it!” David growled and took the rifle and followed her. The robot crew remained oblivious to the two armed running guests. David heard some screaming and gunfire. Carrie pulled him to take cover on the bushes and use their rifle scopes to see what’s happening.

A number of men clad in a mix-match of various military uniforms and each of them were wearing masks and body shields. They were all armed with large ominous looking guns.

“What the fuck! Who are these people and how did you know they’re coming?” David muttered under his breath.

“You can say that I have a special gift of sensing danger. I was alerted with the fear in Ross’ eyes, only one thing on this Solar System can make the captain react with such fear; the Blackboot Pirates.” Carrie informed him.

“Sounds like a typical villain name,” David gave a nervous chuckle.

“The Blackboots are the most ruthless pirates. They are also the oldest existing criminal organization in the world. It is said that it was founded by Billy Blackfoot two thousand years ago and that he’s still alive, leading his men from a hidden base.” Carrie told him.

“He couldn’t possibly live that long, could he?” the two of them now saw one of the intruders held the mayor at gunpoint and were shouting at him on a language unfamiliar to David.

“Of course he can’t, it’s just a myth. They’re speaking in Asianic, the official language of the Empire.” Carrie supplied.

“There are about twenty of them, how can we stop them?” David asked.

“Thirty five, some went inside the mansion, a few stayed outside the gates,” Carrie corrected.

“You’re not just a simple trader are you?” David fished.

“No. I am the daughter of the Chief of the Navajo Country. I am a warrior first, a daughter second and a trader last.” Carrie recited automatically which caught David by surprise. Suddenly she became a total stranger to him once again.

Saving his questions to her for later, he took a deep breath and focused on their current predicament, “So, what is your plan?”

“Find out what they and make sure they don’t get it,” she said.

“At all cost?”

“Depending on what they want.” Carrie nodded.

“And how can we figure that out, can you understand Asianic?”

“A little, enough to understand the basics, unless they switch to Imperial Asianic,” she shrugged.

“What’s the difference?” David asked.

“Imperial Asianic is their formal language and they only speak basic Asianic in the presence of non-Asians. It is one of their most sacred laws.”

“Then why would you assume they’ll use the formal version now in the presence of all these people?” David was confused.

“They’re pirates. They don’t adhere to morals and ethics.” Carrie countered.

“Touché,” David grinned.

“Shit!” Carrie hissed.

“What?” David turns his attention at the center of the garden.

“They’re mixing both. Give us the… man? I think that’s what it meant… the man with no… I didn’t get that one… it is folly to keep him from us…” Carrie translated as much as she can.

“They want someone important… at least important enough for them to come here amidst all of these people and leaders of other cities,” David mused.

“Who are you really David?” Carrie suddenly said; her tone flat and her eyes unblinking.

“Whoa wait, who, me? You think it’s me they’re after? That’s impossible!” David protested.

“Who else David, from the moment I first saw you I already felt something is off about you. My instinct is screaming at my head telling me you are not who you say you are and yet there is more about you than any of us could ever imagine.” Carrie said.

“Wait a minute…Carrie, I’m just a man who was lost and wishes to return to his family, nothing more.” David insisted.

“The truth is yet to be unveiled. Be at peace David Navarro, I will not turn you over to the Blackboots. If Captain Ross trusts you enough to go all these trouble of helping a total stranger like you then I will respect his judgment. I will keep you safe.” Carrie assured him.

“Thank you,” David sighed with relief.

“Once I start shooting, grab Ross and Anderson and take them straight into the right side fountain,” Carrie positioned herself and took aim at the leader interrogating the mayor.

“The fountain?” David scowled.

“Dive in the water, there’s an escape tube in there. The mayor had it built and I designed it, now go and keep your rifle hidden until I start shooting.” Carrie ordered.

David hid his rifle on his coat and made his way to the terrified crowd, he hadn’t got a few meters away and Carrie began firing.

David saw the head of the leader exploded like a watermelon struck by a .50 Cal. Pandemonium followed, the bodyguards of the guest mayors opened fire at the Blackboots and before David reached the center, the mayor and the captain were already darting towards the right side fountain.

Heart pounding, adrenalin pumping; David made a dead run after Ross and Mayor Anderson ignoring the shouts, screams and gunfire around him.

One Blackboot stood in his way and raised his gun at him, David froze but the other’s chest burst open from a direct hit and fell lifeless on the lawn. David turns to look at Carrie who gave her a thumbs-up.

Ross spotted him as the mayor dove on the water, “David, hurry!”

David increased his speed and dove as Ross gave covering fire and followed him shortly.

The fountain was deeper than what he thought and they swam in the dark, a faint light began blinking ahead below them and David and Ross followed the beacon.

The mayor was holding a steel door open and handed them breathing masks and went inside. David and Ross secured the mask and were relieved as oxygen started to flow. They swam for a full minute before they resurfaced on an empty room with one door.

“How about Carrie?” David asked as they were all running on a long dimly lit tunnel.

“She’ll be fine,” the mayor assured him.

David wasn’t convinced and Ross piped in, “She’s been killing Blackboots since before she learned how to read, relax David.” Ross told him.

They stopped at a locked metal door and after the mayor made a few taps on the control panel, the massive door swung open inward and Cassius appeared.

“Your transportation is ready sir,” the robot butler said.

David gasped.

The room they got in was not just a room but a vast antechamber about the size of Madison Square Garden. Hundreds of robots move about wearing lab coats and jumpsuits, it was like a scene from an old James Bond movie only it has robots in it. But the first thing that made David freeze in shock and awe was the single spaceship at the center. David calculated it was as wide and long as a standard American football field.

“Welcome to the Castalone Island Central Hub, this is the branch office of the United American Union Fleet. Admiral Matthew will be joining us the moment he secured our guests above from the Blackboots.” Mayor Anderson said to David.

“She’s a beauty isn’t she?” Ross said gazing at the spaceship.

“It’s a piece of junk!” David croaked then raised a hand to stow their surprised and offended reactions, “Sorry, I just can’t resist it. I’ll explain later. She is a beauty Ross.”

“She’s a Canopy Solaris-80 Assault Freighter. Each American City has one, the fleet calls them the Mayor’s Bird for they serve as the fleet ship for every mayors. I named her Enola Gay.” Mayor Anderson beamed with pride.

David gave a startled look at him, “Enola Gay?”

“Fragments of Ancient History is known to a very few highly educated people in this world, the mayor is one of them.” Ross explained.

“Yes David, I know some about your era.” Mayor Anderson smiled.

David blushed, “It’s not exactly my era. Oh, never mind.”

The mayor gave David a quick rundown of the operations in the CICH.

The three went to what Ross called an Ionic Tube where they were dried up including their clothes as if they never got wet at all and then Cassius rejoined them and led them to a private room. It was clean, air-conditioned and brightly lit.

