Enter Fractured Time!

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Chapter One: Reunion

Billy and Penny exited the door of the Greyhound bus station in Washington, D.C. Billy paced back and forth impatiently across the sidewalk as the wind blew briskly, sending chills down his spine. He glanced up at the gloomy sky and grimaced.

"I can't understand why we couldn't fly down. It's not like Washington is on the other side of the world."

"I told you, Billy, I still have nightmares since the time we first flew together." "You have to get over it. It's behind us."

"Look, Billy, I'm really messed up right now. My mother has only been dead a month and I'm hurting inside."

"I'm sorry. I know you were close to her but it's done. Nothing is going to bring her back." "She suffered so much for three months. I'll never forget that."

Billy was tired of trying to cheer Penny up. Four weeks of her depressed attitude was beginning to wear on him. He searched the traffic anxiously, hoping their ride would come soon.

"Look, Penny! That limo over there is coming back. Maybe that's our ride."

The long black limousine slowed to a stop in front of them and the tinted window quietly slid down. Bob Smith's friendly face appeared from within.

"Looking for a ride my friends?"

Billy exclaimed, "I thought you'd never get here!"

"Sorry for the delay. D.C. traffic is a mess at this time of day. Why didn't you fly down?" "It's a long story that's better left unsaid."

Bob chuckled as he realized that Billy and Penny hadn't changed much since the last time they were together.

"How are you doing, Penny?"

"I'm alright, I guess. My mom passed away a month ago and I'm going through a tough time. That's why we chose this time to come down for a visit."

"We're glad to have you. I was surprised to hear from you, Billy. I thought you forgot about us." "No. It's just that so many things happened when we got back. Things finally seemed to be getting better but then Penny's mom became ill. Things just haven't been the same since."

"I informed Xerxes that you were anxious to visit Seneca. So long as you brought the orb, it's not a problem."

Billy reached under his coat and pulled out the small transparent orb and silver chain for them to see.

"I put this little thing away and never expected to use it. Everything we experienced seems like a bad dream and I've tried to forget as much as I could. Strangely enough, I couldn't get rid of my souvenirs from the other world."

"I know how you feel. Maggie took a while to get over it as well. There were many restless nights for her."

"How about you, Bob?"

"I still have a hard time accepting magic and the theories behind the new technologies. It was very difficult to break away from the teachings of the old school. There's just no basis for a lot of this stuff so I just can't quite accept it."

Billy explained, "Sometimes I feel like I had a dual personality. It's difficult when the one starts to interfere with the other one."

"What kind of problems are you having with it?"

"Sometimes I want to be in the other world but I can't. I was motivated when we were in danger. Then there's times when my behavior I developed there affects me here. I sometimes become too outspoken at work. Everything seems unimportant and trivial. I don't have the patience with stupid stuff after living dangerously for two months."

Bob asked, "How about you, Penny? Are you okay with what happened?"

"I don't know. Maybe I liked it too much. I think I'd like to go back to Firenghia and live. It's so much simpler than the everyday chaos of this world. I could be free there. I don't think I'm afraid of things any more."

"Well that's good."

"No, not necessarily. Now I'm not satisfied with the way things are. I feel like walking away from my life here because it's never been what I wanted."

"What do you want?"

"I want to lead a simple life where I can be free. I'd love to live like Seneca and be a free spirit."

"That's an interesting way of looking at it. Maggie feels that our experience in the other world has opened her eyes to things that she never even considered before as well."

"How is Maggie doing? She didn't come with you."

"Oh, she's doing fine. She's taking care of the lunch arrangements for us. She's anxious to see you, Penny. She really missed you."

"I should have called. I'm sorry."

"We understand. It was quite a traumatic experience for all of us. The toughest part was coming back to our world a day before the whole thing ever happened. That makes it even harder to believe. Sometimes I find myself wondering if it was real or just a very intense nightmare."

