A Better Life Not Remembered
Part 1
I squeezed through the small opening while trying not to think about
the hundreds of tons of Earth and rock pressing down from above my head
just waiting for the slightest weakness in the geologic structure to
collapse the void I was in. My sweat mixed with fine dust particles
that I stirred up into the air turning into a thin layer of plaster-
like material on my face and body. I could feel the grit between my
teeth. My body ached from numerous bruises and scrapes as I pushed
further towards the cavern I knew existed beyond. This was the stuff
that I enjoyed, not the ten months a year that I sat in a dingy
university office documenting the finds of the previous year.
When I went into the field of archaeology I pictured myself as a modern
day Indiana Jones finding treasure around every corner, fighting off
the enemies, running through trap infested ruins, and saving the girl.
I admit I was more than a little naive about my chosen profession. Even
though it wasn't all that I expected it to be, I forged ahead as the
lure of what I might find was like an irresistible drug. Had my life
turned out like I thought? Not in the slightest. After receiving my
doctorate in geological science and archaeology I took a position on
the faculty of a university in southern Texas. I eventually became a
tenured professor and spent most of my days in research and teaching.
Once a year I'd get to take excursions like the one I was currently on,
spelunking through the depths of a Saharan cavern.
Over the years I was surprised at the level of politics within the
university system. Grants were the lifeblood of the university and if
you weren't bringing in grants, you were relegated to the fringes and
often left to retire in obscurity. I wasn't a good grant person as
attested to by my dark basement office. My integrity simply wouldn't
allow me to falsify results to make the grant giver happy. To me
science was science as was the scientific methods I used to produce
results. If those results contradicted what everyone else wanted, then
I didn't care. I valued honesty, truth, and loyalty even if those
values went against the popular trends of the time. Sometimes I felt
I'd made poor decisions and that my life could've been so much more
significant.
At fifty-five years of age I was getting to the point where my students
and fellow professors began calling me 'fossil'. My antiquated ways and
strong moral beliefs caused them all to joke about me that I'd been
found in some ice cave, thawed out, and continued my study of the world
as if I was still hunting woolly mammoths. Perhaps I was just old-
fashioned, but it was my old-fashioned beliefs that made me who I was.
Early in my life I found that working out and staying physically fit
were good ways to eliminate the build-up of stress in my life. I might
be a graying fifty-five year old man, but I was as fit as the twenty
year old students I taught. My love for fitness had led me into a
lifelong study of fighting techniques. My favorites involved medieval
weaponry. For some reason fighting with swords and daggers resonated
deeply within me. I focused on dual handed techniques, learning to
fight well with either hand. Even though sword fighting was my
preferred style that required skill and ability to win a fight rather
than having a gun and blindly shooting from a distance, I was also an
experienced marksman with handguns and rifles. I attributed that to my
time living in Texas.
As far as my relationships went, I'd never married. I'd come close
several times but I got cold feet at the last moment. It wasn't that I
didn't care for these women but that something in my heart kept me from
making a commitment. The world would laugh at me if they knew I was
still a virgin so late in life. Every time I got close I pulled away as
if I knew there was someone I had to wait for. I hoped that someday I'd
still meet my soul mate, although at this rate I'd be eighty-six when I
finally met her and we'd be too old to make love anyways.
As I continued to crawl through the underground tunnel, I recalled my
last date three months ago. I'd sat across from an attractive golden
haired, blue-eyed woman. She was witty and charming and had a great
sense of humor. For some reason I'd always been drawn to such women.
Unfortunately, from the moment I laid eyes on her our relationship that
hadn't even started yet was doomed. I didn't let our date go too far as
I knew something was wrong with me and I wouldn't open my heart enough
to get to know her. She wasn't my soul mate after all.
I sighed as I continued to push through the exceptionally narrow tunnel
of rock. Pondering how I got here or my relationship failures was doing
nothing to help me get into the larger chamber. I'd been coming to this
area of southern Tunisia for the past five years. Using ground-
penetrating radar I'd discovered a series of large chambers around one
hundred feet below the surface. One chamber reflected what appeared to
be a man-made object of some size. This area had been at the edge of an
inland sea and several surface ruins indicated ties to ancient Egyptian
society. I was looking for the mythical Hall of Records as the writings
purported to be contained within it could prove to be an invaluable
treasure to the world. Ever since I first heard about the Hall as a
child I was drawn to the name and mystery. Why Tunisia and not Egypt
where it was supposed to be located? My theory was that the Egyptians
were smarter than most historians give them credit for. Much like
modern day disaster recovery solutions, the Egyptians distributed their
wealth and knowledge across vast areas. I'd stumbled upon surface ruins
several years ago and found various references to people of extreme
intelligence and beauty that had been located nearby. Historically,
people described like this were the keepers of knowledge and wisdom and
would have access to such a library like the Hall of Records.
It might have been a bit of a stretch of the imagination, but my radar
maps were enough to persuade people to fund my trip here. A rope around
my waist tugged twice. "I can't get through professor. You should
return if you can and we'll try to find another entrance."
There was no place for me to turn around until I entered the chamber.
"I've got to continue to the chamber before I can turn around anyways.
I'll let you know what I find."
The rock tunnel was very tight and my students that came with me were
inexperienced cavers. I didn't blame them for not attempting the tunnel
as it was a long and technical challenge. I pressed onward and all but
fell onto the cavern floor much like a blob of toothpaste being
squeezed from a tube. The chamber was large and it was natural. The
limestone walls showed no signs of human activity. My headlamp only lit
portions of the cavern. I yelled back through the tunnel. "Give me
about fifteen minutes. I'm taking off the lead rope so I can explore
the cavern more."
I pulled a second lamp from a pack I'd dragged behind me. The extra
light helped a great deal as I walked deeper into the depths. The floor
of the cavern was quite smooth with the exception of scattered rocks
that had fallen from the cavern ceiling over the years. No water had
seen this place in many years, which wasn't surprising since the desert
above might not see rain for years at a time. My light glinted off
something reflective to my right so I turned and headed in that
direction. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw what appeared to be a
large metallic building. I pulled out my camera and flashed a picture
hoping the flash would expose more of the edges. The picture showed a
vast object, extending hundreds of feet in all directions.
I moved closer and placed my hand on the metal exterior. I noted there
were no rivets or seams that I could see. The metal was cool to the
touch even though the air temperature in the chamber itself must have
been close to ninety degrees. I moved down the side of the structure
until I found a slight depression. I traced the edges and it appeared
to be a door with no handle. I pounded on the door with my fist to hear
if the structure was hollow or not, but I heard nothing except the
echoes within the cavern. I needed additional light and to get more
people down here. I turned to head back to the team when I felt a deep
vibration within the ground. The ground began to shake and rocks
started falling from the ceiling. As soon as it had begun it was over.
