Earworm (Part 1)

- Tell me seriously: where did you come from?

- Heaven…

- Really? You could have come from Hell instead and I would never be quite sure of that either. I don’t know how and why, but you’re stuck in my mind like an earworm… I can’t take you out of my thoughts! What are you doing to me, after all? It’s so weird…

He giggled. His eyes were like two stars and I could see them twinkling in the darkness or better saying, I was more feeling them than really seeing them. His hands reached out to touch me, and I accepted his kindness and tender touch on my skin, feeling it so soft and suave like a feather floating in the warm summer breeze and landing on my body.

- It’s a secret.

- And I assume you won’t tell me…

- No, but you can always keep me in your mind, so you can take me with you wherever you go… whenever…

- Wise man… very wise man.

***

He was a different man. Very peculiar. I could take it from the moment I first set my eyes upon him. His handsome features were not of a Greek god, but he had his charm.  His skin was pale but not rosy, his dark eyes were like black pearls, shining in the deep shells of his eye sockets. Although he kept his dark hair trimmed and neat, he was almost bald. He was attractive without being bold or arrogant.

I was a tourist traveling on my own and he was working as a gondolier in the Grand Canal. He told us he worked during the summer to raise some money to cover his studies. He wanted to major in Arts and the tuition was quite expensive. When he was working and acting as a guide on the gondolas, he was very polite and good humoured, but when the situation was quiet, his eyes, somehow, would wonder away every now and then, as if his spirit was longing for something out there all the time.

When we left the Canal, he just waved a polite goodbye and went back to the new group of tourists awaiting in line. I still wandered around for a couple of hours and then decided to find a restaurant where I could eat something, as the time for lunch was long gone and I was starving.  I decided on the trattoria and tried to find a quieter spot near the window, so I could observe the people coming in and out through the dark green painted doors. It was late and not many places would serve lunch as in a normal day. The small and cosy trattoria was quiet, but not empty at all, in spite of being mid-afternoon already.

Coincidence or not, I recognized his handsome figure when he came in the same restaurant, walking proudly and firmly, showing confidence and comfort in being who he was. Then he sat alone, ordered the meal and waited. He did not look to the cell phone, he did not show any interest in people around him. His eyes were somehow lost in the distance, far away from the window. While observing his movements, I thought he was that very unusual person and I decided I wanted to know more of who he was.

I tried to make him look at me, mentally, trying as hard as I could to call him in my mind. He frowned, as if something was disturbing his mind, then looked around as if looking for someone. Then our eyes met.

I felt like falling into an immense hole opened underneath my feet. My head was dizzy, and he was there, looking at me with that unreadable expression on his face. The eternal moment lasted not longer than one or two seconds, but it was as intense as a hundred years long. I tried to stand up, but my legs failed me, and he noticed it.

- You ok?

“You ok??? What kind of English is that?”

- Yes. I am ok. Thanks.

He was standing by my table and looking worried. I thought I was going to faint. My heart was pounding fast.

“What the hell is this?”

- You are very pale. Maybe you should drink some water.

- I’m alright. Thanks.

“He is just a stranger. Why is he worried about me? This makes no sense…”

He was serious. Very serious. His dark eyes sparkled in the afternoon light. I could not help but think of a lighthouse standing tall on the beachline.

- Are you sure you’re OK? I can ask for help.

“Help? Help me God, I want this man!”

- I’m really OK. Water will do me good.

- Ok, then.

He turned around and left me alone. He walked firmly and slowly, away from me. He went towards the cashier and took his wallet from his right pocket. I was still feeling weird. He paid the bill and left through the glass door. I was unsure and insecure. I wanted him to stay, but could not do anything, but keep my desire hidden in my mind. I shouted from inside, knowing my voice would never be heard, either by him or by anyone else around.

“Oh. Please come back and look at me!”

My face was clearly showing despair and impotence. For some strange reason I felt the urge to look at the window behind me and I did.

I had a fright. He was looking at me with a funny expression on his handsome face. I tried to return his smile, but could only show a strange and crooked smirk. He laughed… at me… and walked away, as if he was happy with what he got so far.

***

- How can you read my mind that way? How can you answer, when my lips are still not even open?

- I feel you. I sense you. I read your thoughts.