The limousine stopped at a black, wrought-iron gate and a tall security guard approached them. The driver handed the man a red badge with his picture on it. After scrutinizing it for several seconds, the guard looked in and replied, "Hello, Dr. Smith. I didn't realize it was you in the back. Have a nice day."

Billy and Penny gazed in awe at the large tan building at the end of the driveway. It was surrounded by Crepe Myrtles which looked a bit naked at this time of the year. The black lettering on the upper part of the building immediately caught their eyes.

Billy exclaimed, "Smith-Miller Research Center! How did you get a facility like this named after you?"

Bob smiled and asked, "Is there anything wrong with it?"

"No, but …"

"Well, Xerxes wanted no part of his name on the facility, so Joe and I decided 'why not'?"

"That's great! Congratulations Bob. But how were you able to afford a facility so large?"

"Well, besides the government sponsored projects, there are many private ventures that are sponsored by commercial organizations."

"So you have money coming from all over."

"Yes, at least for now. It has begun to create an economic boon of sorts in a variety of fields. But as I said, we have to be carefully of that type of thing. It could cause some serious problems." Penny grew curious and asked, "What kind of research are you doing here?"

"Well, Xerxes has given us more than enough new technology to keep us busy for one lifetime. We've got new fuel sources, communication and transportation. He's showed us how to recycle many of our byproducts; how to revitalize the lakes and oceans; given us cures for treating some of our diseases, and many other things."

Billy exclaimed, "That's great! How long before we see this new technology in action?"

"That's the hard part. We have to integrate the new processes and devices carefully to prevent upsetting the world's economies. We've enlisted some help from friends in London, otherwise we'd never get these new advances implemented."

Penny asked, "Who do you know in London?"

"There is a foundation that goes by the acronym LISA- the London Institute for Scientific Advancement. They are very interested in helping us integrate new technology into our societies.

It's really quite important because of how these new changes will affect companies, corporations and employment. We really have to make these transitions carefully."

Penny replied, "Wow, what a responsibility! I guess you have your hands full."

"Yes, and on top of that, we're in the process of installing weapons systems on twenty of the Council's spacecraft. That's our biggest priority right now."

Billy asked with a note of surprise, "Why are they doing that? You'd think they were expecting a war or something."

"Xerxes claims that there are space pirates in certain galaxies and they want to have defensive capabilities against them."

The limousine stopped in front of a large, tinted glass wall with three revolving doors. As soon as Penny opened the limo door, Maggie exited the glass door from the lobby to greet her.

"Penny! How are you?"

Penny hugged Maggie and answered, "I'm okay. How about you? Look at this place! It's amazing."

"Yes it is. There is so much more to the inside that you can't see from out here. Congratulations on your engagement! I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, Maggie, but we haven't even picked a date yet."

"We didn't say anything about it to anyone else, like you asked. You don't sound very sure of yourself. Are you okay?"

"I don't know. My mom passed away last month. Things were really bad for a while with her and I haven't been right since. That's one of the reasons we came down. I needed to get away."

Bob interrupted, "Let's go ladies. Lunch is waiting."

He led them through the lobby and down a long, marble corridor. At the end was a shiny, silver elevator which took them to the third floor.

Billy couldn't help noticing the vast number of buttons on the panel indicating various floors.

"Hey, Bob. Does this place really have all these floors?"

"Yes it does, but only ten are above ground. The other seventeen are below ground."

"That's incredible. What do you do with all those floors?"

"Each one is dedicated to its own area of research. The bottom level is the most impressive. That's the transport bay. Our portals are positioned there. There is a large duct that runs through the middle of the building so that any of our spacecraft can fly local. It's an outside access more or less. Otherwise the spacecraft come and go through the portals. We aren't anxious to advertise their existence yet."

Billy exclaimed, "That's phenomenal!"

The elevator reached the third level without exhibiting any evidence of motion. The doors glided open with no resistance or sound whatsoever.

Maggie broke the silence, "Ronnie and Randy will be returning shortly with their sidekicks. They were in London for a week."

