The Sphere: A Journey In Time (17 page)

The following morning I just had some fruit for breakfast, then packed my bag and collapsed the shelter. I continued on through the field I had spent the night in. The sun was still rather low in the sky, so once again I didn't encounter anyone on the roads. The new day made my encounter with the farmer seem like an overreaction of my paranoia, and I easily put it behind me.

I got to the North end of the bay after about an hour and a half, and started following that to the East. I was walking through a residential area and finally started seeing some people milling around their houses or getting into their cars to head out for the day. I got some strange looks, but no one stopped me. They seemed to be nervous and glad I was merely passing through. I kept the edge of the bay in sight as I wandered through the neighborhoods. After another half hour, I was finally able to see the masts of sailboats in the distance across an industrial yard. The yard was fenced off, so I had to head back to the North a little to get around it, but was at the marina a short while later.

I walked along the docks, looking at the sailboats. A few of them had for sale signs on them, but only one of them looked basic enough for me to handle. I took note of the seller and boat name and headed back to the marina's main office. An older looking man was behind the counter placing charter information on a board. I coughed to get his attention. He turned and gave me a bemused smile after looking over me. "Looking for a charter somewhere, miss?"

I hated being called miss. I let it go in the interest of making this as simple as possible. "I noticed a sailboat out on the docks for sale that I'm interested in purchasing."

"Where did you come from, miss?"

"Georgetown. Can you contact the seller for me? Tell him I'm ready to buy today."

He looked at me like something was out of place. "Which boat?"

"The Lost Traveler." I smiled at the appropriateness.

"Think you can handle that much boat?"

I fixed my smile and tried to make it as polite as possible. "My father taught me well."

“Okay, just a sec.” He went into the back room, and I could barely hear the murmurs of a conversation. He came back in and seemed a little less wary. "Alrighty then, Tom, the seller, will be here shortly. Anything else I can help you with?"

"Can you point me in the direction of a store? I need to pick up some provisions for my trip."

He brought up a map of the local area and pointed out a small local store not far from here. "I can help you carry some goods back here if you need?"

"No thank you. I'll be back shortly and wait out by the boat. Please let him know." I turned and left as quickly as possible without looking like I was trying to. I hated being treated like a little girl, but I thought the father comment would get him off my back.

I found the store easily enough. I had another two days’ worth of food in my pack, but figured I'd be on the water for at least three. Then if the island had been deserted, it would take another three days to get back to the mainland. I got a week’s worth of food and headed back to the marina. I wandered back along the dock to the boat and waited for a few minutes. I saw a man approaching from the end of the dock a short while later.

"You're the woman interested in the boat?"

"Yes, sir." I walked towards him with my hand extended and gave him a firm shake.

"My father's sir. Call me Tom."

"Thanks for coming out so quickly, Tom."

"So what sort of experience you have with these things?"

"My father taught me when I was a young girl. I've spent many weekends on sailboats in the season. It's been awhile since I've been out on one though. She's a beauty." I smiled back at him. Adam had loved it when I complimented his boat, I was hoping that trait was common amongst sailors.

"She is." He smiled down at the boat like a proud father.

"Why are you selling?"

"Just don't have the time to devote to her these days."

"Well, that won't be a problem for me. I've recently retired."

He cocked his head at me. "At so young an age? How will you support yourself?"

"It was a very lucrative job. Speaking of which, 1.8 million yes?" I paused as he nodded. "I can pay cash if it helps move things along more quickly."

"Lucrative sounds like an understatement." He looked me over again. I could tell he was a little nervous, but didn't want to get involved, which was how I wanted it.

"I'm hoping to spend most of my time on the boat, so I'm happy to spend as much as I would on a house for this. And I'm anxious to get the rest of my life started."

He nodded again. "You said cash right?"

"I'd prefer to do business indoors if we can?"

"Sure." He jerked his head towards the marina office and I followed him back. "Ben we'll just be borrowing your office for a few moments."

