Ever-Life the Two Book Set: The C.P.T Incident and Time Trust (36 page)

His eyes bulged.
No! Where did it go?

Suddenly, a violent jerk threw Jake off the reclining lounge, onto the floor of the Carrier. He woke up startled, grabbing the back of his head.

“Damn dreams! Why do I always wake up at the same part? Christ!”

The Carrier was just under seventy-five feet long, from its spinning head to the end of the whirling tentacles. It radiated beautiful, pulsing green and orange light, while spinning quickly and gracefully through solid rock. Four sensors that looked like eyes; and a mouth rotated clockwise, independently, of the rest of the body. Each rotation, of its exposed razor sharp teeth and side fins, burrowed a tunnel, thirty feet in diameter. Its speed increased, with every foot it dug down; down through the thirty-mile outer crust of the Earth’s surface, into the next lower layer-the outer mantle. Eventually, the hot rock became moving lava; and that became a speeding burning ocean, 100 miles underground.  Carrier 2500 was 1600 years old, by surface time; relatively young for the species. It left Ever-Life’s transport station 25 from Post 3, below the Alaskan, Bering Straits tunnels at precisely 6:15 A.M., Universal Time Zone-9. Burns had been on special duty, as the last assignment given by GGM Gordon Swanson, to monitor negotiations on repairs and age spots in one of the
Bering Straits Tunnels. They were constructed long ago by a coalition of contractors from Euro/Asia and the Americas. The tunnels became a worldwide focus decades ago, linking all economic markets and intercontinental trade via rail and truck, reducing dependencies and fuel costs of ocean barges and air flights. One of Mathew Bellos’s first duties as GGM was to call and review that status, with Jake Burns.

“Yes Sir, the coalition has prioritized repairs; so, negotiations do continue, and probably will, until they all agree on exactly what the fix will be. I recommend we consider introducing the Carriers.”

“Don’t you think that’s a little radical, Jake?”

“Yes; I suppose so; but the truth is; eventually we are going to introduce them to the surface. Why not now? They could cut tunnels within a day to, or from any location.”

“Perhaps; I’ll think on it; but, is the surface culture ready for accepting alien life? Not to mention our existence; and our politics are very different from anything up there. Besides, recent events dictate our priorities right now.”

“You know I disagree with you on this. There were major two tremors during the meetings; and, everyone thought they were earthquakes. Some are arguing that we should repair the bridges, and forget the tunnels.

“Jake, I need you to brief Gordon on your meetings. While you are with him, get up to speed on the Sidron breach.”

‘Yes, fine; by the way, congratulations, Mr. GGM; sorry I wasn’t there.”

“I appreciate that; but, if we ever introduce Carriers to surface activity, I think your value was better served by attending those meetings. Now, I need you involved here.”

“I can tell you this; damage of these tunnels would cause a global economic disaster. All countries would suffer. Goods would stop from Asia to the Americas and vice versa. The world economy would go back to pre year 2200 recessions.”

“Well then; we will think long and hard about insuring that connection.”

“Yes Sir; I will contact you when I can.”

Jake had been living more than a dual life, over the past eight months. Not only did he still hold the title and responsibilities as Chief Detective Inspector, Arden police; but also, more importantly, he was now officially the Global Chief of Security for all Ever-Life colonies; and special liaison for the GGM. Time and life marched on, after the C.P.T. incident. Two months into his Ever-Life orientation, Jake discovered that he had Carrier motion sickness. Now, only minutes after waking, he began sweating again. Sleep was the only way he relieved the symptoms
.
Why is it every time I ride in one of these damn things, I feel like I am going to puke my guts out? Christ!

Jake knew the Carriers were capable of phenomenal speeds, zigzagging underneath the Earth, faster than the Great White Shark hunting Seals off the Australian reefs. No one really knew how fast one could go. Truth be told; at depths below 200 miles, they moved like guided missiles.

Today, Carrier 2500 sped west, by surface compass. They were on their way to a Post 2’s transport station below Giza, Egypt. The station was also home to the main Ever-Life archival resources of Time Trust. There, Jake would meet with Gordon Swanson, now reassigned as Global Defense Chairman. Swanson’s rare genetic illness was no longer in remission; one of the reasons that Bellos became GGM, sooner than expected. Swanson has to undergo the new C.P.T. process, to rid himself of it. During the last eight months of research, Ever-Life developed a new synthetic catalyst bath, and a more reliable, automatic extraction/injection process. Bellos, on the other hand, would undergo both duplication and C.P.T. Both processes were now performed, without the concern of the original DNA requirements. The overall plan, for the new GGM, was to create eight other C.P.T. duplicates. Each would have the title GGM-010-P1 through P8, respectively; holding the top position of ‘Post Controller’ for each colony throughout the globe. Each duplicate would report to Bellos, GGM-010, directly, via headset/earplug daily, regarding individual Post matters. Bellos himself was responsible and autonomous over all Post Controllers. In addition, he directly interfaced with the Prime Carriers, and the Grand Carrier Council, all of whom resided deep within the planet. Additionally, only Bellos navigated all surface contact. Totally, there were over three billion people, within the Ever-Life colonies. The new C.P.T duplicates would be upgrades from the older solid holographic models, which previously held ‘Post Controller’ positions.

Over his long tenure, Gordon Swanson had both duplication and transtosis performed five times, using a secret Carrier-Unit process. Unfortunately, symptoms of the ‘crippling gene’, as Ever-Life defined it, continued to reappear. Swanson’s primary function, now, was to monitor, direct and coordinate major challenges and threats to any Ever-Life colony. Jake Burns reported directly to him, as Security Chief.

