Ice Cold Tea For A Hot Summer's Night

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Ice Cold Tea for a Hot Summer’s Night

by Lewis Dowell, III

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Ice Cold Tea for a Hot Summer’s NightSeptember 2272 AD

Chapter One

Book I

Last night was sticky hot. It was another one of those southernsummers. I awoke that morning in my apartment in downtown Charlotte North Carolina beneath a slow turning ceiling fan. The air conditioner went out weeks ago, and Kata’s been on my case to either get it fixed or buy another one. My wife beater clung to my flesh like wet toilet paper, and my silk pajamas pants were twisted and uncomfortably tight, like a pair of old school Rustlers jeans.

Strange, I thought. I don’t remember any kinky activity, and I don’t toss and turn in my sleep.The weather report yesterday evening said it was over one hundreddegrees Fahrenheit with a heat index of one hundred and five. Mymouth was parched. My tongue dry. Then it came to me. I remembered dreaming of her, her butt in a butt, but her butt was bigger than the biggest butt.

‘Oh my God! Oh my God!’ She said it over and over and over again. There was something so familiar to her voice and the way she said those words. They weren’t whispers, neither were they screams, but notes of ecstasy produced by some unseen lover. It

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was a pleasant dream. Not that I’d been getting any lately. Yet there was a faint aroma of a sweet perfume in the air. What brand was it? Exclamation, Heat, Halle Berry, Dolce Gabbana? I was unaware.I could recognize a sweet feminine scent a mile away. But the fanciful impressions of guessing brand names was always a handicap to me. I quickly scanned the bedroom as I typically do each morning and noticed the usual. My trousers were neatly folded across the office chair near the bureau. My shoes were secured by the wall near the in suite bathroom. My wallet, some papers, a briefcase and laptop sat atop the desk, just where I’d left them the night before. As I sat there I recalled how busy I’d been throughout the year. Transaction after transaction poured in after numerous business negotiations with the various world organizations. I’d written several contracts and mediated numerous negotiations. After a few more conferences, a few more contracts I’ll be able to hang up my wheeling and dealing days and resign. I ran my palm over my face as I relished at the possibility.

I was about to hop out of bed when I heard, “Where are you going?”

Kata, looking beautiful as always crept quietly into my bedroom carrying a silver tray with water and orange juice. She sat it down near the nightstand beside me and made her way over to the desk and began to straighten out the paperwork I’d haphazardly thrown about the area last night. She bypassed the security lockon my briefcase and placed the papers neatly inside. She looked at me as I sat there on the edge of the bed, my feet not yet

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touching the floor.

“Where are you going,” she repeated.

“Over there.” I said dryly.

“Over where?” She smiled.

“You know. To get some tea. It’s hot out there today, and I’m sooo thirsty.”

“You silly Americans. When will you ever get the tougher.” She walked over and sat beside me and pointed toward the water and juice on the nightstand. Smiling she said, “You guzzle down the water and juice each morning and walk out each morning. Then you return after some time and sleep. Do you enjoy the life whenyou go over there?”

I looked at her strangely and asked, “I thought you were American.”

She giggled and said, “You’re a child.”

I noticed that she’d slipped away into her thoughts as she walkedout of the room. She didn’t bother to close the door behind her and my eyes followed her high heeled shoes. She moved gracefullyas if conscious of each step. After several steps she stopped andpicked up a feather duster resting on a nearby ottoman and began dusting the already pristine clean furniture. I nodded slightly to myself, stood and gulped the large glass of water. It was

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cold, refreshing. Energizing. I grabbed the tall glass of orangejuice and gulped it down. Cold. Sparkling. Enlivening. SuddenlyI began to have thoughts of sweet, cold iced tea.

After a cold shower I got dressed and gathered my laptop andbriefcase and rushed out of my apartment. After jogging down three flights of stairs I checked my watch which read: 9:15. It was only a quarter passed nine, but the blazing sun cooked the city. Hot. Humid. Sweltering. The drive over seemed long, but not burdensome. The cold air from the car’s air conditioner felt good to my skin. The car’s thermometer said it was one hundred and two degrees outside. The inside read a wonderful fifty five degrees Fahrenheit. I fumbled with the radio for a little while and found a woman’s voice.

She said, “Who is the politics in the university of the politics and the wavelength? Can you determine what it is withoutsounding crazy? The person in that job you’re talking about is the best of nuts and nastiness. You can put it up the butt but you won’t find the generations of the political society in the economic freedom. That‘s why your world is the way it is. The sensors of the mind can‘t comprehend it.”

Then I heard other voices saying, “Oh absolutely baby. Absolutely. Come here.”

I thought to myself, “They always start talking to me when I’m halfway there.”

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“Why?” The woman on the radio answered.

“Because she wants to give you something,” the other voices said.

The sun was very high in the sky that morning. I pulled the sun visor down to block out the intense sun rays which seemed to follow my every move. I shook my head, already exasperated by the voices. They somehow seemed more flirty than usual. I drove at a moderate 45 miles per hour on South Boulevard and veered offonto the highway. I was quite amazed that there were so few carson the road. I never pictured Charlotte as one of those stereotypically slow moving American southern cities, so I thought I must have missed the early morning rush hour traffic.

After a good forty five minutes I took the nearest exit on Rea Road and drove into a rather posh neighborhood off of Piper Glen.Million dollar homes looked back at me and the city streets. I pulled slowly into a vacant parking lot. All the shades were opened. One could see the entrails of this place. I noticed a crystal chandelier in the foyer and polished hardwood floors in the plush living room. Porcelain vases lined the walls of a hallwith an array of colorful plants sticking out of them. When I gazed upwards I noticed a pair of eyes staring back at me from anopened window on the third floor.

The eyes belonged to one of those tall grey alien types who said, “Come up here.”

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The being didn’t have a mouth but I heard the voice of a woman asclearly as I heard the natural sounds of the environment surrounding me. As I gazed upward I looked the grey over as I protected my eyes from the burning sun with my right hand, which was cupped over my brows. A sudden gush of loud wind overcame me and the natural brightness of the city vanished.

I awoke in a dimly lit room filled with creatures of unimaginablebeauty. My naked body rested peacefully in a pool of water, yet Idid not become wet by the fluid. I stepped out of my physical body into a tidal wave of orgasms. The grey alien I noticed earlier watched me intently and walked over to where I was standing. She looked at me with those big bright eyes, smiling, strangely all the while.

Telepathically she said, “You’re going to want to write thisdown, hun. You’ve been laden with a thousand gifts of the tongue.”

“Oh my God!,” I was breathing heavily. A bead of sweat slowly rolled down from my forehead and tapped her right eyebrow.It landed perfectly on the high arches and rolled down to her nose. She was doing that thing a few gifted earth females do with their fingers, tongues and lips. I jerked a little at firstand then surrendered to that sensitive feeling.

“Oh that’s yummy”, she said.

“Oh.” I gasped

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“Next time bring your friends”, she said. “I’ve got something for them too.”

“My friends”, I replied breathily.

“Sure”, she mumbled.

The room’s temperature grew steadily by degrees as she played suck, tuck and pull on my instrument. Those sounds and rhythms were not foreign to me, but her passion and dedication seemed to me to be out of this world. And then I heard music. It was ancient, but new. The sounds were clear and sparkling. It was otherworldly. I thought I heard stringed instruments along with soft percussive sounds. It was an exquisite melody that resonatedthroughout the entire fiber of my being. The naked feminine bodies then pressed close against mine and began to gyrate sensuously as their voices sang my name.

“Ara, Ara, Ara, Araaa.” Such a sweet harmony played upon my ears as they stroked me there, there and there. I felt a millionand one pleasures in an instant. My heightened senses were beyond the visual, tactile, olfactory, taste and auditory. I somehow became the very pleasure these beings created.

“Oh Ara,” one of them panted. She took my hands and placed them on what I took to be her breasts. They were soft and smooth and more than a handful. As I slowly sank inside her, her thoughts became mine and mine became hers, and I felt what she

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felt. She orgasmed as I moved inside of her and as I looked outside of her now transparent body, I noticed another being standing before her. The creature opened her legs and showed me the silky way to paradise. She pointed to that passage way for afew seconds then inserted two slender fingers down that dark canal. I closed my eyes as the two beings embraced each other and stretched out my arms towards the approaching being.

“Hahaha. Haha. Hahaha.” I heard laughter.

“Stop it.” Said another voice.

“Oh yeah, yeah.” Another voice whispered.

“Ummm. So good. So good.” Exclaimed another.

I found myself nestled between over a dozen females. We werelying within that pool of water, but none of us were wet. I somehow had an instant understanding that we all represented planets from various regions in the universe, from various galaxies. I attempted to rise to my feet but noticed that one ofthem had climbed on top of me. She moved robotically up and down, up and down upon my phallus, bouncing as another caressed my feet and thighs. I was spread eagle, but so were some of the other female like creatures in the room. There was an alien typecreature caressing my right arm nearher bosom. The alien on my left placed my hand between her thighsand stroked my arm ever so gently. And then as if appearing fromnowhere the being I embraced earlier walked over to where I was

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and knelt beside my head. She ran her middle and forefingers everso slowly pass my nose. It was a sweet aroma.

I attempted to get up when I heard her say, “Where are you going?”

“Over there.” I replied.

“Where?” She smiled then slipped her tongue over my right ear.

“You know. To get some tea. It’s hot out there and I’m sooo thirsty.”

“You silly earthlings. When will you gravitate beyond the confines of the flesh?”

I laughed sarcastically and said, “I thought you were an earthling.”

She shooed the two aliens on my left and right away and sat upon my chest. She wasn’t heavy, but I felt as if a hand were pressingupon my sternum. I gazed up at her nakedness for what appeared to be an eternity.

She leaned forward and stared into my eyes and said, “You’rea man.”

She then inched upward until my face was buried between those thighs. I felt something cold and wet on my chin and upper lip.

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When I opened my mouth I tasted something which reminded me of a tall glass of sweetly brewed ice tea.

“Oh my God! Oh my God!,” she exclaimed.

***I awoke beneath a slow turning ceiling fan. Last night was stickyhot. I recalled that the weather report said it was over a hundred degrees yesterday. My mouth was watery as if I’d been drinking copiously from an untapped well. I looked around my apartment as I usually do each morning, but to my surprise noticed that my briefcase and laptop were missing. They weren’t in their usual place, atop my bureau.

I was about to climb out of bed when I heard Kata’s voice. “Where are you going?”

She’d quietly entered my bedroom and stood near the doorway. In her hand was a silver tray with a tall glass of orange juice and water. I motioned her over to where I sat and pointed tiredly atmy desk.

“Where’s my briefcase and laptop.” I whispered.

After placing the tray on the nightstand she quietly said, “Did you have the good time in the lifeover there?”

She stood in front of me as I sat on the edge of the bed. I stared at her stomach. She was wearing one of those pretty

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summer dresses. Floral. She really had the body for it, I thought. The temperature outside was perfect for such a get-up. I took notice of the floral designs of her outfit. The fabric was such that I wanted to reach out and feel it between my thumb and forefinger, but I didn’t.

She put her right hand on my left shoulder and said, “You’vebeen working really hard these past few years. I thought you would appreciate the bit of the free time.”

I grinned and said, “Do you remember me coming in last night? I remember taking my things with me, but they’re obviously missing now.”

“Ara.” She said faintly.

I looked up from her stomach and into her eyes and saw images of galaxies, planets, moons and blazing suns. Then I heard such a sweet sounding song that I’ve never heard before. The music played in my head. The melody seemed familiar, but I couldn’t quite place where I’d heard it before.

She smiled and said, “Listen closely.”

I closed my eyes and listened to this strange alien love song as images of celestial beings danced into my mind. When I opened them I beheld Kata in her natural form. She was naked andhad deep, dark crimson red skin and jet black hair. I found her astonishing. She resembled something from a very far and distant

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dream. Her eyes were pitch black and fell just past her shoulders. Her visage seemed to me both beautiful and terrifyingas she appeared quite angelic and powerful. The entire apartmentbecame a silver metallic chamber with fluid-like movements. I felt a rush of euphoria as she grabbed my hands and gestured towards some type of vessel.

“Who are you?” I thought. There was no need for verbal communication here, wherever here was. She pointed towards the vessel and I saw over a dozen naked female type creatures exitingthe craft.

She giggled and said, “They are going to devour you.”

I felt a sense of pleasure and fear as we moved closer to them. She reached down and grabbed that soft, yet full place between mylegs with her left hand, and placed her other hand behind my head, drawing me close to her bosom. As the other females type creatures approached she quietly whispered, “Remember the song, Ara. Remember the song and let it guide you.” I had a sudden sense of drifting away from her and toward the vessel and approaching creatures.

“Who are you?” I thought as I entered a torrent of light waves and heavenly aromas. I felt the sensation one gets after along and pleasurable massage. A thousand soft hands felt as if they were upon me. Soft caresses. I could not see anything as the light was far too bright, but I sensed movement and reasoned that I was inside the vessel, and those creatures were next to

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me.

In my head I heard a woman’s voice saying, “Ara, from Charlotte, you are on your way home. You will arrive just as we found you in your downtown apartment suite. You won’t remember anything. It will be just another typical Thursday morning for you. But fornow do you have any questions?”

“Where am I? And how long have I been here?” I felt as if I were standing, but there was no solid ground beneath my feet. The great light which surrounded me did not wane nor did the sensation of a thousand caresses cease. I reached my hands out toward the light, but felt no physical presence. In my mind I heard the answer and felt comforted by it. As I closed my eyes I smiled inside myself, then thought of Kata’s song and enjoyed theride.

Chapter Two

“Hey did you sleep well? Your meeting’s in two hours. I didn’t want to disturb you. You looked so peaceful. Did you dreamwell?”

I blinked slowly noticing the blurry image of Kata standing over me. She was a pleasant image to wake up to after such a rough conference meeting yesterday afternoon. She was caressing my head as if checking my temperature.

I moaned a little then mumbled, “Can you reschedule for me?”

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I grabbed her hand, kissed it and turned onto my stomach as I buried my face in the soft feathered pillow.

“Are you sure Ara? You’ve been asking me to remind you aboutthe meeting for the past two weeks.” I could detect the seriousness in her voice. In actuality I had no recollection of any meeting, but Kata was a perfectionist and was rarely if ever wrong about those kind of things. I flipped over onto my back and looked up at her. She was now sitting on the edge of the bed scanning me over with those large mysterious eyes of hers. “You would have been upset if I didn’t wake you in time.”

“Uhh,” I sighed. “Those meetings can be so boring sometimes.”

“You never talk about them Ara. What do you business people discuss at such meetings?” She tapped a spot on the bed closest to her left thigh, indicating that she wanted me to come out fromunder the white sheets which covered me. I slowly obliged and maneuvered a few inches to where she sat.

“Do you like cats?” I asked trying to change the subject. Iwas thinking about getting one or maybe two. I think the place isready for a few pets. What do you think?”

“I’m a bit of the dog kind of girl,” she said smiling. “Don’t change the subject.”

I repeated her question, “What do we talk about? Business,”

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I replied sarcastically. “Take yesterday for instance. I was explaining to Winta that the Mars colonies were a great investment, and would prove profitable to our organization, and she said that it was too early and quite foolish to make such a statement. Then I said something to the effect that the point ofbusiness is to make money and…….”

“Oh,” Kata said softly. Her interruption was smooth and seductive. She didn’t seem too impressed with my reply. I read it on her face. For all the years I’d known her I never took herfor a simple type of woman, but she didn’t seem too interested inwhat I was saying. Her lips had a funny way of curling whenever her ears heard something she didn’t particularly like.

She rubbed me on the top of my back all the way down to the top of the crack of my ass and said, “Loads of the chit- chat yeah? Perhaps you need a break from the regularities. Why not visit my home country. You would have much pleasure experience. But first.” She paused. “You should go to the conference meeting.You will have some free time in your schedule after that.”

I frowned and looked at her quizzically. “Your home country?Kata, I thought you were American? You’re naturalized, right?”

“We’ll talk later. But for now I need you to get up, get showered and get to work.” I loved her accent, but after all these years I couldn’t detect it’s specific origin. She stood asshe grabbed my right hand with her left, then pulled me slightly forward. I was about to rise to my feet when she said, “Oh my.

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You’re probably thirsty. It almost slipped my mind.” She releasedmy hand, held up her right index finger and hurried out of the room.

I sank my bottom back into the soft bed and hollered out confusedly, “Kata!” “What in the world,” I whispered.

