Twin Earth

“If you decide to stay Tom, there is nothing here but the natural environment to play with. There’s no creator technology left to be in awe about. No accolades or noble prizes to be earned. This is medieval life right here,” Rachel stated sarcastically, walking away slightly and beginning to put her equipment away. “But, I like it. It feels quiet here. No politics to worry about, no greed, we simply work together to make a better home for ourselves.”

”Tell that to the witch hunters over there,” James remarked, pointing to the ever increasing crowd that had gathered in the distance.

“Can you blame them?” Rachel replied angrily, turning to look at James and Yuki. “We could have had something amazing here. We could have created a world between our two planets that worked together, sharing technology and knowledge to become better humans, but what did we do? The first chance we got, we invaded, stole and plundered Mochuvia for everything it had got. It makes me sick.”

”Human nature,” Yuki replied sadly.

“Is it though? The people here are nothing like those on Earth and we were all created in the same place. How can one civilisation be so different from another,” Rachel quipped, clearly upset.

“This is getting us nowhere,” I announced.

“Tom’s right. We should leave. Mr Apo, is there anything you can share with us before we leave because if what you say is true, once that gate is closed, we will be cut off from each other forever. Is there no way to even communicate between our two worlds?” James asked in desperation.

I could see how upset Yuki was and how disappointed James looked, but as I watched Yuki and Apo argue I suddenly remembered there was some creator technology left on this side of the sphere, but for reasons unknown I decided to keep my mouth shut.

“Son? You seem deep in thought,” my father asked, walking over to me and catching me off guard. “You know, if you do decide to stay, I will stay with you.”

”What about Hawaii?” I asked without thinking.

“What about Hawaii? I’ve already lost you twice in my life, do you really think I would leave you a third time?”

”But like Apo says, there could be more portals on Earth. If the maps are correct there could be so much more to discover on Earth than just the Scottish circle. Wouldn’t you, wouldn’t I want to be involved in that?” I asked more to myself than anyone, but the idea of returning and having to explain everything to the British government and being involved with more Roberts of the world just gave me an uneasy feeling. I realised Rachel was right. I didn’t trust Earth humans any more than she did.

“Perhaps our future is here, not Earth, don’t you think?” my father replied as if reading my thoughts.

Confused, I wondered if he knew I was hiding something.

“It’s time to go,” James announced to me, as Yuki marched off in disgust pushing Apo aside as she did so.

“She seems angry,” I replied.

“Well, let’s just say it’s going to be a long night. You’re staying aren’t you?”

Even though I hadn’t actually come to any decision consciously, I knew I was staying before James had even asked.

“Earth has changed a lot,” I mumbled, looking into the distance at the angry crowd and at Apo who had gone to calm them down so my team could leave safely. “I don’t think I’m cut out for all the politics either.”

”But this place is a shit hole,” James whispered, taking me aside. “I know it’s great to see Rachel again, but when that portal closes, you can’t come back. You’ll never see Earth again. Is that what you really want?”

Laughing, I replied, “I’m not sure I’m that bothered if you ask me. I think Mochuvia has more to offer than we realise.”

”You know something don’t you? Don’t tell me you’re going to give up a career in science for a Tarzan and Jane lifestyle. What aren’t you telling me?”

”I can’t tell you James. You have a duty to your wife and, well, she has a duty of her own,” I remarked.

”I knew it!” James grinned. “So, we could see you in another ten years maybe?”

“I think Yuki is calling you mate,” I winked.

“Well, either way. I’m going to miss you,” James whispered, looking away slightly. “I’m not going to lie. The last decade has been a ride. The scientific development has been phenomenal and we’ll be studying just this experience for years to come I’m sure. I got married too and I’m even going to be a father.”

”You are?” I exclaimed.

“I guess I’ll call it Tom eh,” James laughed, hugging me and attempting to hold back his emotion. “You look after yourself okay?”

“I will and… you never know eh. I might pop up on Earth at any moment,” I grinned, winking.

“You better. Mr Takahashi Senior, you coming? I think the angry mob is growing as we speak. Rachel, it was good to see you again, albeit very fleeting.”

”Yes, it was good to see you too James. I’m sorry there wasn’t more we could give Yuki.”

“She’ll get over it.”

”I’ve decided to stay with my son, James. I’m not leaving him this time,” my father smiled, taking my shoulder and giving it a rub.

“Well, I guess this is it then. Good luck and I hope to see you on the other side one day,” James smiled, shaking my father’s hand and then standing back as if to look at us one last time.

We watched as James turned and made his way back up to the portal. I wasn’t sure if I had said too much or too little, but James had been a good friend to simply say nothing. That said, I was a man caught out of time. My James was ten years his junior, still eating crappy food and cracking silly jokes. This James was married with a kid on the way, something that I never imagined him doing. I was happy for him though, even if I didn’t really know him anymore.

We watched as the rest of our team climbed back into the rubble and disappeared out of sight. Then moments later a final explosion destroyed any remnants of the portal and the last creators’ monument was gone. It felt weird, but I didn’t feel sad.

“So,” I finally announced, turning to look at my father and Rachel. “Fish huh?”

Smiling, Rachel took my hand and gave it a squeeze. “It’s not as boring as it sounds,” she whispered.

“Have the crowd subsided?” My father asked as Apo re-joined us.

“Yes, I’ve explained the situation and the closure has been completed.”

”And they don’t mind us staying behind?” I asked nervously.

“Not at all. I kindly reminded them that if it wasn’t for you, none of them would be alive right now and your father is a part of that.”

”To be fair, so were James and Yuki and the rest of the team,” I replied.

”I know, but the less of you there are, the easier it is to appease them.”

”It’s just sad that your people have changed so much. You used to be so…”

”Open and welcoming?” Apo interrupted.

“Well, yeah,” I replied.

“You have to remember our ancestors went through a similar experience when we were still on Earth. It took generations to move on from that feeling of oppression at having our home invaded. We started a new life here. A life that was our own. We have always been in tune with our planet, the sphere, and the creators. Once upon a time so were many cultures on Earth, but it seems you have forgotten it all.”

”Forgotten or lost,” I replied sadly.

“But here we embraced it. We explored the galaxies and learned about the creators, and thanks to you we have become one step closer to knowing them in person. Then, in just a few months, it was all destroyed. Once again our people suffered at the hands of those who are blinded to the universe and everything within it.”

”I can’t explain it either, but we’re not all like that,” I replied.

“Of course, of course, but the war and the deterioration of the sphere has put our civilisation back hundreds of years. I hope my people can one day return to being the open and welcoming people that you once came to know, but we have lost so much. So many of our people have died and so much of our technology has been lost that we have become even further away from the creators and all the other species out there in the universe.”

”Well, maybe I can help you with that,” I replied with a slight smug look on my face.

“What do you mean? There is nothing left. Rachel told you clearly what to expect if you stayed behind. If you hope…”

”Not here Apo, up there,” I interrupted.

“The sphere?” Apo asked confused.

“No, the vortex.”

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End of Book 1