Eve of Man (The Harvest Book 2) (33 page)

“Yes. And some are quite large.”

“What stops them from eating my dog? From eating us?”

“Be smarter than the beast and you won’t have to
worry,” Roxanne replied, speaking in perfect German.  

Colin interrupted before Bruno could formulate a
response, “It’s going to take a long time for... how many people did you say
were still on Earth?”

“About a thousand,” Austin responded. 

Colin tried to calculate this in his mind, giving up
before too long. “I’m no math wiz, but that’s a lot of trips in two pods that
only hold two people isn’t it.”

Zack laughed. “You’re not an anything wiz.” This
comment earned him a punch in the arm from Charlie.

Colin scowled at his brother. “Should have hit him in
the mouth.”

“A thousand divided by four is two hundred fifty.” Ed
answered. “Two hundred fifty times two is five hundred. So five hundred trips.
And that’s for the people. What about our things? Clothing, electronics,
machinery. How do we transport those things?”

“I’m terribly sorry sir, but one bag per person.
Anything more and the portal will have to charge you extra,” Zack quipped. “In
addition, the portal is not responsible for lost luggage, so do not place any
items of value in your checked baggage. As always, thank you for traveling with
the portal and enjoy your trip through space.”

They all laughed, and even Austin appreciated Zack’s
humor. It took the attention off of Roxanne, which was a relief, since their
feelings towards her were ones of suspicion, doubt and sometimes confusion.
Charlie, who seemed to have a sixth sense about Roxanne, was the exception. She
thought Roxanne wonderful and, other than himself, was the only bunker resident
to spend time alone with her.  He’d never felt at ease about their
relationship, not as far as Charlie was concerned. Something about the girl
appealed to Eve and he couldn’t determine in what capacity she valued Charlie’s
company.  

“When are we leaving?” Charlie asked, looking Austin
in the eyes, interrupting his train of thought.

Austin met her gaze. For a moment he thought he saw recognition
in her expression, and perhaps she saw past his human disguise. He answered
without wavering, “The sooner the better. I think a week is all you’ll need.”

“What about other survivors?” Kyle asked.

“Eve will lead them to the portals,” he replied. “There’s
one other portal in the US, but only the Cheyenne portal is usable. There’re
three more outside the US, in Australia, Russia and Brazil. Eve will divide up the
other survivors.”

“Five?” Zack asked. “Why five?”

 “Not sure man. But if the Adita are responsible for
putting them on Earth, be certain there’s a significance to the locations,”
Austin replied.

Zack’s mind spun into turbo mode thinking over the
possibilities. Were the portals located at specific coordinates that maybe held
some strategic importance to the Adita? Or was there an electromagnetic field
created by the five points. But wait, a sixth portal existed in California, the
portal Austin used to find Ryan. Zack leaned back in his chair imagining,
theorizing, and breaking it down until he realized Austin was watching him.

“What?”

“I didn’t say anything,” Austin replied, giving his
famous half smile, to which Zack mouthed the words fuck off. The two men shared
a look, one of mutual respect, one that said it all without having to say
anything. One that said goodbye, for they both sensed these might be their
final days together.

The group planned into the night for their departure.
The younger crew turned in after midnight, while the adults stayed up hashing
out the logistics. At half past three Austin stood up, leading the way for the
others to do the same. Zack was the only one staying behind, using the excuse of
wanting a snack before going to bed.  

Inside his living quarters Austin paced the room,
thinking about his son being with Agra. The next time they saw Caleb, he would
most likely be a young man, but right now he was a child and vulnerable.
Although Eve felt sure of Caleb’s strengths and that Agra could not turn their
son against them, Austin feared this would happen. Losing his son a second time
was harder, and easier in some respect, to the first time. Easier because he
knew Eve was right about Caleb and that he would continue to grow stronger each
day, that he would resist any attempts made by Agra to corrupt him. The hard
part was losing what little time was left of his childhood. A silly notion
considering Caleb was never really a child, but a notion none the less.  

Before turning his back on being human, Austin had
dreamed again of leading the Svan into battle. The first time he’d seen this
possible future, he’d been in a comatose state. The second time was after
discovering Eve frozen in the mountain. She’d thought in his first vision it was
Caleb at the front leading the charge, not him. After sharing his second dream
with her, the ‘who’ in charge appeared to have changed, the sides chosen were
no longer certain. That father and son might be on opposite sides had become a
possibility; a future Austin hoped wouldn’t come to fruition.

However, dreams and speculations of their meanings would
have to wait. They would begin moving people to Paru within a week, but he was
no closer to liking the idea or trusting the Elders. He stopped pacing and
turned around. “I’m going back to Paru, to speak to Elders. I can’t take a
chance with everyone’s life unless I have some guarantees. If they want our
daughter’s blood, they’re going to have to give me something in return.”

“You don’t have to go there to speak to them.”

“I don’t? How then?” he asked, then the answer was
there.