They took a seat on very comfortable couches and David noticed that the entire far wall was actually a giant Lightviewer.

Cassius left and returned a short time after bringing in a cart tray of food, the robot butler served five plates on the center table and left.

“Five?” David asked and before the mayor or Ross could answer the door slid open and Carrie and Admiral Matthew stepped in.

After a quick exchange of greetings they all sat and ate as Carrie and Leon reported what happened to the Blackboots and their terrified guests.

“They were after you David, as for why your guesses are as good as mine.” Leon said.

“I’ll contact the Navajo Fleet first thing in the morning to cooperate with the Admiral’s fleet in starting an investigation on the coordinates where Ross found you in the sea.” Carrie added.

“Now David, if you’re not sleepy yet, will you indulge an old man to showoff and give you a tour of my Enola Gay?” Mayor Anderson grinned.

“I’d be delighted to,” David expressed with much enthusiasm.

Carrie rolled her eyes, “Boys,”

Chapter 7: Enola Gay

Admiral Leon went to his flagship to make the arrangements for rescheduling their departure next week and moving it earlier as possible. Ross went topside with Carrie to report to the Castalone authorities about the Blackboot incident last night and to make sure that the guests were all safe and unharmed.

Mayor Anderson had the crew open Enola Gay’s ramp and ushered David in his ship.

“Where do you guys build these ships?” David asked admiring the interior.

“Mining is not allowed on this planet anymore since the New Nations was founded. The Moon Colony has the monopoly on space mining and Canopy Corporation is their sole contractor on ship, vehicle, weapons, robot and technology development, construction, distribution and marketing.” Mayor Anderson said as he showed him the passenger module.

It wasn’t what David expected, instead for all appearances the passenger module is like any typical hotel lobby. The only difference was that all furniture and equipments were either bolted on the metal floor or at the walls. At the moment it was devoid of its crew and the lights were all set to dim.

“So there is space travel?” David commented. Mayor Anderson had now taken him past the lobby into a splitting corridor.

“There is at least within the Solar System by only the Empire, Canopy and the Colony have that privilege. The Triad, as we call them, was still attempting to colonize the other planets.” Mayor Anderson nodded at the left, “Let me show you the engineering bay.”

“Welcome to E-Bay,” he said and David laughed aloud, the mayor paused to regard him in bafflement, “Excuse me? What’s funny about it?”

“Sorry, it’s just that eBay in my time is a website for selling stuffs, oh well, never mind that,” David chuckled.

“Very well, anyways here on E-Bay is where our technicians are stationed wherein they monitor and maintain the efficiency and condition of Enola Gay’s engines and systems. That blastdoor over there leads to the sickbay.” Mayor Anderson continued then the two of them double-backed to the other stem of the corridor.

“Here’s the mess hall, the conference room and the recreation room at the end of the hallway are the lift tube to the upper deck, you’ll love it there,” Mayor Anderson grinned and they went up.

“There’s the command bridge, and on the other side are the sleeping quarters and putting up the rear is the mini-hangar bay for our single-seated starfighters, the manual gun turrets and cannons. Lined-up in the walls from the hangar to the quarters are the access tubes for the escape pods.” Mayor Anderson pointed.

“Impressive!” David gasped.

“Come, I’ll show you the Stingers,” the older man strode towards the small hangar bay and David nodded in amusement for it is a mini-hangar bay as the mayor described it to be.

The hangar bay couldn’t be any more than the size of a basketball court and perched on the ceilings are two rows of ten spherical machines that David assumed as the Stingers. Aside from the twin boosters behind and a pair of small laser cannons, David couldn’t quite imagine how the engines and computer systems would fit in those thin metal bubbles.

“How in blazes can they fly?” David asked.

“The biggest question in all of the New Nations, none of us could figure it out. All we know is that they work, the shielding is by far impenetrable and that the only maintenance required is keeping it clean. Every six months all Stingers are subjected to an Annual Canopy Diagnostic Test.” Mayor Anderson shrugged.

“There goes another reason why Canopy holds so much power, huh?” David said dryly.

“You got that right,” the mayor agreed.

“ Isn’t that unfair and rather risky for the New Nations that the Triads even have such hold on your defenses?” David mused.

“Indeed, that is why we aim to get our own space program up and running. Such power must not be centered on the Triads alone. It has to be distributed equally.” Mayor Anderson seems to stare past the Stingers to an unseen memory.

“The same issues seems to stay regardless of era, it has been like that since the time of the Pharaohs.” David said.

“The Pharaohs are just another term for mayor,” the mayor said to him.

“Huh? Oh no, not the Pharaohs of your time, mine… well, not exactly my time either but in my time’s history, if you follow me.” David cleared.

“I think so,” Mayor Anderson blinked in mild confusion, “Anyways, let me show you how to fly this baby.”

“That would be awesome!” David clasped his hands in excitement.

* * *

“…and this controls the pitch,” David pointed at the controls.

“You’re catching on pretty quick.” Mayor Anderson nodded.

“Damn!” David suddenly exclaimed then laughed again.

“What?” the mayor raised an eyebrow.

“Geek déjà vu.” David said.

“A what?” Mayor Anderson frowned.

“Sorry, just another flashback glitch,” David said instead.

The mayor’s satlink beeped and he answered it, “Mayor Anderson here,”

“Sir,” it was Cassius, “Admiral Matthew reports that the Union Leaders are now online and demands to begin the conference at once.”

“Thank you Cassius, I’ll be joining the Admiral shortly.” Mayor Anderson replied then let out a sigh of resignation.

“They seem to be in a hurry.” David stated.

“I have a feeling that the incident in my party is not the only thing that will be laid down on the conference, let’s go rejoin the Admiral shall we?” Mayor Anderson told him.

“This should be very interesting.” David said to himself as they went down from the Enola Gay and rode the service car Cassius was driving.

* * *

David expected to see a number of monitors giving live feed of the Union Leaders but he was startled to see them waiting on the conference room.

“Senators, Mayor Steven Anderson is here.” Admiral Matthew said as David and the mayor enters the room with Cassius. Carrie cocked her head motioning for David to take a seat beside her on a separate table behind the Admiral.

Carrie leaned to whisper to David, “Do you know their names already?”

“No.” David shook his head.

“Not even your own president?” Carrie frowned at him.

“Of course I know, I meant the others.” David said at once.

“I’ll start with the old man at the Admiral’s left; he’s President Steven Chase of West Angeles. Next to him is Sean Peters, President of North Angeles. Then President Benjamin Fisher of the Republic of Texas, President Vincent Timothy of South Angeles, President Mary Fendolini of East Angeles and of course my father Thomas Walters, Chief of the Navajo Regions.” Carrie informed him.

“How did they all get here so fast?” David asked.