I decided I'd better get out of there until a safer entrance could be
dug.
I found the end of my rope and flashed my light to the tunnel entrance.
The tunnel was gone. The little earthquake had collapsed the tunnel. I
was trapped with no ability to communicate with the team. The tunnel
had been over fifty feet in length. If it collapsed the entire way, I
was dead. Getting the necessary people and resources to the site would
take days if not weeks. I'd be gone in twenty four hours. I had some
water and a little food, but that's all I had. I sat down on the cavern
floor and turned off my flashlight and my headlamp. I needed to
conserve what I had, even though the reality was that I wouldn't make
it.
A thought came to me that I should at least see if there might be
another way out. I'd leave a note at the end of the rope just in case
someone got through to try and find me. I went to turn on my headlamp
when a sliver of light appeared deep inside the cavern. In the utter
darkness of the cavern, the light was blinding at first. I stood and
walked towards the light. The structure door had opened! I pressed my
hand against the metal door and pushed slowly, letting my eyes adjust
to the brilliance of the light coming from within. I looked inside.
This was no ancient Earthly structure. This was something alien. I
stepped inside. The ceilings glowed and bathed the interior in a warm
consistent light.
The structure reminded me of a recurring nightmare I had throughout my
life. In my dream I was in a strange building with glowing ceilings
much like this one. I was me, but it wasn't me. Suddenly I would feel
this immense pain radiating from my chest. I'd look down to see the end
of a sword protruding and covered in blood. That's when I'd wake up.
This building reminded me so much of that dream.
I looked around the structure. A table and chairs of metal were
positioned off to my left. A hallway moving deeper into the structure
was to my right. Everything about the structure spoke of highly
advanced technology, but it also looked to be designed for humans. The
chairs were normal height as was the table. I turned to look back at
the door, but it was gone. It had closed behind me without a sound and
I couldn't find anything that would open the door again. Was this an
Indiana Jones temple filled with traps? The image of a giant stone ball
rolling towards me as I ran through the structure's hallway caused me
to chuckle. A little laughter helped to ease thoughts around my current
situation.
As there wasn't much else for me to do I walked down the hallway to the
right. I ran my fingers along the walls and marveled at the symmetry
and simplicity of design. The hallway ended in a large spherical room.
A chair, resembling something you might see in a dentist's office
rested in the center. There was nothing else to be seen. To my left was
another room. I went there and was stunned to see the remains of a
human body lying on what looked like a bed. The body was fairly well
preserved and still had long flowing clothing draped over it. It
appeared to have been a human female. I carefully moved some of the
clothing aside to see an elaborate and intricate design of decaying
straps of metal, jewels, and a harness. I could almost picture what she
could have looked like. The outer garment was more like a robe whereas
the garments against her skin seemed perfectly molded to her body,
showing enough skin to be tantalizing yet covering over her breasts and
hip area. She would've been beautiful.
Her head still had dark black hair that must have been lush and long
when she was alive. On her hip and attached to her harness was a
stunning jeweled dagger. Long enough to be considered a small sword,
but definitely designed for more than just looks. I carefully and
slowly looked over her body. Below her left breast was what appeared to
be an exit wound. Assuming she was human, this was likely the cause of
death. Stabbed or shot from behind. I could be looking at a murder
victim. I remembered my dream once again. The glowing ceilings, being
stabbed through the chest from behind. I was starting to get creeped
out by all of this.
I continued to look over her body. A beautiful and intricately carved
ring rested on her left hand. It captivated and called to me. I pulled
at it gently to get a better look. The ring appeared fused to her
finger, but as I was examining it more closely, the metal warmed and
the stones of the ring glowed. I watched as the ring began to slowly
dissolve away. I was shocked as an archaeologist to have disturbed
something of such historical importance only to wind up destroying it.
I stared at the corpse of the woman and backed away, not wanting to
touch anything else for fear of damaging more when my wedding ring
finger on my left hand started to burn. I brought my hand in front of
my eyes and watched as the ring from the corpse began to materialize on
my finger. My finger burned until the ring was completed and then it
fused fast to my finger. I tried to pull it off but it wouldn't budge.
It was stuck to the point it was more a part of me than not.
Frightened, I backed further away from the bed and almost tripped over
my pack that I'd placed on the floor behind me. As I tried to regain my
balance my hand went out to support myself and it touched the wall. A
light glow from the ring was followed by a portion of the wall
disappearing. The ring had activated and opened a hidden recess. Inside
was a replica of the outfit the woman had worn, down to the last
detail, except this clothing appeared to be all new. I went back to the
bed and stared down at the female corpse. How long had she been there?
There was something familiar about all of this and about her. I
reverently reached out to touch her hair, my mind numb to all that I'd
seen. The ring, my ring now until I could figure out a way to get rid
of it, glowed again. The body and belongings of the woman began to
dissolve away. I gasped at my complete foolishness and stupidity for
destroying what might have been the most important discovery of all
humankind. In mere moments, the bed was pristine with no hint the woman
had ever existed.
Overwhelmed and suddenly very tired, I felt drawn to the bed. It looked
so comfortable. My eyes began to close heavily. Just a little sleep.
That's all I needed. I lay myself down on the bed and within moments I
was fast asleep.
Part 2
When I woke, I'd no idea how much time had passed. I felt completely
refreshed. I then remembered the collapse of the tunnel and the strange
alien structure. I opened my eyes to a gray darkness, but soon more and
more light appeared. I realized I was still inside the room and it
hadn't been a dream. I sat up and immediately felt that my body wasn't
right. Weight had shifted on my chest and I looked down to see a pair
of breasts. I looked beyond them to my long smooth legs and flat
stomach. I jumped off the bed as if it was a hot flame only to land
with my now long lustrous black hair falling across my face. I stood up
and brushed the hair from my eyes. I looked myself over in complete
disbelief.
In an effort to establish some continuity with reality, I looked around
the room. My pack was on the floor where I'd left it, but nothing else
remained of me or the clothing I'd been wearing. At least with the pack
still there I knew I really had been here before as me. I brought my
hands to my face. They looked so delicate. The ring was still there,
now appearing to fit my now smaller finger perfectly. I remembered the
recess in the wall when my ring came in contact with it. How many other
things were there like that? I ran my hand along the wall. Several
recesses opened and one wall segment became a mirror. I stared at
myself in the mirror. I was beautiful. Amazingly so. My rich, dark
black hair flowed down to the small of my back. Bright blue eyes, more
brilliant than any I'd ever seen blinked back at me. My lips were full.
I'd been a fitness buff my entire life and I knew what a fit woman
looked like. This body was exquisitely formed with toned muscles and
almost no fat. I had a perfect hourglass figure. I raised my hands to
my breasts, my smaller hands unable to hold them. They were full,
supple, and incredibly sensitive. My legs were long and lean. My new
womanhood was smooth and hairless.
