A Collision In Time

Rule your mind or it will rule you

– Horace (translated, Epist.1.2. 14 BC)

May 15, 2289, Sandon, Texas Federation, Northern District

Emerson lay on his back, constrained and motionless on a plain queen-sized bed. A single table lamp provided the only light in the otherwise barren room. Perspiration drenched his sheets. His consciousness struggled, trapped within a loop—confused, hopeful, then confused. In his restless sleep, he attempted to turn on his side but something kept him from moving. His mind jumped and the dream loop rewound to the beginning.

Elinda leaned against the corner of the Tea House, facing him. The sun reflected off her blonde hair and she brushed it away from her face and smiled at him.

Emerson approached her. “Elinda? Hi.” He paused, confused. “Have we met here before?” His heart raced as he battled his nerves. He felt the sweat building on his forehead and palms as he waited for her answer. But she didn’t respond. Her focused gaze on Emerson made his body melt like hot butter, again.

“Care to go for a walk with me, Emerson?”

“Yeah, I would like that.” He took her hand. “Where should we go?”

“The lake this time. I’d love to dip my toes in the cool water.”

The scene transformed and they stood together on a beach beside a lake, or perhaps an ocean. He wasn’t sure yet, but he could see no shoreline on the opposite side. Despite it being midday, a red sun reflected from the surface. Emerson watched Elinda remove her clothes and walk into the shallow water. The sun painted her skin in red-brown tones that contrasted starkly against the blues of the lake. “How is the water?” he asked, being drawn forward to follow her. He walked onto the sandy beach and disrobed.

She smiled. “It’s like a bathtub. Come in.” Elinda beckoned him forward. “Hurry, Emerson, I won’t wait forever. You won’t find anyone like me. Hurry up.”

A hawk floated overhead, riding on the wind currents, searching for prey along the beach. Emerson caught its shadow, spotted it, and followed the hawk in its flight. It shot down like a missile to find its target, then climbed upward carrying a small rodent in its talons and flew toward them. It paused in mid-flight, dove, then dropped the poor animal, which splashed into the water close to Elinda. She examined where the rodent had sunk. A thin red line materialized in the water and flowed from Elinda toward Emerson.

“Em,” she called out in a soft voice. Then more impatiently, “Em, come on, let’s go.”

“Emerson…”

* * *

A few moments earlier, the doorbell rang.

Elinda peered toward the door, then at Lexus. They sat in the dining room on oversized chairs, fixated on their personal communications devices while sipping vodka and lemonade. They each considered the disturbance at the front door. “Who do you think that is?” said Elinda. “We’re clearly busy. Get the door would you?”

Lexus shrugged. “Absolutely not. Ignore it, it’s probably someone selling something. I’m sure they’ll go away.” She lowered her voice. “Stay quiet.”

They waited silently, unmoving.

“I think they’ve gone.” Lexus stood and haphazardly peeped out the window. “Yeah, no one is there.”

“Good, I’m sure Modi would be upset with us, had we answered. He’s so paranoid. I am not sure this work was all that it was meant to be.”

“The money, though…”

“Yeah, no kidding. This is way easier than dancing.” Elinda grinned. “And we can drink.”

They each returned to reading their screens. Lexus tasted her lemonade, stretched her arm out, and took a photo of her face. She smiled and tapped on her screen.

“Lexus, can I ask you a question?” inquired Elinda.

“No, I’m kind of occupied.” Lexus focused on her screen.

Elinda ignored the answer, “Do you think Modi would be upset if I joined Emerson for a little while and played with him? I think he’s kinda cute, I bet I could enjoy—”

The bell rang again.

Lexus turned around, upset. “I thought they were gone. Shit, just stay quiet. What a pain in the ass.”

“Lexus, why don’t you just get rid of ’em?” Elinda said, irritated. “Tell ’em to fuck off.”

* * *

Cara stood outside the front door. “Ariel, have they moved?” she whispered, trusting that she could be heard through the new subvocalizing microchip.

A small orange glow hovered inside in the hallway, hidden from view, watching over movements inside the house. Ariel responded to Cara. “Not yet, but I have a new plan. Dov, can you hear me?”

Dov subvocalized, “Yes Ariel, I am listening.”

“Dov, I want you and Jeannie to move toward the back door. I have disabled the lock and the perimeter security. The instant you hear the doorbell ring, enter through the back door and head straight up the stairs that you will find near the back entrance. The floor is made of tile so there will be minimal squeaking. You will get to Emerson through the second door on your left. Cara, please hold back until my prompt and when I tell you to, ring the bell.”

Ariel waited until Dov and Jeannie were in place. “Cara, go ahead.”