“Seriously David, where were you your whole life? Hiding in a cave? Of course they aren’t here, none of them except you, me, the Admiral, the Mayor and Cassius. They’re just a Virtual Projection from our Satlink System. Come on David, I thought the Latin Confederate have already commercialized ViPro?” Carrie exclaimed.

“There are still parts of the Confederate that hasn’t received such modernization.” David lied.

“Oh, and I thought the American Union were far behind the rest of the world when it comes to technology.” Carrie shrugged.

“You’d be surprised how far behind other nation think of theirs as well.” David smiled.

“You have a point.” Carrie conceded.

“And you, do you know our leaders?” David baited.

“Of course I do, that’s your Presidente Daniel Guevara of Tres Montis. The shorter one is Presidente Artemio Villarta of Meridianus Arcis and that stunning woman over there is Brasilia Presidente Shaina Robles.” Carrie answered.

“I’m just testing you,” David smiled at her.

The two turn back their attention to the ongoing conference, David took a handkerchief and ran it on his face. That was a close call, Carrie almost got me there, he thought.

“…I don’t think that the Empire would go that low as to hire lowlife scum like the Blackboots, the Luna Lobos or any other criminal organizations just to get rid of their oppositions.” President Sean Peters was saying.

“So are you telling us that all of us here were just coincidentally attacked by various criminal groups on the same day?” President Benjamin Fisher scowled.

“What my friend is saying is that perhaps the Empire has nothing to do with it. Maybe it’s the Canopy’s doing?” Presidente Artemio Villarta interjected.

“I don’t believe in coincidence but I don’t want to point at anyone unless I have proof. Unfortunately none of our attackers lived long enough to be interrogated.” Admiral Matthew said.

“The Luna Lobos survivors escaped,” President Vincent Timothy sighed.

“None of us captured anyone, unfortunately.” Presidente Shaina Robles nodded.

“Castalone Coast Guard had filed a lead on tracking the Blackboots’ headquarters. I’ve already sent an agent to verify this report.” Mayor Anderson supplied.

“How soon can it be confirmed then?” Presidente Daniel Guevarra asked.

“Two to three days.” Mayor Anderson replied.

“It may be too late. A lot of things can happen to any of us by that time.” Peters grunted.

“My fleet will sail for the Navajo Regions tomorrow morning then we will regroup with the UAN fleet the next day so by the time the agent gets back me and my men would be already on our way to the Union Sea.” Admiral Matthew said.

“Do you expect an encounter then?” Shaina asked.

“It’d be much better if we’re ready than not at all,” the admiral commented.

“So that’s it then? We send out our hunters to capture at least one of these bandits and have then interrogated thoroughly for answers.” Vincent Timothy stated.

“That’s pretty much about it, yes.” Steven Chase confirmed.

“And what of the alleged presence of Imperial spies in our domain?” Chief Walters asked.

“There were numerous unconfirmed sightings from the civilian populace. I’ve dispatched agents to investigate.” Admiral Matthew said.

“Did the Union Intelligence authorize this?” Mary Fendolini regarded the admiral.

“I assure Her Excellency that the chain-of-command has not been broken by my action. I have the approval of the UANIA.” Leon said to her.

“Very well, what are the reports about the MARIS Space Station that crashed in the Atlantic Ocean? Have you confirmed the coordinates? Did it fell on our borders or at the Confederate’s?” President Fendolini asked.

David noticed that Mayor Anderson and the Admiral slightly stiffened for a microsecond before Admiral Matthew answered.

“With the coordination of the Confederate Coastguards we have in fact confirmed that the MARIS Space Station crashed at the South Pole borders.” Admiral Matthew reported.

“New Nations Law states that any incident that takes place outside New Nations borders is out of our jurisdiction and only the involved parties are to take action of it.” President Steven Chase reminded them.

“MARIS is the property of Canopy, but it is also specified that civilian scavengers have the right to retrieve anything outside New Nations borders and once they have claimed it even the owner of the loot loses the right to reposes their property.” Mayor Anderson grinned.

“But none of us here are civilians and we cannot hire anyone in time to retrieve the MARIS, Canopy will be sending their own team in three days.” Shaina said.

“Actually, we have one civilian right here, and he’s a crew of the Wind Maid,” Admiral Matthew swivels his chair to introduce David to the entire American Union Council and Latin Confederate Council, “Your Excellencies, this is David Navarro.”

David swallowed and felt cold as all eyes turn to regard him with mixed expressions from confusion, indifference to suspicion.

“I thought he was your staff?” Mary Fendolini scowled.

“He is my staff as well, and the mayor’s. In fact, David here is a freelancer.” Admiral Matthew said.

A Freelancer? Me? David felt a tightening in his stomach. What is the admiral playing at?

“Will his Wind Maid reaches and scavenges the MARIS and get back here in less than three days?” Benjamin Fisher asked.

David’s memory of the Wind Maid’s capabilities came up to his head at once and he answered out of reflex, “The Wind Maid can reach it in two days but will not have enough time to get back within one,” the council burst in disapproval and debates but David raised his hand and continued, “But I have an idea. The Enola Gay can follow us and take the MARIS from our ship and fly ahead to Castalone once we’re back within the UAN’s area of responsibility.”

Mayor Anderson and Admiral Matthew exchanged an I-told-you-saw look and Carrie crossed her arms and slumped back on her seat scowling at the two.

“The Enola Gay? You have a civilian ship?” President Sean Peters exclaimed.

“It’s my ship, Your Excellency.” Mayor Anderson interjected.

“This is risky. The Canopy Corporation will not simply let MARIS be taken from them, regardless of written laws. They will find a way around it.” Steven Chase stated his misgivings.

“MARIS contains valuable data about the Triad. We’ve been itching to get our hands on such information for centuries.” Admiral Matthew countered.

“All the more reason to think this through,” Presidente Artemio Villarta said.

David sat back and asked Carrie what MARIS Space Station is really for, “MARIS stands for Master Research and Intelligence Server. It is the master server of the Canopy Corporation.” Carrie said to him.

“Damn! If it’s that important then the Canopy would send their team faster than three days to retrieve it.” David gasped.

“MARIS crashed almost a month ago and Canopy only found out about it a few hours earlier and they are still figuring out the coordinates where it crashed, it will take them at least three days maximum to scramble a team big enough lift the station.” Carrie explained.

“I want to tag along,” David said to Admiral Matthew.

“We’re due to sail to West Angeles tomorrow morning David, I’m sorry.” Leon shook his head.

“I’m in no rush.” David insisted.

“We had a deal David and besides, Captain Ross and his crew can take care of the MARIS operation.” Admiral Matthew mildly countered.

“Alright,” David didn’t argue any further.

The meeting went on for another hour and after it was adjourned Carrie and David went back up to the mayor’s villa and then rode the carriage back to the Foster’s Inn.

“I can feel that there’s something you want to tell me that you can’t say back down there.” David said to Carrie before she went inside her room.