Penny responded, "So Ronnie and Randy are still with John and Seamus?"

"Yes and they are planning to be married next year."

Billy asked, "What are they doing in London?"

"It seems that our friends at LISA informed the Queen of your friends' background. I hear that she was quite interested in family history."

Billy giggled, "I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that discussion."

"They'll be joining us shortly and you can ask them about it."

Bob led them into a large conference room where the caterers had just finished laying out a beautiful buffet. A friendly old woman removed the covers one by one and introduced with a Spanish accent what each entrée' was.

Bob's pager beeped, attracting everyone's attention.

"Ah, Ronnie and Randy have returned with their beaus. They'll be here shortly." Billy asked, "Did they fly back from England?"

"Oh, not at all. We've established a portal to link us directly to LISA. It saves a lot of time and money in addition to maintaining our security."

Penny commented, "It's hard to believe that all this is real."

"I'm still amazed, myself. They just left the transport bay on level 17 and should be here in five minutes."

Penny asked, "How about Jarret? Do you know anything about his condition?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact. Jarret had his arm amputated. They couldn't do anything to save it. He was lucky they were able to develop an antitoxin for the poison, which saved his life."

"What's he doing, now?"

"He's working as a recruiter for the Marines. Colonel Jackson pulled some strings for him to stay in. Normally, they would discharge someone for a handicap like that."

The door opened and Randy entered, followed by Seamus, John and Ronnie.

Randy exclaimed, "Well, look what the cat dragged in. It's Billy and Penny!"

Billy exclaimed, "If it isn't my worst nightmare! Have you come back to torment me?"

"No, I have Seamus to torment these days."

She grabbed for Seamus' arm and said, "Right, honey?"

Seamus smiled and extended a hand to Billy. "Hello, Billy. It's good to see you again. Penny, I'm happy to see you as well."

They exchanged hugs and handshakes for a few moments.

Ronnie interrupted, "I didn't think we'd see you again. It's as if you dropped off the face of the earth."

Billy replied humbly, "I know. Things were hectic at home. Penny's mom came down with cancer and it was a bad time for a while."

"Well, we still missed you."

John stepped forward and shook Billy's hand. "How are you, Billy? Things aren't the same without you."

"I'm doing well, John. I see you and Seamus can still smile after spending six months with the Sisters of Sin."

Ronnie responded, "Don't start something you can't finish, Billy."

Randy laughed loudly. "Where have I heard that line before?"

Penny asked, "Did I miss something here?"

Billy explained, "It was a little joke when we were in the ruins."

"Should I know about it?"

"No, it's no big deal."

Randy elbowed Ronnie and whispered, "He's not kidding.

Penny grew irritated with the puns and what everyone might have been alluding to.

Billy commented, "John and Seamus, you look so different without the beards. They haven't taken anything else away from you, have they?"

John laughed and tarried back, "Not yet, but I see you haven't been as lucky."

Everyone laughed as the room filled with "oohs" and "aahs".

Randy and Ronnie hugged Penny and offered condolences for her mom.

Ronnie asked, "Have you been with Billy all this time?"

"It's only been six months."

"Yes, but with him that's an eternity in hell."

"He does have his moments but I try to keep him on a tight leash."

Randy quickly added, "He needs it, too."

Penny glared at Billy and said, "I think you and I will have a little talk later. You have some explaining to do."

Ronnie tried to help Billy's cause. "We're kidding around, Penny. Billy's an easy target for us." The group split up for lunch as the women sat at one end of the table while the men sat together at the other.

After almost an hour of conversation, Xerxes entered the room. "Hello my friends. It's good to see you again."

Billy and Penny approached Xerxes and shook hands.

Billy greeted him first. "How are you doing, Xerxes? Do you still have your sanity after spending this much time in our loony world?"

"Fortunately I'm isolated from much of it while I'm inside the center. I expected to hear from you sooner."

"It's a long, sad story. Hey, I brought the orb with me. Can you help us get to Firenghia? We'd like to visit Seneca and Cassius for a few days. Then we'll return and spend some time here."