Eve walked over to him. “Close your eyes. I’m going to
teach you how to see beyond your mind, into the universes.”

He did as she instructed.

“Now clear your mind. See nothing, feel nothing, hear
only my voice.” She spoke inside his head, and everywhere around him. “Leave
your body behind. See yourself below, see us below.”

Austin had the sense of floating. He opened his eyes
and looked down upon himself and Eve standing in the middle of the room.

  “We’re going to leave the bunker and travel out into
the universe. It’s going to be darker than you can imagine. You will feel the
dark inside of you, cold and heavy, permeating every cell. Don’t be alarmed.”
Eve touched Austin’s arm with her thoughts. “We will find the Elder’s energy.
Light means energy, energy means life.”

They traveled through a vast dark emptiness as Eve
described. A place absent of sights or sounds to act as guides. A place of
nonexistence. Eve kept her mind’s touch on Austin, leading him along, providing
him a point of focus. She knew it possible to lose your way, having almost done
so when she’d first ventured out on her own. Agra had been her teacher of this
lesson and many others. During her lessons she’d felt a bond with Agra, as if
he’d let his guard down, allowed himself to relax, and allowed her to come in
closer. Afterwards though, he always reverted back to being cold and distant,
leaving her on her own, feeling more alone. At least now she knew why.        

They were approaching the Elders. Eve let go of Agra’s
memory to guide Austin. “You will feel the energy before you see it,” she said.

“That’s good to know, since I can’t see shit out
here.”

“You don’t need to see with your eyes. You need to see
with your mind,” she replied. “Focus Austin.”

He focused and before long he felt the air change
temperature, transitioning from cold to warm.

“Focus on the warm air. Let it take you along its
current.”

In the next patch of warm air they were pulled into
the current and whisked along at a fast pace. The air grew warmer, almost hot
like an open oven door. They sped along until a brilliant light appeared out of
the blackness, blinding Austin.

“Don’t resist,” Eve said. “It will not hurt you.”

Austin relaxed, allowing the sphere of light to draw
them in. Once inside, all motion ceased and again it felt as if he was
floating.

“Where are we?”

“Do not think in defined terms. We are everywhere,”
she replied. “Sattya and the other Elders are near.”

 Austin tried to get a sense of this, to see them.
Obscure shapes formed on the edge of the light, becoming more solid as they
approached. Out from the blackness beyond, the Elders stepped into the light.

“Hello again granddaughter,” Sattya greeted Eve with a
bow of his head. “It is good to see the captain’s learning to use the gifts
that have been bestowed upon him.”

Austin nodded his head to Sattya, to the others. His
bearings were settling in place, his attention becoming fine-tuned, his
instincts telling him to listen and watch closely.

“Perhaps this would be easier in a more controlled
environment,” Matri suggested. Upon her suggestion, the nothingness solidified
into walls and a floor. Austin found himself and the others sitting in chairs.
They were positioned in a circle with Sattya sitting opposite him and Eve.

“Thank you for seeing us grandfather,” Eve said. “I’m
sure by now you are aware of the reason why we sought you out.”

“Yes we are,” he answered. “We have discussed your
request and concerns. Our desire is to allow the humans to relocate to Paru.
However, there must be rules.”

“On both sides,” Austin added.

Sattya paused and looked to Austin. “Of course on both
sides. As I said, we’ve discussed your concerns thoroughly. We will honor an
agreement between our people. The Adita and Svan will live as neighbors with
the humans. They will live together in peace.”

“And your rules grandfather?”

“If the humans wish to live here, the planet must not
be harmed, the air and water must not be polluted, nor the wildlife exploited.
They will take only what is needed to survive. Population growth will be
controlled. These are only the basic rules. They are not our rules per say, but
those by which the humans have not used in their stewardship of Earth.
Therefore, I felt it necessary to note such out loud and let it be known at the
very least we expect these to be applied. For these and one specific request, we
will provide for all of their needs. They will have most all of the comforts
they’ve grown accustomed to having, but in such a manner that Paru is not
harmed.”

Austin tensed, sensing and hearing what was about to
be requested. Eve laid a hand on his arm, calming him, pulling him back into
his chair.

“As I said, we have one specific request.” Sattya
glanced around the circle before continuing. “In return for all that we will
provide, we ask for the humans to give of their blood, in order that we might
continue our research into finding a solution.”

“But that’s not all you want it for,” Austin said, leaning
forward in his chair again. “You intend to use it for your own survival, in
case the blood of our daughter is not enough?”

  Again Sattya paused before responding. “You perceive
much for being so young. However, I hope you can understand our plight.  I know
you also understand our needs, having experienced them first hand as one of us.
Although, I do admit, you have tremendous will power in ignoring the demands of
your body. Very admirable captain.”

 “I’m not seeking your admiration, only your assurance
that no humans will be harmed or killed.” The sense that he was missing
something important poked at him. “I want your word that the Svan will not be
ordered to kill any humans.”