After several seconds she returned to my room with a silver tray in her hand. It held a tall glass of orange juice and a glass ofwater. It hadn’t occurred to me how hot it was in my bedroom. At the time Charlotte was experiencing a prolonged heat wave with ridiculously high temperatures. I felt my mouth water at the sight of the liquids. I readily noticed the perfectly squared icecubes inside the water and the clear liquid outside of the glass.The orange juice looked freshly squeezed. I could almost smell the sweet citrus juice. Kata lowered the tray onto the nightstand beside the bed then checked her watch.

“I don’t want to rush you, but if you gather some speed you can have the nice shower and arrive for your meeting. You will even have some time to spare.”

I made a halfhearted salute and nodded. I still had the sheets wrapped around my waist and stared at her briefly hoping she’d take the hint. She grinned a little bit, nodded slightly and walked out of the room.

On her way out I heard her say, “Don’t forget about the AC.“

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I grinned as I arose from the king sized bed and greeted the day with my morning glory poking through my pajamas. I grabbed the OJ and gulped it down and said, “Ahhhhh.” Then I reached for the glass ofwater and drank it down slowly. So refreshing, I thought.

Making my way towards the bathroom I pulled then writhed out of my PJ’s and boxers and took a quick glance in the bathroom mirrorand hopped into the shower. And as I showered I tried to recall what in the hell the meeting was about. I somehow could recall Winta’s ongoing verbiage the previous day. My colleague was a sort of demon on my shoulder. Although she held a senior positionwithin the organization she always played the young novice to others except yours truly and Dors, one of the companies science consultants. It was as if she knew the ins and outs and the gorydetails of everything that went on in the global organization, but when questioned about the slightest thing she’d cock her headto the side, with a finger to her lips as if pondering the ways of the universe, smile and say, Better ask Ara. Or that’s below my pay

grade. Or something to the effect of Check the SOP’s. It was starting off to be a good morning, and I didn’t want to spoil it with Winta’s breath on my ear so I thought of a summer’s breeze under a tall oak tree and a tall glass of sparkling cold ice tea.I saw daffodils, and elysian fields and the ebb and flow of wavescaressing a silent beach with black sand.

Chapter Three

I arrived at the downtown office about ten minutes ‘till eleven

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A.M. The speedway had been rather slow. Kata had been wise to wake me when she did. Ten minutes early on a Thursday morning was not an easy feat in this town, particularly with the road rage phenomena and bumper to bumper traffic which always seemed to occur a few blocks from my destination. Feasting my eyes on the architecture I smiled at its beauty before driving under the shadows of the looming buildings into a parking deck. I located my usual space by the execs lot after waving a hand at the dappersecurity officer near the office building’s entrance. I noticed that one of the color coded lights on my nameplate in the parkingdeck was off. If one peered at it long enough the name read Ar- Zander. Over two hundred years of electric technology, the digital age, nanotechnology and there was my name with a busted ‘a’ on the blink.

I smirked and walked over to the well dressed officer and said, “There’s a light out on my parking deck nameplate.”

He didn’t look at me, but kept his face directed towards the buildings across the street and the vehicular traffic moving to and fro on the avenues.

I looked at the left side of his visage as he said, “It’ll be fixed by the end of the day.”

“Thank you sir,“ I said.

“Have a good day Mr. Zander.” He replied.

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I rushed over to the parking deck elevators which opened as soon as I approached them.

“Top floor please.” I said. After two minutes of standing around seemingly motionless the elevator doors slid open. I stepped out into a soundproof lobby. I checked my watch, which read eleven o’clock straight up. There wasn’t a soul in sight except for the time keeper herself Kilindra Winta. She was seatedcrossed legged in the far corner of the lobby gazing sagaciously out the window. She was wearing one of those so called power outfits of hers which usually caused man, woman and child to do triple takes. But she was so professional, so professional. I took a deep breath and moseyed over to where she was sitting. Wewere the only two beings in the lobby, but she didn’t notice me walking towards her.

But before I could say Good morning Mrs. Winta. She said, “They’ll be here in fifteen. Regions from colonial Mars and representatives from the global coalition and our favorite friends, the investors. Are you ready with yours?” Winta spoke athousand words a minute so if one didn’t pay close attention to her every syllable one would miss the importance of it all.

Not having the faintest idea what she meant I said, “Yeah I got it covered. Don’t’ worry about it. How are Pete and the kids?”

She pulled out one of those quarter sized mezikons and tossed it to me.

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She looked me up and down and said, “That’s a really nice tie. Pete has one just like it.”

I examined the images from the mezikon and noticed Winta, Pete and their two little children on the reservation planes of Lunar X. I assumed that Winta’s vacation bonus package from her last commission went quite well. Can a senior partner get any higher Iwondered.

“That was two months ago,” She whispered. “Pete said that ifI get another commission we’re going to the Vineyards.” She thendid a strange lil’ gesture with her fingers on her right hand. IfI didn’t know any better I would have thought they were gang signs from the 20th and 21st century, but I noticed her making invisible circles with her left index finger under her gesturing hand. “Galaxyyy,” she sang lightly. Although she seemed pent up most of the time, Winta’s humanity came through every blue moon. “I love that song. Pete and I danced to it on our wedding day.”

I tossed the mezikon back to her and checked my watch. Five minutes after eleven. It seemed as if I’d been talking with her for ages.

She seemed to sense that I was ready to get the conference meeting over and done with and said, “Why don’t you have a seat. They’ll be here after while.”

I slowly sank into one of the lobby sofas next to her. Chrome

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plated tablets in sections of two graced the coffee table betweenus. I pressed a button on one of them and watched as its displayscreen showed stock market and commodity options. I pressed another one and watched its display screen show the aerial traffic displays of Thursday morning’s commute. I was glad I wasn’t flying anymore. I sold my Razoon 32X years ago. For decades, generations of people had been talking about the flying car, but the upkeep on those things were so expensive. Flying towork daily, fifteen to twenty thousand feet up had its perks, butthey had their consequences too. Now the investors really knew how totravel. Teleportation enabled them to bypass all the nonsense of commuter traffic. They didn’t have to put up with the headache ofroad rage, vehicle maintenance or traffic violations. They simplyappeared at their desired destinations. As I pondered over the wonder of teleportation a commercial came on advertising a devicefor a very expensive low price.

Cool, I thought. A few more years of this and I too can travel like the investors. Style and comfort at the touch of a button. In an instant at exactly eleven fifteen by my watch and the coffee table’s clock display pulses of light ripped through an empty space across the lobby. The company investors, an executive clad team of suits and dresses seemingly appeared out of thin air. I counted over a dozen of them, fifteen at the most.I had a habit of counting people as they came through the teleport. Some nodded and smiled others didn’t as they made their way down the hall towards the conference room. Those guys like having the best seats in the house. After they set up shop

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the other execs usually made their way in, in addition to all thespecialists, and department heads. I glanced over across the coffee table and noticed Winta in a last minute primping session.

After a few smack, smack, smacks of lipstick she smiled in her hand held mirror and looked at me and said. “Let’s go.”

The elevator doors opened slowly as wave upon wave of suit and ties, and dresses muddled through the lobby and down the hall. Hundreds of voices filled the area, but the sound levels were notdeafening in this sound proof room. It sounded as if newscasterswere softly speaking on an old radio broadcast. Winta and I made a b-line across the room and worked our way into the smoothly flowing Cue. She waved at a colleague a few feet ahead of us andtapped the diamond clad watch on her left wrist. Her stern facedfriend flashed her pearly whites and nodded. Just then I felt a hand in the middle of my spine. I turned my head slightly when I noticed red dots dripping on the floor.

“Oh excuse me young man.” I saw an elderly man standing behind me. He had a letter opener in one hand and an envelope in the other. The pointed tip of the golden opener had what appeared to be blood.

I felt a shooting pain in my spine as if I’d been elbowed inthe back. I worked my shoulder ever so slightly dismissing the pain as a spasm and said, “Do you need a hand with that?” I noticed his right hand which looked a tad bit arthritic and removed the letter opener from his hand and sliced opened the

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envelope after taking it from him. All the while we moved down the hall doing the routine conference meeting shuffle. I handed his letter materials back to him and winced.

“You should get that looked at. I’d hate for it to get infected.” He said.

I reached inside of my suit jacket’s pocket and pulled out a Hessitron. I quickly typed in my access code to the nanosphere. I felt a rush of euphoria and a tightening pressure in my back. I knew the internal nanobots within my body would patch me up before I bled to death. Modern healthcare at its finest. Besidesthat I figured the puncture wound was superficial. But as Kata would say, When it comes to the health play it safe and don’t be sorry. The elder gentleman must have been jostledwhile attempting to open his letter, I thought. Stranger things have happened in the hustle and bustle shuffle of conference meetings.

***….”So you see we have every reason to broaden our horizons

in this matter. Many of you are aware of the rapid changes taking place with teleportation devices. Many of us in this veryroom use them, but the majority of people cannot afford them. The duality between cost, and convenience are indeed major issueswith which we must deal. The linkages between providing our technologies to the general public and military mustn’t be overlooked. And our trade secrets must remain secure. Otherwise we’re just another joke and bloke in a moat.” There was some uneasy laughter at the investors attempt at a joke. He’d been

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speaking for hours. Much of his diatribe was very interesting andinformative, but his passion and enthusiasm were at times draining. He continued, “Thus I propose that we open up those channels of trade, commerce and travel beyond Mars and our other planetary colonies, and toward the outer trajectory towards Pluto. It’s time for a change.” His words were met with handclaps and head nods and a few here here’s. “My team and I are prepared to invest in this endeavor and believe wholeheartedly that it will be successful. I want to give you all a short history lesson using some numbers. The investor placed a mezikon

on the conference room table before him, pushed a few buttons anda woman’s voice came on and said, “After the purchase of all military ships, vehicles, aircraft, carriers and planes and the construction of MassPorta by our organization there were fewer wars as the ultra speed mobility of the military machine suppressed destructive regimes before they could gain complete power in regions of interest. The materials from those military constructs became supplies for state of the art buildings and world class gadgetry. Trade and commerce increased to epic proportions and created the world’s first multi-trillion dollar person Dr. Benjamin Slervin Gloss. His vision and dedication ledto the installment of ExtraSTAR, the global tech highway of nano and biotechnology and most of all Colonial One, our massive push tocolonize our surrounding planets.“

Visual images moved around the conference room as the female voice spoke over them. Spontaneous images of holographic soldierssaluted those attending the meeting. The room became black and an entire universe was revealed to us with colorful pictures of

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galaxies, quasars and black holes, and stars. The presentation concluded with virtual assemblies of portals beyond the outer rimof a colonized Pluto and droves of people, a multitude utilizing MassPorta as an intergalactic highway, zipping here and there, planet to planet, and then galaxy to galaxy. I particularly enjoyed the wonderful theme music which played in the background.To me it sounded futuristic. The wonders of technology all underone roof. Dr. Gloss would’ve been proud, I thought. The pain inmy back was gone and as I adjusted my seat I noticed Winta motioning with her eyes from across the room. She looked at me and then she glanced at the investor. I smiled a bit uncomfortably and nodded at her.

The investor then said, “Now all I need is Yours and we’ll be able to progress beyond yesterday’s triumphs and venture steadily into tomorrows universal future.” There was a brief pause and a few mutterings. Winta cleared her throat and raised her hand. The investor smiled and pointed at her, “Oh, a question. Yes Mrs. Winta.”

She stood and straightened her skirt and said, “As a senior member here I’d like to thank you on behalf of my attending colleagues, Mars colonists, global coalition reps, and our president and CEO who unfortunately could not be with us this afternoon. We are certainly looking forward to the galactic expansion of MassPorta and would like to present you with a token of this momentous moment.“ Dors, who was seated a few seats beside her then stood and walked over and handed the investor with a medium sized plaque. The investor actually looked

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surprised as he shook Dors hand and smiled.

“Thank you all.“ The investor said. “I’ll place this next to the bust we have of Dr. Gloss in the research labs. To the continued success of the organization.” He continued. “Now then, if there’re no further questions, I’ll like to have Yours and we can wrap up here and prepare for the next phase of the expansion.” Another hand went up. It was one of the specialists from Prime Central. Centuries ago a company called Microsoft occupied that region which was then called south Charlotte, near Nations Ford. After they relocated to another part of the city Dr. Glosspurchased all the office buildings and land in that segment of town. They upgraded the real estate there decades later utilizing a portion of the decommissioned military vehicles. Twenty five percent of the organizations specialists worked out of Prime Central. The investor pointed to the specialist and said, “Ah Corder. Go right ahead.”

“We have tested yours and it’s fully operational. Mr. Zander has all the access codes for its installation and processing. We got his okay four weeks ago to implement the latest security devices. All that‘s needed is his signature access code. But my immediate question is how soon will the engineering department have MassPorta operating at optimal beyond Pluto? At the moment, as you’re well aware our designs and instruments have only reached our colonies and stations near Jupiter.”

Corder had been with the organization for at least a decade. His

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team of specialists out of Central Prime were well known. But not too many people knew much about them personally. They were the high tech wizards, and wore cool red visors or shades all the time. They were constantly connected to the unseen world of digits and data. They spoke in codes and numbers and dimensions.Most of the time the execs nodded to whatever they said. Every now and then their words would be translated by a trilingual employee, but everyone pretty much knew that the specialists knewtheir shit.

The investor shot Corder a puzzled look and replied, “Colonial One has all the necessary qualities we need to move beyondPluto. MassPorta is but the mechanism we’ll use to complete it. I’ve spoken with members of the engineering department and they’ve advised me that in a matter of months, seven at the most.We will be capable of moving back and forth from earth to Pluto. Of course there are currently no human personnel beyond Jupiter and her stations and colonies at the moment, but I’m confident that within two to three years we will have families, businesses,and houses set up on Neptune and Pluto. Terraforming has never been a problem of ours, it’s the pesky, well how should I say it……” A few laughs and giggles permeated the room. Corder appeared satisfied by the investor’s answer, but the investor went on. “It’s just like leap frogging. Many of you might not recall a segment of history of the mid twentieth century when certain United States military personnel, during the war of the Pacific moved from island to island while engaging the enemy. Well I don’t want to look at space as an enemy, but the methods are quite the same. We move junction to junction as before

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establishing purpose, persistence, place, presence and plentitude. It was Dr. Gloss’s ambition for Colonial One to expand far beyond the Milky Way. We will be able to do that with MassPorta and its enhancement through yours.”

As I listened to the investor I found myself wondering why I didn’t recall the date of the meeting. If it hadn’t been for KataI would have totally missed it. But more importantly for the life of me I couldn’t remember what yours was or the access codesCorder mentioned.

I was beginning to feel a huge rush of pressure until I heard the investor say, “Well we’ve gone on for almost five hoursnow. Let’s break for an hour shall we. We will convene afterwards.”

The muffled tones of clatter and shifting of chairs and papers arose as hundreds of people began to stand and move out of the conference room. I remained seated fumbling with my own thoughtsof the past few hours and searched my mental database for answers, for recollection. It took almost fifteen minutes for the room to clear. The investor was the first one out of the room followed by his team of suits, ties and skirts. Corder, andthe specialists were followed by the peculiarly quiet global coalition reps, Mars colonialist reps and other executives. Dorsand Winta who were three seats apart from each other, and to my diagonal left across the room, remained seated.

Dors busily scribbled on an antiqued Etch a Sketch without

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looking up said, “What just happened?”

Winta looked at me and grunted and said, “You better ask Ara. I looked right at you. Why didn’t you give Rault yours?”

I really didn’t have anything to tell my colleagues. So I replied, “I might be having a senior moment. Can either of you get me up to date on what yours is?” They both shot me the most dumbfounded look I’d seen on a face.

Dors looked up from his antiqued Etch a Sketch and grinned widely, “Are you serious?”

“Yeah.” I replied.

“Oh my God. What are you taking?” Winta added.

“Nothing. Today is the first I’ve heard of yours. I completely forgot about today’s meeting. I would have missed it if Kata hadn’t wakened me this morning.”

“Ara now’s not the time to find a sense of humor. You were all excited last night about the colonies and the investments, remember?”

The strangest thing was that Winta was right. I did remember talking about the colonies, investors anddebating with her at yesterday’s meeting, but yours and access codes didn’t ring a bell. She wore the biggest frown across her forehead. The small vein wiggled just above her left eyebrow and

31

formed a little bend toward her widows peak. She leaned forward in her seat and sighed.

Winta spoke to the mezikon on the desk and huffed, “Access yours for Zander, Ara level A151A-M236.

Holographic images on the mezikon showed:

Y.O.U.R.SYearlyOptimalUniversalReticulumSystemAn automated monotone voice delivered a succinct description overa pictorial display of what appeared to be a gob of red goo in a vial. Purposed for the intergalactic interchange for faster production and

development of MassPorta to outbound systems, the yearly optimal universal reticulum

system enables state of the art passage and movement to outbound systems by the

process of voice and touch. Access codes are currently secured by Zander, Ara A151A-

M236 research and development and auditing level 1.