We walked past the counter and into Ben's office. Tom sat down at the desk, and I dropped my pack on the floor and sat in a chair on the opposite side of the desk. I dug down into the bag and counted out 18 $100,000 bills as discretely as possible, then laid them on the desk in front of Tom.

He quickly counted it. "That looks about right." He opened a drawer in the desk, pulled out a thick envelope and stuck the bills inside. Then he reached into a drawer further down and pulled out a folder. He tossed it over to me. "The paperwork, including the access card you'll need to get out of the bay. The scanners should pick it up from anywhere on the boat as you pass through the inlet. Come on, I'll walk you back down and help you off." We left the office.

I kept my head down as we passed Ben to avoid conversation. I jumped into the boat and dropped my pack down in the cabin area. Tom untied the lines and tossed them into the boat for me. "I'll push you off."

"Thanks." I grabbed the rudder and pulled hard to steer away from the dock. I was a little nervous navigating the crowded, narrow dock area, especially with someone watching me. I knew he'd watch until I was out of site, so I tried to remain calm and remember everything Adam had taught me. "I'll take good care of her!" I called out as I pulled past the end of the dock and waved quickly before adjusting the rudder again. He gave me one last wave, and I turned the boat to head out to the channel and onwards to the island.

Chapter 17

I found it strange to think that just over a week ago I had learned how to do this. It didn't feel as fresh in my mind as it should, but a lot had happened in that week. It felt like months had passed since I first traveled to the island. The wind was light but steady. Navigating to the southern end of the bay to the Indian River Inlet was rough. Most of my training had been in the open sea where I had plenty of room for each tack. The bay was narrow enough that each leg of my path only lasted a few minutes. As I passed through the inlet into the Atlantic, I couldn't see any signs of security, but I was glad to have the card on board regardless.

Getting into the open ocean was a huge relief. I had felt pinned in by the bay and half expected someone from the lab to show up and drag me back to one of the secure rooms. I kept a hold on the main sail line and reached over for my pack. I dug in the front pocket and pulled out my sphere, flipping open the top for the first time since I arrived in this time. The glow of the red light was just barely visible in the daylight. From my limited experience with both spheres, that implied that if I pushed the button, it would take me somewhere. If I could just find some way to reset the destination, perhaps I could use it to go back. I didn't know enough about the technology. I needed to find someone who might still be alive with knowledge of the operation of the sphere. The only lead I had to go on though was the island. Montgomery hadn't talked to anyone from the complex once they left. No one had come back to see him, and no one talked of their plans before they had left. I only had the hope that perhaps some of them had gone to the island. I knew Jim loved it there, so I was banking on the idea that at the very least he still had contact with them.

The sailboat had a fairly sophisticated navigational system on board. Once I entered the coordinates of the island into the system, I was able to pull up an image of my course. Even with a good wind, it was going to take a little over three days for me to get to the island. As I left the mainland behind, I started to relax even more. It was highly unlikely that I would be running into anyone in the middle of the ocean.

I cleated the main sail line and explored the boat a little more. I took my pack down into the cabin area and pulled the rest of the food out to sit it with the groceries I picked up earlier. There was a small chest of drawers on one side of the cabin that I put the rest of my clothes in. There was a safe above it; I realized I had no idea what the combination was. I grabbed the folder of paperwork and flipped through. There was all kinds of technical information on the boat and in the back a small slip of paper with nothing but a few numbers written down. I tried them on the safe combination, and it opened easily. Inside the safe was a small box. Tom must have forgotten about it. I made a mental note to go back to the harbor and return it to him at some point. I pushed it to the side, and shoved the disintegrator pistol and sphere into the safe next to it. I went back up on deck to check my progress and make sure I hadn't veered off course.