“Who are you really, David? Forgive my misgivings but I don’t think you really are from Colombia. There’s something about you that feels so… off.” Carrie finally said.

“Will you believe me if I tell you the truth?” David moved closer to her, for the first time, he noticed her eyes changes hue in the lighting. His eyes fell on her lips then awkwardly on her cleavage. Blinking, he returns his gaze on her doe eyes.

“As long as it is the truth,” Carrie said, matching his stare.

David wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. Their lips met and they steps inside her room while David closed and locked the door behind him.

“You still haven’t answered me…” Carrie said between breaths.

“I’ll tell you in the morning.” David hissed.

Chapter 8: Farewell Castalone

David can’t help to feel uneasy, nervous and excited at the same time. Mama Jen woke him and Carrie up and had them served with her own cooked breakfast and gave him a teary farewell and motherly advice to always take care and call her should he need any help.

Admiral Leon Matthew was already in his crisp naval uniform when David and Carrie sat to join him in breakfast. After a few casual conversations they took the Admiral’s personal carriage and went down to the docks where Captain Ross Stevens and the crew of the Wind Maid were waiting for them.

“David, are you ready?” Ross took his hand and pats his shoulder.

David threw an arm around his friend and they walk to where the others are by the Wind Maid’s ramp, “Better than when you found me on your fishing net,” he grinned.

“Well mate, we’ll be expectin’ to hear from ya’ regularly right?” Willy boomed and crushed him with his mighty arms.

“Easy now Willy, we don’t want to send him to West Angeles in pulp.” George said and nodded at David, “Take good care my friend.”

“Here’s something from the crew,” Ned handed him a small metal box.

“What’s this?” David frowned.

“Touch our thumb on the reader so it will register your print and will only open to your touch,” Bert pointed.

David did as told and a thin red light passed over his thumb followed by a ping. Then the lid slid open and David took out its content. Carrie and the Admiral looked over his shoulder to see what it is.

“And this is a?” David examined the five inch silver cylinder, unable to guess what it is.

“Let’s just say that if you ever find yourself in a middle of a huge mess with no one else to help you, just say Wind Maid and that cylinder will save your ass.” Jake told him.

“Oops! Not now, on an emergency situation only! Make sure your thumb is pressing the red end of the cylinder when you say the word.” James added.

David gave a questioning look at Carrie, “Don’t look at me, I have no idea what that is either.” Carrie shook her head.

“We should be going now David, Mayor Anderson is arriving.” Admiral Matthew said in his ear.

“Ross, guys, I owe you my life. I don’t even know how to express how thankful I am for everything you all have done for me.” David said to them.

“Don’t mention it David. Just make sure you find the answers you’ve been searching for and make it there in one piece.” Ross said clasping his hand tightly.

“Tony,” David nodded at the last of the crew who hadn’t spoken since they arrived.

“Just don’t do anything stupid like getting yourself hurt… or killed,” Tony said awkwardly.

“Of course, I’ll do that.” David gave one last look at his new friends as the Admiral led him to the other part of the pier where his fleet was preparing to leave.

“Where’s the mayor?” David asked and the Admiral only looked up at the direction of the Mayor’s villa at the top of Castalone Island.

David gasped in awe as he saw Enola Gay flying over the island and flew past them. It was the most marvelous thing he had ever seen since he found himself in this new era of human history.

“Damn! I got to get me one of that!” David sighed.

“Run for mayor when you get back,” Carrie smiled.

“Come aboard and meet my crew, David, Carrie,” Admiral Matthew beckoned them up the lift platform.

The moment they step out of the lift platform and into the deck of the AU Destroyer, “Welcome to the AUD William Roberts III, my flagship.” Admiral Matthew spreads his arms indicating the impressive length of his ship.

“William Roberts III?” David’s eyes went wide.

“Yes, Admiral William Roberts III was the national Hero of the Americans. He slave fifty Carriers to a master control on his flagship and took as many people as he can during the San Andres Disaster over five thousand years ago which practically saved millions of lives . He was already 1,000 years old that time; the oldest man in modern recorded history.” Admiral Matthew explained.

“My neighbor Daniel Roberts had his first born son named William, such a handsome baby.” David mused.

“You were from the 2000 era right?” Admiral asked.

“2026.” David nodded.

“That infant grew up to be the last President of the United States of America and when World War III began; William the First and the other Allied Countries founded the Western League, a prelude to our current New Nations.”

“Wow. I thought you guys don’t know much about the history in my time.” David asked.

“Those who studied at the Academy had the privilege to access the Ancient Records.” Admiral Matthew said.

David looked at Carrie then back to the Admiral, “How the hell did William III lived that long?”

“In the aftermath of World War III, the world was in disarray and the Western League struggled to help the other nations to rebuild their cities and reestablish their governments. At that same time, the Canopy Industries rose to prominence with their cutting edge technological breakthroughs from commercial, medical and military categories.” Admiral Matthew began explaining.

“The biggest achievement they contributed to humanity are the clone organs and later on the synthetic organs that paved way to long life for all that could afford it. When William the Second became President of the Western League he dropped the price so the common people would also benefit from it.”

“But the Canopy won’t just simply let that happen right?” David commented.

“True. The deal was they will get a lifetime exclusive contract to the entire Western League for all of the products the cover. It was the beginning of Canopy’s monopoly in the world.” Admiral Matthew smiled.

“What if David lived this long because of the synthetic organs too?” Carrie suggested.

“Is that even possible? I mean William III got as far as a thousand years but I am practically seven thousand years out of my time.” David asked.

“The maximum life of a synthetic organ is two thousand years,” the Admiral answered.

“Oh.” David was somehow disappointed. Carrie took his arm and placed her head on his shoulder.

“Don’t worry David I’m sure you’ll get the mystery of your predicament solved in your quest. Remember that there is also a Cloning Process but memory transfer has never been successful. But who knows, perhaps Canopy is keeping their true progress from public knowledge.” Admiral Matthew said him.

“Admiral, will you mind if I hitch a ride as well?” Carrie asked.

“No, you know you’re always welcome here. David, we’ll have plenty of time to discuss this further during our voyage. Let’s go have a word with Mayor Anderson first.” Admiral Matthew ushered them through the ship and out at the back where Enola Gay has landed.

“She’s even more impressive out here in the sunlight!” David exclaimed seeing the ship perched on the landing pad.

Mayor Anderson strode to greet them excitedly, “Fate smiles upon us my friends, our British allies said that the Canopy retrieval team are having some technical problems and may be delayed for another day in reaching the MARIS crash site.”

“Good news indeed,” Admiral Matthew agreed.

There was a loud honking sound and the four went to look down at the railing, there below they saw the Wind Maid paralleling their massive battleship.

“Good luck with your operation Mayor Anderson,” Admiral said to him.