The screen went blank and the voice fell silent. Across the room Winta held up both hands as if to say….and. Dors grinned and

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motioned towards the door. “If you hurry now you can get to the lab and save face, not that you’ve actually lost it yet.”

“Is that all the Intel on Y.O.U.R.S?,” I asked still feelinga little lost.

“You’re the one who implemented the security measures and programmed the mezikon to say that. You know our checks and balance system.” Dors replied.

“If you punch this up Ara……” Winta rose from her seat and began to walk towards me. “Y.O.U.R.S is the wave of the future. Four weeks ago you were bouncing off the walls, analyzing and wheeling and dealing. I went home and told Pete that the final……….”

Dors interrupted, “Don’t listen to her Ara. You probably went home and had too much to drink after yesterday’s meeting. Maybe you had something extra! All of that debating would drive any sane man to heavy drinking.“ He grinned widely. “All you have to do is hand over Y.O.U.R.S to the investors and presto

chango, we’ll have open access to other galaxies in a matter of months. All the elbow work’s done. No pressure.”

Chapter Four

About thirty minutes into the hour lunch break I found myself in one of the research labs near the office. Dors was reassuring, but I was concerned with what happened to the segment of my

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memory regarding Y.O.U.R.S. I distinctly remembered the day before, and seemingly everything else except my own supposedly distinct contribution to the Colonial One program. I wanted to pat myself on the back, as kudos seemed to be in order, but I needed to regain the lapse in time concerning Y.O.U.R.S. I was familiarwith the research lab. I’d worked as a lab researcher for years in the sterile environment. God, how I loved the smell of formaldehyde in the morning. I enjoyed the camaraderie and personal small talk between all the scientists and researchers. Although the work was important and sometimes dangerous the environment lacked the corporate politics I sometimes grew weary of. Dors was the man in the laboratory and he ran a tight ship, but he never once barked out commands or orders like a drill sergeant, however he had a certain way of saying things that got his point across to the mass of employees in the lab.

John Dors was an old school laboratory white coat. With all the technology and sophistication of our century he still donned and enjoyed the face mask, latex gloves, shoe covers, and goggles. I sometimes poked fun at Dors and his choice of wears. To me he looked liked one of the villains out of those old movies and comic books. The good old personal protective equipment or PPE’sas they were traditionally called were really relics of a bygone era. Laboratories were pretty much self sufficient now. The intelligent computers completed over eighty percent of the work to the voice commands of the scientists. There were no strange odors, no possibility for fire, or explosion. However, pathogens continued to be a dangerous threat and modern technology hadn’t quite yet conquered that front. Good old biology, physics,

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chemistry, astronomy, and yes, bio and nanotechnology were conducted in the massive complex laboratory or MCL. Engineering had a separate lab a few floors up, but our channels of communication were never hindered by the division. We sometimes worried that a spontaneous portal would open up and devour us allspiraling us into some God forsaken area of the universe, but most of the Engineers considered it wishful thinking on our part.

The scientists sat before flat rectangular chrome plates on the wall. There were hundreds of them in the lab which was about thesize of four American Football fields. They spoke quietly most of the day giving commands to the LABORATORY a few feet in front of them. There was a glass divide between them which protected them from harmful pathogens, blasts, fire, smoke. It truly was one of those look ma no hands kind of environments. Of course if onewanted to truly venture inside The Lab he or she was free to do so. The self-sustaining and regulating Laboratory was friendly to human flesh and halted its activity for periodic audits and routine energy changeovers, which was about every twenty five years. I suppose I went inside to audit Y.O.U.R.S at one point, but that memory escaped me. It would have been Corder I’d spokenwith along with his specialists. That would have meant that they’d traveled from Central Prime to the downtown Charlotte office for the completion of the process and final authorization. As I walked through the mammoth lab I noticed a few old colleagues of mine. Some nodded. Others didn‘t. I moved through a series of checkpoints and clearances. The building’s internal computer recognized my presence and allowed me free access.

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I walked through numerous lighted corridors and came upon The

Void. It was aptly named because of its eerie darkness. There was no personnel here. The Void required no voices to command it or handsto direct it. It spoke and answered questions and even gave commands. We were all trained not to look directly at The Void. Ioften wondered whether it was due to Nietzsche’s saying about theabyss, or if there really was something sinister about the place.I’d made trips to The Void dozens of times, but I always got that funny sensation one gets when falling from a rollercoaster. It reminded me of the ‘Super Duplex Drop Zone’ ride at the very old Carowinds amusement park I used to frequent as a child. I walked with my gaze focused on the lighted floor, the way people used todo when walking inside darkened movie theatres I stopped at a certain point when the blackness surrounded me. I took a look behind me and noticed the lights along the floor were flashing which indicated that I’d walked far enough.

And then I heard the eloquence and penetrating voice from The Void, “Ara Zander state your purpose.”

I replied, “I request Y.O.U.R.S for the delivery of and processing of MassPorta enhancement.”

A beam of light peered through the darkness and landed on my forehead. It rested there for a few seconds and moved to my solarplexus.

“Proceed,” said The Void.

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The lights on the floor stopped flashing. I walked further into the darkness and came upon a lighted square. The doors opened as I stepped through them. I was greeted by a terrific light. Itwas bright but not hurtful to my eyes, nor did it disturb my vision. I noticed a floating vial which contained a thick red substance. The vial was no longer than a standard ink pen and was marked with a thin sinewy line which traversed the top of thetube to its bottom. I hesitated to grab the vial and looked it over a while. I leaned over it and gave it a good look over. Inspecting the fluid within the tube wasn’t difficult as the light source allowed the viewing. It really looked like red goo.I pondered its mechanistic capacity and the nature of its power source and hypothesized that the vial and the sinewy structure served as conductors or some type of mode of transport. I didn’trecall its design. No access or security codes came to mind.

I put my hand on my chin and stared at it for a few minutes and said, “The wave of the future.” I checked my watch and noticed that in fifteen minutes the investors would be asking forY.O.U.R.S. I then said, “Zander, Ara A151A-M236 level 1.“

There was a slight swooshing sound and doors opened. I was on the other side of the lab. I grabbed the vial. It was cool to thetouch, but not cold. I stepped out into the corridor and viewed the scientists busy at work. I had a strange sense of things as I moved through those corridors and hall. I felt that I was holding a big piece of myself within my palms, but I also felt foreign to it, as if I were my own stranger. The time and efforts

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which went into this strange mechanism were a mystery to me, but I understood the significance of the science and humanity which the overall project promised.

***“There he is.” Dors greeted me at the conference room door.

“Winta asked me to look for you. We thought you got lost down there.” He looked at my right hand and smiled. “Alright, you brought back the goods. Rault will be pleased. We’ll probably get started in five.”

I had assumed that everyone would’ve beaten me back to the conference room. As I stepped in the room past Dors, I noticed Winta filing her nails with an nawf. It was strange looking gadgetthat women used for instant manicures and pedicures. I still used clippers.

“So where is everybody?” I asked. “Did I kill the mood?”

“No. No. I think Rault’s the only one coming back. I suspecteveryone else has left for the day. Ara, all you have to do is hand over Y.O.U.R.S. We already had the big ceremony. You sign and give Rault the access codes and chi- ching, and all of that good stuff.”

Winta spat out her words so fast I almost didn’t hear her. But weall understood chi-ching. And of course there was the revolutionary wonders of intergalactic space travel. It was an amazing story, I thought. The history of MassPorta, Colonial One, andY.O.U.R.S. It was weird being a part of something known and

38

unknown. I’d have to do my homework to get up to speed. But I thought I’d better check with my physician about my huge memory lapse. Winta and Dors didn’t seem to find it overwhelmingly peculiar, but they weren’t the ones experiencing it. I sat besideWinta and Dors sat to her opposite.

Playing with the Etch a Sketch he remarked, “I suppose that a lot of folks will be promoted after this. Any of you plan on moving on afterwards?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Winta mused.

“Think about it. This is a multi trillion dollar move. The stakes were high.” Dors said.

“They always are around here. I ‘bout fell out of my chair when Ara acted like he didn’t know what Y.O.U.R.S was. That was a good joke.”

I didn’t want to humor them with a good joke, but I didn’t want them to know that I was still quite uncertain either. I looked at my watch. It was already five thirty in the afternoon. Rault was thirty minutes late. I thought it was strange considering howimportant they all made Y.O.U.R.S out to be. I got lost in my thoughts and overhead the mutterings and chatter between Winta and Dors. They could go on and on for hours like that. And then I remembered something. Yesterday’s meeting was just like that. Dors and Winta were conversing about work, money and finance and Dors asked Winta about the Mars colonies and she said That’s below

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my pay grade, ask Ara. Dors and I had a brief exchange, but Winta interjected and we debated for several hours about the investors and the Mars colonial investment. But that was yesterday, wasn’tit?

I was frowning and didn’t know it. Dors looked over and said, “What’s on your mind Ara?” Hang in there, Rault will be here soon. He probably got delayed with members of his team or one of the specialists.”

“Déjà vu?” I said.

“What?” Dors replied.

I looked over at Winta and tapped her forearm and said, “Do you think this is bigger than the Mars investment?”

She held her hands out before her. The nawf sat beside her well manicured fingers. She stretched out her fingers and gave them a good look over.

“That’s below my pay grade, but I will say that I will be one of the first to teleport to Pluto once they get MassPorta out there. Ara, did you see the virtual promotional clips. I supposein three years time the organization will have portals all over the galaxy. Mars is yesterday’s news now, and made the investorsloads. I remember hearing about the terraforming on Venus and Mercury. Who would have thought? Y.O.U.R.S has given us the capability to expand faster and further than we imagined.”

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Rault suddenly walked into the room alone carrying a small rectangular box. It was the perfect size for Y.O.U.R.S. He smiled and said, “I apologize for being late. I hope I haven’t detained you too long. It seems that my wife’s not feeling up topar. I think we have a little one on the way.

“Oh, congrats.“ Winta said.

“Wow.“ Dors remarked.

“May I have Y.O.U.R.S now please?”

“Absolutely. Ara, if you will.” Winta made a gesture with her hand indicating that she wanted me to stand and give it up.

I stood and moved over to Rault who was standing near the front of the conference room table. He eagerly reached out and grabbedthe vial and slid it inside of the rectangular vessel. A few humming sounds were emanated from it with a sort of throbbing pulsing light.

He placed it on the table and said, “Ure Rault Investor Y23K-121 acknowledge.”

A voice from the vessel said, “Ure Rault Investor authorized.”

Rault looked at me and nodded. There was an uneasy pause and he said, “Ara, your access codes please.”

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“Zander, Ara A151A-M236 Level 1.” I said.

The voice from the vessel responded, “Ara Zander Research and Development Audit Level One authorized. Y.O.U.R.S is now operational. The Optimal performance of MassPorta has an ETA of seven months.”

“The countdown begins” Rault quipped.. “Pluto or bust in half a year. Amazing.” As if astonished he eyed Dors, Winta and then myself. He shook my hand and said, “Do enjoy the rest of your evening. I’m sure these next months will prove to be quite an adventure.” He exited as fast as he entered the room. I watched him as he walked out into the lobby. He vanished into thin air within seconds.

Dors threw his hands up as if he’d made a touchdown and said, “That’s what I’m talking about. Quick and to the point. Check your accounts tomorrow morning boys and girls. I think you’re going to be very happy. Ara.” He pointed at me and grinned. “Go away for a while. You deserve a break, man.”

“Yeah, Zander. I for once agree with John.” She called Dorsby his first name whenever she got excited. She called me by my last name whenever she was really serious about something.

“I’m going to hang around for a few hours and go over a few things.” I said quietly. “It’s been quite a day.”

“You always say that.” Winta said. She rose to her feet and

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played in Dors hair for a second. “I’m going home. Me and Pete gonna celebrate tonight. A real long celebration. You know what I’m saying. She flashed a devilish grin and shot me with two invisible guns. “I’ll see ya’ll when I see ya.” She made her waytowards the conference room door and exited towards the lobby elevators.

“You don’t want to go out for a few drinks before you go home?” Dors shouted to her. She threw up a hand and waved backwards at him and vanished from sight. “Guess not.” He whispered. “I guess I should get to the labs and check on the crew. Ara, don’t stay up too late. Make sure Kata tucks you in real good tonight.” He grabbed his Etch a Sketch and tucked it under his arms. As he approached the door he patted me on the back and said, “You made a lot of people very wealthy today with Y.O.U.R.S Ara. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” He walked out into the lobby and disappeared through the elevator doors.

I sank back into my chair and released a long sigh. I was relieved that the events of the day went on without a hitch despite my lack of knowledge or recollection on Y.O.U.R.S and itsdevelopmental process. The air condition felt good inside the conference room. It was nice and quiet. Peaceful and serene. The futile attempts to retrieve my activity on Y.O.U.R.S gave me a slight headache across my temples. Rubbing them slowly on eachside with my fingers I welcomed the emptiness of the room and thesolitary minutes to myself. I figured another trip to The Void

would prove useful in gaining the necessary knowledge of the missing events, but understood that the mental lapse may have

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been due to a higher degree of stress during my time on the project. After a few slow neck rolls and stretches I meandered out of the conference room and walked towards the elevator doors in the lobby. The elderly gentleman greeted me at the elevator. He stood with his legs crossed at his ankles and a smiled. He flashed something shiny in his right hand, and I noticed it was the letter opener he‘d accidentallypoked me with hours earlier.

“How’s your back?” He said dryly.

“Fine.” I replied. “Did you get any good news in your letter.”

“Heh. It’s a copy of my letter of resignation from the organization. Signed and certified by our beloved President and CEO Orion Orion. I think I’ve seen all I need to see here. This organization has truly grown…..and prospered. You’ll do well to keep yourself leveled. I suspect by the time you’re my age you’llhave traversed this galaxy and others a hundred times over.”

“Ah Mali, I think you have a whole lot more to give to the company. Why not stick around a bit longer?”

I patted him on his stomach and moved towards the doors as they opened. Before I could enter he grabbed me by the shoulder and whispered, “Do you remember the song she sang?”

“Pardon?” I took a step back as the elevators doors closed

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and turned to face Mali.” His laid back disposition looked a bitmore serious. He looked as if he had something to tell me, yet was either unsure as to how he should say it, or unsure as to whether he should say it. “What song?” I asked.

“We’ve known each other a long time Ara. I remember when they first hired you. Do you remember all those questions you used to ask Vessa? Man, that seems like eons ago.”

“C’mon Mali. You’re stalling on me. What’s up? What song areyou talking about?”

Mali Intor was the senior consultant at the company. He had been a senior investor like Rault for over three decades, but due to some financial project differences decided to move to another department. Of course there were the usual office gossip and politics which suggested the two had been long time friends and suddenly fell out of each others good books, but I always believed the two conflicted over the direction of research investment interests. Rault was interested in space travel, Maliwas interested in time. The two were pros in their respective fields and made a lot of money for themselves, the employees and the organization. I always enjoyed the wonderful theories and stories Mali used to tell about time, space, girls and other worlds. He was one of the old types complained about most things, but never made serious mistakes on the J.O.B. He regularly threatened that he’d leave the company if someone gave him displeasure, but people were so used to it that they humored his usual unprompted tirades. There was a long going rumor that

45

he was one of the six multi billionaires at the organization. People would whisper throughout the corridors that he enjoyed themoney to much to leave and that he was secretly planning on taking up the President and CEO position. Those whispers abated once he stepped down from his senior investor position.

He looked at me strangely and said, “The one about Marina onthe planet Palina.“ Another Mali joke, I thought. He chuckled and said, “Here. I think you should have this.” He shoved the golden letteropener into my hand with the pointy part sticking out towards him.

“Oh, I can’t take your opener Mali.” I said.

“You might find it useful someday.” He smiled. Paper was a luxury item. And very few people wrote letters by hand or typed them up or printed out the stuff as they did in ages past. Mali was something of a scholar though and relished corresponding in the old way. Sure he managed with the new technology of automatedvoice correspondence and Think and Talk, but he still enjoyed putting pen to pad and signing his John Hancock. His seniority with the company allowed him the perks of having access to paper.To my knowledge he was the only one in the company who wanted them.

I noticed that he hadn’t taken the time to rinse off the bit of dried blood on the tip of the letter opener and was about to wipeit off with my thumb, until he grabbed my wrist.

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“Hey that’s something to remember me by. Remember that time ole Mali poked ya.” He laughed. “Tomorrow is officially my last day so why don’t up to the Palace this weekend. Bring a pal if you wish.”

“Sure.” I said quietly. He nodded, patted me on the shoulder and took a few steps back then vanished right before my eyes. Amazing, I thought. I’ve got to get me one of those someday. I pushed the letter opener on the inside of my suit jacket and exited the lobby through the elevator.