Cara rang the doorbell once more. Immediately Dov turned the back doorknob and looked through the open crack. She saw nobody but caught discussions between Elinda and Lexus disagreeing over whether to open the door. They entered the house gingerly and headed up to the second floor. At the top of the stairs they overhead Cara begin her dialogue.

“Good evening, I am sorry for the intrusion. I am from the Department of Environmental Studies at the University of…” Cara mumbled when she realized she had no idea what universities were still around or the names of local universities in the area “…and we have discovered a highly unusual species that we think resides under your home. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?” She slowed her pace. “There will be a financial reward for helping us. This is a rare opportunity.”

“What sort of financial reward?” Elinda said as she joined Lexus at the front door.

Cara discreetly examined the two women in front of her. She wondered about their role with Asmodi but parked that thought in the back of her head. “Well, it depends on the royalties that we can negotiate. But between you and me,” Cara moved her head back and forth in a dramatic manner, “the rewards could change your life. This opportunity is extremely rare, and my sponsor is extraordinarily motivated.”

“Is this for real?” Lexus demanded. “Do you have any credentials?”

“Quite real. I would be more than happy to share my credentials. They are in my backpack in the car.”

“Cara.” It was Ariel. His voice filled her brain. The subvocalizer would take getting used to. “Keep going. You are doing well. Jeannie and Dov found Emerson.”

“May I ask you a few questions now?” She didn’t wait for a response. “Have either of you noticed a spicy odor over the last forty-eight hours? Understanding evidence of the animal over the last two days is critical and the amount of compensation rises exponentially.”

“What do you mean by spicy? Like cinnamon, or like chili peppers?” asked Elinda.

“This is weird,” said Lexus. “I think you should go now.”

“Perhaps your neighbor may be more interested,” said Cara. “Sorry to bother you.” She pivoted to leave.

“Wait,” Lexus called. “Tell me about the compensation, and come to think of it, I did notice a spicy odor recently.”

* * *

On the second floor, they found Emerson fully dressed and lying on a bed, his shirt and the sheets soaked in his sweat. Yellow rope, tied from the footrest, kept his legs from moving. Bruising had formed around his ankles where the rope rubbed.

“Oh god. Look at him,” Jeannie moaned.

Dov worked to untie him. Jeannie, meanwhile, shook him to wake him up. She whispered in his ear, “Em,” then waited for a response. “Em, come on, let’s go.” Jeannie sounded panicked. He hadn’t stirred as they untied him. “Emerson, come on, please.”

A sudden jolt of charged energy stung Jeannie on her side. “Ouch,” she said and slapped her arm. “What the fuck?”

“Dov, tell Jeannie I’m sorry,” said Ariel. “There must have been some residual change. I thought a sudden shock of low energy electricity may help.”

“Jeannie,” Dov said, “We gave him a shock to stir him; that’s what you felt.”

Emerson stirred. “Elinda?” he murmured, confused. “Oh god, I feel terrible.”

Jeannie whispered in Emerson’s ear, “Emerson it’s me, Jeannie. Listen carefully. You have been kidnapped.” She wiped the sweat from his forehead. “They drugged you or something. Can you try to quietly stand?”

Dov and Jeannie took his arms and helped him sit up on the bed, but he moved cautiously. Jeannie whispered in his ear, “We have to hurry.”

Emerson struggled to right himself. “Sorry, Jeannie, I’m confused. I feel nauseous. Where am I?”

“Hang in there, Emerson,” Dov said. “We don’t have much time though.”

* * *

Cara, Lexus, and Elinda stood on the lawn beside the wide-open front door, near the steps. Cara pointed. “Over there looks promising.” She led them to peek under the house. Then she bent and scooped a clump of black soil into her hand. “This is particularly interesting.” Cara extended her hand for Lexus and Elinda to study the soil. “I can’t believe how fortunate we are. This is much better than my sponsor could have imagined.” Cara glanced toward the house, making sure they were far from view of the back door.

Ariel’s voice interrupted her. “Dov and Jeannie have Emerson up. When I tell you, please see if you can move them farther away from the front door so that—” He stopped.

Uriel interrupted. “You have problems.” Uriel subvocalized to everyone. “Sorry to intrude, but Asmodi is three blocks away and driving toward you. He will be there in under one minute.”

“Shit,” said Cara quietly.

“What’s that?” pressed Lexus.

“I just remembered something. I’ll explain in a second,” said Cara, unsure where she was taking this. “This is incredible shit in the soil. Sorry, I was excited.”

“Keep continuing to stall,” Ariel directed Cara. “They have Emerson. You sound great. I would also be convinced. But be prepared to leave in an instant when I say so.”

