Alternate realities (The Mission 5)

The emperor was disturbed, 4 assassin attempts on the royal family was unprecedented! He knew his

daughter knew who their savior was but getting her to talk was the most impossible thing he could think of.

Remembering what she'd said the fact that the man wanted no reward, no fame, just to be made a royal, damn it!

Alatem knew he couldn't do that there were the old laws in place with good reason, the fact that she knew this

didn't make matters any easier. Sighing he sat to try and come up with a plan to finally discover who this man

was possibly the greatest hero of the empire.

Alatem had awoken alone, getting dressed she had just walked into the command center of the Time

Raider, Charles turned to tell her what was going on when he suddenly doubled over in pain. "Ally what's going

on? Has he been hit?" Alatem asked.

"No," Ally said after a few minutes, "It appears that we have to travel forward again, though he is removed

from time as I stated before he is important to the past and the future. It appears that at times he must

travel back to his time, all the effects that he has set in motion require his presence in his time, almost a

correlation of his body in his time. The readings I am receiving indicate that he is an anchor for both times,

at certain times he must appear there a short time to stabilize time in both periods."

Alatems mouth gaped open, though she was still having a little difficulty with all the time theories, this one

she remembered. "Ally are you telling me that Charles is one of the living focal points of time and space?"

Ally giggled a bit, "yes, and who knew that he'd be as brilliant as he is? "He has the hands of a

surgeon," Ally said with a longing sigh.

"Will he have to travel all the time?" Alatem asked a little concerned.

"From what I detect no, only when he affects time in slightly major or major events. This saving of the family

the fourth time has extended the empire 25 years now before it falls. Though I have noticed something strange

about the readings he took of the assassins." Ally quipped back.

"Strange? In what way?" Alatem asked a look of concern crossing her face.

"I'm not sure we will have to test further but the assassins don't appear to be real." Ally replied a slight

sound of shock in it's voice.

Alatem was taken aback not real? Ok now she really was confused it sounded a lot like something that

Charles would dream up. Charles groaned as he rolled into a ball on the floor, croaking out he said, "Ally set

cour...," the pain over taking him again.

"Ally set course for Charles's time we need to get there as soon as possible, I'm afraid if we don't this might

kill him," Alatem ordered.

"Compliance," Ally quipped back, "engaging time dilator, please secure your hunk." Ally said with a soft

giggle. They were almost there the ship began to shake, alarms started to go off all over the ship.

"Ally report!" Alatem yelled above the noise.

"It appears something is wrong with the dilator!" Ally said in an almost panicked voice.

"WHAT!? can you compensate?" Alatem said as she looked at the readings that were flashing on the console.

"Attempting to now, we're about to fall out of the time slip!" Ally replied as the ship suddenly lurched, then

the speed slowed.

"Assessing all systems," Ally said as they came to a stop.

"Any damage to the ship or systems?" Alatem questioned.

"No apparent damage to the ship, all systems operating within tolerable limits, power is at full. Uh-oh," Ally

said suddenly.

Alatem's head snapped up from the readings, "what do you mean uh-oh?"

"From the readings I am getting the dilator isn't functioning, we can't go home!" Ally almost yelled.

"Can you ascertain what the problem is?" Alatem said a look of worry spreading across her face.

"That's the problem, I never had any schematics on it, everything was done mainly by cici and Charles," Ally

said sounding almost a little jealous.

Nodding Alatem looked at the com on Charles's wrist, "cici can you ascertain what the problem with the

dilator is? Also is there any way to repair what is wrong?"

An almost monotone voice with a touch of human emotion came back from the com, "yes miss Allie it is just a

power conducting circuit in the dilator actually simple to repair, for Charles," at the mention of his name

Charles sat up.

"Not right now it isn't, I couldn't lift a sonic welder if I wanted too, we have to determine what it

is in my time that I have to do. Like always though it's not going to be easy," sighing Charles slumped into a

nearby chair. "Damn it! Looks like I'm not going to be worth a shit for a while, barely able to sit let alone

stand and walk."

A look of worry on her face Alatem rushed to his side, "we have to do something, we don't know what allies and

enemies are in this time now." Charles nodded still not able to clear his head.