***Chapter Five

“Party at Mal’s this weekend,” Dors shouted as I walked past him and his team of scientists.

I threw up a hand and said, “I’ll see you there.” Word traveled fast around the office and labs. Within the 200 floors, one hundred above ground and one hundred below, a single message could pass from sender to receiver within three seconds. Teleportation devices were in common use throughout the facility and were regularly used by authorized personnel.

“We’ll hold you too it.” He said. He eyed me a for a moment as I strolled down the massive corridors.

I made the trek to The Void with a million questions dancing in my head.I grinned inside myself thinking about the great big payoff I was in store for within the next twenty four hours. It was the usual standard procedure to be compensated within twenty four hours after authorization of access codes at the completion of a major project.

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It just seemed kind of funny that I didn’t remember the particular assignment, which was herald as a significant cornerstone in the organization’s technological history.

I slowly approached The Void and heard its voice say, “Ara Zander, state your purpose.”

“I request authorization for visual and audio sequences of Y.O.U.R.S project activity of Ara Zander A151A-M236 Level 1.”

“Initiating.” The Void said.

At once a brilliant light permeated the room and holographicimages of myself moved in various directions. As I examined the holographic images I noticed that there were no floors beneath their feet nor enclosing walls or ceilings. My holographic imagesmoved about as if speaking to someone and maneuvered in a typical way characteristic of my work duties. My hand movements were indicative of my usual operations of the Teleosate, a device which linked me into all parts of the organization, and my projects and allowed me to access to command the computers. I smiled as I watched myself, but could not detect where I was or where my colleagues were in the holographic images.

“Enhance auditory.” I said.

“Enhancing” The Void said.

I watched closely as my holographic image spoke into the bright light. I didn’t see who was standing before me or around me. I scanned a series of images, four weeks worth of project activity on Y.O.U.R.S. Moving, talking, working, analyzing, evaluation, laughing, smiling and head scratching. I listened closely to my conversation.

“So the confidentiality of that which was pronounced will

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remain secret.”

“Could you comprehend it?”

“I understand.”

“It reaches beyond standard technology.”

“I’m not reading it. Can you change the distortion.”

“Follow the blueprint.

“Vector Module Plexus.”

“There’s some residue on your panel.”

“Year one.”

“Optimal.”

“And universal.”

“Reticulum systems are fully functional.”

“Look, they’re moving, Ara.”

“A fraction of a nanosecond.”

“Bring it back.”

My holographic image disappeared and the audio went silent. The conversation seemed patchy at times. Although I didn’t remember the conversation I easily detected my voice, but the other voices were foreign to me. I glanced back into The Void and said, “Detect single sequence, section day one.”

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The Void said, ”Confidential.”

“Hmph. Single out last day of project sequence one.” I requested.

More holographic images appeared. I saw myself back at the laboratory doing evaluations and regular protocol. Corder and his specialists were speaking to me about MassPorta and Y.O.U.R.S.

“.......and that’s all we need.” Corder said. “All you haveto do is give Rault your access codes. Some of the poker heads think we’ll get beyond Pluto in under a year. I don’t know aboutall that, but if your designs and security codes are right it could happen.”

I watched my holographic image tap verification codes on Corder’steleosate, indicating my authorization for the completion of the project. He pressed his palm into the phase scanner for biomedicalverification.

He said, “Alright, Ara. We’ll see you at the conference meeting next Thursday. Don’t work too late. We’re all finished here.” Corder and his specialists walked out of the laboratory and I resumed activity on my teleosate.

The images disappeared. I scratched my chin and asked, “What’s the Intel on the location of Y.O.U.R.S?”

The Void replied, “Outbound locale moving toward network connect with MassPorta.”

“ETA?” I asked.

“ETA ten hours.” The Void said.

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My watch indicated that it was twenty minutes ‘till nine o’clock in the evening. Rault must have opted to make make the first linktomorrow i thought. I knew that pushing towards Pluto wouldn’t take long after the installment if Y.O.U.R.S was to perform as good as the organization said it would. I guessed my excitement levels were as high as my colleagues’ four weeks ago. Seven months was quite impressive. I theoretically played the sequence in my head, as I probably did several weeks ago. Rault would hand over Y.O.U.R.S to the so called Galaxy Officials or the ‘G.O Team’ as they were usually called. They’d then teleport it to the massive space station and connect it to MassPorta. After that materials from key points around the world would be teleported to the various junction points that were already in place. The leapfrogging would continue until they reached Pluto. They would then send other personnel and families to form colonies to establish a permanent presences. The process would continue until a human in downtown anytown USA could teleport to the farthest corner of the galaxy in a mere three seconds. After all that was Dr. Gloss’s great ambion for Colonial One. Y.O.U.R.S was about to finally make the dead pioneer’s dream come true. I thought about the ancient wisdom of Coach Vince Lombardi and his invincible Green Bay Packers. The machine. The movement. The precision. The dedication. The onslaught. What a process. I wasglad to be a part of such cutting edge technology.

***As I left the downtown office I felt a real sense of release and accomplishment over my endeavors, but pondered the strange imagery The Void showed me. Thoughts of old diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia played in my head. I logically shot them down as statistically it was impossible to get those kinds of things. I didn’t dismiss pressure and stress though, as those age old factors still made pasty palms and dry mouths. I tried to mentally diagnose myself as I walked toward my car in the parking deck and noticed at once that the nameplateI’d inquired about hours earlier had been fixed. ARA ZANDER, it

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read. Oh, they put my name in all caps, I thought. A deep sigh of relief left my body as I sank into the car seat. I wasn’t feeling particularly tired, but a generous impression of having completed an important assignment continued to grow upon me. I exited the parking deck into a city wrapped in night.

Chapter Six

Dark clouds moved in the horizon ahead as I drove towards the freeway. I noticed a few flashes of lightening in the distance and thought about Y.O.U.R.S which was scheduled for departure anduplink within a few hours. The world was going to be a very different place in a few months. The colonists residing on Mars,Venus, Mercury, and the moons near Jupiter were certainly trailblazers as were their ancestors. A mass flux of the human population continued to journey to the colonies in search of new beginnings. I happily imagined how the next wave of pioneers would change trade, commerce, medicine and exploration within thecoming decades. The prospect of moving to Pluto or beyond was certainly a possibility and the thought was appealing to me. Rault’s presentation was quite inspiring and I wondered about my place in the organization within the next three years. My delivery of Y.O.U.R.S appeared to be the catalyst which would hasten the spread of the human race to far flung galaxies across the universe. However, I decided to leave those thoughts for another moment, perhaps after viewing the funds which were to be allotted to me for my work on the project. If Dors was correct a handsome bonus would grace my account in the morning hours.

I said, “Data analysis of traffic report.”

The car’s automated voice computer said. “There is light traffic for the next fifteen miles. There’s no view of inbound or outbound vehicular accidents. Aerial traffic is currently

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mild, with no view of accidents.”

“Southend Home Address. Auto Drive.” I requested.

A slight humming noise was followed by the computer’s voice,“Activated.”

I closed my eyes and began to drift to sleep as the city lights peered through the window.

“Shades.” I yawned as dark limo tint visors encircled all the car windows. After several minutes I drifted into sleep as my car carried me toward my downtown apartment.

“But the onlooker was very appreciative.” I heard a voice say.

“It’s easy to understand if the position is right.” Another voice said.

“Oh I agree. Absolutely. Give it to me.” Said another.

“Are you awake Ara? Ara?” I heard a female’s voice whisper. It sounded familiar, but somewhat alien, almost metallic.

“How much do you think he’ll remember?”

“Remember what?” I muttered.”

“Are you conscious Ara?” A voice whispered.

“Here take this.” Someone said.

I felt an icy cold sensation over my pelvis and lower back and chest. It was sharp and sudden, much like the sensation

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bundled up kids get when making snow angels or belly flopping on snow covered fields in winter, only to have bits of ice and snow trickle into their shirts or trousers.

“Look at him rise.” A female sounding voice said.

“Why doesn’t he open his eyes.”

“Ara, are you asleep.” I heard another voice. I could detectthat someone was whispering a few inches from my left ear. My eyes felt as if they were closed, yet I saw blazing lights whichperiodically changed colors. They were hot red, yellow, black, white, green, purple, pink, teal and an array of indescribable colors I’d never seen before. They appeared to me to be living, animate creatures with consciousness and understanding. Living light. Many of them looked candy coated. edible even. Skittles. Starbursts and M&M’s came to mind. I thought I was in a dream. Therewere countless waves of them, scintillating light which pulsed and throbbed rhythmically. And they smelled wonderful. My mouth watered.

“Are you going to leave him here?” Someone said.

“He looks okay to me. Why not?”

“It’s your call.”

“Ara?” A female voice said.

I suddenly heard a rainstorm. I felt infrequent drops of liquid tapping what I perceived as my naked body. The crispness of the watery sounds seemed to be inside of a cove or cave. I believed myself to be moving, but I felt no sensation of gravity securing me as I floated into expanding waves of light. I didn’t feel as though I was being carried, there were certain suctions

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sounds which penetrated the sounds of rain. There was some forcepulling me towards the light. In a flash I felt a warmth which began at my solar plexus and generated outwards towards my head and limbs. I felt an amazing surge of energy penetrate my cranium and exit throughout my nether regions. I felt that I’d experienced several orgasms and grinned simply in my dream.

***I awoke Friday morning in my apartment in downtown Charlotte beneath a slow turning ceiling fan. I perspired greatly and tossed in my bed. When I opened my eyes I saw Kata next to the night stand. From a large glass picture she poured sweet smelling citrus orange juice. My throat felt hot and parched andthe beverage looked soothing and refreshing. There was another glass filled with water on the tray. Three thick cubes of ice bobbed up and down as trickles of water moved down the glass.

“When are you going to get the AC fixed Ara?” She mused. “It’s already ninety degrees outside.”

“What time is it?” I said dryly.

“Two in the afternoon. How are you feeling?”

“Uh. Did you check the account this morning?” I said. I focused my eyes on the ceiling fan and wondered why it wasn’t going any faster. It was so hot. My pajamas stuck to my inner thighs and my wife beater felt thick, sloppy and wet.

“Friday is the pay day.” Kata smiled. “I always check for you on Friday’s Ara.” She reached out her hand and held the glassof orange juice in front of my face. I licked my lips then pursed them. She humorously obliged me and put the glass to my lips as I took a long and thirsty gulp. I left it half empty, orhalf full depending on ones perspective.

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“Ahhh, I know. But today I’m expecting a little something extra. Am I happy?” I scanned her face for any signs. Kata couldbe quite playful at times, but she was quite efficient and proficient at business stuff and had an eye for detail. She wasalso a great cook and housekeeper, not to mention a fine dresser.Sometimes though she wore the weirdest outfits. On such occasions I’d ask her what she was wearing and she’d say SomethingI put together. How are you this morning?

“What is the happiness to you?” She asked. “You know the saying of the ancients. All the work and the play and to thy hands be true.”

I looked at her strangely and said, “Kata.”

She smiled and said, “I think they make you happy.”

My eyes widened as I raised and rested on my elbows. I was about to get out of bed when she placed a hand on my chest and said, “Where are you going?”

“To check my funds.” I said.

She jabbed me in my ribs with a finger and said, “But I toldyou I think they make you happy. Was my answer not good enough? Yesterday I told you that you would have plenty of time in the schedule after the meeting. So now you do. You had a good transaction and now you will have the relaxation, no.”

“There’re still some things I need to do, but….”

“Ah so you admit that you have completed the work. Can you tell me the business you do?”

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“Kata I never knew you had any interests in my work life.” Ismiled. “You asked me what we talk about at the office and I tried to tell you that………”

“No!” She interrupted. “I want to know what you do, not whatyou talk about.” She reached over and refilled the glass. She reached it out to my lips as I drank it down to mid level again.

For an instant her face turned into the white static often seen on old televisions with poor receptions. I jumped back as the glass fell to the floor, spilling its contents.

She bit her lip and said, “Careful. Are you okay?”

Perplexed I rubbed my eyes and slightly shooed her away. She picked up the glass and put it back on the tray.

“You look tired.” She said. Don’t worry about the mess I’ll get it.” She left the picture full of orange juice, glass of water and tray on the nightstand and carried the empty glass in her hand as she walked out the room. She shortly returned later with a simple cloth and threw it over the small puddle of juice on the floor. “Rest. I take care of you today.” She said as she wiped the floor with the cloth. “Tomorrow you can enjoy your timewith Mr. Mali Intor.”

I sank back into my pillow and shook my head, “He called?” Iasked.

“Early this morning. I didn’t want to wake you. He wanted meto congratulate you about the project and remind you about his party at the Palace on Saturday.”

“You should have wakened me Kata. I suppose Y.O.U.R.S is alllinked up now. That’s fantastic.” I whispered.

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She double folded the cloth and placed the drenched towel onthe tray. “What is this Y.O.U.R.S? Mr. Mali spoke of this when hetalked about your project.” She looked down at me quizzically.

I looked into her wide eyes and said, “It’s the future. You won’t believe this but before yesterday I was oblivious to it. Ihad some kind of mental freeze out. The last four weeks were a blur, but..” I paused believing that I delved too much to her.

“What?” She said.

“Kata set BioMedOne for me please.”

“Are you feeling ill Ara?”

“Maybe.” I said quietly.

She walked over to the bureau at the other end of the room. She stared into a dark panel screen on the right corner on the desk and said, “BioMedOne analyze Ara Zander, full diagnostic systems.”

A marble size orb sprang out of the desk and moved over the bed. It centered over my chest as four beams of light moved up and down my body, from my head down to my toes. Kata giggled as she reviewed the screen on the bureau.

“You have a bruised bunion..” She smiled.

“How about the neurological system?” I asked.

“Oh, did you bump your head? It says you have no life threatening physical abnormalities.”

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“Hmph. Are you sure?”

“I can understand BioMedOne just fine Ara,” She replied sternly. “You’re fine.”

“While you’re over there can you tell me about my bonus?” I added.

“Scan complete.” A voice from the bureau said. The orb flewacross the room and returned to its place inside the desk.

Kata then said, “Zander Company Account Display.” She made a few ooh, ahh and umm sounds and said, “I see a mega bonus and apending stipend. I guess you can stop whenever you want to now.

I laughed and hopped out of bed. I rushed over to her and glancedthe screen. She looked at me and smiled as studied my expressions.

“Very good news.” I said. “Very good.”

“You’re happy then?” She asked.

“Are you kidding! Are you seeing what I’m seeing? Thank Y.O.U.R.S.” I shouted.

“Are you going to get the AC fixed now?” She said.

I grabbed her hands and did a little shimmy.

She shook her head and said, “Then I’m happy for you. You should have the celebration for the work.”

“Kata will you be my guest at tomorrow’s extravaganza at thePalace?” I feigned a courtly gentleman’s bow awaiting her answer.

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She popped me on the back of the head and said, “No. sir I

must kindly decline.”

I looked up at her and asked, “Why not?”

“I feel the time is now right for you to have the good push into outer places.”

“What in the world is that supposed to mean. Don’t be a party pooper.” I said. I looked over my work area and added, “Have you seen my briefcase and laptop?”

“No. You probably left them inside the car. Maybe you forgotto bring them in when you came in last night.” She said.

“Hehehe. Funny thing is, I don’t remember coming in last night.” I laughed. “I fell asleep at the wheel last night and setthe car to auto drive.”

“Maybe you’re the sleepwalker now.” She said quietly. “BioMedOne said there’s nothing wrong with you so don’t worry about it. Watch this.” She pressed a button on the desk and said, “Locate Ara Zander’s briefcase and laptop.”

A computer’s voice said, “Confidential.”

“What the Hell.” I said.

“No. No. You try.” She added.

“Locate Ara Zander’s briefcase and laptop.” I said.

“Carport.” The automated voice replied.

“You see. You have not completely lost the marbles Mr.

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Zander.” She said. “So what are your plans now that you’ve accumulated great funds.”

“I have to regain my memory. I need to know the ins and outsof my project. I understand how it works, but I have to get back to the expert level. It was my project.”

“I mean what do you plan to do with you life now.” She said.We stood there awkwardly by the great bureau. Hovering over the panel she said, “I watch you for many years work. Even though I do not understand all you do I never see you quite as pleased like that. Will you stay on Earth will you stay at the organization?”

“Whoa Kata. Slow and steady right.”

“What is slow and steady?”

“Steady as she goes?” I added jokingly.

“You’re picking at me.” She frowned childishly and jabbed mein the ribs with a soft fist. She moved over to the nightstand, gathered the silver tray into her hands and said. “We will talk later. You should shower and get dressed.” She walked out of theroom and closed the door behind her.