* * *

Dov responded to the news with alarm. Making eye contact with Jeannie, she said quickly, “Emerson, we gotta move. Asmodi is one minute away.”

“Fuck,” said Jeannie. After a curious look at Dov, she said, “Em, let’s go. This is a matter of urgency.”

“I’m good,” said Emerson, cautiously standing. “Is Elinda here?”

Jeannie poked Emerson, frustrated. “She’s not who y’all think she is. We gotta move. Right. Fucking. Now.”

Jeannie and Dov grabbed Emerson by the arms and steered him out of the bedroom and into the hall a few steps from the top of the stairs. They overheard Cara’s voice downstairs, speaking nonsense about soil, but her voice was distant. “I think Cara has them outside. Good girl,” whispered Dov. “Come, Emerson, we are almost there—a few more steps. Here we go.”

The sound of Modi’s vehicle screeching to a stop interrupted them. They heard indistinguishable yelling.

* * *

Ariel spoke in an even but urgent tone. “Cara, take Jeannie’s vehicle and drive it around to the back of the house. Go calmly but try to hurry.” He studied Cara’s vital signs and knew that Cara was considerably outside of her comfort zone.

Cara winked at Lexus and Elinda as Modi exited his car. “Thanks.” She smiled. “Gotta go.” Dropping the soil, she ran toward the vehicle as Modi hurried toward the front door.

“What’s this?” roared Modi. “Cara, stop,” he shrieked. He ran toward her. “Cara, we need to talk.” He sprinted ahead, but stopped suddenly and gazed toward the house. “Elinda, you idiot, run and check Emerson.”

Modi shifted and raced forward, quickly gaining on Cara, but she reached Jeannie’s EV first. She leaped into the front seat and locked the door. Modi arrived at the vehicle and grabbed the door handle and violently pulled on the door.

Cara made eye contact with Modi, and a chill ran through her. Sheer panic. Her mind flashed back to a party with classmates from Yankton Nation middle school. She was celebrating the last few weeks until graduation. The evening was fast approaching and rather than remain drinking at the party she elected to leave early to watch the sunset over the Missouri River. She was walking along a path next to the surging river when two men approached her. She looked straight ahead and stepped aside to let them pass. She remembered their expressions and their eyes as they grabbed her and forced her into the trees.

Modi yelled, “Cara, let me in.” She saw the same look of evil in his eyes.

There was an explosive crack and flash of light. Modi flew backward through the air.

“Go Cara, now.” A pinprick of light glowed next to Modi on the ground.

Cara focused on the dash of the vehicle. “This is completely different from anything I have driven, Ariel. How do I start the car? I don’t have a key. Someone—”

“One second,” Uriel subvocalized. “I’ll override the car and start it up.”

The vehicle ignited.

Modi’s eyes opened. He rose and stumbled toward the car, regaining his strength. A roar of fury blasted from his lungs.

“Shit, shit, shit.” Cara fumbled with the controls, then discovered a spherical knob on the console with the familiar-looking R-1-2-3. She rotated it and put the car in gear. She pressed the accelerator and the EV launched. “Okay, I can do this, someone direct me where to go.”

She sped away as Modi ran toward her. She saw him fade from view in the rearview mirror.

Ariel spoke. “At the end of the next block make a left, then an immediate second left into the back alley. They will meet you behind the house in the alley. They are leaving the house now. See you soon.”

Cara pressed the accelerator and the car sped ahead. “I love the pick-up,” she yelled. Cara pulled hard to rotate the steering wheel, cornered the EV twice, and drove into the back alley. She came to a stop behind the home. “ I am out behind the back gate,” she yelled, assuming her voice would be heard through the subvocalizer chip behind her ear.

* * *

Dov, Jeannie, and Emerson ran down the stairs. They reached the main floor as Elinda rushed through the front door at full speed.

“You fuckers, “Elinda yelled, heading straight at them. Lexus emerged close behind her.

“Emerson, what are you doing, love?” Elinda shrieked at him. “Don’t leave me, I love you.”

“Fuck, we are not going to make it,” said Dov through her subvocalizer. “We need you to delay them somehow.”

Jeannie stopped. “You go, I’ll hold them off.” She turned around, squared her body, and raised her fists.

But suddenly Elinda hit a glass wall, or so it seemed. An invisible force interrupted their progress. Lexus collided with Elinda in mid-stride and sailed backward, crashing into the dining room chairs and table they had just run past.

The noise of the commotion stopped a still lethargic Emerson. “Was that Elinda’s scream? Is she okay?”

“Emerson. Ignore that. They are inside your head. Run. Run.” Dov pushed Emerson forward.