“Thank you. Have a safe trip as well. David, take care.” Mayor Anderson shook his hand and waved at Carrie as he went back up his ship.

David, the Admiral and Carrie stood back as the Enola Gay lifts off smoothly and glides out to match the speed of the Wind Maid.

David waved at the speeding ship of Captain Ross, it was the first time he saw Wind Maid sail using their nuclear battery and they were now a small dot in the horizon, “Wow, she’s fast alright!”

“Castalone Sea Race Champion from 9050 to 9091,” Admiral Matthew said to him.

“Really? Wow!” David could no longer see the Wind Maid but he could still discern the Enola Gay’s distant silhouette.

Carrie made him turn around, “Now look how fast William Roberts III is.”

David’s jaw dropped, it’s been only a few minutes and Castalone Island was already the size of his fist, “I don’t even feel we’re moving!”

“Internal Gravity Projector, zero seasick.” Admiral Matthew grinned, “Now, from now on just call me Leon alright? Except of course on formal events and in the presence of my staff and crew,” he added.

“Fair enough, Leon.” David gave a nod.

“Carrie’s been aboard here several times already because of my affiliation with her father. As for you, Carrie insists that I let her give you the tour.” Leon regarded Carrie, “So, carry on. I’ll meet you two in lunch.”

Carrie hooked her arm in his and took him first on the Admiral’s cockpit, “Better get your tour started early so we can have all afternoon alone.”

“I like the sound of that,” David kissed her.

* * *

He felt like he could live forever just feel her soft sweet lips on his, the warmth of her breath and the touch of her skin. But such kiss can only last for so long.

He heard the clanging of spoons and forks on wine glasses, the collective cheers, applause and shouts of people. David heard the voice of Reverent John Wenham congratulating him.

He froze as he saw Natalie’s face smiling at him.

“David, Alida’s kicking again!” she laughed.

David looked down and saw the swelling in her stomach then a part of him made him look to his left and there he saw his mother Quincy carrying the toddler Yvonne.

David felt so happy to see them all again, his mom and dad were still there. They died on a car accident on their way to attend Yvonne’s seventh birthday. Even Ragnos, his old Golden Retriever was present.

Nathan, his wife’s younger brother played their favorite songs with his band and the ladies loved him for his charm and voice.

David endlessly shook hands and thanked every single visitor from relatives to old friends to new ones, even some of his co-workers came.

“Stop crying Dave or I’ll gonna have to use my gown to wipe your tears.” Nat’s lovely voice made him tearful even more.

“By the way, I have good news for you Dave,” Nat said.

“What is it?” he croaked.

“Here have a drink. Your mouth is drying…” Nat offered him a glass of wine.

“Thanks, so what’s the good news?”

“Your hard work has finally paid out! Broadway is interested in your novel! They want to make a play based on your book!” Nat cried.

“Oh my God, oh my God!” David took Nat in his arms and whirled her around in joy.

“Which book?” he asked her.

“Cast Alone, Lost Forever.” Nat answered.

“Cast Alone… Lost Forever…” David felt cold again and his eyesight blurred, he heard Nat calling him. Her voice trailing off as darkness took over.

Cast alone, lost forever…

David… David… Can you hear me? It wasn’t Natalie anymore. David felt a pang of guilt as the face of Carrie took form before his eyes. Barely a month away from his wife and he’s already making out with another woman…

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…” David wept.

“It’s alright David. Nothing to be sorry, you just had sunstroke that’s all…” Carrie’s voice grew distant as he allowed nothingness to engulf him once again.

Chapter 9: A Stranger on a Strange Land

David was awakened by Carrie in the middle of the night, “David, get dressed, we’re here.”

“Huh? Already?” David yawned.

Carrie playfully threw his shirt on his face, “The Admiral is waiting, meet us at the cockpit,” she said and left.

David took a quick hot shower and got dressed before following her. It was still dark but he could faintly discern the coastline of West Angeles. The lapping of the waves and the howling of the wind sent shivers in his entire body.

“Why is it dark out there?” David asked as he entered the cockpit.

“I’ve received a call from Mayor Anderson. They got the MARIS and are now sailing back to Castalone ahead of schedule.” Admiral Matthew informed him.

“That’s great news indeed!” David grinned.

“We have a slight problem about your drop off.” Carrie warned him.

“We can’t push to the Inner Docks as planned. Apparently it has been attacked and burned to the ground by the Luna Lobos. CPD wouldn’t bother with them unless they directly make trouble on populated areas so…” Admiral Matthew explained.

“So they will have to do it right here. The Admiral will give you a small hoverboat for transport. It should get you to West Town fast enough. Its engines are muted so it won’t attract the attention of the Luna Lobos.” Carrie said.

“Who are those creeps anyways?” David squinted to see the shores.

“You’ve seen the Blackboots right? If they are the terror of the sea, the Luna Lobos are their counterpart on the Western land but more brutal, there were reports that they have no qualms on killing elders, women and children.” Admiral Matthew answered.

“You have your weapons, your phone and that cylinder. Stay in the shadows until your reach West Town, the directions is already keyed in the navigation console of the hoverboat.” Carrie added.

“When will I see you again?” David asked.

“Your Blackleaf have GPS. Once you’re done here on West Angeles you can go straight to the Navajo Regions. My phone will alert me once you’re inside our borders, then I’ll find you.” Carrie leaned forward to kiss him.

“Sinker!” one of the crew shouted.

“Power up shields!” Admiral Matthew barked.

“Shield’s up!” the First Mate confirmed.

David watched in terror and fascination as the incoming missile detonated in the air a hundred meters from them. The explosion was loud but no shockwave reached them and the fire dissipated and Dave saw a shimmering where the unseen shield was.

“Nothing to worry about, we’ll deal with them in due time. Right now we have to stick on our own schedule. David, get on the hoverboat, we’ve set it on autopilot and it will take you northwest to the Choming Ruins. From there you can switch to manual and follow your GPS straight to West Town. Keep sharp and be careful, the Luna Lobos have vast resources scattered in West Angeles. Take care, my friend.” Admiral shook his hand firmly.

“Hágoónee’ David, Ayor anosh’ni.” Carrie embraced and kissed him longingly.

After making sure everything he needs is in his person, Admiral Matthew and his crew helped him mount the hoverboat and lower it to the water.

“Remember David, make contact with Mayor Kathy Knowles so I could contact you on a secure line and update you about MARIS and Carrie.” Admiral Matthew shouted over the noise of the waves.

“Thank you Admiral,” David stop and corrected himself, “Thank you, Leon!”

Admiral Matthew gave a salute and Carrie threw a flying kiss.

David started the engine and he was surprised how smooth the hoverboat sped through the waters, before reaching the shores, he looked back and saw three more volleys of Sinkers harmlessly detonating on the shields of the departing UAN Destroyer William Roberts III.