The next few days were peaceful and uneventful. It was the first time I had felt really relaxed since I first got on the sailboat with Adam. Sleeping on the boat was also very calming. I pulled one of the cushions out from the cabin and placed it on the deck. The wind died at night, so I would anchor the boat and sleep on the deck, staring at the stars until I was lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of the hull against the water. My third night at sea I noticed some light on the horizon in the direction I was heading. There were no other islands in the area, so I was fairly certain it was the one I was headed for, and the fact that lights were on was a promising sign. I slept poorly that night, looking forward to my arrival at the island the next day and going over in my head all the questions I wanted to ask when I got there. It felt like hours before my mind settled down well enough to sleep.

Despite the restless night, I awoke with the sun and pulled the anchor, eager to get on my way. I could see a dark spot in the distance and left the navigation system off for the rest of the journey. I'd be able to work my way in on sight now. I hoisted my mainsail and jib and set off for the island. I cleated the sails off again and went below deck to prepare my things. I repacked my bag with my clothes but left the food out. I opened the safe and noticed again the box that Tom had left as I put the sphere into a pocket and secured the gun in the back of my pants. I grabbed the box and shoved it into my backpack, then went back up on deck. It took another two hours before the island loomed into view. My approach so far seemed to be unnoticed. I couldn't see any lights on now, so I knew someone had to be on the island.

Leaving the dock hadn't been hard, but now I had to navigate my way back to one. I released the mainsail to slow my approach and used the rudder to steer myself alongside the dock. I was so focused on not hitting the wooden decking as I approached that I failed to notice the man standing there, pointing a rifle at me. I put my hands up and let the boat drift forward toward him. He gestured at my mooring line and I tossed it around a post and proceeded to tie the boat up, my hands shaking. I wondered how quickly I would be able to pull out my gun and take aim, but I didn’t want to make enemies if it was possible someone on the island could help me. When I finished tying the line I stepped out onto the dock and put my hands back up. He looked just like Adam, but I knew it couldn't possibly be him. Though I had been here just a week ago, Adam would now be 90 years older. This man had not aged a day. "Adam?"

He tightened his hold on the gun. "Who are you?"

"Adelaide MacDuff."

"That name means nothing to me."

I couldn't help but feel annoyed and my hands dropped slightly. It was the second time inside a few days that someone had threatened me with a gun and I found the idea that I could be considered a threat ridiculous. "Where is Adam?" I didn't try to hide the impatience in my voice.

He didn't say anything else but stared at me for a moment. "This way." He jerked his head behind him and moved to the side to let me pass. "Keep your hands up!" he said as he swung the rifle around to meet me again.

I huffed in frustration but obeyed and walked past him down the dock. I kept my focus forward but I could hear his bare feet on the wooden planks behind me. As I approached the beach, an older woman walked slowly out of the trees towards the shoreline and stopped a few yards from me. "Who are you?"

The man with the gun spoke up behind me. "She said her name's Adelaide MacDuff."

Her eyes widened with recognition, and a flicker of a smile crossed her face before being replaced again with distrust. In that instant of a smile I knew who she was. "My God. Adelaide? No, it cannot be."

"You know that's not true, Marina."

She nodded and smiled again, visibly relaxing. "Noah said you might show up one day. You're well out of your time here. It's ok Carlo, we can trust her."

"Noah was here?"

"Many years ago. He and Jim came shortly after the lab fell to ruin. We managed to hide them here when the island was invaded, people had come looking for them. Jim said he knew more than he had let on."

My head swam slightly. They had both been here and the island was invaded? I was right to come here. "I need to know everything you know."

"Of course. Come." She beckoned me back towards her hut. "You must be hungry. Carlo, get us a bottle of wine and some lunch."

"Thank you, Marina. I'm relieved to see you,” I said.

"It is a pleasure to have you here again. Adam would have enjoyed it as well I'm sure. He would've been proud, it looks like you can handle that sailboat all on your own." She motioned to a chair and I sat down. "He was killed in the raid on our island. Thankfully they spared me and Carlo. He was just a baby then."

"Your son?"