"Hand me the orb and I'll program it."

Billy took the orb out of his shirt pocket and handed it to Xerxes. Xerxes studied it for a moment and took his portal control unit from under his long, white coat. He pushed several buttons, pointed the PCU at the orb and pressed two more buttons. The orb illuminated a soft blue glow and then changed to an eerie green.

"That should do it. When you close your hand around the orb, it will take you there. Do the same there and it will return you here. It will toggle your destination based on where you are. If you encounter trouble, throw the orb at the portal's entrance and it will close. I'll know immediately and find you."

Billy and Penny thanked Xerxes and returned to the table. Billy addressed everyone, "It's good to see everyone again. Unfortunately, we have to leave for a few days. We're going to Firenghia, to visit Seneca and her baby."

Ronnie couldn't resist the urge to tease Billy. "Does said baby have anything to do with you, Billy?"

Penny chimed in sarcastically, "You could say he has a vested interest in the situation."

John poked Seamus and kidded, "I don't think I want to know. Some things never change with those two."

Billy asked, "Bob, can you store our luggage until we return?"

"Certainly. It'll be in my office. Is there anything you need to take from your suitcase before you leave?"

"As a matter of fact there is. I'm glad you asked."

"Follow me. I'll take you there."

When they entered Bob's office, Billy anxiously opened his suitcase and poked through his belongings. He pulled out a brown leather sack with something the size of a large grapefruit inside.

"This is my security blanket, Bob."

"Your what?"

"Remember the skull I took when we were in the cave?"

"You brought that back with you?"

"Of course. I didn't know if I'd ever need it again and they're hard to come by."

"Oh, Billy. I hope you know what you're doing."

"Don't worry, Bob. Also, my sword and scabbard are under my clothes. If anything happens to me and you come looking, bring it with you."

"Hopefully, that won't be necessary."

"Thanks again, Bob, for everything."

"When you return, I'll show you around. Besides, I'm sure Sam McDermott wants to say hello."

"Sam's here, too?"

"Yes. He works downstairs developing weapons and protective clothing."

"I'll have to see him when I get back. Tell him hello and I'd like to try one of his victory cigars."

"I sure will. I'll see him at dinner."

They returned to the conference room, where Penny recognized the leather bag immediately.

"I hope that isn't what I think it is."

"Yeah, it's my skull."

"What's it doing here? It gives me the creeps."

"I thought I'd bring it for protection."

"From who? Me?"

"You never know."

Penny's stare was like cold steel and the others took notice.

Everyone waved goodbye as Billy and Penny disappeared through the green portal.

Ronnie commented aloud, "I don't think all is well in paradise with those two."

Maggie replied, "Penny was close to her mother. It's going to be tough for a while."

"I know, but I think there are bigger problems between those two."

"Maybe, but hopefully they'll work through them."

Xerxes moved to the end of the long table and sat near the others. Bob and Maggie had so much to talk to him about.

Everyone was so excited about the upcoming space flights. This seemed strange to Xerxes since his people had been making them for so long that no one found something like transportation interesting anymore. It was more like driving to work for him.

Maggie asked, "Xerxes, were you able to place us on the team going to Alpha-17?"

"Yes and you'll be meeting some new team members once you reach Alpha-17 as well. They will be returning with you. Randy and Ronnie will be joining you for the trip as well. You're flight will be departing later today."

"That's great! I can't wait."

"You need to be at the transport bay by 19:30."

The door opened and two men entered the conference room. The first man was tall with a dark complexion and jet black hair. He had a handle-bar mustache and long sideburns. He stood much taller than the other man at over six feet tall.

The other man was a bit stout with bushy auburn colored hair and a short beard. He was only about five and a half feet tall. Both men appeared to be in their late forties.

The tall man greeted Xerxes, "Good evening, sir. I hope we aren't interrupting."

