The Temporal Knights Read Online Free Page B

Skawps. The amount of information is staggering. We’ll study the Skawps, deciphering and reviewing what the computers translate. We will keep busy gentlemen. Our years in space will not be wasted time. Are there any other questions?”
    There were none, mainly because the men were so committed, but also because none of this was a surprise. There were very few secrets in a community of less than a thousand souls, especially when everyone was working for the common good. They all knew the options and they all volunteered for the mission. Each had their reasons. If the trip through the Door was successful, they could have chosen to stay and live out their lives with some sort of normalcy, but it would not have been their world, nor would they ever conquer space and travel to the stars. Who knew what the future out there might hold? It was enough to lure even the most unimaginative man.
    “Dismissed then,” Matt said. “Get your gear and personal effects ready. Gary, I want you to make the final checks on the ship. We move through the Door in exactly,” he continued, checking his watch, “T-minus 10 hours and 12 minutes. I want to have everything ready and waiting exactly eight hours from now. Everyone will report to the ship at that time.”
    It took Matt only about fifteen minutes to pack and prepare to leave, that left seven hours and forty-five minutes until he was needed at the ship. It seemed an eternity. He dropped down on his bunk and tried to sleep, but in less than ten minutes he was up again. He couldn’t seem to drive away the thought that human beings would soon be extinct on Earth...at least on this Earth. Frustrated, he paced his quarters, then on impulse he rummaged through his pack and pulled out a picture of Cindy, his wife, and his two kids, Shelley and little Matt. He sat and studied their faces for a long while, not wanting to forget any nuance. In those first years he dreamt of his family often, cruel dreams full of happiness and love before the scenes morphed into the sickly-sweet smell of decaying flesh and dense clouds of buzzing flies. Most nights he woke screaming out in horror and loss. He hated to dream. In his dreams, his family came alive again in every respect, the sound of their voices and laughter, and the way his kids smelled just out of the bath. Sometimes he could almost feel his wife’s soft breath on the back of his neck as he slept. He hoped he would always remember. Finally he sighed and stuffed the picture back into his bag, checked his watch, took one last look around just to make sure he had not forgotten some meaningful bauble, and then headed down to the ship.
    Gary was there and saw him coming.
    “You’re about seven hours early skipper,” he said with a smile.
    “I couldn’t sleep.”
    “Well, Murphy’s inside running a diagnostic on the computer and flight systems and Harold’s been puttering around here too,” he added with a soft chuckle. “I guess none of us can get out of this place fast enough to suit.” He nodded to the commotion that was going on throughout the large hangar. Surrounding the ship were Humvees, trucks, and a few half-tracks, with men swarming around them making last minute preparations for the journey. Matt guessed that over half of the installations population was already down in the hangar. He smiled and took a few steps toward the ramp that led into the ship, but stopped as Murphy came running down.
    “Good you’re here,” he said grimly. “I just talked to Commander Wilder; it seems the Skawps are a little ahead of schedule. Departure time has been moved up. We leave in two hours.” Just then the alarm sounded and a similar announcement blared over the loud speakers.
    “He wants to see you in situation room 102, level B.”
    Matt nodded. “Stow my gear will you?” he asked and headed off, not hearing the reply.
    Ten minutes later he entered the room and found the Commander alone.
    “Ah, good, Major Thane,” he said with a nod