My hand drifted lower but I stopped when a searing pain tore through my
chest. I dropped to my knees, my hands clutching at my chest. I could
see nothing yet the pain was beyond comprehension. My eyes swam with
images and my head burned with a feverish pain. I held onto my head and
collapsed onto the floor. I shook violently until after a few minutes
the pain began to subside.
"Guardian."
My eyes went wide when I heard the voice. I was frightened and feeling
very vulnerable.
"You must get up and get dressed, Guardian."
I shook my head and looked around the room. "Who are you? Where are
you?"
"I am the Keeper. I reside within the building at the moment."
"What happened to me? I've got all these strange memory fragments in my
head."
"All in good time, Guardian. Get up and get dressed. You must always be
ready."
I was dazed and perplexed. "Ready for what?"
"To protect yourself first, and the universe second."
I glanced over at the wall where a copy of the female corpse's clothing
rested. I stood and ran my fingers over the items and material. "You
want me to wear this?"
"That's a female Guardian's clothing. You're a female Guardian. There's
no other clothing in case you're wondering."
"Why do you keep calling me Guardian?"
"Get dressed first. I'll not respond more until you're fully dressed."
"What about my team?" Nothing. Of all the situations I could be in; I'd
been transformed into a woman, locked in some alien structure, buried a
hundred feet beneath the desert, and I get stuck with a sassy computer
that has an attitude.
I looked back over the clothing, belts, harnesses, and the long dagger.
I sighed and began putting them on. If the computer had answers for me
and wouldn't tell me anything until I was dressed, then I'd get
dressed. I fumbled with the belts and clothing, having never had
breasts to contend with I now had a new respect for women. I looked
back at the mirror and the effect of the clothing on this female body
was enough to make a man weep. Every curve was enhanced. It was
revealing, yet also presented an authoritative look. The robe was more
like a fine silk dress that could be wrapped around my body. It felt
warm yet also seemed to breathe well. Perhaps an alien version of
Gortex? I also found a pair of shoes that I strapped to my feet.
I stood and look around the room again expecting to see come male
holographic image that I'd speak to. Unfortunately there was nothing
but blank walls. It felt awkward trying to speak to a building. "I'm
dressed. Now will you answer my questions?"
"Yes, Guardian."
"What happened to me?"
"Before or recently?"
"That's a confusing response. I came in as a man, I touched the dead
woman's ring, I fell asleep, and woke up as a woman."
"You seem to have the facts accurate."
"But that doesn't tell me what happened. How did I become like this?"
"When you first touched the shell of the structure from the outside,
the essence of who you are was sensed. The structure responded by
allowing you to enter and eliminating the possibility of anyone else
coming to find you. Only Guardians may enter this structure. The ring
is the mechanism that controls the structure and submits the denizens
of the Universe to your authority. When you touched your ring, it
transferred to you and you were placed in a prolonged stasis for the
transformation into yourself to be completed."
I looked around the room even more confused. "You said prolonged
stasis. How long is prolonged stasis?"
"Approximately five Earth months."
"I've been asleep for five months?"
"Not asleep, in prolonged stasis."
"What's happened to my team in all that time?"
"The structure has safety mechanisms to avoid contact with the people
of Earth. They attempted to access the cavern for several months, but
every avenue was blocked by the structure. They gave up and left
believing the caverns too dangerous to continue the search."
"They think I'm dead."
"Dead is a relative term. In a way, you never truly existed in the body
you believed you had."
"Why do you have to make your answers so difficult to understand?"
"My answers are perfectly logical. If your mind is incapable of
understanding that's not my concern."
"You said it was my ring and the stasis transformed me into myself.
You're saying the ring always belonged to me and that I was always this
Guardian you're speaking of?"
"Yes, that's what I said." If I wasn't mistaken I almost felt like the
computer sighed. "You've always been the Guardian. For the past one
thousand nine hundred and thirty-six years, you've been waiting to be
restored. You spirit actively sought this place and the ring."
"I'm fifty-five years old, how can I have waited so long?"
"When a Guardian dies, which almost never happens, the spirit of that
Guardian selects a person that would allow for the possibility of
restoration. That person was you."
"If I'm supposed to be this Guardian, why don't I remember?"
"You will. You've already begun the process. The memories you've been
seeing are memories of your pre-existence."
"What happened to the woman that was here? It appeared as if she'd been
stabbed in the back."
"You mean what happened to you one thousand nine hundred and thirty-six
years ago. Yes, another Guardian stabbed you in the back."
"Why?"
"You'd have to ask them that."
"What do I do now?"
"You're a Guardian. You can do what you want."
"What does a Guardian protect?"
"Guardians protect the universe from malevolent entities, most notably,
the Reckoners."
"You're saying I'm supposed to protect the universe from bad guys?"
"Why did I get sent to Earth of all places? Bad guys... Yes, you're
protecting the universe from bad guys. I'll try to keep my
communications simpler with fewer syllables and speak slower for you."
"You're pretty annoying for a computer."
"Please... I'm not a slow pondering disgusting computer, I'm a sentient
intelligence."
"When will I remember more?"
"Forty-two. The answer is forty-two."
"Forty-two what?"
"Don't you pay attention to popular Earth culture? According to the
fiction story, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, forty-two is the
answer to everything, or, it can be the answer to a stupid question
which yours was. How am I to know when you'll regain all your memories?
It could be in the next nine minutes or over the next nine months. The
average time is roughly three days."
I looked at myself in the mirror again. There was something natural and
comfortable about this body to me. Most of my life I dreamt I was
female. I'd thought perhaps that's why I had such a hard time in
relationships. I'd never been interested in men and wasn't gay. If what
the 'keeper' said was true, then this was my natural state.
"What's my name?"
"You're name is Ayala."
"Ayala... Ayala..." Flickers of memories came to my mind as I spoke my
name. Scenes, battles, and pain. Intense pain as I recalled the point
of a blade passing through my body. A kiss from a woman. A name,
'Kira'.
"Who's Kira?"
"She's a Guardian and your partner."
"My partner? As in we work together?"
"Your mated partner. And yes, you also work together."
"I'm married?"
Another computer sigh. "Marriage is an Earth contract. You have a mated
partner, a permanent covenant."
"How long have we been partnered?"
"Approximately ten thousand Earth years."
"Ten thousand years! How old am I? Why was I here on Earth?"
"You are young. Approximately eleven thousands four hundred Earth years
old. Earth was the scene of an intense battle. Malevolent entities, the
Reckoners... bad guys... were attempting to enslave Earth's human
population in order to secure resources. You came here to stop that
from happening."
"Where's Kira?"
