Part 28: Little Talks

The Promised Land: 

(Part 28) Little Talks

“My name is Eden,” she said with a pleasant smile.

“Xidorn,” Caden interrupted with caution. “Before she continues any further, what do we know of Zeta’s technology?”

The white-haired leader scratched his chin. “Only that he has more of it than we do.” He briefly gave General Cyrus a questioning glance. “Why?”

Caden hesitated for a moment before blurting, “I suspect that he might be trying to develop a method to travel through time.”

Both Eden and Xidorn gave him surprised looks.

“Time?” Xidorn questioned in bewilderment. “For what purpose?”

“I… I don’t know.” The teen looked uncomfortable, fully aware of how unfounded the claim sounded. While Xidorn simply looked confused, Eden’s look of surprise was replaced with a huge grin. “Nothing like a little leap of faith,” Cay thought to himself.

Xidorn rubbed his wrinkled forehead. “Where would you get such an outlandish idea?”

“From me,” Eden cut in. “I’m from the past. 2012 to be exact.”

The elderly man stopped to look her directly in the eye. “How did you get here?”

“I don’t really know,” she admitted. “One day I’m in my dorm room at school, the next thing I know, I’m in a burning building in the middle of an apocalypse.” Gesturing to Shiloh and Caden, she added, “I probably would have been killed by the Atari if these two hadn’t found me.”

Xidorn looked back at Caden as the operative tried to explain himself. “Our squad was sent in to obtain the package and clear the complex. Most of it was destroyed when Atari goons jumped us. We found Eden with a party after our squad split.”

“Party?” Eden folded her arms. “It was an unwanted invitation, just so you know.”

“This is troubling news.” The old man rested his chin on the handle of his cane. “If Zeta has such technology at his disposal…”

“What of the other members of your squad, Blitz?” General Cyrus asked. “What happened at the rendezvous points?”

Caden ran a hand through his hair before speaking. “Our contact in Jericho was killed in a raid before we got there. The only squad member I saw in Briggance was Hunter. He admitted to murdering the other members and tried to kill me to get the package. I believe he’s been working as a spy.”

“For the emperor?” Cyrus asked.

Cay shrugged. “Not sure. He wouldn’t say, but I have a feeling it wasn’t for Zeta.”

“Very troubling indeed,” Xidorn leaned back in his chair. “I am sure this is not the only information you have, but what you’ve provided requires thoughtful review.”

“Xidorn,” Caden said, “Hunter was just one spy. There are more scattered throughout the resistance. Given the nature of Hunter’s ability, I’m not so sure I succeeded in elimination…”

The old man nodded thoughtfully. “Very well. Is there anything else that demands our immediate attention?”

Eden tentatively raised her hand and asked, “Is there a way you can get me back to my own time period?”

Xidorn frowned apologetically. “I am afraid not, my dear. The resistance does not have much experience with respect to time travel.”

“Much?” Eden asked with an ounce of hope.

“Any. Forgive me, my dear. There is nothing we can do to help you get home.”

Eden’s shoulders drooped, but Xidorn continued. “We are simply not properly equipped to handle such a task. The best I can offer is a home here. I know that is not the answer you want, but it is the best I can do under such circumstances. I regret to say that you have arrived at a very difficult time in history.” Gesturing to both Caden and Shiloh, Xidorn said, “Roaming with these two, I am sure you have seen enough to grasp the current state of affairs.”

“I got the gist of it, I guess.” Eden’s arms unfolded to hang in the air for a moment before planting themselves on her hips. “But what am I supposed to do here? I can’t just hide while the world falls apart. My timeline or not, I want to help.”

“I understand your point.” The white-haired man rubbed his chin. “We might be able to give you something to do… Have you any skills?”

“Um… Not really. That’s kind of what I was going to college for...”

The elderly man shrugged. “I’m sure you’ll think of something useful. In the meantime, I’ll let Misty know to give you a room.” Gesturing to the door, he added, “Now, I suggest you three get some well-deserved rest. One can only stand being on the field for so long before it takes a toll.”

With a nod, Caden turned to the general. “When should we be ready for transport?”

“You don’t have to worry about that, Blitz,” Cyrus said. “You and Boomer have done enough here. We’ll have someone else handle it.”

“With all due respect, sir,” Cay started, determination seeping through his voice. “I took on this responsibility. I would like to see it to the end.”

The general turned to Shiloh. “I suppose you stand with him on this?”

Boomer nodded.

“As expected. We will inform the professor, but you are not authorized to leave this facility until you are adequately refreshed.”

Caden adjusted the bag on his back and saluted the general. “Very well, sir.”

As he, Shiloh, and Eden left the room, Cyrus called out after them, “I expect a written report from both of you by tomorrow. And don’t forget to check in with Doctor Ross.”

Cay waved to signal his acknowledgement, but continued to lead the trio back down the wide hall. There were fewer people traversing the complex. Looking toward the ceiling as they arrived at the center, she spotted a huge cube hanging in the middle with a clock on each side. The hands pointed to 8:45. Eden’s stomach growled and she remembered that it had been at least since early afternoon since she’d eaten anything.

“Soo…” she started as nonchalantly as possible. “What’s the plan now?”

Caden slowed down and looked half-interested in the conversation. He also looked really tired. “Well, I don’t know where you’re staying, but I need food.” Turning to Shiloh, he asked, “Do you want to drop our stuff off while I grab dinner?”

After a nod from his brother, Caden handed off his belongings and asked Eden, “If you want to just stay here, I’ll bring back something for you too.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Going their separate ways down two different corridors, the twins left Eden in the center of the hexagonal room. The bustling center had calmed down significantly. Two or three people walked by at a time, meandering down one hall or another. Hearing some form of melody behind her, Eden turned to see the guitar player from earlier. Still sitting on the lowest stairs, the male’s blond head was focused on the guitar. When Eden walked closer, she had the strangest feeling that she knew this person. The guy looked up at her with big blue eyes and smiled. “Hi.”