“And of our request?”

It was Austin’s turn to pause. “I will discuss it with
them. If they are willing, then you can have what you ask for, as long as it
does not endanger their lives.”

“We await your answer then. If it is yes, a new home
on Paru will await them,” Sattya replied and the others concurred.

“We anxiously await the arrival of our granddaughter,”
Matri said to Eve. “We shall see you soon.”

Eve’s hands instinctively moved to her stomach. The
Elders stood, the room vanished and the two were left alone floating in a bright
nothing. Eve reached out and covered Austin’s eyes for the briefest moment.
When she removed her hand, they were back in the bunker, standing in their
living room. The time on the clock indicated five minutes had lapsed during
their absence.

“You need nourishment,” Eve noted.

As if by the power of suggestion, Austin felt the
cravings and they were strong. He rubbed his throat and licked his lips. The
sensation was not unlike having hunger for food, except the desire affected
more than his physical requirements. Where human hunger centered on the
stomach, this clawed at his throat, feeling more like a thirst, than hunger.

Eve took his hand. “It’s best to replenish before
using your powers. You in particular need to pay close attention to your needs.
It would not do anyone well if those needs were to overcome your ability to
reason.”

Austin shrugged off the sensation, the desire to
drink, pulling his focus back onto the conversation they had with Sattya. “Can
they be trusted?”

As Sattya had noted, Eve too was impressed with Austin’s
strength. “For now yes, but only because we have something they need. After
that I can’t see. Adita aren’t bound by their word. They feel no sense of
loyalty or obligation to honor agreements. If the situation serves their purpose
they will play by the rules.”

“And when the time comes that they no longer need us,
then what?”

“The rules will change,” she replied, matter of fact.
“And this is why evolution is so very important. This is why complacency is so
very dangerous. You understand this now.”

A reply was not necessary. His reasons for changing
weren’t a secret or unfamiliar to Eve. “What are you suggesting we do?”

“Prepare, change, evolve.”

He heard everything she said and that which she didn’t
say out loud. “You make it sound as if it’s a simple decision to make, but it
won’t be for them. They’ll resist.”

“At first yes, but in the end they will see reason,”
she said having complete confidence this would be the outcome. “What is not
simple about change or die? One choice increases the odds and the other
decreases them. I think it to be a very easy decision.”

Austin almost laughed. “For as long as you have been
around the human race, you know they don’t function or think in simple terms.”

Of course he was right, but a time had existed when
humans weren’t so lazy about survival. And there would come a time in the near
future when once again circumstances would require a different outlook. If they
hoped to live, not thrive, but live, the humans needed to prepare now. If they
waited until the threat fell upon them, they would perish.

“What do we say about Caleb?” Austin asked.

“The truth. That Agra took him.”

Austin frowned at this, thinking news of Caleb’s
kidnapping would be too upsetting for the girls, but he would have to tell them
something. “I’ll speak to Zack first. See what he thinks.”

“I’ll come with you. Zack will need more than your
words to accept and agree to what you are about to propose. He needs to see the
outcome, to know what life will become if they say no.”

“Freedom is a powerful motivator to overcome,” Austin
noted.

“Yes it is, but some freedoms come with substantial
sacrifice and one must weigh their choices and choose that which guarantees
preservation of life.”

Eve took Austin to Cheyenne before going to see Zack.
Despite his assurance that he could wait, Eve insisted, knowing better than to
risk an altercation. The smell of Zack’s blood would have been tempting and
maybe quite more so than he could have resisted. She didn’t want Zack’s death
on her hands as well.

***

The walls of the room were closing in on Zack. He
paced from one end of the diner to the other, certain each time it took less
and less steps. That Austin and Eve sat quietly watching him, didn’t stop him
from pacing, and didn’t make it any easier to think this thing through. They
were asking the impossible. They were asking for them to agree to become a food
source for the Adita. He stopped pacing and stared at the back wall, not seeing
the life sized paintings of James Dean or Marilyn Monroe. His last thought
percolated through the natural progression of rationalization and logic. Humans
were already their food source, which had occurred without invitation. This
time they were asking first, giving them the opportunity to say no. If that was
what they were offering, with no strings attached, Zack could maybe get there,
but he had doubts, and none more so than in regards to the Adita’s underlying
intentions.

Putting all of this aside for the moment, Zack shifted
to the second pressing decision his friend had presented to him. This one being
more palatable than the first, but no less difficult and still filled with
unknown consequences. If in turning into something better than human, were they
only making themselves a bigger target? A tastier morsel? Were they taking a
plain bowl of vanilla ice cream, adding whipped cream, chocolate syrup and placing
a cherry on top, only to set it down in front of a sugar addict, expecting not
to have be consequences? A small part of him thought yes, this was exactly what
they were doing if they agreed. He returned to the booth where Austin and Eve
waited.