"I don't have that information. I'd recommend you travel to the Hall of
Records. From there you should be able to find her."
"As in the Hall of Records from Earth's mythology?"
"Earth never had a Hall of Records, but it's possible legends of the
Hall persisted from your prior interactions with the local population."
"I've always had a desire to find the Hall of Records and now you're
telling me that I might have been the person to introduce the knowledge
of the Hall of Records to Earth? How do I get to the Hall of Records?"
"Yes, very likely. To get to the Hall of records, you use the
teleportation system."
"The chair at the end of the hall. Is that a teleporter?"
"I can't tell you how nice it'll be when you get your full memories
back. Yes, the chair is the teleporter. I don't recommend you travel
anywhere until your memories are more intact. You're in danger."
"Why am I in danger?"
"You're a Guardian. You fight against bad guys. You were killed by
another Guardian. I suspect you'll be in danger until you can figure
out who killed you. Did you notice how I adjusted to your thinking
patterns and used the term 'bad guys'? A computer wouldn't be able to
do that."
"Why is it you don't know who killed me?"
"I was disabled at the time and my sensor logs removed."
"So I'm not the only one with memory problems then."
I pulled the dagger from my hip and stared at it. "So, let's see if I
have this correct. My name is Ayala and I'm a Guardian of the universe.
I fight malevolent entities, notably the Reckoners. I have someone that
wants me dead. I have a partner named, Kira. I'm sitting in an alien
structure beneath the surface of the desert. My life up until now was
not my real life. Everyone on Earth that knew me believes me dead."
"This isn't an alien structure. This is your Earth residence. Your
Earth life was real but it may help if you consider your life as a man
on Earth as a temporary holding facility for your true spirit, guided
by forces to bring you back to your natural state."
"Okay, that clears everything up." I said facetiously. "How do I use
the chair?"
"I recommend you stay here in stasis until your full memory returns for
your own safety."
"You tell me I have a partner out there somewhere..." I gestured wildly
in all directions, "... that I haven't seen in nearly two thousand years
and you think I should sleep again?"
"Prolonged stasis..."
I interrupted the keeper. "I have a single memory of a kiss from a
woman I assume is my partner. I've felt a longing all my life for
someone that was never here. I'm drawn to the face I see in my
memories." I replaced the dagger on my hip and walked from the room
towards the chair.
"If you must do this Guardian, I urge you to be careful. I'll travel
with you as it's my responsibility to guide you. You can't assume
another Guardian is still your ally. Not even Kira. When I travel with
you, I'll be able to speak to you and you to me from within your mind.
There'll be no need for you to speak from your mouth. Sit in the chair
and tell the teleporter where you want to go."
I pulled my filmy robe around me and sat in the chair. I hesitated a
moment as I was about to leave everything I knew behind. My ring glowed
as I spoke the words. "The Hall of Records."
Part 3
I felt the immenseness of space envelope me. It was cold and empty.
Light seemed to stream in colorful ribbons on the edges of my vision. I
blinked and then I was in another room. I exited the chair and stood on
a stone floor. Walls appeared to be made of carved rock.
"Are you there, Keeper?" I thought in my mind.
"I'm here Guardian."
"Is this the Hall of Records?"
"It is. Go through the door and into the great hall beyond."
I walked forward and into the room beyond. It was definitely a great
hall and I'd seen nothing like it before. Enormous stone pillars
supported the glass ceiling hundreds of feet above the floor. Rows of
elevated seating surrounded the circular open floor. Hallways opened in
all directions from the room. My steps echoed as I walked to the center
and stood transfixed by the sight.
"Ayala!"
I turned in the direction of my name. A man with a greying beard and a
large stomach was walking quickly towards me. My hand went to the
dagger on my hip which caused the big man to pause in his place, his
hand raising towards me as if in a plea for me to stop.
"Guardian. This man is your father. He should be safe."
"My father?"
"Most humans have fathers. You shouldn't be surprised."
I removed my hand from my hip. "I don't remember you."
He frowned. "You've been missing a very long time, my daughter." He
took a step forward and paused again. "I'm Gaylor, your father."
At the sound of his name and voice a wave of comfort washed over me. I
struggled to comprehend I had a father in this context. He held out his
arms, urging me to step into them. I looked carefully at his face and
took a tentative step towards him. There was something about him I
recognized. Another step forward. I could reach out and touch his hand.
My mind was conflicted, but my heart was driving me forward. I
remembered a time when my father on Earth had been deployed for a long
time when I was young. When I saw him again, my heart all but exploded
in my chest. I'd been overwhelmed with a mixture of love, yearning for
his embrace and comfort, and loss at having not seen him for so long. I
looked a Gaylor and touched his hand, my heart was fluttering like
wounded bird. He quickly pulled me into his embrace and cradled my head
to his chest as he kissed the top of my head.
I breathed in, his scent overwhelming me with small fragments of my
'real' life. I'd never felt such loss and such absence. What I felt
with my earthly father was nothing compared to the emotion coming forth
from inside me. "Father..." Was all I could speak and my words choked
in my throat.
"Ayala, my beloved daughter, returned to us after so long. You
remember?"
I looked up into his eyes but stayed in his arms. "I know you're my
father, but I don't remember much else. I hope it'll return to me. I
don't even know what happened other than I was killed. I feel I was
betrayed."
"By whom?" The look of intense anger and frustration appeared on his
face. A determination of protection.
"I don't know. My Keeper insists it was a Guardian but its memory was
erased. I was stabbed through the back. Father? Where's Kira? I feel I
must find her."
"There's been changes within the ranks of the Guardians. I'm afraid
they no longer hold the trust of the Council. Your return may help us
regain what's been lost. Kira's been missing for a long time. Come, you
need to reunite with your mother and sister."
I've got a mother and a sister. My heart soared at hearing that, even
though I couldn't remember them. But Kira? Missing? My knees buckled as
I collapsed to the floor. A wail escaped my lips. A love I could barely
remember was gone. My heart was rending inside me. I felt her loss so
deeply and yet I couldn't remember what she looked like.
My father scooped me up off of the floor and carried me out of the
great hall. I sobbed as he carried me.
"Keeper? The pain is so great! How can I hurt so badly for someone I
barely remember?"
"One thing I've learned on Earth is that life there is so fleeting.
Humans there don't understand the depths of love that comes through
living much longer. You've only just touched your feelings for Kira."
"What if I never remember everything?"
"You're a Guardian. A Guardian is selected for the strength of their
character. You'll stand and you'll be strong, as always. That's not to
say you don't fear and you don't hurt, but you use those emotions to
strengthen your resolve. If you don't get all your memories back, then
you'll make new ones. Your heart and your spirit will always be
connected with those you love. Those are bonds that even death cannot
separate."