- You’re scary. Did you know that? I think you’ve put a spell on me, since the very first moment.

He just laughed. He never denied it, but I knew that was not normal.

For what mattered, my heart longed for him. My body missed his touch. My thoughts were only for and about him all day long.

I had certainly been bewitched. My mind-set was totally and unavoidably directed to him. Not that I wanted it to be different, but I knew I was under his will… or spell… completely… body and soul…

And he seemed to like it, although he never really said it out loud.

***

- It’s been about three months we see each other every day.

- That long? I wouldn’t say that much…

- Intensity. This is what I call it.

- Nice. Intensity is good, I guess.

- It is good, yes.

***

- Trust me.

- I’m afraid.

- Just trust me, ok? It’ll be alright. Either you take a leap of faith or not. You will never know unless you try.

- But it’s like jumping in the air and not knowing if there is a net to hold me if I fail and fall… I don’t know how to fly…

- I do. Just close your eyes and, as you said, jump!

I was so scared. I did not know if I should trust him or not, but I wanted to. I closed my eyes and held his hand. Then I let myself go… and I’m glad I did… now.

***

- I don’t know how you convince me, but I’m glad you did.

- It just proves you need to be more daring…

- Yeah. Right.

As usually, he was playing games with my mind. He used to say I had a sexy mind. That was an uncommon thing for me, but he was filling my life with pride and joy.

- You have met lots of different people in your life and that’s certainly a very serious statement, based on your experience.

- This is why I can say I’m serious about it. You ARE special.

I blushed immediately. He simply held me in his arms, kissing the top on my head. I encircled his body with my arms and felt cosy and loved. What a good sensation to feel… but for some incomprehensible reason my heart missed a beat.

I looked at his handsome face and he seemed distant, as if he was in another place… far-faraway. I knew that look.

Then he said, in a grave and very low voice:

- I’m in your life for a reason.

***

O Barqueiro (Pequeno Estudo)

The Thirteenth (Epilogue)

A star and two small planets could be seen in the sky, through the Council Room window of the Main Building. A man alone contemplates, seriously and thoughtfully, the immense darkness, decorated with tiny specks of light, shining on the outside and oblivious to his grief.

"This world is doomed by sameness and monotony. We live for too long a time, but our existence is not necessarily filled with any kind of pleasure. There is no real purpose in living long, preserving the species, or even saving the planet. If an accident destroys this civilization, what difference would the universe feel? What difference could the past make? What if the accident were somewhere in the past, even before the great destruction? Would it really make any difference?

Here and now there is nothing that can give us any reason for pride or for longing to live. Our existence is empty. It is all so gray and dull, without any beauty. There are no feelings either good or bad. Why do we need to keep this thing still working? "

***

- I don’t want to be an experiment anymore. I will no longer be serving as a guinea pig for the creation of a sterile vaccine. I do not want to be changed anymore. This is what makes me unique in this crowd of equals.

- But the mutation is going pretty fast. Your back is covered with these black and white furry spots that are already spreading to the rest of your body and your defenses are low. You will not hold out for long.

- It's my choice.

- You do not have this option, by the rules... No clone has... in these circumstances...

- I am David, the Thirteenth... If things had been different, I would have been chosen to be the next Supreme, for being the best and the stronger, or to be an explorer of the Universe. Now I'm just a freak. It is better to let life go its normal course... or curse… and I'll live with it... for as long as it's possible...

- That can be for very little time, now, you know.

- Whatever. The vaccine does not work, anyway.

***

- We live in a planet, which, together with other smaller ones, revolves around a small star, which has limited natural light, but keeps the system functioning in a balanced way. The planet's orbit around itself occurs for a shorter period than on Earth, for obvious reasons. Time, then, has a different concept. As the day has fewer hours, the count of years is therefore different. The control of life in this system of planets belongs to a group of scientists, who constitute an intellectual elite.

- Why do you use the count of years as A.D.?

- Because the founders wanted to pay a homage to Earth, the planet they originally came from.

- And what are the clones created for, anyway?

