Prologue

Fifty years before…

A lone figure lay in absolute darkness. His eyes snapped open. He inhaled sharply. “Where am I?” A tiny pinpoint of light awoke in the palm of his hand and an orb floated up to hang suspended over him. With illumination came remembrance. He turned and retched miserably into the darkness. The light flickered and almost went out. He wiped his mouth and willed the flame to strengthen, but his attempt was quelled by the unyielding blackness. Feeling panic arise, he fumbled in his pocket for a pen and notepad, shuddered and began to write.

Dearest Brother,

‘Tis hard for me to explain and perhaps there is no need, since you’ll never see this poor excuse for a confession. But confess I must.

I cursed myself with a glimpse of the future, one I shall not participate in, I fear. I knew something terrible was about to go wrong when I set the dials, yet I could not bring myself to confide in you. Forgive me my silence, Tasket, but had I told you the outcome, you would surely have stopped what must be.

We are the last hope of our people. ‘Tis hard for me to believe that a race of scientists, with our technology, who’ve traveled the galaxy for tens of thousands of years, could be imprisoned on their own planet. Knowledge, not wealth, is the impetus that drives our kind. What will happen to their minds if they are not freed? You, dear brother, have proved the exception. You are an adventurer and brigand, some throwback to our earlier ancestry. Although I’ve criticized you for this in the past, the very attributes I’ve distained may in the end be our saving grace. But wild card or no, after today’s disaster, you’re our last hope.

I knew that to be the case when I hit the switch and released my apparatus. But, I swear, I had no foreknowledge that gamma rays could or would break down our dimensional barrier, let alone strike you so viciously. I was horrified by what I saw. Only the knowledge that you survived the explosion sustains me. As for my fate, I cannot predict past this moment. I was sucked down into the very force I had so foolishly thought I could subdue, and now lay imprisoned within it. But, where there is life, may there also be hope.

Tasket, I pray you will forgive me. My foolish dallying in time has caused more problems than I realized. However, I believe I’ve succeeded in tipping the scales in your favor. The success of our quest is now on your shoulders. I know not what’s to become of me, for although I’ve seen many important happenings in the years ahead, I’ve kept the conclusion a surprise, even from myself. Farewell, and good luck, brother. May success be yours, with or without me.

With love and contrition,

Turnkey

With a flourish, Turnkey signed his name. The light flickered and went out. In the distance, a clicking marred the silence. His belly writhed and he felt incapacitated by fear. Curling into a ball, he closed his eyes and covered his ears with his hands, in an attempt to blot out the approaching sound.

deborah ann cidboy