"I was wrong about you, Keeper. You're not totally annoying."
"I'll take that as a compliment, Guardian."
My father was still carrying me. I'd settled down, my tears drying. The
Keeper was right. I needed to get on with life. My first task would be
to find Kira. "Father." He paused and let my feet touch the floor.
He lifted my chin with his hand and looked into my eyes. "That's the
determined Ayala that I know. I pity anyone that gets in your way of
finding Kira. I know the loss you must feel is great. You've always
been the greatest fighter throughout our history. If anyone can find
Kira and restore the Guardians, it's you."
"I don't remember my mother or sister. I can't remember Kira's face. I
don't even know who I am anymore. How can I find Kira and do what you
suggest?"
"Because I know your spirit, Ayala. Nothing will stop you from finding
and protecting those that you love. I believe most of your memories
will return but that can take time. Come, your mother and sister need
to see you. We can eat, you can rest, and we can help you make plans."
We walked through hallways that seemed endless. Massive windows brought
light in from the outside. I paused periodically to look out at the
wilderness that spread out to the horizon. Never In my wildest dreams
would I believe I'd be somewhere else in the universe.
We stopped at an intersection of hallways. My father pointed down the
left hallway. "If you continued straight down this hallway you'll come
to yours and Kira's home. You can go there later. Perhaps it'll help
you with your memories."
I looked down the hallway he'd pointed at. It appeared to go on into
the horizon. Somewhere down there I once had a home and a life. I
fought the urge to go right away and walked further with my father. We
came to another intersection and turned to the right. After a few
hundred yards a large intricate arched double door blocked our
entrance. My father touched the door and a similar ring to mine glowed
on his hand. The great doors swung outward towards us. We stepped
inside. The rooms beyond had a comfortable homey feel to them. I
struggled to piece together any semblance of memories of the place but
couldn't.
A slightly older looking woman entered from another room. She had dark
black hair, with a touch of gray on the edges. Deep blue eyes. She was
beautiful. My eyes locked with hers. She started to cry. I recognized
something. Similar to my father, but an even deeper connection. I'd
been cherished by this woman. She was my mother. There were no memories
yet, just recognition and a name, Serra.
"Mother?"
She ran to me and enfolded me into her arms. She clung to me as any
woman would that had lost their child and found them again. "Where?...
Why?... It doesn't matter as long as you've returned to us."
Gaylor stepped forward and hugged us both. "Ayala was killed, Serra.
Likely by another Guardian."
"Ayala!" A younger woman was running towards us. She had lighter hair
and favored my father's looks. She had an air of joy about her. Her
name came quickly to my mind.
"Rune." I said as she tackled me from the side.
She kissed my cheek and held me closely. "It's been so long!"
I looked to my father pleadingly and he seemed to understand. "Ayala's
been restored. She doesn't remember much but it should come back over
time."
Rune looked at me sadly. "You don't remember me?"
"I remember your name, and the joy you bring to me. My memories of
everything are jumbled or missing."
My mother did as mothers do and recognized I was being overwhelmed.
"When was the last time you had something to eat?"
"I guess it was five months ago. In all fairness I was in prolonged
stasis."
"Stasis makes everyone hungry. Let me get some food organized and we
can talk as we eat."
I wasn't sure what to expect, but within minutes food materialized on a
table. Rune had latched onto my arm and talked nonstop. I'd never had a
sister before, at least one that I could remember. I was enjoying her
animated and loving way about her. I felt comfortable here with these
people. I guess that no matter where my parents lived, it would always
feel like home.
We sat down and I watched everyone carefully as to what and how they
ate. I followed their lead and sampled the fruits. Some of the fruits
triggered small memories for me and helped me recognize what I was
eating was something I'd eaten before.
It was all so surreal to think this family of mine hadn't seen me for
nearly two thousand Earth years and the way they acted was like I'd
been gone a month.
"Keeper? Does time have the same meaning here? I don't understand how
I'd not be completely forgotten by now."
"When a life spans many hundreds of thousands of year, a few thousand
years doesn't seem so long. I can sense they missed you a great deal."
"Is there a way you can communicate what you know since I was last here
to them?"
"I've already sent all history I've accumulated to the Hall of Records
sentient intelligence so they have access to it."
"Is that wise? Wouldn't another Guardian now know that I've been
restored?"
"They already know. Guardians are linked to each other in a way that
defies understanding. Do you feel that Kira is alive or awaiting
restoration?"
"I sense she's alive. Does that mean she's truly alive?"
"Yes."
A wave of relief washed over me. I looked at my family, a family I had
a lifetime of memories that I couldn't access. What was I like, who was
I really? Who am I to them?
"I've got much to think about and my lack of memories is weighing
heavily upon me. I'm hoping if I spend some time alone and get some
rest that more memories will come back."
My father looked at me with understanding. "We're so glad you're back
with us. Go home and rest, then tomorrow you'll need to make plans.
Promise me you'll be back with us tomorrow."
"I promise."
We stood and I hugged them all then turned and left. I retraced my
steps to the hallway intersection and turned right down the hallway my
father had indicated was Kira and my home. A set of doors similar to my
parent's stood before me. I placed my hand on the door and they opened.
I stepped inside my home.
Part 4
The structure seemed to rise above the outdoor landscape with floor to
ceiling windows that soared thirty feet in height provided an
incredible view of the world outside. A large waterfall poured itself
into a crystal blue water lake and snow-capped mountains could be seen
in the distance. A thick forest, meadows, and rolling hills went on
untouched for miles. This place felt like home to me with one
exception. Kira wasn't here. She'd made it a home. I felt like her
presence should be here, but her absence left a void. I walked through
the first room that appeared to be a main sitting area. I ran my hands
over the furniture and objects in the room and struggled with not
knowing anything about them.
"Keeper?"
"Yes, Guardian?"
"Is there a way I can see pictures of Kira and me?"
"Of course. The windows are multi-function and can cast a recording
into the room. You don't need to touch things with your ring, it's
enough to wave your hand in the general direction. Speak what you want
them to show you."
I waved my hand towards the windows. "Show me the last time Kira and I
were together."
The windows darkened and the outside world vanished. The room shifted
slightly and I saw myself and Kira talking. We were sitting together on
what I would call a couch. It looked so real, almost as if I could
touch them. I walked over to the copy of myself and reached out to
touch my hair but my hand passed through. I looked at Kira and my heart
pounded within my chest. I had an instant connection when I saw her.
Kira was slightly taller than me. Her golden hair flowed over her
shoulders and down her back. Deep blue eyes, high cheekbones, and full
lips. She looked like the women I had preferred to date. All these
things in my life had driven me back here, back to Kira. Kira was
wearing a similar outfit to mine. We sat facing each other, our knees
touching. Her hand held mine and her other was gently stroking my
cheek. My real hand touched my own cheek as I felt the emotional bond
between us. Watching this showed me just how much we were bound to and
loved each other.