"No, not at all. Let me introduce you to some of your passengers. This is Bob Smith and his assistant/wife, Maggie. The two young ladies are Randy Timmins and Veronica Vander Slice."

"I'm Nazir Mustafo. I'll be the commander on the Excelsior. This is Tur Farrish. He'll command the Starfire which is going to Alpha-17. I understand the four of you will be joining him."

Bob replied, "We're really looking forward to this flight. No one on our planet has ever traveled beyond the moon."

Commander Mustafo briefed them on the nature of their mission and what they should expect.

"You're going to Alpha-17, although I'm sure you already knew that. We'll meet with several of the science people on Alpha-17 for starters. Then I'll have one of my men take you on a tour of the metropolis. I'm sure you'll find it unlike anything you've ever seen."

"What about the flight? Is there anything we need to be aware of? After all, this is new to us." "No, I don't expect any problems. You'll be traveling in a secure zone. If anything arises, the CS-11s will warn the crew."

Bob grew curious. "You make it sound as if we're traveling through a war zone. What's a CS-11?"

"The CS-11 is a combat satellite. Several of them are strategically positioned in or near our space portals to protect our ships during entry and departure. They were made for us by the Dracorians a long time ago."

"But why do you need them? Besides, I thought the Dracorians were your enemy."

"Pirates and renegade aliens, that's all. The Dracorians are a very intelligent species and we dealt with them a very long time ago. They tend to change from time to time, and their last morphosis was rather unusual. They've assumed a very hostile form and we tend to steer clear of them."

"What do the CS-11s do?"

"They are armed with high density lasers, spotting lasers and infrared cameras. The infrareds are a bit primitive but they are still effective."

"How often do these pirates or renegades come around?"

"Don't worry about them. I'm sure you won't encounter any of them on your trip."

After a brief pause, Mustafo announced, "For the gentlemen traveling with me, we can leave anytime. My communications officer has informed me that everything is ready, so we can move up the takeoff time if you like."

John replied, "That's fine with us. We can meet you in an hour at the transport bay." "Great, we'll see you there."

The two men departed the room with a sense of urgency. Ronnie quipped, "Gee, where's the fire?"

Xerxes replied, "They must check in with the Council prior to departure for any last minute instructions or changes."

Maggie reminded Bob, "We need to get going. It's getting late and we've got to pack a few things."

"Yes, honey. I'm ready when you are."

Ronnie added, "We'll see you later at the terminal."

The Smiths left the briefing room and went their separate ways.

Seamus exclaimed, "This is fantastic! We're actually going into space to another part of the universe."

Xerxes replied, "Yes and it will only take about three days to get there and back using our technology."

Ronnie asked, "Are we going to meet people like us, too?"

"Yes. The people on Alpha-17 are your closest relatives. Your trip will take about seven days to complete."

"That's awesome! I can't believe it's really happening."

Randy replied, "I never thought this would happen in my lifetime, either."

Xerxes checked his pager and replied, "I'll leave you all now. I must take care of some things. Enjoy your trip."

Everyone thanked Xerxes and he left the room. John suggested, "I think I'd like to change into something more appropriate before we leave."

Ronnie asked, "Don't I get a hug before you leave me?"

"Come here, Sweetheart."

As the two embraced, Seamus and Randy followed suit. Randy warned him, "You two boys better behave out there. I'd like to go with you too, but Xerxes asked us to accompany the doc and Maggie."

"Don't worry. It's only target shooting. Besides, John and I have a little wager over who can shoot better."

"Xerxes tells me you both did fine in the simulators."

"Simulators aren't real. This test will be the real thing. Hopefully the new system will operate as it should. I'd hate to get all the way out there and it fails to work properly."

"You'll do fine. I'll pull Ronnie off of John and we'll let the two of you get ready." "See you soon, honey."

Randy pulled Ronnie by the arm. "Next time, get a room. Come on, they have to get ready." Ronnie answered back sarcastically, "And what if I don't want one."

"Stop whining and let the boys get ready."

Ronnie waved and said, "Good luck, fellas."