"I have your station in sight Charles, should we go there?" Ally asked a little too sexy for Charles taste,

sighing there wasn't much he could do, the emotions and mannerisms were the same as Allie's after all.

"Yes Ally, we'll be safer there for the time being," Charles replied another bout of pain ripping through his

stomach. Damn it! It was like getting punched with a giant fist he'd felt some pain before but this was

ridiculous.

Moments later cici took control of the station, after they docked Charles made his way to his med lab.

Not much was different though the systems were the same, some of the tools were slightly off. Shit he felt bad,

not even recognizing some of the things he'd built (well his slightly alternate self). Getting on the bio bed

he had cici do a complete work up on his body.

"Beginning bio scan, initiating thermal imaging," cici quipped. After about 20 minutes cici finished and

rendered it's report. "Analysis complete, initial readings indicate the overabundance of Chroniton particles in

your body resulting in you being pulled in both directions toward the past and present."

Charles nodded "possible suggestions to counteract?

"I postulate 2 scenarios," cici replied, "the first is to remain here in this time for approximately 5 days, 10

hours, 25 minutes and 30 seconds."

"And the second?" Charles asked, though he felt he wasn't going to like the answer.

"The second," cic replied, "is to under go the time removal treatment again, though speculation and data

supplied by Ally suggests that you chances of surviving the amount of time you would have to be exposed, are

projected at 12.975%. I therefore don't suggest taking option 2."

Charles smirked, just like his own humor cici was starting to be a damn wise ass. "I think we need to

work on your bed side manner cici, it's not that good right now."

"Charles, you yourself programed me to always give the facts," cici replied matter of factly.

Charles was about to reply when his proximity alert went off, running as fast as his weak legs could go he

clicked on the main screen. Not far off from the station a strange but slightly familiar ship was slowing to

just outside the shield.

"Charles I am receiving a message from Julie the supply pilot." cici said

"Put her on," Charles replied.

"Charles! Thank god! I thought you were dead! When you pulled that stunt last time with that band of thugs the

Kronos clan elite, I thought that they had hunted you down. I've got your supplies but I can't stay too long, I

don't have the firepower your station does. Also I got a response from central about your message. Permission

to come aboard?" Julie asked suddenly all sweet Charles was beginning to wonder what she had up her sleeve.

Alatem left for her ship not wanting to affect this time any more than she had to. Charles stood near

the hatch when Julie came aboard, walking right up to him she grabbed his cock through his pants, rubbing it to

affect a reaction.

"Damn it Charles, I'm going to get a rise out of you. I've heard about that monster you've got in your pants, I

want it! The boys at central are so small, I need a magnifier to see them properly I want some real meat, not

artificial grown dick!"

"I told you before Julie, I'm not interested," Charles snapped back it didn't matter what parallel time, world

or universe they were in, Julie always seemed to be after him, to the point that it was finally starting to

piss him off.

"I don't care what you say, I'm gonna have you one day," Julie smirked back at him tugging on his crotch one

last time before sighing and releasing him. Charles watched as Julie's men unloaded all the supplies keeping a

close eye making sure no one went any where near Alatem's ship.

"I was supposed to give you this in private," Julie said when her men were through unloading, "but seeing as

how you aren't that afraid of any one, I'll read it here."

(Attention Charles Ricksome, Technical advisor to Empire central

You need to cease your constant bickering and private war with the Kronos clan. Though they are not actually

in power they may be at some point, therefore we at central have reached a decision, either stop are we will

have to take action against you) Administrative body Empire central supply and war tech support

The memories already flooding his mind Rick felt they were always that way. If central wasn't too sure

about the outcome they always backed off to a position of neutrality, damn those ass wipes!

"I was told to tell you," Julie started, "many are glad that you have been harassing them, they feel that you

are the main reason they haven't tried a coup yet. They want you to continue they just can't say out in the

open. You do realize that this is strictly off the record right?"

Charles just nodded sifting through the endless stream of mostly useless crap that were the memories for this

time. Thanking Julie (and another grope at his crotch) Rick watched them leave, he had to admit he was starting

to feel better somewhat but not what he was used to, at least his head was starting to clear.