I regretted that I missed the morning teleportation of Y.O.U.R.S.I’d no doubt get a play by play at Mali’s party on Saturday. I was certain that it would probably make the news, but then again three of the organization’s Nobel Prize winners weren’t announcedon the news two years ago. Kata was in a ‘mood’ I thought. But then again so was I. It wasn’t everyday that one dipped into another economic bracket. We’d known each other for years, but never once had asked about my ‘what now’s’. I chuckled at her babyish anger, but felt that she might have been genuinely

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interested in what I was planning to do with my career and livelihood. Her decline at my invitation was certainly unexpected, but she no doubt had good reasons. After all it was an all of sudden RSVP.

As I headed towards the bath a long ringing sound came from my desk. “Incoming Mali Intor,” The automated voice said.

“Accept.” I replied.

A 3D image of Mali appeared over the desk. He wore visors over his eyes, similar to the kind Corder and his team of specialists regularly wore.

“Good afternoon. Ara.” He said smiling. “How are you feeling today?”

“It’s a beautiful day in neighborhood Mali.” I said.

“Excellent that’s great. Hey I don’t want to hold you up, are you busy.”

“No.”

“Are you coming alone tomorrow? The Chef’s doing a last minute head count The caterers would have called you directly, but I told them not to bother. You’re like one of my snotty nosedkids. No offense.” He laughed.

“No problem. I’m traveling alone.”

“What’s wrong? You couldn’t get a date. That’s alright. I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself.”

“Kata turned me down. I’m sure she has her reasons. I guess

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you’re expecting a pretty big turnout tomorrow.”

“Yes. The organization insisted on chipping in. I’ve beeninformed that President Orion might pay us a visit at the Palace tomorrow. You might want to bring your Teleosate, just in case. I don’t expect he’ll have too many technical questions, but you cannever be too prepared.”

“Thanks for the heads up Mali.”

“Sure. By the way did you hear about Rault’s wife. She’s expecting.”

“I did. He’s no doubt ecstatic.”

“Bouncing off the wall I expect. My old friend’s been tryingto get his wife knocked up for years. This is a big blessing forthem, so is Y.O.U.R.S. You don’t know it yet but your role with Y.O.U.R.S was a great achievement, not only personally for you, but for the organization, nation and world, and well…….. We’ll chat tomorrow. Eight o’clock sharp. Dress your best.”

“Will do. I’ll see you on Saturday Mali.”

“Call terminated.” The computer’s voice said.

I smiled as I made my way into the shower and prepared for a strange new day.

Chapter Seven

After a long cool shower I got dressed and ventured into the living room. I looked around the place briefly searching for Kata, then resolved to do a bit more ‘work around the apartment. I plopped down on a couch then rested on my back securing my bare

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feet under two warm pillows. It then occurred to me how warm theroom was. I distinctly remembered Kata complaining about the busted AC and thought that now would be a good time to do something about it, while it was fresh in my mind. It wasn’t particularly sticky hot in my pad, but the place could use a steady breeze. It was no doubt sweltering outside again. The unrelenting sun seemingly decided to hug the city and scorch everything within it. I was certain that climatic records had been broken.

The Fourth of July had been so hot two months ago that there was a recorded low of barbeque activities around the city. It was only two months ago that Dors remarked to me I’m having a get together at my place for the fourth. It’s too hot to stand around outside, so we’re partying inside. Miskria and I would be glad to have you over. Dors never came across as a real party type, but whenever he got around his wife Miskria he became the proverbial social butterfly. It had been more than several occasions that I’d graced their doors and participated intheir banquets, parties, functions and celebrations. It would begood to see them together at Mali’s Palace on Saturday, I thought. As I rested there on the couch I thought about the holographic images The Void showed to me the previous day. I was sure there was more to see and became interested in seeing more. Perhaps those distorted images of bright light and disembodied voices were manifestations of the project’s construction, I pondered. I’d heard tales of other employees within the organization experiencing strange phenomena on their respective projects. Mali used to tease the younger staff members with weirdstories about the company and Dr. Gloss’s grand ambition.

Lying there I imagined that my short term memory loss might have been due to some type of residual effect of my activity on Project Y.O.U.R.S. Sometimes it was best to sit and reason thingsout. I thought. Feeling myself drifting off to sleep I sat up in

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a seated position.

I then said, “Apartment coolant system replacement.”

The Apartment's CPU quietly replied, “Coolant system destroyed. Replacement requires manual fitting.”

“Oh.” I chuckled. “How long has the coolant system been out?” I asked.

“Three years.” It responded.

I rose to my feet and yelled, “Kata!”

She slowly walked into the living room and said, “There’s noneed to yell. My hearing is fine. What’s wrong?”

“The CPU said the AC’s been broken for three years. What thehell’s going on?”

“How many times have I told you to get it fixed Ara. You never listen.” She said.

“Three years?” I grumbled.

“I think you must have had a bit of too much stress. The relaxation will do you good.”

I pinched that area between the eyes that sometimes brings comfort to an oncoming headache.

“Yeah. You’re right.” I said quietly. “I think we have the parts in the basement. Could you get them please?”

“Sure Ara. Just sit down. You look horrible.” She rushed

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out of the living room with some concern on her face.

I fell back into the couch and mouthed, crazy. She came back minutes later with a handful of silvery like needles. Coolant System Fibers. They would have to be manually installed one by one into the apartment’s coolant center. I admitted to myself that I wasn’t the most handy person around the place. Years ago I tripped and broke my left big toe after reworking the satellitesystem in the apartment’s loft. It was a mighty fall. I had justreplaced the panel and took a step back when I stumbled over a loose wire and crashed to the floor. Ouch. The thought. There were services for that sort of thing off course, but Kata had some confidence in my handyman abilities and said You work with computers and satellites all the time. You could do it. I should have opted to call Apartment Services.

She handed me the Coolant System Fibers and said, “Be careful on your way up.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t want to to do anything stupid like fall and break a toe,” I joked.

She giggled and said, “You remember that.”

“I remember the pain.” I said. “Whew.” I hurried out of the room and moved into the hallway. I pressed a button on the wall as the fifteen foot high ceiling above opened into a long rectangle. A stairway descended slowly onto the floor beneath and stopped a few inches before my feet. Kata had followed me into the hallway and watched my ascent up the stairs.

“I wonder if Apartment Services would do it?” She said.

I shot her a quick glance, huffed and continued my ascent. As I entered the loft I noticed the area was less cluttered than I

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remembered. The satellite system beeped and hummed and the security panel flashed red, yellow and green lights. All clear. Just beyond the security panel sat a square box with six vents, three on each side. I hurried over and pulled the top off and looked at the contents inside. The silvery fibers were burned black. I tapped them with a finger and noticed that they were cold. They looked as if they’d been out of commission for a while. Three years according to the Apartment’s CPU. As I liftedthe compartmental piece I scanned the timing mechanism underneathwhich to my astonishment read three years into the future: September 2275. I thumped it a few times. Perhaps the date wasscrambled in the meltdown, I thought.

“Kata!” I shouted.

“Yes.” She echoed.

“What year is it?”

“You joke.” She sighed.

“Can you humour me?”

“2275.” She said.

“Hehehe.”

“What’s funny?” Her voice reverberated from below.

“It’s ‘72. It’s 2272.” I laughed.

“No. It is the year 2275. I assure you.”

I frowned as I examined the fibers compartment which read 2275.

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I removed the black fibers one by one and replaced them with the silvery ones. A thin light bar blinked on and off indicating that the coolant system was energized. The date read September 2275. I covered the timing mechanism with the fibers and compartments and placed the cover to its original position. I slowly descended the stairs. Kata watched me intently until I wassafe and secure on the ground floor. She hit the button on the wall and followed with her eyes the stairs slow ascent.

“It’s 2275.” I said dryly.

A hissing sound was followed by a gush of cold fresh air. It quickly penetrated and filled the apartment.

“Coolant system operational.” The CPU said.

“Ara” Kata examined my eyes with hers. She put a soft hand to my forehead and said, “Would you like something to drink? Juice perhaps.”

We walked slowly into the den and sat on a loveseat. I felt so refreshed and new. The apartment went from a broiling ninety fivedegrees to a dreamy sixty seven in a matter of seconds.

“I’m okay.” I said.

She patted me on the knee and said, “I’ll get you a glass ofwater.” She quickly escaped my view as she ventured out of the room. In my heart of hearts I believed the year to be 2272 and figured either Kata was playing some kind of elaborate joke on meto celebrate the completion of Y.O.U.R.S and my generous bonus, or there were some hidden disturbances within my neuro circuitry that BioMedOne did not pick up. However, it briefly occurred to me that the phenomena might have been related to the project. I was sure that tomorrow’s get together would raise more questions.

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I hoped that Mali and Dors would be able to answer some of them. If indeed three years had elapsed then Y.O.U.R.S and MassPorta would have reached Pluto. That would also mean that colonies andbusinesses would have flourished on the outbound Planets. Could it be possible. I wondered. And so soon.

“Put it out of your mind Ara.” Kata said as she entered the room. She brought me a tall glass of water and sat next to me.”

“What?” I grabbed the glass and took a long gulp.

“I can look at your face and understand something is bothering you. Give it a rest for the day. You should be happy and rich now. Worry at the later time okay.” She put an arm across the back of the chair and leaned closer to me. She crossedher legs at the knee and said, “Stress only breeds more stress, no.”

“It’s part of my job. I make a living thinking about and figuring such things.”

“But not today.” She said. I sensed some frustration and tension in her voice. “Y.O.U.R.S is not the only mystery in the universe.” She smiled slightly.

*** Hours after finally fixing the apartment’s coolant system I foundmyself in my office study pouring over old books and travelogues.Kata accompanied me there and examined several magazines from thelast two centuries. She was particularly drawn to the fashion mags and journals. We parlayed in there for hours, and had done so on many occasions. It was one of my favorite places of the apartment to retreat to whenever time allowed. The office resembled something of a vintage shop with specialties in books and magazines. I wasn’t as particular or obsessive with paper as

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Mali, but recalled a time when as a teenager I had considered becoming a historian. My folks noticed that I’d developed an early interest in the past, particularly the twentieth and twentyfirst centuries. I always thought those were such turbulent and interesting times. I marveled at the great triumphs and utter failures of the human spirit and the resolve of the species to continue to fight on for its continuance and survival. I often wondered what it was really like to live in those times. A time of great wars, genocide, great atomic weapons, space exploration and freedom marches. Those were times of revolt and medical miracles. Times of chemical and physical majesty and enlightenment. To my young mind it seemed so spectacular.

My interests however became more future and technologically boundonce I stepped into a Tech Museum. I saw the potential marvels of medicines, biology, physics chemistry and engineering and the wonders of bio and nanotechnology and became amused at how theirimpact could change society. The truth of the matter was that I was already a product of a future many in the 20th and 21st had dreamed about. I crashed my first flying car at seventeen and had a college girl friend who was born on Mars. On the day I wasborn my body was injected with nanobots. Any physical injuries Isustained could be healed within a matter of minutes if not seconds. I lived in world where health, medicine and technology interacted with physics and chemistry, and where most things could be accomplished just by uttering the proper words. Yes there were mysteries and Kata constantly reminded me of the wonders which were ‘out there’ but many of the human problems of centuries past seemed to be solved and alleviated. And I was happy to work at an organization which played some part in the great advances of the day.

“Look at this.” Kata said. She beckoned me with a hand. “Bikini line.”

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I walked over to where she was.. She’d wedged herself between a magazine stand and coffee table. She sat on the floor with her knees to her bosom and stared up at me. She pointed at an image on one of the magazine pages. I stooped down in front of her andexamined an image of skimpily clad women on a beach. There was an article about waxing and Brazilian in 2012.

“Wow that’s over two hundred years old.” I said. “Hey you should see the pictures from the early twentieth.. People sometimes dressed in layers of clothing and carried umbrellas toprotect themselves from the sun.”

“Maybe they had the good idea no. The sun rays can be harmful. Especially without the ozone.”

I scanned the images again and said “That looks painful. Actually in the early twentieth there was more of an ozone layer.It was completely depleted in the twenty first.” I added. I tapped her on the knee and joked, “Were they going to space?”

“Not cosmic silly. Cosmo. Silly you. Do you think a lot about space?”

“More than usual now. I can say with certainty that I’ll getto visit one of the colonies sometime. I won’t be as busy.”

“Good. That’s good. I sometimes miss the home country.” Shestood and and put the magazine back on the stand. She pulled outanother magazine and examined the cover. “Very tall woman.”

“Fashion model.” I said.

“Obviously.” She grinned. “Do you think women in the twentyfirst century really looked and dressed like that?”

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“Maybe. It’s probably exaggerated though. America was a great country back then.” I said. “There were various cultures within the melting pot. Maybe people will say the same thing about us three hundred years from now.”

“Do you like how I dress, Ara?” She asked.

I looked at the magazine image then looked at her. I gazed at themagazine again then sized her up and down with a jovial exaggeration.

“You’re a twenty third century kind of girl Kata.” I said. You got style.”

“You give the typical response. I imagine the men would tellthe woman the same back then.”

“Probably.” I quipped. Speaking of styles, would you care to accompany me tomorrow?”

“Ara, I already told you, no.”

“You might enjoy yourself. You asked me about the kind of work I do. You’d meet some of my colleagues and…….”

She interrupted me with an elbow to my arm and said, “Look here. What an outfit. What do you think?”

“She favors you a little bit.” I lied.

“No she doesn’t. I would never wear such a get up. In my country we feel the essence belongs to the natural entity.”

“What like earth tones?” I said trying to use fashion lingo.

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“Something like that.” She said.

I walked over to another magazine rack and pulled out travelogue and thumbed through the pages.

“Maybe I’ll take a trip to one of the colonies next week fora vacation. Would you care to join me then?”

“I would join you. But I have no interest to go to your friend’s Palace tomorrow. What colony have you thought about?”

“Venus, Mars maybe. Have you ever been?”

She shook her head no, then pointed at the magazine in my hand and said, “Why are you thumbing through old century catalogues? You won’t find any space colonies in there.”

“I can understand Mali’s appreciation for paper now.” I said.” Imagine how it was back then. Peering through numerical sheets of paper to find travel locations for holidays and vacations.”

“Primitive, isn’t it? But they had the internet back then.”She said.

“Cute.” I remarked.

She then said, “Destinations to Venus and Mars. Acknowledge next week’s shuttle prompt one.”

The Apartment’s computer then said, “Shuttle access twenty four hours. No delays. Teleportation services are also available.”

I put the travel journal relic face down on the desk and said,

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“Are there any Plutonian destinations?”

“Travel to Pluto is now available through MassPorta and Y.O.U.R.S Travel.”

“Oh my.” I said. “They expected it would take two years before commercial travel to Pluto would become available. But that was in 2272.” I whispered under my breath. “They must have colonies there by now.”

“You have the desire to travel to Pluto?” Kata asked.

“I do. Now that the possibility has become a reality.”

“Maybe I will visit my home country soon. I think there’s time now.”

“Absolutely. As you know I don’t have anything scheduled foran entire month. I don’t think the organization will need my direct assistance until the next project. If you want to take some time to go to your home country…..”

“Would you like to come with me?” She asked.

“Perhaps some other time.” I said. “There’s certainly opportunity to do more traveling now.”

She smiled and said, “Great. I hope to hold you to that then. She placed the magazines back into the racks and quietly exited the room. She could be a strange woman at times, I thought. Strange indeed.

***I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening inside the office. I often lost track of time while in the place. It was nothing

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unusual. There had been times when Kata would find me on the floor with an old magazine in hand, as I slumbered on the floor. She’d wake me in the early hours and direct me back to my bedroom. The office was a treasure trove which could be discovered over and over again. I never tired of the musky old magazines full of images of bygone times and places, and stories replete with desires, ambitions and heartaches and heartbreaks and all the cares and concerns of dead centuries.

I resigned myself to recline in the office, reading magazine articles all night. Tomorrow’s party at Mali’s would bring me back from my short respite from reality. But for the moment I enjoyed the simple pleasure of reading worn papered magazine articles from the twentieth and twenty first century. The night would find me in my office alone with the cousin of death a few pages away.

Chapter Eight

I awoke Saturday morning fully clothed with a magazine straddled over my face. The coolness of the office was a welcomed gem. The crisp, clean air felt pure, and hygienic. It somehow had the intangible element of a thirst quencher, like water. I felt as if I’d drank copiously from an untapped well full of cold water.Strands of sunlight slipped into the overhead ocular window and landed in the bend of my left elbow. The sun surprisingly did not burn me as the cool air within the room had a certain chill which protected my skin from its warm intensity. There was no sign of Kata, nor the refreshing morning orange juice and water she so eagerly delivered at my bedside each day. I delicately removed the magazine from my face as its pictures danced in my head. I had a long yawn and stretch before returning the the magazine back to it’s rack.