- Each planet, in this cluster of other smaller planetoids, has its own peculiarity. What makes this one habitable is the unique and unusual feature of having Oxygen, although in much less quantity than on planet Earth. The element, vital to human life, is processed, filtered and used within the protected structures, which we call Stations. This feature is not the only thing we have in common with our distant predecessor from another galaxy. A stream of water-like liquid flowing through underground rivers is collected, reprocessed and transformed into potable water and then made available to the inhabitants in a natural way. But we are facing a new problem: we are quickly running out of this available water-like liquid. Research teams have already been sent in search of alternatives, through the galaxy, but so far, nothing real has been found. These small teams are mostly composed of selected clones, specially trained for this type of operation. An advanced robotic unit accompanies the crew of each spacecraft. At the moment, we have just a few of them out in the searching trips because we cannot create enough clones.

- Cloning is a reality and it is inevitable, being practically the only form of reproduction in our time. The process is interrupted, from the moment we find that the resistance of the body to any type of problem, physical or mental, is practically guaranteed. After the vaccine has been applied, some characteristics are allowed to mature on their own, forming different individuals within the cocoons, such as chrysalides, in the incubators. We do not use human wombs. Not all of these individuals come to the end of the process and survive, because the vaccine is quite aggressive, but it must be so. When they are ready, the strongest are selected and reported to the Supreme, who inspects them, along with the Council, to send them to the Main Building. This planet is inhabited by a single race, which speaks a unique language. The new humans are virtually devoid of hairs, having their skull box enlarged in size and their bodies diminished in proportion. Once well trained, they will be part of the teams selected by the Council to explore the galaxy. The others, of a more regular, but resistant lineage, are sent for the production of Oxygen. Demographic density is kept under strict control. Our resources are limited, so we have to use them effectively.

- This is amazing. And it all started with my research, in a remote past...

The head of the scientists laughed, a little embarrassed. The man seemed not to be fully aware of the importance his research has had so far in developing that race, which represented, in one way or another, the future of mankind. He could not be blamed for being so naïve, however, since more than twenty-five centuries had passed since then and he could have never guessed that would go so far.

- Yes, doctor. All this based on your precious research... in the remote past and on a planet a bit different from this.

***

- Leona! I need you to come to the lab right away. Something very strange has happened.

- What thing?

- You better come and see... I do not know what to say...

When they arrived they realized that the laboratory was empty, except for a Monarch, standing on the wall.

- How did it come here?

Leona laughed.

- I do not know, for sure, but I have an idea of ​​where it might have come from... a certain clone... that traveled to the past and was enchanted by music and a flock of butterflies...

***

- The outbreak is uncontrollable. The clones perish very quickly and the line can no longer produce them to meet the needs, due to the incubation period. The continuation of life is doomed.

- I have an idea. Do we still have the Monarch with us?

- Yes. But what's a butterfly for, now, anyway?

- That's how the study began. Maybe we have a chance... We're going to have to start all over again. We isolated the DNA and made a vaccine in the past. The original one does not even work anymore. We have to start from scratch. There was something, in the meantime, that stopped working and we do not have enough time to try and repair it. We have to start all over again.

- Yes. Let's stop trying to recover the unrecoverable and do everything from the beginning, again.

- OK. But it may take a long time before we get to the point where we were, before the incident.

- Perhaps. At least we'll know what to do from this point on...

***

The Supreme looked at the black and white patches covering his thin, pale body. They seemed covered with a dense layer of very soft hair. He felt a pang of pain in his head. He knew that his defenses were compromised, as a result of the anomaly and for no longer taking the vaccines.

He sighed and looked up at the sky of that desolate and insignificant planet in the midst of the infinite Universe, so little known, despite all the evolutions after the First Chaos and decided that it was time for a radical decision.

"This was not supposed to happen. They are very close to finding a solution. If they suspect of anything, they will turn against me. But I'll never let them know what I did. I have to fix this situation straightaway before it gets too late."

He programmed the main computer, which controlled all the units, for two actions. Destruction was absolutely necessary. He concluded his commands and sat down, relaxed, as he had never done since he had become the Supreme.

"Genocide and suicide. It was a great idea to sabotage the production of the vaccines, since I discovered that the anomaly could be a great opportunity for the extermination of this sterile breed of beings. This will all look like an accident, but who do I have to explain something to, anyway? There will be nothing left! What a great plan!"

He closed his eyes and waited. In a few seconds, the planet imploded and then exploded completely, in a predetermined sequence, taking on a huge cloud of debris, already devoid of any sign of life, traveling at high speed through the space, in all directions.

