Timeless

New Mexico Redux

New Mexico Redux“The book you just deposited into my mobile containment unit was of utmost importance in maintaining the stability of the universe.”

Sam turned and looked toward the entrance of the cave. “Mobile containment unit? It's just a mailbox.”

Grillick's face darkened. “Mailbox? Your kind is so infuriating. Humans have no eye for science. They have no ear for knowledge. They only have tastes for self-gratification.”

Sam turned and shrugged. “That still doesn't take away from the fact that it's a mailbox.”

Grillick shoved his hand into his beard and scratched furiously. After several moments, he ceased scratching and hopped off the rock. “Anyway, I didn't come here to debate the difference between the two. I am here because there is dark work underway up there.” He pointed to the sky. “You're friend, Nathan, will need your help if he has any hope of success.”

Sam's demeanor turned serious. “Nathan? So he is still alive?” A look of relief washed over him. “What do you need me to do?” Grillick looked past Sam, toward the entrance. When Sam followed his gaze, he noticed the mailbox was no longer present. “What the hell…?”

“Calm yourself Sam. It's still there, just shrouded. To wandering eyes it is nothing more than a shadow against the stone.” Grillick paced uneasily before scratching at his beard again. “In eighteen years, Earth will have their first official contact with the Consortium. When that happens, you will need to come back to this spot to retrieve the journal.”

“Why me?” Sam asked. “Why at that time?”

“Because you will be employed by a company called Synthicon at that time,” Grillick explained. He began pacing back and forth, rubbing his hands furiously. “I won't go into great detail about the role the company plays in Earth history, but I will tell you this. You will befriend someone by the name of Solomon Corvus. Your skills in bioengineering and cybernetics will have no equal within the company. Your ability in both fields will eventually catch his eye. When that happens, all will be revealed.”

“That's it?” asked Sam. “All will be revealed.” Sam waved his arms in the air melodramatically. “What happens then? Do I team up with Nathan to save the world like some sort of intergalactic Batman and Robin?”

“Nothing as dramatic as that, my dear boy,” Grillick squeaked. “Let us just say that only time can reveal to you what I cannot.” Grillick stretched and emitted a bellowing yawn. “That's about it.” He moved a rock, revealing a digital panel with a numbered keypad. After pushing four of the buttons, a section of the rock wall slid aside like a door. Sam stopped him before he could walk through.

“What the…?” he stuttered. “Hey, wait a minute. Where are you going?”

Grillick stopped and turned. “Oh yeah right, I almost forgot.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of golden hoop earrings. He shoved them into Sam's hand.

“What are these for?” Sam asked with a puzzled look.

“You will need these as you travel through the time holes,” Grillick replied. “They will make sure you get to where you want to go.” He turned to walk through the doorway but stopped again and slapped his palm against his forehead. “Oh how stupid of me. I almost forgot this.” He reached into his jacket and retrieved a circular object which resembled a compass but was slightly smaller than a Frisbee. Instead of directional markings, it had a clear screen, which lit up with icons when touched, sort of like an iPad. Many of the icon markings were unrecognizable to Sam.

“What's this?” he asked.

Grillick scratched his chin and c****d his head and examined Sam's ears. He pointed to the earrings. “You will need to eventually get your ears pierced to wear those. A clip-on set had been created but kept falling off the wearer during travel, which resulted in undesired consequences.” He scrunched his face with distaste. “Explanations of their use are located within the journal but basically they are to help with guidance through the worm holes. This on the other hand,” he tittered and shoved the Frisbee-looking thing in Sam's hand, “is your navigational system. It really is quite simple. All you need to do is plug in your receiving point, month, and year and step through the nearest worm hole.”

Sam looked at the items like they were venomous snakes. “Worm holes? Time holes? Are you seriously telling me that I can travel through time with these?”

Grillick stopped scratching his chin and narrowed his eyes. “If necessary,” he replied curtly. He turned and passed through the doorway.

“Wait!” Sam called. “How do I use these things?”

Grillick walked out of sight, but his voice echoed off of the cave walls. “It's all in the journal. Trust me.”

“Oh yeah?” Sam Grumbled at the empty cave. “Trust goes both ways.”