“Alright David, now you’re practically on your own,” he muttered to himself as the hoverboat gave a slight jolt and sailed across the sand dunes.

* * *

David saw the said Choming Ruins before his GPS indicated he has arrived at the spot.

Under the glow of the full moon he could see an impressive sight of a crashed massive spaceship. At the rusty metal slate he could discern a corroded logo of the Asian Empire.

Far south he heard a howl of a coyote and his hand instinctively hovered on his pocket where he kept his sidearm. Then he saw a movement on a dune about twenty meters to his right and saw a silhouette of a coyote. What shocked him was the size of the animal. It was as huge as an adult Bengal tiger.

David pulled his hoverboat inside the hollowed ruins and stayed in there holding his revolver.

A pair of big yellow eyes peered from one of the holes and David use the laser of his revolver. The coyote yelped and went silent, shortly after that he heard several growls and howls and a rustling of paws, sand and stone receding.

He waited for about ten more minutes before he risked looking out and finding none of the pack anywhere except the carcass of the one he just killed.

David went back inside and assessed his situation. It was still three in the morning and he could either keep moving in the night or wait for the break of dawn. If he go now he’d most likely encounter more of those large coyotes or other predators but he set out under the sun he’ll risk being spotted by the Luna Lobos.

Stay in the shadows. Admiral Matthew had told him. Yes, that would be wise. He took some rations and ate in silence, taking the time to think everything that had happened to him in barely a month and how crazy it has been for him.

Willing his body to move, he took the hoverboat out and gunned its engines and keyed the directions to West Town and headed off, his revolver within easy reach. He activated the bio-sweep and set the detector to alarm him of biological presence a meter or more in size within a hundred meter radius.

The hoverboat throttled almost 300 kph and he hasn’t gone half an hour when something exploded on the ground he passed by. Nothing registered from his radar so he switched the search to electronic. Instantly, five dots appeared; two paralleling him from either side at the edge of his radar and three at the same distance behind him.

Robots! David gritted his teeth and increased his speed which his pursuers easily matched again.

Warning! Incoming projectiles! David’s sensors beeped.

“Holy shit!” he desperately swerves his hoverboat as three compact missiles shot past where he was milliseconds ago. To his dismay, the three missiles made a wide arc to return their lock on him.

“You got to be kidding me!” David groaned and checked his system for any available countermeasures. He found the flak button and hit it without a second thought.

The flak did its job and detonated the three missiles in midair but the shockwave was too close and his hoverboat was thrown end on end. David clung for his dear life as the sky and desert spun.

Warning! Incoming projectiles! David’s sensors screamed at him.

While spinning he caught a brief glimpse of two missiles from different origins coming in fast at him, knowing it would be too late to activate his flak David opted to let go and curled as flew out his hoverboat and landed hard on the desert floor.

He felt a sharp pain in his left arm as he impacted on the ground, and the heat of his exploded hoverboat hit him like a wall on fire.

David ignored the stinging sensation and scrambled to take cover on a small boulder a few meters from him. He took out his Blackleaf and activated it own radar but his fall has damaged his phone.

Cursing, he took his revolver and tried to recall the general directions of his attackers. He heard the engines around him and took a quick look over the boulder. He spotted three robots on their bikes circling the wreckage of his hoverboat.

David wondered where the other two are then he heard a clicking and whirring sound behind him. Turning around with his revolver at the ready, he saw the other two robots parking their bike several meters before him, their own guns aimed at him.

David was about to say something but the two opened fire. He drop flat on the dirt as the salvo of bullets shattered the thick rock behind him. David carefully aimed at the head of the one on the right and fired.

The first robot fell headless while the other one shifted aim to finish him off but David already got his second shot out and the chest of the robot exploded.

He heard the sound of the other bikes revving so he made a mad dash at the parked bike of the fallen robots and rode one of them.

The tug of the bike almost unseated him as it sped up faster than his hoverboat. Checking his new ride’s sensors he saw that his remaining pursuers are still hard on his tail.

“High speed bike chase on a desert against robots out for my head seven thousand years from my own time… nobody at home will ever believe me!” David muttered as he kept his head low to avoid getting his face rip off by the wind.

“Activate rear weapons!” he shouted over the ringing of his ears.

“Command Unknown,” the artificial female voice of the bike’s computer replied flatly.

“Display Weapons List,” David tried.

“Forward .50 Caliber Cannon; Range 500 meters, Forward Dual Laser Cannon; Range 670 meters, Forward Dual Pulse Cannon; Range 996 meters, Forward Machine Gun; Range 70 meters, Two Electronic Net Launcher; Range 50 meters, Tracker Dot; Range 40 meters, Radial EMP Burst; Kill Radius 100 meters, Distress Flare; Altitude 1,000 meters, Signal Flare; Altitude 900 meters, Sun Flare; Altitude 800 meters, Flash-bang Grenades; Ten Pieces, Effect Radius 50 meters, Smoke Grenades; Ten Pieces, Effect Radius 50 meters, Concussion Grenades; Twenty Pieces, Kill Radius 20 meters. Handgun Rack; Content: 1 Canopy S34; Range 150 meters and 1 Beretta Z56-Ax3; Range 250 meters, Handgun Ammunition;  Fifteen Clips for both previously available handguns, Blades; 1 12×4 Canopy Jungle Knife, 1 Standard Canopy Molecular Sword and twenty lightweight throw knives.”

“Damn!” David exclaimed and requested for a technical readout of the Radial EMP Burst while zigzagging across the desert to avoid the volley of laser fires from his assailants.

“Activate EMP Shield before deploying Radial EMP Burst…” David nodded at the explicit instructions. He once again checked his enemies’ position and was relieved to see that all three are within range and have not activated their own EMP Shields.

“Hasta la vista baby!” David grinned and punched the trigger for the EMP.

The shield partly muted the noise around him and he realized that the wind is no longer hitting his face. There was a slight jolt on his bike as the Radial EMP Burst came out and he saw a shimmering haze bursting outward in a blink of an eye before it was gone. Checking on his radar again, he saw the three beeps that was his pursuers have disappeared.

“Yeeha!” David cheered and drove his bike towards the distant mountain ahead of him as the sun started to rise behind it, the sunlight lancing out like harmless beams warming his face.

* * *

The mountain was longer than it is higher, he surmised that it only rose for about one or two thousand feet but its shape was a little odd, almost unnatural.

David checked his locators for the hundredth times. The one in his Blackleaf was busted as is the one on his wristwatch and the third one on the bike was operational but was locked by a password in the robot’s language which he has no idea is.

He tried raising his friends but he couldn’t get a signal. Feeling hungry, he took the bike to scout the mountain for a safe spot where he can risk a fire and cook. At the northeastern side he spotted a trail leading up.