I almost bumped into Kata as I exited the office. She was

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standing in the hallway with the silver tray in her hands. But tomy surprise there was a wonderfully prepared breakfast to accompany the usual juice and water.

She greeted me with a smile and said, “Good morning sleepy head. Did you rest well?”

“Morning Kata.” I replied. “I did sleep well. Hey what’s up?” I examined the contents of the tray. The food looked and smelled delicious. She went all out, I thought. She’d prepared a bowl full of hominy grits, bacon, perfectly fluffy and yellow scrambled eggs, four bagels, jam, sausage, biscuits, strudels, a bowl of cereal, an assortment of fruit, and a small glass of milk, and of course the usual water and orange juice. I felt my mouth water.

“I was hoping you would share it with me, before you head out today.”

“It looks and smells great.” I said.

She nodded toward the office and said, “Do you mind if we eat in the office?”

“Of course not. C’mon in.” I turned around and made myself comfortable at my desk toward the back of the room. She sat the tray down on the middle of the desk and looked around the room. She made an aha face and grabbed a nearby chair posted up againstthe wall. She sported another summer dress with a funny looking apron around her waist. She removed it and folded it neatly before placing it across her lap.

“I’ve been hoping for a while to have breakfast together. But our schedules never permit it.”

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“The only thing missing is the morning paper.” I grinned.

“Pardon?” She said.

I struggled to control a burst of laughter and said, “Thanksfor making breakfast Kata. I really appreciate it. Hopefully I’llbe able to return the favor soon.”

“No favors.” She stated. “Isn’t this how the civilized people eat? The talk, communication and the eating.”

She took a knife and smeared some jam on one of the bagels. After taking a big bite of it she closed her eyes and chewed slowly. A bit of jam sat on the corner of her mouth. She stuck out the tip of her birdlike tongue and circled it around her lipsuntil she caught the jam and pulled it inside her mouth.

“Mmm.” She moaned. She looked at me and said, “Eat up. Try the grits.”

I did as she asked and smeared some jam on a bagel. I took a small bite and washed it down with a glass of orange juice.

“That’s good.” I said. I grabbed one of the big mouth spoonson the tray and dipped it into the bowl of grits. A faint steam shot up from the bowl. It was hot and thick in my mouth. The buttery taste mingled nicely with the sausage and piece of biscuit that I’d bitten into. Kata could really cook. I could tell that she’d taken her time to prepare the meal just by looking at the layout of the assortment of foods on the tray. The grits were prepared at a perfect temperature. She seemed to take delight that I had an appetite of her foodstuffs and used a fork to point out other items on the tray.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve had milk and cereal. It has

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some great nutritional properties.” She smiled. She was a slow, methodical and deliberate eater. She seemed to savour each bite and drink and seemed to want me to share the same sentiments. I expressed my appreciation with an earnest mmm and an occasionalthat’s nice. “Are you looking forward to the party at Mali’s today?” She asked.

“Sure. But I kind of think that it’s going to be an extension of the meeting.” I grinned.

“Ohh, don’t say that. You will have the good time.”

“Mali told me that the President Orion Orion might show up.”I said.

“He’s your boss, no?”

“At the organization he’s everybody's boss.” I remarked. “He’s CEO and President which means he only answers to the Board.And nobody ever sees the Board except Orion.”

“Are you feeling some pressure?” She asked after biting intoan apple.

“I’ve met him before. He’s a great boss and leader, but a bit creepy in a creepy sort of way.” I said. We shared a laugh and chuckle. “Maybe I would feel more pressure if I had a full recollection of my part on the project. Besides he didn’t show up at the conference meeting on Thursday, so I’m sure he’s been briefed about everything.”

“Interesting.” She said.

We continued for hours enjoying each other’s company with good food and conversation. I couldn’t remember the last time we had

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a casual chat over such a wholesome breakfast. Years, perhaps.

***Kata tidied up after us, as I showered and dressed. She was partial to the old way of household cleaning although modern technology easily provided services for such menial tasks. She actually took her time to gather dishes and cleansed them with water and synthetic detergents. She seemed partial to citrus aromas. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d washed a dirty dish or cleared the table. I originally believed that Kata was ofthe mindset that such duties made her seem more human and real than the rest of the spoiled masses. I never expected that she liked washing dishes simply for the sake of washing dishes. I supported the idea that technology was meant to make life easier for the human race, and the benefits were to be enjoyed and shared. What good were the advancements of technology and innovation if one never used them, I thought. Kata could often be seen dusting dirtless statues and furniture. She took pleasure in maneuvering perfectly straightened pictures on walls cooking meals over stoves with pots and pans. I often thought ofthe olden days when people would prepare their meals over open fires and big black kettles. The apartment’s voice automated system was directly tied into the Culinary Processor, which couldprepare some of the best dishes from cuisines around the world. I wondered if Kata believed the system made us less human than our ancestors. Her culinary practices easily matched the CulinaryProcessor and had a distinct, something to it, that I couldn’t putmy finger on. She spoke often of her country and the pleasures within its customs and traditions. Her cooking skills I assumed were only a small part whatever complex upbringing she had. We seldom spoke of her homeland, as she seemed to have a forlorn spirit about her which brought her both joy and sadness. I gathered that she missed the place, and even though I’d never visited her homeland I had a growing sense that it must have been

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a wonderful place filled with wonderful people.

***As the day progressed I managed to tap into my Teleosate from a secured connection at my desk in the bedroom. I reviewed what little information was available on Y.O.U.R.S and discovered thataccording to the world the year really was 2275. I acknowledged that some type of time jump must have occurred as a result of thelinkup which to me occurred only two days ago, but to the world the connection event was a long three years in the past. There would be a lot to talk about at the party, I thought. Mali surely would have much to say on the events.

I moved over to my closet and examined several suits and a tuxedo. I opted for the black tux and bow tie knowing that I wouldn’t be the only individual wearing one. I was certain that President Orion would be wearing such an outfit. Kata walked in as I sat at my desk.

I was in the process of tying my shoelaces when she said, “Iwanted to see you before you headed out this evening.” She scanned me up and down and said, “A good look. Will you return for the morning or later this evening?”

“I’m not sure. Mali can be long winded.” I chuckled. “You sure you don’t want to accompany me? There’s still time.”

“I have the feeling you’ll be in, in the morning. We might have breakfast together tomorrow as well.”

“Sure. I enjoyed that.” I said.

“Have a good night.” She smiled. You look great.” She then walked out of the room.

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I followed her after tying my laces and walked down the hallway with her towards the exit.

“We should visit one of the colonies next week.” I said.

She stopped by a couch then sat and said, “I hold you to that. Maybe we will have time to visit my country soon too.”

“Oh absolutely. I look forward to it.” I waved at her, and she waved back as I stepped out of the door.

***The drive from my downtown apartment took me a little over half an hour. I noticed a large home in the foreground as I drove toward the building what Mali called the Palace. It was indeed amansion located in south Charlotte. I always thought it resembled a small version of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, which once upon a time was the largest mansion inthe United States. My how times have changed, I thought. Mali chose well in naming his home the Palace as it had a touch of grandeur fit for a vizier. Driving up past the home’s golden gateway gave one the impression that one was about to meet a delegate or head of state of some foreign land. There were of course many old and traditional colonial type homes within the neighborhood, but they fell out of view as I continued my drive toward the expansive home.

I parked several feet in front of the house in a wide carpark, noticing that several unseen guests had done the same. There werean assortment of vehicles in the parkway. Several were highly functioning flying types while others were more along the lines of traditional road comfort, like mine. It occurred to me that there were not as many vehicles in the parkway because most of the guests had opted to use the teleportation devices produced bythe organization. I understood that I would soon be one amongst

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the group to travel large distances in seconds. It had never really dawned on me, however, that although I’d worked for years for an organization which produced such high tech and innovative equipment, some of the toys developed there I couldn’t afford. Isat in my car for a few seconds and played with my hair. I even checked my teeth once, and then stepped out of the car. A soft rush of aromas like pine cones, honeysuckle and dogwood filled the hot air, as the love songs of birds like cardinals and blue jays tweeted along the setting sun. I noticed a well dressed woman up ahead standing near the mansion’s entrance. She appeared to me as a blurry image in a cream colored dress. She witnessed my approach and slowly began to walk towards me.

When we were about two arm lengths apart she smiled and said, “Cutting up or cutting down?”

I said, “I’ll cut your throat.”

She smiled and said, “Me first.” She opened her small purse and flashed what looked like a thin blue tube. “Before Daddy died he gave this to me. I loved the way he used to gut pigs on the farm. I never knew he made his fortune in pork bellies.” We shared a laugh as she escorted me down a red brick road. Tall trees stared down on us from both sides. It reminded me of a quiet cove not too far from where the Southpark Shopping Mall used to stand many, many, many years ago. “It’s good to see you again Ara. How’ve you been?”

“Tired.” I said.

“Oww. I don’t want to hear it. We’re all so excited about Y.O.U.R.S.” She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek and said, “If it makes you feel any better we’ve got some ice cold tea inside and plenty of entertainment, or relaxation to pick you up a bit.”

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“No, I’m fine really.” I said “It’s just that the project was quite an event and I’m slowly settling down from that naturalhigh.”

“I can understand that.” She remarked. “We’ve all been talking about the project.”

There was about a ten minute walk toward the mansion’s entrance. Veesa’s heels clicked and clacked on the red bricks below her feet as we leisurely strolled towards the massive building. She pointed to a third floor window and said, “Mali said his dog pushed his granddaughter out the window a few weeks ago.”

“What?” I said puzzled.

“They were playing around, wrestling. You know how kids can be with their pets.”

“Is she okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah. Not a broken bone in her lil’ body. She wants to play plazma ball you know.”

“I didn’t hear anything about that.” I said.

“Mali didn’t tell you? It doesn’t matter Perrin's fine, and she’s running around like crazy as always.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” I said.

As we approached the doorway she stopped and tapped me on the arm. “I’ve been meaning to ask how you’ve been faring since you left my department. I don’t mean to pry and you know I’m not noisy, but…”

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“That’s fine. Mali and I were talking about you a few days ago.” I interrupted. “He happily reminded me of my first months with the organization and how you took me under the wing to show me the ropes.”

“You asked so many questions.” She giggled and put a hand over her mouth to muffle the sound.

“I still do. Science is all about questions, isn’t it?” I said.

“Ain’t that the truth. C’mon let’s get inside, its hot out here.”

***As we entered the foyer I looked down at my reflection on the marbled floors then admired the double stairs which spiraled upwards to the next floor. A crystal chandelier dangled from theceiling which was about twenty or thirty feet high. The room wasbereft of people except for myself and Vessa. She instantly noticed my puzzlement.

“Everyone’s in the ballroom.” She said. “It’s this way.” Sheescorted me down a wide corridor filled with mirrors in the fashion of sixteenth century French decor and said, “I think he just had these installed a few months ago.”

After a few bends and turns around several corners we came upon aset of double doors. I heard music and the sound of jovial conversation. Veesa tapped the oak doors three times and a whitegloved, gentleman wearing a tuxedo stepped from behind the doors and greeted us.

“Ara, glad you could make it. Mali’s in his office upstairs.

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He should be down in a few minutes. Come on in and enjoy yourself.”

“Udia has Orion showed up yet?” Veesa asked.

“Not yet. It’s early. But there are over two thousand guestsbehind these doors already enjoying themselves. President Orion might or might not show.”

“I’m sure he will.” Veesa said. Besides I don’t think he’ll miss Mali’s retirement extravaganza and the celebration of project Y.O.U.R.S.”

“Ara.” Udia, opened the door and pointed a gloved hand beyond the entrance. I eyed a throng of well dressed people, many of them colleagues chatting while seated at white laced tables. There was also music in the air but I didn’t detect a visual singer or band, however the melody had an enchanting appeal which resonated throughout the room and seemingly penetrated my body through the solar plexus. Udia graciously escorted Veesa and I to our seats. I received a few whispered hello’s and how are you’s as I walked through the chattering chamber. Dors and his wife waved as we approached them. I sat near Dors and Vessa sat next to his wife Miskria.

“What would you like to drink?” Udia, asked quietly.

“Zinfandel for me.” Veesa said.

“Cold Ice tea.” I said.

“I’ll be back in a moment.” Udia said. He walked on the outskirts of the tables and exited through a side door.

“How’s it going?” Dor asked.

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“I got a lot of questions.” I said.

He leaned towards his wife and said “What’d I tell you?”

She smiled and nodded at me. “Hi Ara.”

“Ara always has questions.” Veesa said.

“Are you experiencing time fluxes?” I asked.

“Time flux?” Dors chuckled. “Is that what you’re labeling it?”

“I mean it’s amazing but it’s not something that you just leave a guy to kinda figure out on his own you know.”

“Ara stop it.” Veesa giggled. “You knew more about Y.O.U.R.Sthan any of us. This is too funny.”

“I found out only several hours ago that it’s the year 2275.”

“How’d you find out?” Dors said.“It’s a long story.” I replied.

“We’re not going anywhere.” Dors said. “Tell me your part and I’ll fill you in on the juicy bits of what you’re experiencing.” He adjusted his chair so he could look at me without turning his head.

“The juicy bits?” I replied.

“It’s cool. Dimensions, time, portals and all that good stuff.” Dors said.

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“What, did you think you were the only one to dip?” Veesa asked smiling.

Miskria grabbed a glass of wine and took a short sip. “John’s been bouncing off the walls for three years, or is it twodays?” She grinned.

“Well that’s it isn't it? It’s both, but let’s hear Ara’s revelation.” Dors said.

I scratched my head and straightened up in my chair and began. Istarted with the lapse in my memory at the conference meeting, and how I’d awaken in my apartment without any recollection of leaving my car. I continued up to the point where I’d fixed the coolant system and discovered that three years had passed since project Y.O.U.R.S was connected to MassPorta. I mentioned that Kata seemed unaffected by the phenomena and expressed that she confirmed the year. They all nodded in acknowledgment of my somewhat patchy story. Veesa seemed to be delighted to know thatI had more questions, and laughed out loud when I joked with Kataabout breaking my big toe.

“But Ara you don’t remember informing us of potential lapsesin memory for all involved in the project.” Dors said simply. “ You don’t recall the authorization tabs we completed detailing the potential for ‘sudden and strange phenomena’ which might occur. Those were your words.”

“I”....

“Wait let me finish.” Dors said. “When Rault handed Y.O.U.R.S off to the G.O Team the link up to MassPorta began shortly after. There was a dimensional shift which produced what you called a time flux. The world changed in a blink of an eye,

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as it were, due to the enhancement Y.O.U.R.S provided to MassPorta.

“Why three years though?” I asked. “At the meeting Rault said the engineering team predicted about seven months before MassPorta would reach Pluto, and approximately two years before full colonization.”

“That’s a good question?” Veesa said. There’s no direct correlation between 2272 and 2275, but it’s clear that significant activity occurred within that time. The mission of Colonial One has been and continues to be a huge success. Y.O.U.R.Sis fully operational and as we speak MassPorta is expanding exponentially within the galaxy, and soon, well I’m sure you can imagine.”

Udia returned with our drinks. One Zinfandel for Veesa, and one ice cold tea for a hot summers night for Ara” He said. “Enjoy.” He departed through the side door across the ballroom.

“Umm, that’s nice.” Veesa said. “How’s your tea Ara?”

I took a long sip. It was cold, refreshing and sweet. Just the way I liked it.

“But if we’re three years in the future from the time when we had the conference meeting, why are we having Mali’s party andthe celebration of Y.O.U.R.S on a date which was supposed to be scheduled only two days after it?”

“To alleviate confusion and chaos.” Dors said. “We all acknowledge the changes within time, but we also have our free will to consider and we have to know where we are in the space time continuum.”

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“So you don’t think we’re back in 2272 having a similar conversation at the exact locale?”

“That’s exactly what I think.” Dors said bluntly.

“I agree.” I said.

“You would.” Veesa said. “Miskria tell Ara about the bouncing?”

Dors raised an eyebrow and broke out into a grin. Miskria put an arm around his neck and leaned up against him. She kissedhim on his cheek and lips and said, “Bouncing is a clean way to put it.”

“How’s that?” I said.

“We’re all grown here right?” Miskria said. “Science minded and all that?”

“Some people have religions.” Veesa laughed.

“Let’s just say that the body’s not enough to hold all of those passions.”

“Pardon?” I added.

“Oh absolutely.” Veesa remarked. “I think Ara’s blushing.”

“I can’t tell.” Dors said. “The dimensional changes or shifts appear to have some effect on libidos. It’s difficult to project as to whether it’s neurological impulses, physical reactions to outward stimuli or vibrations within the temporal plane, spirit, soul, or…….”