A solitary capsule wandered adrift not far from where the asteroid existed a few moments before. Inside it, a metal tube carried precious information about a race of humanoids, who lived on a small, arid planet that ceased to exist. The capsule is thrown, along with the debris of the destroyed planet, through the silent, dark emptiness of space, being drawn into a crevice in the midst of the chaos and disappearing completely with a quick flash of light.

***

On a nearly deserted beach, two young men were talking while walking side by side, each one with a beer can in hand. A flash of lightning crossed the darkness, drawing their attention, especially because the sky seemed clean and starry. The sound of something big falling into the sea, right behind where they came from, made them stop and come back.

The strange metal object floated on the ocean water, swaying to the taste of the waves and still steaming.

It was a warm summer night in the Anno Domini of 2018.

O Décimo-Terceiro (Epílogo)

Uma estrela e dois pequenos planetas podiam ser vistos no céu, pela janela da Sala do Conselho, no Edifício Principal. Um homem sozinho contempla, sério e pensativo, a imensa escuridão, decorada com minúsculos pontículos de luz, brilhando no lado de fora, alheios ao seu pesar.

“Este mundo já está condenado pela mesmice e pela rotina. Vive-se por tempo longo demais, mas não é necessariamente uma existência com prazer. Não há um real objectivo em viver longamente, preservar a espécie, ou até mesmo o planeta. Se houvesse um acidente que destruísse esta civilização, que diferença o universo iria sentir? Qual a diferença que o passado poderia fazer? E se o tal acidente for em algum lugar do passado, antes mesmo da grande destruição? Será que fará mesmo alguma diferença?

Aqui, neste momento, não há nada que possa nos dar qualquer razão para orgulho ou para querermos viver. A existência é vazia. É tudo muito cinza e sem beleza. Não existem sentimentos. Para que manter essa coisa a funcionar?”

***

- Chega de ser mais um experimento. Chega de servir de cobaia para a criação de uma vacina estéril. Eu já não quero ser mudado. É isso que me faz um ser único, no meio desta multidão de iguais.

- Mas a mutação está bastante acelerada. Tuas costas estão cobertas destas manchas negras e brancas, que já se espalham pelo resto do corpo e tuas defesas estão em baixa. Não vais resistir muito tempo.

- É uma opção minha.

- Tu não tens esta opção, pelas regras… Nenhum clone tem… nestas circunstâncias…

- Eu sou David, o Décimo-Terceiro… Se as coisas tivessem sido diferentes, eu seria escolhido para ser o próximo Supremo, por ser mais forte e resistente, ou para viajar pelo Universo. Agora sou apenas uma aberração. É melhor deixar que a vida siga seu curso normal. … e vou viver com isso… enquanto for possível…

- O que pode ser por muito pouco tempo, agora.

- Que seja. A vacina não funciona, de qualquer maneira.

***

- Nós vivemos num complexo de planetas, que gira em torno de uma pequena estrela, que possui luz natural limitada, mas mantém o sistema a funcionar equilibradamente. A órbita do planeta em torno de si mesmo ocorre por um período menos longo que na terra, por razões óbvias. O tempo passou, então, a ter um conceito diferente. Como o dia tem menos horas, a contagem dos anos é, portanto, diferente. O controlo da vida neste sistema de planetas pertence a um grupo de cientistas, que formam uma elite intelectual.

- Por que usam a contagem dos anos como A.D.?

- Porque os fundadores quiseram homenagear a Terra, o planeta de onde vieram, originalmente.

- E para que servem os clones, afinal?

- Este pequeno planeta fica ao centro de um grupo de outros planetóides de menor tamanho, cada qual com sua própria particularidade. O que o faz habitável é a característica única e pouco comum de possuir oxigénio, embora em quantidade muito menor que no planeta Terra. O elemento, vital para vida humana, é tratado, filtrado e usado dentro das estruturas protegidas, que chamamos de Estações. Esta característica não é a única coisa que temos em comum com o nosso distante antecessor da outra galáxia. Um manancial de líquido, com composição semelhante à da água, que corre por rios subterrâneos, é colhido, reprocessado e transformado em água potável e, então, disponibilizada aos habitantes, de forma natural. Mas estamos a enfrentar um novo problema: o manancial é limitado e está escasseando rapidamente. Equipas de pesquisa já foram enviadas em busca de alternativas, pela galáxia, mas até agora, nada real. Estas pequenas equipas, são, na sua maioria, compostas por clones seleccionados e treinados especialmente para isso. Uma unidade robótica avançada acompanha a tripulação de cada nave que parte. No momento, temos umas poucas, porque não conseguimos criar clones em quantidades suficientes.