"Kira, my love. Duty calls me to Earth but I don't want to go. We
should be together. I don't want to leave you." I watched as tears fell
from my eyes. Kira, crying herself, wiped the tears from my face with
her thumb.
"And I don't want you to go either. We're one, you and me. Separation
tears at my heart. I'm being sent to Altarin with Davin. Pallas and
Thane are being sent to Rivenor. It's the first time we're fighting on
three fronts. You can handle Earth on your own as you're the best of us
all. Your hair matches the people in the region on Earth as well. We
must be strong for each other for I can't bear the thought of being
apart from you for one moment." I watched as she leaned forward and
kissed me. I recognized that kiss from my memories.
A wave of pain and nausea swept over me. I fell to the floor with my
hands to my head. Wave after wave of searing heat spread through my
body. Fragments of memories felt like they crashed and collided within
my mind. I shook violently, feeling feverishly hot one moment then
intensely cold. Slowly it subsided.
"Guardian? Are you alright?"
"Her kiss... It triggered more memories. In a way it's more painful
than not having them."
"I don't understand."
"Without the memories, I was blissfully ignorant to all that I'd lost.
Now, the pain of loss is much more intense. I've never experienced
anything like it before. Even when my Earthly parents died, the pain
then was nothing like I feel right now."
"Do you have all your memories now?"
"No. I'm still missing much, but I remember Kira, my father, mother,
and Rune much more. I've got many memories of Kira and me together."
I started weeping uncontrollably. "I... I should have never left
you..."
I knew where our bedroom was. I ran to the bedroom and found Kira's
clothing. I pulled a bunch of her clothes to me and I fell into
wracking sobs on our bed, my face buried in her clothing as I inhaled
her scent. "I'll find you..."
Part 5
At some point I must have cried myself to sleep. I woke in the same
position I was before. I breathed in Kira's scent and began crying
again. More memories had filled in as I slept. I still couldn't
remember much about my role as a Guardian or my time on Earth but I
recalled my years of training and being chosen. Eventually I got up and
went to our bathroom. It wasn't unlike many Earthly bathrooms with the
exception that the shower didn't use water. Light and sound were used
to rid the body of dirt and sweat. I could walk in wearing clothing and
walk out a minute later clean and dry. It was rather remarkable
technology.
The incredible pain I felt continued. It wouldn't leave me until I
found Kira. I used the pain to fuel my anger. I'd been betrayed by one
of the Guardians. Pallas, Thane, or Davin. My mind focused on Thane as
I recall him expressing his love for me and I'd rejected him. He'd been
furious. I waved my hand over an empty spot on the floor. A circular
section of the floor I was standing on descended outside to a large
forest meadow below. I stepped off the panel and breathed in the fresh
air of the forest.
"Keeper. Set up my training program."
"How many attackers would you like, Guardian?"
My anger was getting the best of me. "All of them."
"Yes Guardian. Forty attackers are ready."
"Set the thresholds to maximum pain, speed, and strength. I want it to
hurt if they hit me."
I drew my dagger. Now that I had much more of my memory back I realized
it was more than a simple blade. Each jewel on the hilt modified the
dagger to meet whatever needs I had. My thumb brushed a sapphire-like
jewel and the dagger instantly became a three foot long sword. It was
light, designed for quick movements, and lethally sharp.
I started running forward as twenty humanoid and another twenty non-
human attackers raced forward to meet me. Several launched projectiles
at me. I dodged the first wave of them but the second wave headed
straight for me. My left hand raised and a shield of light projected
from my ring caused the projectiles to bounce harmlessly away. By now
the first attackers were upon me. The non-humanoid creatures were
incredibly fast and reminded me of large lion-like creatures with six
legs. My sword wove in and out of them as I ran cleaving heavily clawed
paws, legs, and heads from their bodies. I twisted and turned from side
to side, dove, rolled, and continued. I pictured Kira in my mind and
drove myself even harder.
A massive humanoid crashed into me from my left side sending me twenty
feet to the ground. He plunged a huge glass sword towards my chest. I
rolled and blocked his attack then scrambled to my feet and dove
towards his midsection. As he fell backward my thumb rolled over a
another jewel on the hilt reducing the size of my sword to the size of
a twelve-inch long knife. I twisted the point towards the back of the
humanoid just as we crashed together to the ground, the knife forced
into the creature's heart.
I extricated myself from the pile of flesh and let out a scream of
frustration and pain. I extended my blade again and tore through the
remaining attackers. I looked back over the field and saw the carnage.
I couldn't recall ever having left so much damage. I fell to my knees
and wept some more. All these years I'd lost. The soul mate I'd longed
for turned out to be missing. I'd make whoever did this to me pay.
There'd be no restoration for them, I'd see to it.
I went back into my home and cleaned myself up again. I determined I'd
not be back to this place until Kira was with me. I headed back to my
parent's home. My mother greeted me with a warm hug. "How are you doing
my sweet daughter? Oh how we've missed you!"
"Many more memories have returned but with it the incredible pain of
loss. I never should have gone to Earth. None of this would have
happened. I can't stay long. I must find Kira."
"Spend the day with us. Take time to be with your sister. She's missed
you so much."
"I will. I need to understand what's happened since I left. I don't
even know where to start."
"Go see your sister for now. Your father will return shortly. Over the
years he's been trying to piece together what's happened for you."
I gave my mother another long hug. "I've missed you all so much."
I went down a hall to my sister's room. "Rune?" Not all my memories had
returned yet, but I had flashbacks of me playing a type of hide and
seek with my sister. I looked around her room and couldn't see her
anywhere. My hand waved over a space on the floor and I descended to
the forest. This had been one of our favorite places. A crystal clear
pond with a small waterfall was off to my right. It was such a
beautiful spot. I moved to the pond's edge. "Rune? Are you here?"
I knew where she was. I'd always beat her at our little game but today
I'd let her win. I felt her presence behind me. "Rune?" I heard a
giggle then I was tackled from behind sending us both headlong into the
pond.
"I got you, Ayala!"
"You did, sweetheart. You're just so quick and stealthy now."
"You remember me now?"
"Yes, I'm remembering more and more."
We swam in the pond and splashed each other then climbed out of the
pond and laid in the sun to dry ourselves.
"How come you were gone so long?"
"I don't know everything yet. I was sent to Earth to protect them
against our enemies. While there, I was stabbed from behind. I don't
know who it was. It took a long time to become me again." I reached
over and stroked Rune's brown hair gently. "I've missed so much!" I
started crying again. It was such a common occurrence these days.
