The Aurora (Aurora Saga, Book 1) (40 page)

The other Aurora was thrown clear from the blast as well. I don’t know where it went,
Kalrea said.
The explosion has interfered with the Paradoxica’s scanners.

Damn!
James replied.

It can’t be far—,
Londuo thought.

Kalrea interrupted her.

I’ve got control of the gateways!

Shut them down. Do it now!
James thought urgently.

James looked out at a nearby gateway. The white bolts of energy ceased and the pulse of light which ringed it slowly faded away. The wormhole imploded in an instant. James felt some relief.

At least no one can exit the Paradoxica now.

What’s that over there?
Londuo thought.

I’m not sure,
James replied.
It looks large, whatever it is.

Off the starboard side of the ship, bright red lights were flashing. The
Aurora
turned and powered slowly towards them.

That’s the control centre of the Paradoxica,
Kalrea said.
It’s the source of those bolts of energy, used to power the gateways.

The control centre was spherical in shape and at least half a kilometre in diameter. Its diameter was changing constantly, moving slowly, as if it were breathing. Large transparent towers protruded out into the mist. From their ends the brightness of a scarlet light oscillated like a beating heart, repelling the surrounding mist.

We’re being hailed,
Kalrea said.

What?
James was concerned.
From where?

Out of the mist behind the
Aurora
, the other
Aurora
appeared.

The other me is very angry, James. She’s feeling the same grief I felt when I lost Sarhao. She wants to destroy me! Wait! Now she’s interfacing with the control centre,
Kalrea said.

We have to destroy the Paradoxica. It must never be used again,
James thought.

James, I’m scared!
Londuo thought.
I feel cold.

James sensed there was something wrong.

It’s all right
, he thought, but he suddenly felt disorientated.
There’s nothing to worry about
.

He tried to reassure Londuo; however, he was also starting to feel unnerved.

Londuo began to panic.

James, I have to get out! Please let me out of here!

James opened the seatra.

Londuo looked terrified and started to breathe heavily. They both sat upright. She clung to him.

James’ heart beat fast.

‘Kalrea, I feel cold too. What’s happening?’ he said.

‘We’re affecting the timeline. It’s working,’ Kalrea said over the ship’s address system.

James called Londuo, and she looked at him. He told her,

‘I’m here. I won’t leave you.’

She smiled back.

‘I know, but I feel this is the end, James. Don’t you feel it?’

‘Yes, Londuo,’ he said sadly.

‘PLASMA TORPEDOES GENERATED.’

Six plasma torpedoes were fired directly at the control centre. They exploded, but the control centre remained intact.

‘I can’t destroy it,’ Kalrea said.

The front laser strafed the structure. James could hear the anguish in her voice.

‘It’s shielded like the gateways. My weapons had no effect.’

‘Can you disable it, then?’

‘I don’t know,’ Kalrea replied. ‘There’s not much time. They’re hailing us again,’ Kalrea said. ‘James, it’s the captain of the
Aurora
, he wants to talk to you.’

‘Put him through,’ James said.

‘James!’ Kalrea replied. ‘You need to know, it’s Lex, your father.’

‘What!’ James was stunned.

He suddenly felt like a child waiting to be told off by his father.

‘…This is Captain Brasdoi of the Qinant exploration force. Please identify yourself,’ Lex’s voice came through. ‘Why did you destroy one of our ships?’

James didn’t know what to say.

‘I repeat, this is Captain
—’

‘Dad, it’s me, James… I mean Jameilo!’

‘Jameilo! It can’t be, he’s back on Qintaino. Who are you?’

‘No, dad, it is me. Really! This ship is the
Aurora
.’

‘So that’s your father,’ Londuo said.

‘Who’s that?’ Lex questioned. ‘I recognise that voice.’

‘My name’s Londuo,’ she replied.

‘Not Londuo Besic! I left you on Qintaino, Londuo,’ Lex sounded confused.

‘I’m sorry, but I’ve never met you before,’ Londuo replied.

‘Dad, you must listen to me; we don’t have much time. We’re from another timeline that you created when you went through the gateway. I’m sorry, but we cannot allow you or the
Pulsora
to exit the Paradoxica. You would, otherwise, become responsible for the beginning of a long and bloody war.’

‘James, the other Kalrea knows I’m trying to destroy the Paradoxica. She’s asking why,’ Kalrea said. ‘I can’t destroy it on my own!’

‘That’s Kalrea’s voice!’ Lex said.

‘James! There’s no more time; we must act now,’ Kalrea said.

‘Dad, please! We have to destroy the Paradoxica! We need your help. Kalrea, transmit to Lex and Kalrea all we know. Let them see,’ James instructed.

As he spoke wisps of vapour formed from his mouth.

‘All right,’ Kalrea replied.

James shivered. The hull of the
Aurora
seemed to become transparent and for a moment he could see the mist outside.

What’s happening, where’s the Aurora?

‘This is really it,’ Londuo said, placing her head on James’ shoulder.

‘I hope we meet on Qintaino in this timeline.’

‘I’m glad we met in this life. I know we’ll meet again. If you see a shy boy looking at you across a crowded room, it will be me,’ James said cheerfully.

Londuo managed a smile.

James felt light-headed.

‘Kalrea, I can’t hear you in my head anymore,’ he said in a concerned voice. ‘Dad, are you still there?’

There was no reply.

‘Dad!’

‘Jameilo! I’m here,’ Lex replied. ‘We understand.’

Kalrea said,

‘The other Kalrea and me, we’re both trying to overload the control centre’s systems.’

‘I knew Lex would do the right thing,’ James said, his voice quieting. ‘Can you both do it?’ James felt weak.

‘Of course,’ Kalrea replied.

James smiled.

‘Kalrea, I want you to know that you mean a lot to me,’ he said. ‘I’ve enjoyed every moment we’ve had together.’

‘Thank you, James,’ she replied softly. ‘I’m sorry I can’t get you out of this.’

‘It’s not your fault, Kalrea. We knew this would happen if we were successful.’

‘I love you, both,’ Kalrea replied. ‘The control centre will destroy itself in two minutes.’

‘Good, then we’ve done it,’ James said. ‘What will happen to Lex and the other
Aurora,
Kalrea?’

‘I’m not sure,’ Kalrea replied. ‘I think it can survive.’

‘I can’t see anymore!’ Londuo said.

James could hardly lift his arm. Using all his remaining energy he gripped Londuo’s hand.

‘Me neither, I can’t see, Kalrea! What’s happening?’

He suddenly felt frightened.

‘We cannot exist in this timeline,’ Kalrea said.

‘Kalrea, where will the other
Aurora
end up?’ James said. ‘I mean, in what time?’

‘It’s too late,’ Kalrea said.

There was a flash of brilliant light outside the ship, and the control centre disappeared. James felt the ship vibrate violently.

‘EVENT HORIZON DRIVE PROTECTION ENGAGED.’

‘We’ve returned to normal space,’ Kalrea seemed surprised.

‘And the other
Aurora
?’ James asked.

‘It’s here too.’

The two ships drifted in space.

‘Where are we, Kalrea? And in what time?’ James said.

‘I can’t… tell…,’ Kalrea said, with her voice changing pitch.

‘Kalrea! Dad!’ James said, but there was no reply.

‘Kiss me, James,’ Londuo said with urgency. ‘One last time. I love you so much.’

‘I love you too, Londuo. Remember… Remember, Londuo, we have all the time in the universe,’ James said, just before they kissed.

The
Aurora
and everything within it faded slowly away into the darkness, while the other
Aurora
drifted motionless in space, watching on.