Jeannie shook herself from her disbelief and joined Dov. She grabbed Emerson and they hurried out the back door.

* * *

Cara waited anxiously in the vehicle on the other side of the back gate. “Please hurry,” she said. The back door of the house burst open and out came her three compatriots. Jeannie and Dov held Emerson between them with his arms draped around their necks. He stumbled on but made it to the car. Dov flung open the back door and assisted Emerson into the back seat, then she and Jeannie joined him.

Jeannie quickly closed the back door. “Go, Cara!”

Satisfied that everyone was inside, Cara raced out of the lane.

Elinda volleyed through the back door, too late. She screamed something that nobody could make out.

Cara turned from the alley and drove quickly, not caring where she was going. She screamed, “I’m going to put some distance between us and Asmodi. I’ll lose him.”

“Good idea,” said Uriel. “We don’t detect drones or unknown activity on the network, so he is likely not tracking you.”

Everyone caught their breath and composure. Five minutes later, Cara pulled over to the side of the road. “Jeannie, you drive. I have no idea where I am going.”

Jeannie smiled. “Of course. You did well.”

Uriel warned through the subvocalizer, “Asmodi is catching up, but you do have a considerable lead. Just hustle.”

“Let’s get a move on, Jeannie,” Dov said. “Asmodi is on the move, but there is a good distance between us.”

The EV leapt forward.

* * *

Emerson said not a word during the ride up Highway 31A. The evening twilight settled in, and the lights of the town twinkled in the distance as they drew closer to Sandon.

He remained passive, watching outside and avoiding eye contact. Cara sat next to him in the back, while Dov moved up front beside Jeannie.

“You okay?” asked Cara, touching Emerson’s arm. “You want to talk about it?”

“Just processing,” Emerson said. “I’m ashamed of myself. I don’t get into situations like this, but here we are.” Emerson straightened. “Thanks, y’all, for helping. Thank you. But I am so sorry you had to do that. I feel embarrassed and useless.”

“Em, don’t think about it, dear,” said Jeannie, looking at him in the rearview mirror. She caught Cara’s eye. “Did I overhear Asmodi say your name?” It was a comment, not a question. “Explain that to me.” She Jeannie continued to eye Cara between navigating the curves in the road.

“Is his name Modi, or Asmodi? I’m confused,” said Cara.

“He introduced himself as Asmodi, but I think Modi is short for that. You didn’t answer the question.”

Dov spoke before Cara had a chance to respond. “Before we knew his name was Modi or Asmodi, he also pursued Cara as he’s done with Emerson. I’m afraid we have a common adversary, Jeannie. That’s how we connected the dots when you described him in the teahouse, and why we had his photo. We knew he was dangerous; that’s why we scrambled so quickly to help you.”

Emerson touched Cara’s arm. “I guess we have something in common, y’all and me.” He laughed weakly.

Dov turned to Emerson. “Do you want to talk about what happened?”

“No. No, I don’t, and I never want to see Elinda again.” He didn’t sound convincing. His mood shifted. “But I’ll tell y’all what I want. I want a drink, a whiskey. Jeannie, let’s go to the teahouse. Y’all join us, okay?”

Dov wasn’t sure how to respond. She stared at Cara, who reluctantly nodded and responded with, “One drink and then it’s our bedtime. We’ve been awake for far too long. We just need to make a stop at the hotel, if you don’t mind.”

* * *

Cara and Dov sat together on the bed in the hotel. They’d thanked and said good night to Uriel and Ariel, who worked across the hallway, setting up additional surveillance equipment and analyzing the data gathered today in Sandon. The two AIs would not be participating in a nightcap.

“I know what you’re going to say,” said Dov.

“Do you realize that we—” Cara looked up at the ceiling, thinking, “I can’t count the number of hours that we have been awake, aside from our catnap. Sorry, I am not making sense. When I woke up from my last restful sleep I was in Boston; you were about to bring me breakfast—”

“What a fun morning,” interrupted Dov, smiling.

Cara smiled back. “And now here we are, in another country, in another time. Since our last sleep, we survived a bombing, we time-traveled, we rescued a kidnapped man and to top it all off, we discovered that the random guy who bombed MIT is now chasing us through time. It’s too much, Dov.”

“It’s impossible to process.”

“And it’s why I am exhausted.” Cara leaned over and hugged Dov. “I am so tired. Sleep in my room tonight, okay? I could use the company.”

Dov nodded and kissed her on the cheek. “Absolutely.”

Cara sighed. “Should we be polite and quickly join Emerson? A wee dram might be okay, I guess.” She laughed.

They left the hotel room for a whiskey.