Hiding his bike on a pile of sand, rocks and bushes he took all the weapons he could carry and placed the rest on his backpack and began his hike up the man-made trail.

The path ended on a small platform of a massive piece of rock some eight hundred feet from the ground and to his far left he saw a small cave.

With his revolver at hand he inspected the interior and saw it was the size of his room with no other sign of previous habitation or use. Unpacking his gear he began to set up his outdoor kitchen and started cooking.

After having his fill with his salmon, he cleaned the cave from any trace of him being there and continued to climb the rest of the mountain.

The sun was already high above him when he reached the top and the heat would have burned his skin if not for his suit. Unfortunately his face wasn’t spared so every time he twitches his eyes, cheeks or mouth was a torture beyond definition.

Two wonderful things made it all worthwhile, first he finally got a signal and second the panoramic view around him was breathtaking.

He could see the Atlantic Sea at the distant horizon from where he had gone, sweeping his gaze he saw a series of towering mountains about south west of him, a landmark which he knows never existed in his own time.

There was a beep as his call finally got through and he was relieved to hear the familiar friendly voice of Admiral Leon Matthew.

“David? Thank God you’re alright! You are alright, right?” he exclaimed.

“I had a brief encounter with some oversize coyotes and a heart-pounding battle with five Luna Lobos robots, so far so good.” David said.

“Where are you? Your tracking signal went offline and we’re still trying to reconnect with your transponder.” Admiral Matthew asked.

“I’m on an odd looking mountain about northwest of a line of tower-like mountains…” David squinted looking at the landmarks around him.

“Ah, Mount Garette Lewis! I’m afraid you’ve gone way off your destination. At least it’ll be easier for you this time, just drive straight to the Tower Mountains you saw once you got there drive straight south and you’ll reach West Town.” Admiral Matthew explained.

“Thanks. How’s your side of adventure?” David inquired.

“We’re just about to reach the Navajo Regions. Here, Carrie wants to talk to you.” Leon’s voice left and was replaced by Carrie’s.

“David! Were you hurt?” she asked worriedly.

“Just some minor bruises from my fall but no broken bones… I think.” David smiled.

“Be more careful okay? I love you,” Carrie said to him.

“I know.” David said and threw a punch in the air, Epic! I said it at last! I actually said it!

“David, one more thing,” Carrie’s voice became serious.

“Yes?” David frowned.

“Where are you facing now?” she asked.

“I’m looking now at the sea and the towers, why?” David wondered what Carrie was getting at.

“Turn around.” Carrie said.

David made a slow turn and what he saw made him weak in the knees and his body went rigid in shock.

The San Andres Chasm filled the horizon from north to south.

David dropped on his knees and cried.

Chapter 10: The Twelve Apostles

“I want to see it up close.” David said with finality.

“Be careful then, even the Luna Lobos do not venture near the San Andres Chasm.” Carrie warned him.

“What do you mean?” David can’t take his eyes off from the gargantuan dark tear of Earth before him.

“It was said the creatures, vile ones, evolved in that region and become fierce and deadly monsters. The coyotes you encountered are just a sample of what the Chasm has done to the local wildlife in that area.” Carrie explained.

“I won’t take long. I just want to see what have become of the place I grew up with. Then I’ll be off to the Tower Mountains.” David said.

“I’ll give the Governor of the Twelve Apostles a heads-up of your arrival there.” Carrie said.

“Twelve Apostles?” David blinked.

“The Tower Mountains, it’s called Twelve Apostles. In fact, each tower was named from them, from Peter to Judas.” Carrie replied.

“Intriguing,” David commented.

“Don’t stay too long on the Twelve Apostles though. The place is regularly visited by the Luna Lobos so stay inconspicuous once you’re there. On second thought, perhaps I shouldn’t call the governor. I think it would be better for you if you get there as an ordinary drifter and not as a governor’s guest.” Carrie added.

“Can I resupply there? How about my bike, it will give them an impression that I am one of the Luna Lobos.” David grunted.

“Good point. You can ditch the bike once you’re close enough to the region to walk the rest of the way… or if you can acquire an Angelesian Steed; that would be better.” Carrie suggested.

“Angelesian Steed.”

“A horse,” Carried answered.

“Oh. I assume those were evolved horses as well.” David muttered.

“Six feet from hoof to shoulder, powerful legs, and impressive stamina and quite intelligent beasts,” Carrie said to him.

“Wow! But how can I get one, I don’t know how to tame horses.” David asked.

“You don’t need to, Angelesian Steeds are naturally tamed, it’s the Cheetangs are the wild ones but the fastest.” Carrie smiled.

“Let me guess, a hybrid of cheetahs and mustangs?” David grinned.

“Exactly,” Carrie confirmed.

“I didn’t know cheetahs also live on this part of the world…” David frowned.

“It’s been thousands of years David, the Earth you know have changed a lot since then.” Carrie mildly reminded him.

“But of course,” David sighed.

“If you’re going to take a peek at the chasm then you should be going now or you’ll reach the Twelve Apostles at night, dangerous predators’ prowls on that side of West Angeles, far more dangerous than the coyotes.” Carrie said.

“I’ll keep that in mind, I’ll call back when I reach the Twelve Apostles.” David said to her and ended the transmission.

David gave the chasm one last look from his vantage and then went down to retrieve his bike and drove it to his former home.

* * *

The gap was kilometers long and the sulfuric stench was almost unbearable. David felt a tightening in his stomach as his mind reeled at the hellish pit that replaced the region he had known almost all his life.

“Nat, Yvonne, Alida…” David stared longingly at the dim red orange glow at the center of the dark chasm. The unseen river of magma hundreds of kilometers below sends a strange hypnotic impression of being lured to its fiery embrace.

“Step away from the edge, lost one. Men that kept going at the precipice of darkness are the ones that falls to their doom,” an old rasping voice startled and shook David from his trance.

With a swift motion, David turns around and aimed his revolver at the origin of the voice, “Who are you?” David growled.

It was an old man in tattered filthy robe that could have once been a monk or priest’s clothing, “I am no one. My identity is of no concern or importance to a lost one like you,” the stranger shook his head.

“Speak plain or I’ll blow your head off,” David warned, this time he won’t take any chances. His experience with the hunters of the Luna Lobos awakened a part of him that he never would have thought to exist. He’s on his own now and he must not let his pity and compassion get the better of him.

“I have already spoken plainly yet you didn’t blow my head off,” the old man countered.

“For the last time old man, who are you?” David hissed.

“Ignore the rumblings of an old fart. I’m just playing with you. I’m Rueben. Do you want to cross the chasm? That’ll be sixty Earthens, twelve for two-way-crossing.” Reuben laughed a laugh that reminded David of Willy.

“You help people cross that expanse? I don’t see any ship or equipment,” David looked around but his gun never left its aim on the old man.