- A clonagem é, na verdade, uma realidade e é inevitável, sendo praticamente a única forma de reprodução, neste momento. O processo é interrompido, a partir do momento em que verificamos que a resistência do corpo a qualquer tipo de problemas, físicos ou mentais, está praticamente garantida. Depois de aplicada a vacina, deixa-se que algumas características amadureçam sozinhas, formando indivíduos diferentes, dentro dos casulos, como crisálidas, nas incubadoras. Não usamos úteros humanos. Nem todos chegam ao fim do processo e sobrevivem, porque a vacina é bastante agressiva, mas é necessário que assim seja. Quando estão prontos, os mais fortes são seleccionados e reportados ao Supremo, que os inspecciona, juntamente com o Conselho, para mandá-los para o Edifício Principal. O planeta é habitado por uma raça única, que fala uma língua única. Os novos humanos são praticamente desprovidos de pelos, tendo sua caixa craniana aumentado em tamanho e seus corpos diminuído em proporção. Depois de bem treinados, farão parte das equipas seleccionadas pelo Conselho, para explorar a galáxia. Os outros, de uma linhagem mais regular, porém resistente, são enviados para a produção de Oxigénio. A densidade demográfica é mantida sob estrito controlo. Os nossos recursos são limitados, por isso temos que usá-los com eficácia.

- Isso é incrível. E tudo começou com base na minha pesquisa, num passado tão remoto…

O chefe dos cientistas riu, meio sem graça. O homem parecia não ter plena consciência da importância que sua pesquisa teve no desenvolver daquela raça, que representava, de uma forma ou de outra, o futuro da humanidade. Não se podia condená-lo, afinal, levando-se em consideração que mais de vinte e cinco séculos se haviam passado desde então.

- Sim, doutor. Tudo isso com base na sua preciosa pesquisa… num passado remoto e num planeta um bocado diferente deste.

***

- Leona! Preciso que vocês venham até o laboratório imediatamente. Aconteceu uma coisa muito estranha.

- Que coisa?

- Melhor virem ver… eu não sei o que dizer…

Ao chegarem constataram que o laboratório estava vazio, exceto por uma Monarca, pousada na parede.

- Como isso veio parar aqui?

Leona riu.

- Eu não sei, ao certo, mas tenho uma ideia de onde possa ter vindo… Um certo clone… que viajou ao passado e que se encantou com uma revoada de borboletas…

***

- O surto está incontrolável. Os clones perecem muito rapidamente e a linha já não dá conta de produzi-los, para suprir as necessidades, devido ao período de incubação. A continuação da vida está condenada.

- Tive uma ideia. Ainda temos a Monarca connosco?

- Sim. Mas para que serve uma borboleta, agora?

- Foi como o estudo começou. Talvez tenhamos uma hipótese…. Vamos ter que recomeçar o processo todo. Isolamos o ADN e produzimos uma nova vacina. A original não funciona mesmo. Temos que começar do nada. Houve alguma coisa neste meio tempo, que deixou de funcionar e não temos mais tempo para tentar reparar. Temos que fazer tudo novo.

- Deixemos de tentar recuperar o irrecuperável e fazer tudo, do começo, outra vez.

- OK. Mas pode levar muito tempo, até conseguirmos chegar ao ponto em que estávamos, antes do incidente.

- Talvez. Pelo menos saberemos o que fazer…

***

O Supremo olhava para as manchas negras e brancas a cobrir seu corpo magro e pálido. Elas pareciam cobertas de uma densa camada de pelos, muito suaves ao toque. Sentiu uma pontada de dor na cabeça. Sabia que suas defesas estavam comprometidas, por consequência da anomalia e por já não tomar as vacinas.