Contacting Alatem he waited for her to reappear, walking in she could see the intense struggle Charles was

having internally.

"Charles what's wrong?" she asked concern apparent on her face.

"I've been going over what happened after the last attempt, things aren't looking much better," Charles sighed

wondering how they were going to straighten up the mess this time.

"Remember the attempt before this last one?" Charles said as he watched Alatem nod, "I learned that

another empire had defeated the Mioan empire after only 20 years, it had tried to encompass all of the vast

territory but was defeated. The new conquers split into 2 factions, a civil war broke out with the Kronos clan

ruling half and the other free. After this last attempt, the invading empire won 25 years later but paid a

heavy price, as did the Kronos clan that this time, sided with the invading empire. Though still weak they have

held off the Kronos till this time. From the memories I have, the eldest and smartest son was killed by me

invading the free space, so therefore I have a price on my head now, quite substantial I might add."

Alatem couldn't believe what she heard they'd stopped 4 attempts on the royal family and the empire still fell

what the hell did they have to do? It seemed every time they advanced the empire something far worse took it

down a few years later.

Charles had been going over the dilator for 20 minutes now, though he knew it, he still couldn't see

how to repair it. Charles wasn't sure a few minutes later of a strange reading he was getting, "cici, Ally this

reading I've been tracking, it appears to be a type of stabilising energy, scan the whole area, station

included try and pinpoint the source of it."

"Compliance," they both answered at the same time.

Sighing Charles knew they were going to need help this time unless they got the dilator repaired they were

stuck in his time for good, and he knew though he hadn't told her, that Alatem was extremely important to the

past and future of the empire.

"Charles," cic broke his thoughts 15 minutes later, "I have tracked down the source of the energy, it appears

to be emanating from within the station a little used area that appears to have been locked for years."

Charles had cici print up a map as he and Alatem followed it to a well locked door.

"According to the memories I have, this room contains something me/my counterpart developed when he

learned of the time dilator, thing is though I don't know exactly what is in this room." Charles said as he

started the long process of opening the series of doors that led to the room. After 20 minutes they were at the

door of the room where the strange readings were coming from. Though Ally and cici hadn't detected any danger

to Alatem or the baby, Alatem decided to hang back outside the door just in case. Walking in slowly Charles saw

that it was a small round room extremely well shielded, why? Then it hit him ah! ok. To keep a certain clan

from learning of it and the dilator. Searching the memories he saw that it was indeed a stabilizer but why had

he no memory of it or what exactly it did?

"cic access data file b3b3 alpha omega 1," Charles suddenly said.

"Compliance," cici replied.

Suddenly a recording and image of Charles appeared in front of the round locked container in the center

of the room. "Hello Charles, yes I know that I am you and so forth. Inside this vaculock is something I/we

worked on for years after Alatem appeared the first time, though for you I am sure she hasn't left your side

much. I left this message for the end Charles, all the memories of all the Charles's in all the alternate time

lines will eventually coalesce in you. You the end Charles, are as I am sure you have already found out are the

focal point of the past and the present. Though none of us ever felt it, you/we are one of the most important

living being/entities in over 10,000 years, we have all loved Alatem so we know how you feel. Once you open the

vaculock capsule use the stabilizer then relock it, it's the only thing that can screen the energy from being

detected. That's it got to go. Oh! one last thing Allie? Take care of Charles we are such an idiot when it

comes to things like sleep and health ok? Alright later." Charles could only stare at the empty space that had

been the holo recording.

Alatem walked in and nudged Charles who was still standing in the same spot.

"Charles we have to get going we still don't know what can happen here, we need to get back as soon as

possible." Alatem urged.

"We don't have to hurry as long as we are a second after we left we'll be fine," Charles replied still staring

at the empty space. Charles looked back at Alatem, though she still wasn't showing she would be soon and they

were no closer to her father accepting him than they were when they started this adventure. It was at that

moment that he absolutely knew that he loved her more than anything he'd ever known, done or made hell more

than anyone for that matter. "Allie? Are you alright?" Charles asked a little afraid that she was in pain.