“Interesting.” I said.

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“You didn’t expect that kind of phenomena did you Ara?” Veesa asked.

“He doesn’t remember telling us about the potential of not remembering.” Dors sighed.

“I guess MassPorta has taken on personable qualities.” I chuckled “Perhaps the atoms and molecules come to a particular interface and utilizes the synapses of the nerve cells to create some kind of reality which the mind can understand.”

“That’s not quite right. Mali patted me and Dors on our backs. He seemed to have appeared from nowhere. It was good to see him. I figured that he’d have something to add further to thesubject.

“Hey Mali.” I said.

“I’m glad that you were able to make it this evening. They’re not picking on you are they?”

“Ara has memory shutout.” Veesa said.

“That’s good Ara. Forget everything!” Mali laughed. Udia walked behind him and provided him with a seat. He sat behind Dors and leaned forward. “We’re not where we were, nor or we who we were.” He said.

“Come again.” I said.

“You’re familiar with teleportation, yeah.” He said.

“Of course I am.” I said.

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“But you’ve never really teleported, have you? I just teleported from my room upstairs. You didn’t see me.”

“You and your colleagues’ experiences are different because you haven’t fully experienced the experience. I’m not trying to trip you all out, but the combination of teleportation and time travel produces some very impressive effects. I’ll be happy to go over a few things with you later, but for now lets celebrate this present time, okay.” He stood and walked over to another table to greet the other guests. Udia took his chair and disappeared with it behind to door across the room.

The chatter of conversation continued as hundreds of silverware items tapped onto delicate plates. Dors returned his seat to its original position and said, “Feel better? Mali has a lot of answers.”

“He’s certainly been around long enough.” Veesa said.

“So where’s Winta?” I asked, as I looked around the massive ballroom.

“Oh you didn’t hear? She and Pete teleported to the Tethys Colony. They began their celebration of Y.O.U.R.S and MassPorta’s expansion a little early.” Dors said.

“Wow. I’m sure they’re enjoying themselves. Too bad they opted to miss Mali’s party though.” I said.

“Actually they stopped by several hours before it kicked off, right Vessa?” Dors said.

“Yeah I think they gave Mali a lil’ something from one of Saturn’s moons. Ara, we’ve got to get you up to par. Dor’s is there anything you can do about recovering at least a portion of

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Ara’s memory?”

“I’m sure it’s reversible, but it might gradually come back on its own. Perhaps we should let nature takes its course. It’s up to you Ara.”

“I just feel kind of out of the loop you know. I supposedly did all this work on the project, but the important moments have escaped me. The Void was helpful, though. I was able to ascertainquite a lot in a short segment of time after I spoke to it.”

“The Void still creeps me out.” Veesa said. “Why can’t we putit in a bright room or something?” she added.

“Because it then wouldn’t be called The Void.” Dors said grinning. “You did good by consulting The Void. Whenever I’m in the dark about something that’s one of the first places I go.” Hesmiled.

“Where did it come from anyway?” Miskria asked interestingly.

“I was told that it was one of Dr. Gloss’s specialty items.” I said.

“They told me that it was borrowed from CERN decades ago.” Dors said.

“Ha.” Vessa laughed. “I thought it was the Devil” She slapped the table playfully then grabbed her glass of wine and took a long sip. We all shared her enthusiasm and laughed. Udia returned to our table with a tray of food for Veesa and I. He served her an attractive plate of lobster, potatoes along with a colorful salad. He served me a steak with mixed vegetables and rice. Veesa mouth thanks, as he moved to another table.

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After several hours of eating and drinking and talking we sat andlistened to a series of musical compositions from two popular singers. They performed in the center of the ballroom and even serenaded a cheerful Mali, who at one point sang along with them.We applauded their performance and then sang that ancient song about the jolly good fellow. He stood and waved at the throng ofpeople in his home, many of them were lifelong friends and smiled.

He took center stage and said, “Thank you all. Thanks. Thankyou all for coming and sharing with me my long overdue departure from the organization. The last thirty seven years have been an unbelievable adventure in more ways than one. I have seen so manywonders in medical and scientific innovation and technology throughout my time here. I won’t delay and bore you with all of them, but I’d like to share with you some of my favorites. I have to begin with our most recent and celebrated achievement, Y.O.U.R.S.”

An eruption of applause and whispers ripped through the room. It went on for at least two minutes. Mali grinned and put up a hand, then continued.

“It’s absolutely one of the best. Think of it folks we can traverse all planets in a matter of seconds. Soon we will have the capacity to move from junction to junction throughout this galaxy. It might be within my lifetime who knows. These certainly are exciting times, there are no major earthly wars to speak of. I can’t remember the last medical emergency where the medical team were too late. Teleportation in my opinion has beenthe great miracle of our age. We are truly blessed by the innovative minds which have graced the doors of the organization.With the advent of Y.O.U.R.S travel and speed have really become

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as one. You see and hear me now talking with you in Charlotte, North Carolina, but if I so choose I can move to the colony on Pluto within a matter of three seconds. It’s a beautiful and delicate mixture of time, space, the human spirit and will and the ingenuity of our modern age. There are so many secrets of the universe to be discovered and it has been a privilege to workwith such a capable group of people.” He turned and faced me and continued, “I’d like to specifically point out Ara Zander, whose dedication to Project Y.O.U.R.S has been unmatched. Because of his knowhow and designs we, and I mean humankind, are one hundredtimes more advanced than we were before it’s inception. Without the enhancement of Y.O.U.R.S it would have taken us five decades or more to reach Pluto let alone colonize the numerous planets and moons beyond our past range way.”

I briefly stood and waved to the applause and acknowledgement of my colleagues. I sat down and received a slapon the back from Dors. He leaned over and whispered, “How’s thatfor jogging your memory.” He smiled.

Mali went on, “These special times remind me of others when new innovations were presented to the world. With regards to specific inhouse advancements I was particularly enthusiastic about the teleosate which allowed its user to tap into the entire organizational database with proper authorization and develop projects and programs through the interaction with its systems and The Void. Can you believe that once upon a time only Dr. Glosscould communicate with The Void? You’d be surprised how daunting and mysterious those times were. There was a time when ethical questions came into play regarding some of the methods and methodologies created to speak with it. We had our share of casualties for the cause of science. There were certainly strange disturbances, but we overcame them all through perseverance, hard work and dedication and purposefulness and the

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desire to continue in our great pursuits of seeing Dr. Gloss’s ambition come into fruition.”

His remarks were met by applause and cheers again. He smiled and said, “Please. Please. Thank you. I have another engagement that I must attend, but will return before tonights conclusion. Enjoy yourselves.” He nodded and vanished before all in attendance. The chitter chatter returned with louder resonation. Dors and his wife seemed to find the vanishing hilarious.

“Now you see him.” Dors laughed.“Now you don’t.” Miskia completed. “Does he always travel

like that?”

“Like lightning.” Veesa said. “He doesn’t use so called standard transportation.”

“Nope. In all my years of knowing the man I’ve never seen him inside a car or shuttle.” Dors said. “MassPorta’s standard transportation now.”

They were certainly right about Mali. I’d never seen him use any type of transportation other than teleportation. When I first joined the organization several years ago I’d notice his appearing and disappearing acts in conference meetings. He alwaysprefered zipping and zapping from his top floor office to the laboratories below. It was no surprise that he did the same in his own home.

“I’m surprised Rault’s not here tonight.” I said. I began tofeel more relaxed having gained further understanding and confirmation that my memory lapse might have been a result of my participation in the Y.O.U.R.S project.

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“He’s sure to pop up soon. The night’s still young Ara.” Veesa said. She scarfed down a large portion of her meal and did a little dance in her seat. She noticed me watching her and smiled through her swollen cheeks, which were full of food.

As I looked across the room I noticed a growing crowd in the corner. Several people began to dance to the quiet music in the background which continued to play harmoniously in the room. I recognized the tune. It was Winta’s and Pete’s wedding song, the one she’d told me about a few days ago, a few years ago. The people over there drew some attention from their colleagues and moved in sync for a spell before Mali reappeared in the spot he’dbeen standing only twenty minutes before. He was recognizably amused by the sight and motioned for them to continue. He walkedseveral paces beyond them, stopped and sat at a vacant table. Instantly five people appeared seated beside him. There were three women and two men. I realized that one of them was a specialist from Central Prime, as she wore the stylized visors of their trade. I was unsure as to who the others were. I heard a few snapping sounds and turned my head. Veesa and Miskria were grooving to the popular song as Dors nodded along rhythmically.

I realized that the song Galaxy was having a special effect on the mass of people in the room. More and more people began to stand and prance around the room, as the volume levels slowly increased, and then the enchanting vocals from an unseen voice pierced the very fabric of the ballroom. I smiled as I watched many very reserved people sway and swoon to the majestic tunes ofGalaxy. The ebb and flow of evening gowns moved to the balance, motion and emotion of the song, as debonair tuxedos glided effortlessly in total unison. The singing voice was singular, butsounded as if it were layered somehow with a strange symmetry. Dors removed his tuxedo jacket and began to mouth the words to the song. I watched him and his wife Miskria engage in a petting

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session as they held hands and rocked in their seats.

Veesa sang along quietly, “Galaxyyyyyyyyy.”

I would have taken the surreal and impressionable scene to be quite bizarre had I not understood the song to be quite popular. I believed the high spirits of the masses in attendance were quite celebrative of Y.O.U.R.S and MassPorta and smiled in supportof that thought.

However the song continued, and continued by degrees of increasedsounds and exalted voices. As I examined the room and witnessed the sudden expression of excitement from the few thousand people in attendance I returned my gaze to Mali and his seated guests. Due to the moving and standing dancers blocking my view I was unable to view him directly, but noticed faint illuminations emanating from his table.

I was about to stand to get a better view when I felt a handover my left shoulder. Udia smiled upon me and said, “Would you care for some more ice cold tea Ara?”

I sank a bit lower in my chair and said, “Yes please.”

Udia motioned toward the side doors he’d been frequenting throughout the evening. A thin woman wearing a grape coloured velvet type dress and cloak walked over and presented me with a large jug of tea.

She sat it on the table and said, “This will keep cool.” She poured me half a glass and returned through the doors. Udia stood beside me as he watched her walk away.

“Do you like this song?” He said leaning over my right ear.

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“Do you know it?” I asked.

He grinned and said, “I think they all do.” He pointed an indiscriminate index finger at the peoples. I looked over at Dorswho was down to a wife beater and trousers. His wife Miskria sheltered him with her arms around his neck, and crooned quietly.

Veesa sang along, “Galaxyyyyyyyyy.”

“It doesn’t seem to want to end.” I said.

“The reverie or the song?” Udia asked quietly. He patted me on the shoulder and returned through the doors across the room.

Bright bursts of scented, perfumed light scattered and rolled across the ceiling. It pulsated above the throng of people singing in unison “Galaxyyyyyyyyy.” The voice of my colleagues thundered along with the mesmerising unseen singer. I admired the celestial like display as I poured myself a tall glass of tea. I drank it down slowly. It was sweet, but not syrupy. Cold, but not brain numbing. And delightfully refreshing with no aftertaste.

I consumed my dinner as the song played on throughout the duration of my meal. I watched as several hundred people vanishedinto thin air. Others slowly returned to their dinner tables. Myview of Mali cleared as the dancers surrounding him returned to their tables. Rault appeared moments later and sat next to the visored specialist.

The music returned to a quiet background melody as Rault stood and said, “On behalf of President Orion Orion, the Global Coalition, the G.O Team, and all the colonists spread across space I’d like to present to you Mali Intor with the access authorization codes to Mali Prime. Your new Palace awaits you along

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with all the perks of innovation, and technology from the organization you’ve invested over thirty five years of your life to. President Orion Orion informed me that the Board has deemed it fit and proper to bestow this honor upon you for your contribution to the myriad of projects you have completed and discoveries you’ve made and your acute adroitness in investments in research and development. I…”

As thunderous applause broke out Mali waved graciously at his colleagues.

Rault handed him a mezikon and said, “I know we’ve had our differences with the direction of investment interests and it’s no secret that the Board regretted your decision to retire, just as it regretted your decision years ago to step down from the senior investor position, but we know that you will enjoy your years of retirement and find joy and success in all of your future endeavors, whatever they may be. Now before my mother leftthis world she said Rault make sure to bring him over for some pie sometime. He’s a nice mild mannered man. Well I think you’re mild mannered, and Iknow you would have enjoyed her apple pie.” A funny kind of laughter encircled the room. Mali shook his head and grinned. “I hope your departure to the far flung corners of this galaxy takesyou to that very special corner of the universe where you have your heart’s desire. All the best.”

Mali stood and shook Rault’s hand and said, “I spoke to you all a few hours ago, but I’d like to reiterate how much I’ve enjoyed my years with the organization and how enthusiastic I am with the success of Y.O.U.R.S. Although I’m leaving the planet, it doesn’t mean that I’m losing my passion for innovation and technology, nor will I forget the wonderful people I’ve come to know throughout my four decades here. My new Palace at Mali Prime will serve as a starting post for the opening of a new portal

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beyond the frontier. I wish you all good time and good space.” He waved and pointed at a few people and sat down to light applause.

Dors whispered to me, “You better ask him any questions you might want answered.”

“What about my memory?” I asked.

“I thought we already went over this.” Veesa said dryly.

“Shhh.” Miskria hushed.

Rault remarked over the applause, “President Orion Orion wastaken away on business but has placed a private message to Mali on his mezikon. I understand that many of you were hoping to hearhim speak tonight, but due to unforeseen circumstances…..”

Mali gestured with his hand interrupting Rault’s apology andsaid, “It’s okay.”

Rault smiled then said, “Well the night is still young, so if Mali doesn’t kick us out, in the words of the ancients let’s continue to eat, drink and be merry.” He raised a square diamond glass filled with liquor and said, “Enjoy.”

***As the night progressed I watched people appear and vanish and walk in and out of the ballroom. The wee hours of the morning caught the last of us employees chatting about various topics like who’d take Mali’s position, how long would Winta remain on Tethys colony, and other office politics topics. Dors managed to get his tuxedo shirt, vest and jacket back on properly. He and Miskria were beaming from the intoxication of their petting session, and from what I assumed the champagne they’d been

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guzzling throughout the night. Veesa picked away at the last nuggets of lobster and sipped, sipped, sipped away as she expressed how pleasant the night had been.

“Well my friends.” Dors began. “I hope you enjoyed tonight. Miskria and I are about to venture to the abode.” He straightenedhis jacket and stood. Miskria hugged Veesa and waved at me as Dors shook my hand. “Get some rest on your time off Ara. We’ll need you refreshed when you get back. We can work on that memory of yours in the interim.” As he and Miskria walked towards the exit he said, “Make sure you speak with Mali if you have more questions.” They both waved and made their way out of the doubledoors into the mansion’s lobby.

Veesa sank back into her chair and examined the few hundred employees in the ballroom, “You’re not planning on going home noware you?” She played swirled the last bit of champagne in her glass smiled.

“I think I’ll hang around a bit longer. You?” I asked. Veesa was still stirring with residual emotion from the reverie of the evening.

“I volunteered to to stay late. I was supposed to introduce our very own President Orion Orion. But since he didn’t show, I guess that duty has been rendered null and void.” She laughed. She moved two chairs down and sat next to me and said quietly, “It was good to see you again. Even though we work in the same building we rarely see each other. God knows since you left the department I think I’ve seen you maybe three or four times.”

She was right. After a dozen years in her department I transitioned to the laboratory research and development. Although the atmosphere was a bit more tense the pay had been significantly higher. Veesa knew a great deal about the

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organization’s structure and processes. As one of it principal consultants she was a walking book of answers. She introduced meto John Dors and Mrs. Winta and prepped me for a smooth transition into the research and development department. Over the years she’d become a good friend, but work, distance, and corporate politics put a wedge between us and the time we were able to spend together. It was one of those quandaries and peculiarities of our time. Teleportation was practically only a thought away, but the pressures of deadlines and commitments wereeven closer. Up until the evening’s extravaganza I hadn’t seen her in the flesh for several years, and those were the three or four times since I’d left her consultation department.

“It’s good to see you too.” I said. President Orion owes youfor standing you up tonight” I said smiling.

“You care to escort me to my car?” She asked. “I’m flying tonight.”

“Oh. I thought you were in the tele crowd.” I remarked.“I am. But sometimes a girl likes to mingle. The sky’s so

clear on my way over. I peered down at the city. It’s even more beautiful when the sun is setting.” She said. I saw the old football stadium flanked by the transit museum. I saw the golden lights of West Charlotte and the lush trees at College Park near Midtown.

