On The Run 18

 

"We're starting to get divergences."

"Divergences?"

"Situations where time travel... time and space traveling... are affecting the fabric of our reality. Dimensional convergence... planes of existence crashing together."

"Sounds problematic."

Moira made a face in his direction. 

"It certainly is. Do you see now why certain parties are taking an interest in our work?"

They were seated around a conference table. Eric had only spoken with Moira a few times but they had an easy rapport. For a group concerned with the fabric of reality they had an amazingly modest staff. Although it was even more modest given their recent losses. 

"Why Andreas' group?" asked Anna. 

"I'm not sure, but I think it's because of your shared history. Someone has a sick sense of humor."

"It could just be because he's effective," replied Eric. "To be honest, I'm glad he was there. His psi- resistant officer saved our asses."

"All we find are ruins..." Moira was saying to herself. 

"What?"

"Oh, nothing," she said, snapping out of her reverie. "I was just thinking. All we find are ruins. It's like the Ancients just vanished. Other than Astra. They're all... so empty. Sure, there are machines running, but where did they go?"

"Astra?" Eric was curious, he knew of the place and was intrigued to hear it mentioned. 

"The one place we've made progress in deciphering the Gates... and the secrets of the Ancients."

"I'd love to spend about a year there."

"Well, that's good. I'm thinking of sending you there."

"What?"

"Well, it's a little hot here at the moment. I can get you out of sight for a while, until things cool off."

"That bad?"

"Yeah, I don't know where things are going." 

"Dana said something about a master Gate... a new find."

"Right. Out on the edge of known space. Even with our latest hyperdrive it takes forever to get there. I have a team ready to go. But with all the heat, I don't know what to expect."

"Why would anyone be attacking anyway? What is threatening about our operation?"

"Anytime you're dealing with unexplained phenomena, especially tech like this, you have competing interests. But the fact that the Gates can provide time travel, as well as spatial, and that this is causing serious issues... the stakes have gone up."

"Is it... fixable?"

"The distortions? I don't know. No one knows what started the problems... maybe just the act of going back starts a cascading effect. Time and space are linked... you can't have one without the other. Hence our issue. Would it be better if we just didn't use the Gates? Yes, but that ship has left."

"The Ancients created the Gates. And seeded life. What are you hoping for us to find on Astra?" asked Eric. 

"Access is limited, and I'm not sure I can keep you there long enough to discover much, but I can work on that while you're en route."

"We're not Gating there?"

"All Gates are locked down now. It's the old fashioned way."

"A long cruise," Anna smiled. 

"Well, not that long. But yes, a bit longer than taking the Gate."

"Who are you sending to the new find?"

"Summers. My best team. After you, naturally."

"I'd love to go."

"I know. After things cool off maybe we can."

"When are we leaving?"

"Can you be ready in a couple days?"

Eric's smile was his answer.