“You’re a cautious bloke, and I don’t think you’re one of those Loony Lobos either. Are you a drifter?” Reuben slowly approaches him.

“Stay where you are. Answer my question, Reuben.” David barked.

“We glide.” Reuben took a metal cylinder out of his pocket similar to the one given to him by Captain Ross.

“And how does that tube make you glide through that chasm?” David asked.

“Now that is too much! No one alive in this world could possibly be that dumb? This is a convertube, a glide convertube to be exact.” Reuben scoffed.

“Fine, whatever, I’m not crossing anyways. I’m heading to the Twelve Apostles…” David shrugged.

“I take it you’re not a local,” Reuben surmised.

“Does it matter?” David countered.

“It depends. You want advice? Stay away from that place, go around and ride straight to West Town.” Reuben muttered.

“What makes you think I’m heading to West Town?” David frowned.

“Everybody goes to West Town whether they want to or not, know it or not.” Reuben walked away to sit on a rock.

“Why should I stay away from the Twelve Apostles?” David inquired.

“You sure don’t want to cross, even just for the experience of it?” Reuben repeated.

“Looks dangerous,” David lowered his gun.

“What’s life without a risk?” Reuben waved at the chasm.

“I’ll give you fifteen for the two-way plus your answer to my question,” David offered.

“Twenty. No less,” Reuben haggled.

“Deal,” David nodded and took out a twenty earthen bill.

“I accept CMC you know, but cash is good too,” Reuben took the money and made a theatrical show of activating his glide convertube.

CMC? David frowned and tried to recall his lessons with Ross when they were still at the sea. Oh yes, CMC; Canopy MasterCard!

David watched in awe as the convertube produced a faint and transparent conical shield and a glider complete with harness and back-up portable flight engine slowly materialized inside the shimmering light.

“Feels like I’m inside The Grid,” David whistled and went to run his hands on the solid and tough looking glider.

“The Grid, you mean the moon prison?” Reuben seemed perplexed.

“Huh? What? No! Never mind,” David scratched his head.

Reuben assisted David to strap on the left side while he harnessed himself on the right. After securing their safety belts and straps he instructed David to keep pace with his running and the two made a dash towards the chasm.

David yelled as they plunge into the dark pit and almost fainted, but the draft caught their glide. They began rising and then falling like a silent descending eagle out for his prey. The heat and stench from the chasm was strong but the crude and most likely improvised protective facemask handed to him by Reuben somehow helps David to endure this inconvenience.

“This is the highlight of my service, look ahead!” Reuben shouted above the howling wind.

David tore his eyes away from the depths of the chasm and turn to look at what his companion was talking about. David’s eyes went wide, they were now coming at a narrow cave entrance on the other side at top speed.

“Reuubeeeennn!!!” David screamed and closed his eyes, bracing himself from the inevitable impact of his doomed flesh and bone at the shale cliff face before them.

There was a slight buckling and a thud of feet on rocks but he felt the glide slowing down and finally stopped. David opened his eyes and saw he was on a brightly lit antechamber, the glide safely harnessed on chains and his horizontal position was hanging three feet from the ground.

Reuben helped him unstrapped and then led him to the cave’s center where a simple living room set was arranged. Looking around David realized it was a house; Rueben’s house.

“How long have you been here?” David asked as he took a seat on the soft cushion.

“Fifty two years. I was born here. My ancestors lived here for one hundred generations, all worked as a transport glider. I am all that is left of my kin.” Reuben said offering David a bottle of beer.

“Thanks,” David took a gulp and instantly felt the strong kick of the alcohol, “Wow! What is this thing?”

“Homebrewed beer, my ancestor’s concoction,” Reuben beamed with pride.

“You should sell this,” David suggested.

“I used to. Damn beers paid every electronic appliances and equipment I have here now,” Reuben nodded.

“What happened?” David’s eyes landed on a 3D image of a happy family near the wall to his left.

“Luna Lobos started collecting protection money on the district where my brewery was. The worthless mayor of St. John did nothing to stop and apprehend those criminals. My store and the rest of the business establishments on our district went down. I had no choice to go back here doing transport gliding.” Reuben narrated.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I assume St. John is one of the Tower Mountains?” David said.

“Yes. I never went back there since. Anyways, come and stay for dinner, I’m a good cook. You can resume your journey in the morning where it’s safer. I know a short cut, far from Luna Lobos’ reach.” Reuben’s eyes were pleading.

David could feel the man’s longing for someone to at least talk to so he agreed, “Sure, tell me everything I need to know around these parts.”

“I’ll start with the Twelve Apostles,” Reuben smiled.

* * *

Reuben’s claim for being a good cook was wrong, David concluded as he chews the coyote steak. Reuben is a master chef!

“So you know the basics about the Twelve Apostles, what you don’t know is the details. I’ll start with politics.” Reuben said opening another bottle of beer for David.

“I gather each tower is a city, right?” David took the beer.

“Yes, each stands about ten thousand feet, St. Peter being the tallest for approximately fifteen thousand feet. Each tower is spaced from each other in varying distances from one to five kilometers. The towers are in three rows but generally form a loose circle. The top of all Twelve Apostles are the regional headquarters of the UAN, but the place is now just run by a skeleton crew and at some towers it’s already abandoned.” Reuben explained.

“Why?” David filled his plate again.

“No idea. About ten years ago most of the military there was recalled. No replacements were sent, those that stayed either became recluse or corrupt. Some mayors moved their City Halls from the Lower Levels up there. With the UAN units gone and the local deputies outgunned by the Luna Lobos, the Twelve Apostles’ former glory collapsed and their municipalities reduced to being a cowering milking cow of the criminals.” Reuben sighed.

“Why aren’t the UAN doing anything about it?” David frowned.

“There was no need to, at least openly. None of the city folks complains, and those that do simply escapes in the night and move to West Town. The Twelve Apostles are regularly paying their taxes and their trade was operating just fine. The only noticeable change was their economic progress was gone. Crime rate was higher but not at alarming levels.” Reuben answered.

“I see. But I still need to go there to resupply if I am to reach West Town alive,” David said.

“I understand. Take the Dry Lands here along the East Rift of the San Andres Chasm, keep to the side of the mountains and be alert for wild animals. There’s a bridge that crosses the chasm that leads to a dirt road straight on to the Twelve Apostles, it’ll take you to St. Andrew. From there make your way to St. Philip and look for the Mirage Inn, find Samuel Jacobs and tell him I sent you for supplies. He’s the only person I trust in that cursive place.” Reuben instructed.

“Thank you so much for everything, Reuben.” David meant every word of it.

“Thank me later, right now you must sleep and you’re using my bed. Tomorrow I’ll have your new transport ready because you can’t bloody use that Lobos bike out there. Now go and sleep,” Reuben shooed him.

“Alright, alright!” David chuckled and went to Reuben’s cozy bedroom.