"What matters most is that you're back. We never forgot about you and
we'd never stop loving you. We left a chair at our table for your
return. No one was allowed to sit in it until you returned. We knew
you'd come back to us."
I sniffed as my breath caught in my throat. "You kept a chair for me
all this time?"
"Of course, silly."
I messed up her hair as I smiled. I never realized what I'd been
missing having grown up as a boy with no siblings. I was enjoying my
place in the universe as a woman. If my life on Earth had any benefits
to me it was to remind me what I loved so much about being who I truly
am.
As I relaxed and enjoyed my time with Rune a feeling of cold dread
washed over me. I was on my feet in seconds with my dagger drawn,
standing over Rune protectively.
"Thane." I'd recognized Thane, but I was still missing much of my
memories around him.
"You always were the fastest amongst us. I felt your restoration and
decided I needed to see for myself."
He walked forward slowly but with an air of confidence. I extended my
dagger to a full length sword.
"I'm in no mood to play games, Thane. Where's Kira?"
He chuckled. "You and Kira. I still don't know what you ever saw in
her. Not when you could've had me instead. In a way, I was glad you've
been gone so long. It helped me get my life back together."
I leapt over a log and pressed my sword to his throat, pushing him back
up against a tree. My hand reached to pin his hand back and keep it
from his dagger. When I touched him I screamed out in pain as new
memories flooded me. As before, the pain was so intense I fell to my
knees in convulsions. I was completely incapacitated as Thane kicked my
sword from my hand and bent over me.
"Sweet Ayala. I always heard recovery from restoration is a painful
thing. I brings healing to me to see you suffering like I did when you
broke my heart."
"Stay away from her!"
He drew his dagger and pointed it at Rune. "Know your place, Rune. I'll
not hurt Ayala, but I'll also not help her."
The shaking was beginning to subside. I pushed my left hand out toward
Thane and activated my shield. The shield formed across Thane's chest
and threw him backwards a dozen paces. I scrambled to my feet and
grabbed my sword. Before he could get to his feet I was on top of him,
his dagger hand held by my foot and my sword at his throat.
"Don't you ever threaten my family! I could end your miserable life
right now. You know I can beat you so don't even try. I'm going to let
you up so you can tell me what I need to know." I let him up and
pointed to the log. "Sit!" I placed myself between him and Rune, my
sword at the ready. "Where's Kira?"
"I don't know where Kira is. She's been missing since Altarin." He was
rubbing his chest where the shield had hit him.
"What happened after Rivenor? You were with Pallas."
"Rivenor was a ruse. There was no attack. Pallas stayed on in Rivenor
and I returned to the Hall of Records. Nothing indicated Davin or Kira
had returned. I personally went to Altarin and there was no sign of
either of them. I've not seen Davin or Kira since."
"So then you travelled to Earth and stabbed me through the back because
I spurned you?"
He looked at me like I'd slapped him. "You may have spurned me, but I
loved you. I'd never do something like that. I was in pain, I admit
that. I was in Altarin searching for about a month. It was then that I
sensed your death. I came back to the Hall of Records, intent on
finding Davin and Kira but when I got back here, everything was in
chaos and I gave up my search."
"What was more important than finding Kira and Davin?"
"After Kira and Davin disappeared and your death, the Council was
overthrown and the Guardians disavowed. I don't know the politics
involved. It was all done by the time I returned."
"Who's in charge of the Council now?"
"You should know. Ask your father."
"What does my father have to do with this?"
"He's now in charge of the Council and he's the one that ordered the
Guardians disavowed. I'm pretty sure it runs in your family. First you,
then your father. Like two daggers in my back."
"I don't believe it. If that's the case, then where's Pallas? What were
you doing for so long?"
"You know as well as I that we're appointed as Guardians. It's in our
blood. I did what I had to do. I went planet to planet working as a
mercenary. I've not seen Pallas since Rivenor. What happened to you?"
I glared at him. "As if you don't know already."
"You still think it was me?"
"There's only three people it could've been. You had the motive. My
Keeper says it was a Guardian."
"If that's true, then you're forgetting it could've been Kira."
I slapped him across his face. "Kira would never have done that to me.
She's more honorable than all of the rest of us put together."
Thane wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth. "I forgot how hard you
can hit. Listen, I know you're not going to like this, but you have to
consider all options. Something or someone was playing us all. It
could've been one of the Guardians or other influences. I've racked my
brain, but once I was disavowed I was no longer welcome in the Hall of
Records. You don't realize it yet, but neither are you." He started to
get up. I stood and followed him with my sword. "You don't remember
everything yet do you?"
My eyes narrowed. "No."
"I'm not your enemy, Ayala. I pity the poor person that has Kira, if
that's indeed what has happened. Just be cautious." He turned and
walked away.
"Wait!"
Rune came to my side, grabbed my arm, and held me back. "Let him go
Ayala."
I sat back down and Rune sat next to me. She pulled my head to her
shoulder. "When you got some of your memories back, it looked so
painful."
"What hurts the most is having lost so much time with you, Kira, mother
and father. Let's go. Father has some explaining to do."
Part 6
Back at the house I sat at my honored chair as we ate.
"I just saw Thane, father. When were you going to tell me about you
disavowing the Guardians?"
He hesitated, then stood. "Walk with me, Ayala."
I followed him back out into the forest. He took my arm in his. "Ayala,
some of what I'm about to share is for your ears only. Your mother and
Rune don't need to know about it. I wanted to wait until your memories
were fully restored before telling you these things as you wouldn't
understand all of this before that. When you left for Earth, we'd been
told that Altarin and Rivenor were also under attack. Those two planets
were never under attack. They were distractions to get the Guardians
out of the Hall of Records. With all of you gone, the Hall of Records
fell under attack."
"Attacked by who? Why would anyone want to attack the Hall of Records?"
"Many years before you were appointed Guardian, there were other
Guardians. Tamal, was like you, the leader of the Guardians. Miah,
Galen, Kaidan, and Selim completed the roster. They all went to
Teradoon and came back changed. They'd become evil and demanded the
council be disbanded. There was a battle and Galen, Kaidan, and Selim
were destroyed completely. There was no chance of restoration for them.
Talam and Miah got away. It was at that point when the Council
appointed the five of you as the new Guardians."
"For years I've thought through the timeline of events. You'd left for
Earth. A few weeks later, Davin and Kira headed to Altarin. Pallas and
Thane headed to Rivenor. Kira and Davin disappeared, then shortly after
we felt your death. That was around two months after you left for
Earth. Right after your death, the Council was attacked. Tamal and Miah
had returned with a small army of the Reckoners and new technologies.
Before we could prepare for a battle, half the council were killed.
This time they demanded the removal of the Guardians or they would kill
every family and person here. I was the most senior member of the
Council left and it was my decision. With you gone and two other
Guardians missing, I had no choice. Ever since then the Reckoners have
been moving from planet to planet enslaving the population to harvest
the planet's resources."