“You must have been cruising?” I said.

“Why rush? Traffic was light and I was right on schedule.” She stuck out her right elbow and nudged her head towards the exit. “It’s time for me to head back east.”

We stood and made our way towards the exit. Udia accosted usjust as my hand pressed the door opened. “Leaving so soon?” He

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said quietly.

“Yeah. I have to feed my cat. I have to change my birds cage, and take the dog for a walk.” Vessa said.

“I’d be happy to escort Madam Veesa to her vehicle this evening.” Udia remarked. “Mr. Zander would you care to meet with Mali in his conference room. It’s just to the right. I believe he’s expecting you.”

I frowned confusedly, but understood how fast word travelled amongst employees. I figured that Dors delivered a message to Udia or one of the other mansion attendants. They’d no doubt spoken with Mali and passed on Dors’s message.

“She stuck out her left elbow towards Udia and said, “Care to join us?”

Udia said, “I insist.”

The three of us exited out of the doors and through the lobby. Veesa moved regally between us as we made various twists and turns through the illuminated corridors of the mansion.

She looked at Udia who was on her left and to me who was on her right and said, “It’s nice being escorted by such fine gentlemen.” She smiled. We have to do this again sometime. I haveto give you both pet names though.”

We paused as we came upon the immense foyer. Through thick, wide and square windows we gazed at the mild summer rainstorm outside. The lighted car park in the foreground produced scattered light on the vehicles beyond the mansions porch.

“That will cool things down a bit.” I said.

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She released the both of us and said, “Though parting is such sweet sorrow, I must bid you two adieu. I trust this summer’s evening will produce and inspire in you great fruits of inspiration.” She managed to hold in a grin. “I don’t want to getthis wet.” She ran a hand down her evening dress. “Mr. Udia.” Shestuck out her hand and was met by a white gloved one. He kissed her hand, nodded and smiled.

“Good evening Madame Veesa.” He said before exiting the foyer.

“Ara, be sure to stay in touch. Don’t let the bonus get to your head.”

“Yes Ma’am.” I said.

We hugged briefly. She took a short step backwards and vanished. I moved closer to the window hoping to see one of the vehicles rise skywards. After several short minutes of stillness in the carpark three round orbs flashed in the night sky. I watched as the lights rose higher and higher and in an instant they were gone.

I was able to find my way back to the ballroom. A few dozen people sat and stood, scattered across the immense room. There were a few mansion attendants removing a plates from tables. A quiet melody still played in the background and mingled with the clink and clank of silverware, and glasses. I ventured passed pulled out chairs and last minute sippers as I moved towards a set of double doors on the opposite side of the room.

As I passed through them I found myself in an exact replica of the organization's lobby. Far out. I thought. There was an elevator several paces in front of me, and chrome tables, and

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seats, just like the office lobby downtown. I was about to turn around and return to the ballroom, but decided against the thought. I chose to play with my curiosity and walked in the direction where the organizations conference room should have been located. To my amazement it was there. Every decoration, every seat and every table. Mali sat at the head of the conference table and beckoned me in. I walked in admiringly and nodded with enthusiasm.

“You found it. Come on in and have a seat.” He said.

“It’s an exact replica.” I said.

“Kind of.” He said. “What do you think?”

“Amazing. If I didn’t know any better I would think I was atthe downtown office, and not inside your home.”

He shook his head and smiled. “You just had an experience.”

I covered my mouth with a hand and grinned. “Just like that.”

“Just like that.” He said. You can’t imagine how many people have turned around and walked back through the ballroom doors, only to turn around and return to the lobby, and return tothe ballroom. I get a kick out of it every time. Rookie teleporters are few and far between, and the looks on their faces.” He chuckled. “But not you. You just came right in. I hear you have a few more questions. I’m happy to answer to the best of my ability, but I’ve got a question for you too.”

“Sure Mali. What is it?” I said.

“You first young man.” He pointed to an adjacent seat. I

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plopped down and got a bit comfortable.

“My memory. I didn’t want to admit to the higher ups but my recollection of working on Project Y.O.U.R.S is rather iffy.”

“I’d would have been more surprised if you’d asked questionsabout where you were instead of what you could and couldn’t remember.” He said. “Ara I can give you those four, four and a half weeks back right now, but I don’t think you’re exactly readyfor that. It might kill you.”

“What!”

“Do you know where we are now?”

“You just told me that I teleported in the downtown office.”I said.

“Yes. But I didn’t tell you when, did I?”

“Come again?”

“Heehehe. Ara you’re in the past. From the moment you stepped through those doors.” He smiled. “Amazing isn’t it.”

“Time travel?” I remarked.

“And much more. Much more. Only a handful of people have tasted of it, but even they don’t fully grasp it yet. I think the man who had a hand in Project Y.O.U.R.S should know about this.

“But my memory.”

“In time. In time.” He stood and pointed out the window.

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Come here for a second.”

I peered over his shoulder and followed his finger. I noticed that it wasn’t raining outside. He caught on that I wasn’t focused on what he wanted me to see.

“The trees Ara. Look over there. That’s a future junction point.”

“In the future?”

“I’ve been there.” He said.

“So what year is this?”

“2270. I wanted to take it slow and easy with you, so your mind doesn’t bend.”

“So where’s everybody?” I asked.

“It’s like displacement. A sort of swapping of minds if you will. They’re here, but they’re there as well. And we are here, but we are there too. I can show you better than I can tell you. And I will in time.”

A hundred theories and speculations shot through my mind seemingly instantaneously as I came to grips on what I’d always deemed to be possible. The second controlled time jump confirmedthe experience. Mali explained that the three year jump from 2272 to 2275 was a result of Y.O.U.R.S linkup with MassPorta. He went over the physics, biology, chemistry and innovative technology associated with its processes and programming. I admitted that some of it was complicated, but I understood much of its intricacies. He had confirmed his interest in time travelto me, and expressed that his research on time travel was the

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simple reason why he’d stepped down from the investor position. Hadmitted that this was unknown to most of the organizational members. He reiterated that Rault had been obsessed with space as much as he’d been with time, and that the linkup of the Project Y.O.U.R.S and MassPorta had proven to be a convenient marriage.

Chapter Nine

We chatted for hours throughout the night and Mali answered question after question with enthusiastic alacrity. He also shared with me an unusual equation in which he said had given himan amazing ability. He told me that he’d reveal the talent at some point when he believed the time was right. I looked at his mezikon and studied the equation:

-123-3y/(62^7) - vector + YMP (d1+d2) = Mv{q(1)+q(2)+q(3)+q(4)}U--------jp-----------U

“That’s some equation. But what does it do?” I said.

“Ah. Now it’s my turn to ask a question.

“How much do you enjoy your existence Ara Zander?”

I looked at him strangely for a few moments and saw that he was quite serious.

“I guess it depends on what you mean by existence.” I remarked.

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“No, that’s not a good enough answer.” I’ve shared alot withyou this evening. And there’s still much to tell. I’ve only spoken at length about these things with my granddaughter, but her mind is not quite ripe for it all. She’s young, but she’s smart.”

“Enjoy?” I asked ploddingly.

“You must find the choice of words off putting.” He asked. “I asked my granddaughter the same question and can you guess what she said?”

“Not a clue.” I said.

“She said the same thing you said. That’s not a good enoughanswer I said. And she asked me why. And I said because I asked Iasked do you enjoy your existence, not mine. You see your existence is your existence, not what it means to me or anybody else. So I asked her again. I said Perrin do you enjoy your existence.” He smiled as he recollected and rocked back and forthin his office chair.

A strange feeling fell on me then, knowing that Mali had acquiredquite a bit of knowledge and knew many things about the world andthe universe. New questions arose in me which I was not prepared to ask. His grin gradually turned sullen and back to normal again. He then rose from his seat and walked over to me and said,“When you’re able to answer we’ll go to the next level.”

“What’s the next level?” I asked.

“I told you there was much more than time travel didn’t I? Do you know the song of the ancients, You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet?

“I don’t know that one.” I said. “But after what you’ve toldme tonight…”

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“Good. It’s time to get back to 2275. To the folks in my home it’ll be as if we’ve been gone for only a few minutes. After all to them we’re just inside my conference room down the hall.” He joked.

We walked into the lobby and and passed the elevators doors. Aswe approached the teleportation point he said, “See you on the other side.”

We walked through two double doors and entered the ballroom. It was practically empty, with the exception of Corder and Udia who chatted quietly at a table. They both stood when they noticed Mali and I. Mali waved a hand indicating that wished they’d sit. So they sat down and resumed their conversation. We joined them at their table.

“What’s next for you Mali?” Corder asked.

“Oh, a little travel, I suppose.” He said.

“Perrin’s sleeping comfortably.” Udia said. “Will Ara be staying over throughout the morning?” He added.

Mali looked at me and said, “Port shields go up in fifteen minutes. After that there’s no way in or out. I can get you back in two seconds if you want to go home. You can come for yourvehicle later if you want.”

I checked my watch and noticed it was almost four in the morning.I thought about Kata and wondered if she’d prepare breakfast within the coming hours. Mali read my facial expression and roseto his feet.

He reached into his pocket and retrieved a tiny device. “You’re in Southend, right?” He asked.

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I nodded.

“Press your address access here.” He said.

I grinned and said, “Pretty sleek manual teleporter Mali.”

“Oh, this is old school now. You’ve experienced the new way.” He winked.

I tapped in my home coordinates. He pressed a button on the device and thrust it into my hand. As I vanished I heard him say,“Consider it a gift.”

***I appeared in front of my downtown apartment three seconds after receiving the device from Mali. I examined it and marveled at its artistry. It was no larger than a marble, but possessed the ingenuity of innovative and talented minds. Teleportation was theonly way to travel. I thought. I grinned as I thought about Mali’s comment about the item being old school. I was certain that in his travels through time he’d seen wonders one hundred times more wondrous than the teleporter and possibly Y.O.U.R.S and MassPorta. It was an amusing thought.

As I entered my apartment I thought of the evening’s events and the portray of passions which many of my colleagues portrayed. I sank into my sofa and played with the teleporter between my fingers. I’d revisit Mali’s home later in the afternoon and retrieve my vehicle. He’d been quite the teacher and mentor, as he shared with me many secrets and explanations of his work. He quietly produced in me a rekindling of my passions for research and development and the wonderment I first felt when I joined theorganization. I was hopeful that I’d be able to answer his sole question correctly upon my next attempt. The enjoyment of my

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existence was indeed nurtured by my desire to contribute to the organization and humankind as a whole, but I wasn’t certain that that was the answer Mali was searching for. The old man made me feel like a school child again, like his young granddaughter. I looked forward to talking to Kata about my time at the Palace, but knew confidentiality would more than likely overrule my desire to express my interest. I removed my shoes and socks and tucked them under the sofa. I loosened my bowtie and removed my tuxedo jacket. vest and shirt and placed them on the sofa’s back.The cool air within the apartment was a welcomed pleasantry and caressed my face and arms as I sank into the sofas cushions. I decidedly kept my trousers on and slowly drifted off to sleep with visions of time, space, and Galaxy playing in my mind.

“Ara?” I heard Kata’s voice say. I felt pressure on my rightshoulder as her hand lightly shook me.

I yawned and blinked and a solitary tear flowed from my right eye.

“Aye Kata.” I said. I stretched widely and wiped my eye. “What time is it?”

“Six AM.” She said. “I thought you were crying.” She pressed my legs back into the sofa and sat next beside me.

“What?” I remarked.

“C’mon. Let’s get you to bed. I knew you would get in in themorning. Maybe you have too much of a good time, no?” She grabbedme by the arm and pulled me mildly towards her. I moaned a littlebut followed her guidance and walked quietly towards my bedroom. She put my arm over her shoulders as if I were a cripple and put her arm around my waist as we slipped through the hall and into my sleeping chamber. I smiled upon seeing my bed and collapsed

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face forward into it. She grabbed me by the ankles and gently moved them onto the bed. “Sleep well.” She said and walked out of the room.

I awoke on some type of gelatinous material in an empty room withmetallic like walls and sealed windows. There were some complicated appearing equipment attached to them that I didn’t recognize. At once I noticed that I wore the same clothes I’d fallen asleep in. As I attempted to rise to my feet I felt myself levitate and stumbled without landing on the metal floor below. Standing was a struggle but didn’t appear at all to be impossible once one got the hang of of it.

As I attempted and struggled to gain some sense of balance Iheard an unseen voice say, “Don’t overthink it.” I looked around the room and saw no one. “Imagine yourself submersed twelve feet underwater.” The voice said. I immediately understood the analogy and proceeded to stand though my feet did not touch the ground below me. I hovered above it.

“Show yourself.” I said to the unseen. I delicately moved about the room and noticed the sophistication and craftsmanship of the strange looking panels. As I leaned to touchone of them an emerging and growing blackness of empty space appeared before me and spread across the room. Startled, I stepped back several paces to where I had awakened and said, “Where am I? What are you?”

Images of stars, quasars, and nebulae became recognizable all in a matter of seconds and strange illuminations of suns and galaxies appeared right before my eyes. I trembled in awe and fascination and fell back into the gelatinous substance I’d awaken in. I was soon enraptured and surrounded by the eeriness of what I recognized as space, stardust and to my surprise

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formulations of planets, comets and asteroids. I felt as if I were a giant amidst the tiny model like substances, but graduallythe feeling faded as my mind attempted to comprehend how massive this spontaneous occurrence was. In an instant I became a gnat ina violent sea. I closed my eyes in an effort to quiet my poundingheart as wave upon wave of comets passed me. I reached out and grabbed an orbiting planet and guided it with my fingers toward a blazing sun. I watched the marble size planet secure a spot near other planets. There was some invisible force which caused it to revolve around the fiery like substance. Gravity came to mind. The room totally disappeared and I became as a directionless astronaut floating in the folds of space and time.

In my mind I heard a melody. The sounds were as some celestial alien song. I had no sense of time or place, but experienced thedeep void of space and pondered my very existence. Was I dreaming,I thought. Was I dead? The deep, infinite black space produced various lightnings as I floated and seemingly breathed without difficulty. I began to hear voices, voices without bodies which stemmed from a source unknown.

“A pleasing answer.” One voice said.

“Sacrificial.” Said another.

Even though I uttered no words I gained and discerned that my mental state was being probed and scanned. I moved freely through space but had no ability to detect where I was or where Iwas headed.

From an infinite distance in the darkness I heard Mali’s voice. He said, “I’m going to return your memory to you.”

“Mali?” I called out to the darkness. “Where are you? Didn’t you tell me that it would kill me?”

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“Precisely. Consider yourself resurrected.” I heard him say.

I didn’t recognize any of the planetary systems which passed me. None of the constellations presented themselves as knowable. As I viewed nebulae, black holes, and white dwarfs and red giants I heard the sound mighty waterfalls pressing down upon me. I felt no water pressure bearing down on me, but the deafening sounds created a psychological sense that I was hundreds of feet underwater. Images of various times and places penetrated my mind in an instant. At that moment I came to comprehend my role on Project Y.O.U.R.S, and understood past, present and future asan instant. The recollection of those four weeks were as secondscompared to the unification of my scattered experiences throughout time and space. Mali was right. There was more so much more, and I remembered. I remembered it all. Worlds, universes, lifeforms. Kata. They came to me as a flood, all the sorrows and fears, and triumphs and achievements of those fewlost segments of time. I knew that the return of my memory wouldnot simplify the complicated, but would complicate the simplicityof what I thought I understood before my memories were returned to me. It was my point and purpose to protect the world from those powers which sought its utter destruction.

“How long has it been this time?” I asked.“You don’t remember?” Mali laughed in the darkness of space.

“Kata’s ready to go home.” I said.

“Aren’t we all. We’ve detected strange changes in quadrants one and three.”

“Changes?” I said.

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“Disappearances.” Mali replied.

“Do you believe the Project Y.O.U.R.S and MassPorta link up security systems were compromised?”

“Disappearances.” Mali repeated. “Disappearances in time.”

Mali’s words disturbed me. The physical human form would not permit me to fully experience the changes he’d spoken of, so I dissolved the fragility of flesh and blood and took upon my original shape as pure orbital atomic energy.

I felt Mali’s presence there in the expanse of space and time and said, “It appears to be from the late 20th or early 21stcentury. We will have to go there to investigate.”

“I’ve just transmitted to Kata. We’re to appear in the midst of the occurrences as the phenomena develops.”

“I’m not detecting any shifts within Y.O.U.R.S and MassPorta.Perhaps the disappearances are the result of the quadrant’s parallel realities.” I said.

“The formula doesn’t include unexplained disappearances.” Mali said.

“See you in the 21st..” I said.

“How will we recognize you?” Mali’s voice said lowly.

“Because we’ll all be there.” I said.

End of Book One