"No, but I don't wish to be in another time when I go into labor or if I have complications." Alatem replied

surprised that Charles was as worried about her as he was, she still had a ways to go so no need to panic.

Charles only nodded though not really convinced he had to let it go for the time being.

Searching through the myriad of memories that he now possessed Charles finally found how to open the

lock. Touching 5 symbols on the surface of it the lock opened to reveal a golden shining rectangular shaped

cylindrical container. Reaching out he touched it for only a few moments, 20 seconds at the most, drawing his

hand back he touched the sides of the lock it closed just as fast. A wide smile on his face Charles turned and

took Alatem's hand, reaching to one side out side all the doors he activated 3 switches as all the doors shut

then started to lock.

"I finally know what to do, let's go Allie we've got work to do!" Charles said as the headed back to the

control room. Once there Charles asked Ally to make the new circuits with a much higher ohm resistance.

"I think we're ready to go," Charles said after 3 hours.

"How?" Alatem asked, "I thought you had to remain here 5 and a half days."

"Before yes," Charles replied not looking up from the part of the dilator he'd been working on. "The cylinder

we found in that room contained a device and a metal that many of the 'mes' had worked on for years, it seems

that they have been at it for a while. When we came forward they were, you might say, absorbed by me, like I

had been split into many parts that were just starting to come back together. The device balances me, I was out

of sync, the device puts my body and mind where it should be"

"So you're going to be different?" Alatem asked, not too happy she loved this Charles, not a stranger

that she would never be able to touch.

Smiling a little Charles held her in his arms, "different but the same, different in that I'll have all the

memories but I'm still the same Charles that you met at first, that won't change." Alatem breathed a sigh of

relief finally a straight answer.

Charles was about to tell Ally to start the time slip when several proximity alarms went off. Running to the

control center Ally and cici notified him that they had a fleet of 200 ships fast approaching.

"cic deploy all shields, bring up weapons array to full, charge all plasma cannons to 100%, I'm not playing

this time they want to die so be it!" Charles snarled.

The ships took up an overall pattern of attack around the station, Ally informed them that once again her

weapons were offline. Charles was adjusting settings by the readings he was getting hmm seems they had improved

a little since last time.

Suddenly the speakers crackled to life, "alright you bastard, now that we've found you it's time for you to die!" A familiar voice

said. Charles watched for almost an hour as they tried to once again pierce his shields, not really worried

Charles worked on updating cici's files on all the inventions that he/them had worked on. Once done he sat for

a few minutes then decided to end this.

"Alright you've been trying for an hour now, still not ready to give up?" Charles asked pretty sure he knew the

answer.

"NEVER" Came the reply.

Sighing Charles targeted 20 ships, adjusting his power settings a moment, pressed 4 buttons watching as all 20

winked out of existence. "Now then, if I didn't kill you this time the next just might. Do you seriously want

to take that chance?"

There was a sudden crackle from the speakers again, "You son of a bitch! You've killed more sons of the Kronos

clan! We will never rest till you are dead! We'll..."

Tired of this idiot's tirade Charles targeted all 4 ships around him and flipped a switch then pressed a button

they too were gone in a flash. "Leave NOW! before I really get mad, you got off easy that was only 24 ships as

you can see I KNEW where you were. It could have as easily been all 200 hundred of you, If I see you again I

won't miss you bragging piece of filth!" Charles shouted as almost all of the ships turned tail.

Charles watched them fleeing knowing that the blow heart leader had to have one more say once he felt

he was safe. Sure enough what they thought was out of his range they stopped the leader spewing out, "You can't

resist the might of the entire clan!"

Sighing Charles activated the plasma cannons, firing only one shot he watched as it destroyed another 30 ships.

"I told you to go, before I was mad you are still well within my range, now I AM starting to get mad." Charles

growled out. This time they all turned and ran at full speed. "Ally ativ..."

"Time slip in 1 minute," Ally Chimed in, "please buckle in."

Shaking his head Charles knew she was starting to be able to predict what he wanted almost as well as Allie,

sighing he now had to do something about her father. Charles didn't want Allie to be a fugitive but he didn't

want to be away from her, after all he would die for her, he loved her too much not to.

TO BE CONTINUED