"I have a theory but that's all it is at the moment. Talam and Miah
knew that the Guardians were still a threat to their plans. By
capturing Kira first, they would be able to leverage her to gain an
advantage over you in case their assassination attempt failed. Once
Kira was captured, they killed you. I'm not sure how that could've
happened, but it did. With you gone, the remaining Guardians would be
no match for them."
"They must have had inside help, father. At least one of the Guardians
was a traitor and I think I know who. Reconvene the Council and
reinstate me."
"Reinstating you as a Guardian puts us all at risk."
"Then I'll take care of this on my own, without the approval of the
Council. I'm going to find and get Kira back, then I'm going to do my
job."
"What can I do to help you?"
"I need new weapons and I'm going back to Earth for a short time. Earth
is still primitive, but it holds resources that are scarce in other
parts of the universe."
"What could they possibly have?"
"Gunpowder. A mixture of chemicals that together make an explosive
powder. It's possible weapons made with this will be effective against
the Reckoners."
"On the new weapons, what did you have in mind?"
For the rest of the day I worked with my father in the weapon's room,
grateful that the our technology was such that we could modify existing
weapons fairly easily. I said my goodbyes to Rune and my mother
promising them I'd see them soon. Father walked me to the teleporter.
"I've got one more item for you." He took my right wrist and wrapped an
ornate silver bracelet around it. Fine chains connected the bracelet to
a ring on my middle finger and it held a small red jewel in the middle.
"What's this?"
"By placing your hand on a person and speaking the word 'burn' it will
utterly destroy the body and the spirit making restoration impossible.
In the case of a Guardian, only their ring will be left."
"This is what you used to destroy the other Guardians?"
"Yes. The Council doesn't know I've given this to you. If you do
encounter Talam or Miah, it could come in handy."
I hugged him and kissed his cheek. "I won't let you down. You've no
idea how prepared I am to take this fight to our enemies."
I sat in the teleport chair and with one look back at my father I spoke
the word, "Earth."
Part 7
Moments later I was back where this all began, the strange structure
under the Tunisian desert.
"Keeper, how do I get out of the cavern and into the world?"
"The teleporter can take you to any place in the world you need to go.
Your ring can teleport you back here."
"I'll need money and clothing that matches what people wear in the
world today."
"That will be a bit of a problem. We have gold in this structure. This
is what you used to purchase clothing and items when you were last
here. If you wrap your robe differently, it could pass as a type of
dress. You'd need to find somewhere that converts gold to local
currency."
"I sort of grew up in Texas, I'm pretty sure I know where I can
exchange the gold. Can you connect to the Internet here?"
"You mean that rudimentary pile of computers? Yes, if I must."
"Can you display it on the wall for me? I'm looking for a gun show in
Texas."
"There appears to be quite a number of them right now."
"That's Texas for you. There, that one in San Antonio. I lived near
there for a while and I think there is a gold buyer in a nearby strip
mall. Can you set the teleporter coordinates near there?"
"Done. You might want to consider leaving your dagger here, Guardian."
"Yes, a wise decision."
I sat back on the teleporter chair and a few moments later I was
standing at the back of a strip mall in San Antonio. I was definitely
looking a little strange, but once I got some money I could stop by a
store and get some clothing. I walked around the mall and at the front
was the gold exchange buyer. I walked inside and the fellow behind the
counter nearly choked on his sandwich. I forgot that my beauty would
have that kind of effect on a man.
"What can I help you with, ma'am?"
"I have some gold to exchange."
"How much do you have?"
"Five ounces." I passed him the five tiny bars of pure gold.
"It'll just take a moment to verify its quality. Are you in town for
the Comic Con convention? You're dressed a little odd."
"Yes, that's what I'm here for." I lied.
"You have a strange accent. Where are you from?"
"I'm from another galaxy."
He chuckled. "I should've expected that answer from a Comic Con
visitor. I can get you one thousand per ounce."
"That's a little low for the quality, but I'll take it."
He shrugged. "It is what it is."
Luckily there was a a little clothing boutique a few doors down. I
found two pairs of jeans, a pair of blouses, a couple cowboy hats, and
some flat shoes. I bought two of everything in case we ever needed to
come back to Earth. I put my clothes into a bag and left the store
dressed in proper Texas attire. I walked the half mile to the gun show.
If you've ever been at a gun show in Texas, you'd realize it is quite
the cultural experience. At the door they carefully checked my bag and
let me in for a modest fee. I squeezed myself through the crowded
aisles. Even with the local clothing I was still drawing lots of
attention, attention I really wasn't looking for.
I finally spotted a table with a pair of handguns that I was looking
for. "How much for the pair of HK45's?"
"That's a lot of firepower. You sure you need two?"
"One's for my partner so we can train together. I'd also like to get
eight hundred rounds of ammo and two thigh holsters."
"Eight hundred rounds?"
".45 caliber bullets are hard to come by where I live."
"I'll make you a deal. $2,500 for the works."
"That seems fair. Is cash all right?"
I took my weapons to the bathroom after stopping by a booth to purchase
a few hot dogs. From the bathroom I teleported back to my Earth
residence. I moved quickly gathering what I needed and storing my new
clothes and money in case I ever needed to come back. I sat in the
chair and spoke "Hall of Records."
Fifteen minutes later I was sitting down with Rune eating the hot dogs.
They were a little cold, but I enjoyed watching her smile and her eyes
widen as she bit into it. "I'm going to look for Kira. I'm not sure how
long I'll be gone, but I'll be back."
"I know you have to go, but I'm a little selfish in wanting you to
stay. We only just got you back."
"She's most likely being held against her will. I have to find a way to
get to her."
I left Rune and my mother that day, unsure of where I was heading. I
stopped off at the armory and added my guns to my outfit. I carried two
daggers, one on each hip, the two .45 handguns on my thighs, and my new
inventions were two bracelets that were fitted below my elbows on my
forearms that could extend two foot long swords when needed.
"Keeper?"
"Yes Guardian."
"Can you review all the teleporter logs to and from the Hall of Records
for Kira, Davin, Pallas, and Thane?"
"The logs show consistent use by all of them leading up to the point
when the Council was attacked. After that I see no logs for any except
Thane. Thane was here several times after the Council was attacked,
then just recently when he came to see you."
"Can you gather the logs from the other planets and correlate them?"
"No. I'd need to be at each planet to gather those logs."
"Did Kira and Davin go to Altarin?"
"Yes."
"Then that's where I think I should start. If they left Altarin there
should be a log as to where they went."
"Did anyone leave from here to Earth after I was there and before the
attack on the Council?"
"No one, but that doesn't mean they didn't leave from a