"Yes. He's been my savior since I lost Adam. Jim and Noah helped me bury him on top of the mountain." She looked up in the general direction of the mountain as Carlo came out with an open bottle of wine and glasses. "Thank you, dear." She poured me a glass and Carlo went back into the hut. "So where should I start? How much do you know about what happened to the lab?"

"I know about The Gardians breaking in and one of them being sent back in time to destroy the sphere. I saw Montgomery, the farmer. He was still living there. He helped me get the sailboat and gave me a letter Noah had written for me. Noah said he was in trouble, that they thought we had planned for things to get screwed up and escape with the sphere."

"Jim helped Noah escape once things got chaotic with the Gardians. They chartered a flight here, which was unfortunately easily traceable. A few months after the lab closed for good, some people who had survived The Gardian attack came here looking for them. Adam told them they had taken a boat and left. When they didn't believe his story he tried to force them to leave, but they wouldn't until they had thoroughly searched the island. Thankfully they did not find the secret bunker we had built years ago. Once they were satisfied that the two of them were not here anymore, they left, the damage done.

"Jim and Noah spent a few months here. They would talk frequently about what happened. They were trying to work out where you ended up, and why you hadn't arrived at the same time as Noah. Noah thinks he figured it out. He explained it to me, but unfortunately I can't really explain it back to you." She smiled wryly. "I never was one for technology. But they had a plan. They knew somehow you'd make it back here, and they prepared for it. Assuming you still have the other sphere...?"

I hesitated, but Marina was certain to know there would be no point in my tracking down Noah if I didn't have the sphere. I nodded. "Still looks like it's working as well. Did they figure out how to reprogram the destination?"

"They had theories, and they knew someone who they thought could help them, who had facilities that could accomplish the task."

"Who?"

She smiled at me. "You haven't changed at all. A bit more serious perhaps, I wouldn't have believed that possible, but you look exactly the same."

"It's been less than two weeks since I last saw you, but it feels so much longer."

"No more business now," she said as Carlo brought out a tray of food. "You will stay through the night at least, and we have plenty of time to get you up to speed. For now, let's catch up. It may only have been two weeks, but it sounds like they were pretty busy ones. So tell me, did you come straight back to this time or was there another stop on the way? Noah filled me in about your getting arrested." She laughed at the memory as Carlo left the food and went back inside. "Only you two."

I smiled. She was right, business could wait. I realized how happy I was to see Marina again. She might have looked much older, but she was still the kind hearted, welcoming person I had met just a few weeks ago. "I blame Noah. I arrived at this point in time at the same time he made it back to when we were supposed to. I thought about trying the sphere again once I saw where I had ended up, but then I found Montgomery and found out what date it was and got Noah's note. At that point, I thought I'd try to find someone. I have no idea what will happen if I push the button again, and I wanted to at least get some more information before making that kind of decision. I'm glad I did. It's very good to see at least some of the people I know are still around." Noah wasn't here, but he might still be alive. That thought alone was enough to keep me going until I found out what happened to him. "Tell me about Carlo."

"Ah, he's just like his father. Loves being outside. But who could blame him in this place." She waved her hand in a generic motion taking in the island. "He and Jim really took to each other while he was still here."

I could see that. Jim was almost like a father to me as well. "Jim was a great man. He took good care of me. I'm not surprised he got Noah out of there before they could do anything to him."

"It was good to have him around. He came back, after a few years. He left Noah to finish the work they had started and returned here to live out the rest of his years."

"You make it sound like there weren't that many left."

"There weren't. Jim had started showing signs of Sunithe's disease while he and Noah were working on a solution to the sphere operation. When Jim was sure Noah would be able to finish things there on his own, he came back here. He survived another 5 or so years before succumbing to the disease. Carlo made a small raft with a time delayed fire and sent him out to drift at sea. It was Jim's request. We could see the smoke from here." She glanced back in to where Carlo had gone and sighed. "I think he would've been happy to see you make it here."