Ele suspirou e olhou para o céu daquele planeta desolado, tão insignificante, no meio do infindo Universo, tão pouco conhecido, apesar de todas as evoluções, após o Caos Primeiro, e decidiu que estava em tempo de tomar uma decisão radical.

“Não era isso que eu queria. Eles estão muito perto de chegar à uma solução. Se desconfiarem de alguma coisa, vão-se voltar contra mim. Mas nunca vou deixar que eles saibam o que eu fiz. Agora vou ter que dar um jeito, em definitivo, nesta situação, antes que seja tarde demais.”

Programou o computador principal, que comandava todas as unidades, para duas acções. A destruição era absolutamente necessária. Concluiu o comando e sentou-se, relaxadamente, como nunca havia feito, desde que se havia tornado o Supremo.

“Genocídio e suicídio. Fiz bem em sabotar a produção das vacinas, desde que descobri que a anomalia podia ser uma grande oportunidade, para o extermínio desta raça. Isso tudo vai parecer um acidente, mas para quem terei que explicar algo, afinal? Não sobrará nada! Que grande plano!”

Ele fechou os olhos e esperou. Em poucos segundos, o planeta implodia e, em seguida, explodia completamente, numa sequência predeterminada, tonando-se uma imensa nuvem de detritos, já desprovida de qualquer sinal de vida, viajando em alta velocidade pelo espaço, em todas as direcções.

Uma cápsula solitária vagava, à deriva, não muito distante de onde o asteróide existia, poucos momentos antes. Em seu interior, um tubo de metal trazia informações preciosas sobre uma raça de humanóides, que viveu em um pequeno e árido planeta e que deixara de existir. A cápsula é lançada, juntamente com os detritos do planeta destruído, pelo vazio silencioso e escuro do espaço, sendo puxada para dentro de uma fenda no meio do caos, em meio a um clarão e, a seguir, desaparecendo completamente.

***

Numa praia quase deserta, dois rapazes caminhavam lado a lado, cada um com uma lata de cerveja na mão e conversando tranquilamente. Um clarão riscou o céu, vindo da frente deles, chamando-lhes a atenção, especialmente porque o céu parecia limpo, estrelado e sem previsão de chuva. O som de algo grande, caindo no mar, bem atrás de onde vinham, fê-los parar e voltar.

O estranho objecto metálico boiava na água salgada, balançando ao sabor das ondas, ainda fumegando.

Era um dia quente de Verão, no Anno Domini 2018.

***

The Thirteenth (Part 4)

Leona looked at her father and David, the thirteenth clone, who ran along with her to the edge of the forest, worried about nothing else but to save their skins. She was faster and knew the way, so she took charge of their protection. Fortunately, the armed men had not detected them so far, but it could only be a matter of time.

They heard more gunshots. Leona kept thinking of her brother. As long as she heard the sound of those shots, as dangerous as it might be, she knew he was probably alive. The silence could be a bad sign however. She was afraid to think of the worst. Her immediate concern was to run for safety.

- We have to reach the tunnels. It will be easier to go unnoticed once we are in there. Be careful, but do not stop one second.

She knew she demanded too much from those two different human beings, but she had to be strong for the two, who were practically reaching the limits of their strength. A thought went through her head and she tried to tear it off her mind, but it was not easy...

“What will this outbreak of adrenaline cause to the body of the clone? He is already in a strange mutation. What if this speeds up some process to the point of no return?”

One more shot. This time it seemed to be closer to them. She heard hurried footsteps. They were almost at the entrance to the tunnels. Leona did not look back. She kept her father and David under her full attention and had to concentrate on keeping them safe, no matter what. The future and the past were running along with her, under her full responsibility.

As they finally passed the entrance, Leona did not hesitate. That entanglement of passageways in the various galleries was like a maze, but both she and her brother knew the place very well. They used to have a private joke about their favorite hiding place.

"If it's not right to go right, then it is right to go left."

As soon as she felt safe, she let the two men finally catch their breath. The three of them were quietly trying to figure out if they were alone in there. The sound of hurried footsteps told them that someone was coming in the same direction. It could only be her brother, but she told the two of them to be hidden and silent, until they were sure of it, while she would check it.

- Leona, I saved the diary. Don’t even ask at what cost. You'd better take it with you. I will divert the attention of those men so that they never come close to the terminal until you are safe to be transported back to the future.