One of the first things Jake did, after his initiation, was to restructure every Post’s security chain of command. Each Post Security Controller had local peace forces, which were much like those within Jakes old New York Manhattan borough, except for some obvious distinctions. One was the Ever-Life weapons. They were non-fatal, firing bursts of air, which could render a person unconscious, within up to fifty yards. Another was that, since the crime rate within the global community was less than .01%, there was no wide spread prison system, rather a physical rehabilitation internet, mandating headset/earplug reintegration. Real incarceration or punishment was a last resort, performed by special Carriers; and, it took place within their temporary sanctuary of solitude. Jake was committed to changing the Carriers having all the authority over rehabilitation. He was in process of submitting a new treaty, which would enable Ever-Life Security to monitor Carrier rehabs.

Swanson did not anticipate Jake’s motion sickness, when offering him the job months ago. To complicate matters, further; at the time, Jake found it almost impossible to juggle his second role of Arden City Chief of Detectives. So, he promoted his co-worker, Forensics Specialist, Dr. James Randolph Watzin. Over the last eight months, Watzin had great success, delegating responsibilities and executing the Arden city Mayor’s policies. Crime over the past six months was down eight points. Caseloads reduced dramatically, and the Mayor considered layoffs, to reduce the budget. That didn’t sit well with most of the duty officers; so, Watzin convinced the Mayor to farm out some officers, as part of the Brock/Swanson security team. Watzin negotiated that each officer would remain on the force, with tenure
accumulating, while they acted as security staff for the Complex. Consequently, Jake was able to finish Ever-Life’s orientation and begin his duties, without the extra pressure.

Today, Jake was scheduled to meet with Gordon Swanson, in private, not far from the main Time Trust cavern. He still lay against the Carrier wall, miserable. A strange ringing began in his head. He looked up and saw all the wall monitors disappear, into the body of the Carrier.

“What the hell?”

The ring became a roar. He sat up, dizzy and shaking, but it would not stop. He covered his ears with his palms. Finally, as suddenly as it came; complete silence. Just as he began to relax, the Carrier’s voice filled his mind.

“Oh God; what now?”

“Sir? Please be calm. I will not hurt you.”

“Well thanks, I think. This is not my favorite thing to do anyway; you know. Who are you?”

“We understand you took several special trips within the same Carrier, several months ago?”

              “What? Who are you?”

             
“I am Allenfar…There was no provision in your training for Carrier communication. It is prohibited, for all practical purposes; part of our agreement with your species. Only the select of you, are allowed to communicate with us; and, none of you may share among you any interface…As I said; according to agreement.”

“Yes, I know. Apparently, we have to make new treaties. Ooh my belly; I am not feeling my best. What was that jolt?”

“We stopped. You should feel better, in a few seconds. I must get to the point. We are aware of your initial training sessions, months ago; and, the ‘Time Trips’ you made, during your orientation. As you know, only special Carriers control time travel. I represent our entire hive in complimenting and thanking you.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“When you rode with Carrier 1111, ‘A Compatibility’ took place...

“A COMPATIBILITY? Oh for heaven’s sake; what is that? And why are you telling me this?”

             
“‘…A compatibility’ is a symbiotic fusion, a potent, intense mental and emotional sharing that you provide to ‘us’. We tap into your inner being. Your kind has been providers for millennia…”

             
“I don’t understand, what is your point?”

…I bring you an invitation-a request really, to use that Carrier again. She is the only vehicle sensitive enough to withdraw so much from you. For us, the fusions are a primary reason we trust and cooperate, with your species. In your case, nothing of such intensity, such magnitude, has occurred for centuries…And; we especially request your assistance in this matter; regarding the recent occurrences, and the Sidron breach, as you call it.”

              “So, are you saying that Carrier 1111likes me?”

             
“It means that she acquired abundant sustenance and vitality, from you, when she transported you on your ‘time trips’. We all, then, shared her experience. Average interface with your species provides any one of us with 10 to 60 cretes per person, on our lansig scale. Your specific interface, alone, rated at 1000 to the 12
th
lansig. That is, for us, called ‘a compatibility’; and it is higher than any rating in the last 210.25 of your Earth years.”

             
Jake rolled his eyes, “So I’m guessing that’s pretty high, or good for you, right? Are you acquiring sustenance right now from me?”

             
“Every human gives us sustenance, but nowhere near that of the potency you provided our sister. She is your ‘Compatibility’ vehicle. Carrier 1111 will contact you, to schedule additional travel. It is essential for our species to share, in these rare cases. These very few symbiotic compatibilities enable our species to progress and evolve. We must take advantage when one appears. It benefits both our species.”

             
“Holy crap! Why tell me this, for God’s sake? Why not just take what you want, and be done? ”

             
“Be well, Jake Burns.”

The Carrier went silent and Jake sat confused; but, he realized his nausea had gone; and the video on the monitors reappeared.

OK, what now? How could anyone have any kind of pleasurable interaction with a giant glow fish?

He got up and made it into the lounge chair again. The Carrier accelerated; and Jake began to watch, trying not to think about the ride.

Allenfar

General Facts Regarding Carriers:

1] Each time a Carrier travels, it burrows through rock, lava, or the liquid molten ocean of inner Earth. It can shroud itself within a bubble-like protective shell, and as it moves forward, the rock displaces itself, back behind the Carrier, leaving no evidence that it was there. Alternatively, without the bubble shroud, Carriers move through rock like fish swim, but spinning around, swirling, capable of reaching speeds close to that of a rocket in space. In that case, it may leave a tunnel and not displace the rock or lava.