- No. We have very little time. We must get out of here together.

- It's our only chance. Trust me. I will be here on time. Don’t worry.

Not to worry and trust him? She had her doubts... As much as he seemed confident of what he was doing, it was still extremely risky.

The woman did not realize that her brother tried to hide his difficulty in breathing normally. He pretended to be only tired and worried about getting them out of there and back to safety.

- We'll meet at the terminal in fifteen minutes. Don’t wait more than five more minutes for me. Now go.

Leona quickly articulated an emergency plan in her mind, but she needed time to carry it out before her brother rejoined the group.

She called her father and the Thirteenth up. They followed her, saying nothing. The younger character could not hide how scared and afraid he was. The older man, used to sudden departs and a very unsafe life for long just followed his daughter, without complaining and in apprehensive quietness.

The woman was agile and knew the way through like no one else. The two of them made an extra effort to follow her, blindly and confidently. All the other sounds, besides their footsteps, had been completely left behind, making it easier for them to be attentive to the place and noises around.

- It's right over there. We’ve finally arrived.

***

Leona reprogrammed the transport terminal, as she had decided mentally, for the return of four travelers, rather than the three who had gotten in at that point in the past. Despite the risk of that action, and even knowing that she was going against all the security procedures and orders of the Supreme, she had no doubt she had taken the right decision.

She, her father and the Thirteenth clone were anxiously waiting for the fourth traveler, but time ran out too quickly and the terminal sent the transfer signal. The three of them placed themselves in the center of the capsule and waited a fraction of a second for it to begin the process.

The woman felt tired and sad, but she had to follow the procedure, especially in the name of the safety of her father and the clone. When they’d reach the future, she would try to get around the situation, probably by sending another signal, so that her brother would receive it and return. He would know what to do.

The sound of a burst of gunshots was not noticed by any of the three as they were being transferred back into the future because of the buzzing sound the machine emitted and the speed of the process. The Thirteenth felt a jerk in his foot, but did not realize what was really happening.

They heard an intermittent ringing a few seconds later.

The transfer had been effectively completed. They were now inside the transportation terminal of the main building in the year 4697.

Leona looked down, at the feet of the Thirteenth, and then realized the clone had his legs and feet stained with blood.

- What is it?

- It's… blood. Are you hurt?

- I don’t know…

The clone’s nose was also bleeding. He rolled his eyes and fell at the woman’s feet, apparently unconscious. She hurried to him, but then she saw that behind him lay the wounded and unconscious body of her brother. His hands were also covered with blood.

The two scientists arrived at that moment, together with the Supreme, who approached and spoke, before she had time to explain herself.

- I hope you have a very good explanation to this. I told you not to interfere with anything in the past. Your task was precisely to prevent that from happening.

- I know. But we were being chased by armed men and I could not leave anyone behind. It was the only alternative.

- The only alternative? The only alternative was to have avoided this whole mess...

- I know, but we have a more serious problem right now...

The Supreme looked over Leona's shoulders and understood what she meant. Although he was an extremely severe man, he was also consistent and fair.

***

- But we managed to save the diary, after all. Even after everything that happened... and...

- Yes. That's right. But at a very high price.

- This is no longer relevant. What matters now is that we have managed to protect our future and the living of all these people...

- But we messed with the past. It should not have happened. It was a very serious risk... and invariably every intervention has its consequences.

- But you were not going to live for long, back there, anyway... The attack may have been anticipated by our arrival at that time in the laboratory, but for all intents and purposes, you'd be dead that night and that's what happened. No one will ever know the truth... What difference could it make, now?

- Never underestimate the effects of the small things or those that seem to have little importance... How do you know that nothing has remained untouched in this future? Even if you have not noticed yet... there has been a change!

- Are you sure?

- I am, yes...

Leona looked at her father with concern. His brother's death had been a sacrifice, in the name of the future and science, which had not been foreseen, nor could it be prevented or reversed. Time is cruel and does not forgive... That new finding, however, was quite worrying.

Her father pointed to the laboratory. From there, David, the Thirteenth cone, looked at her and the old scientist.

Leona frowned. He seemed calm, but the anomaly was more and more evident. The woman pulled her father by the arm and they entered the immaculately white room.

The chief scientist seemed to be tremendously stressed and in despair.