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In the timeless period that followed Rol's father had a wide range of tests lined up and Rol passed, and in some cases excelled in them all. None were as dangerous as the first though all made Rol stretch his nascent talent. In all of them Rol found that by picturing the probability he wanted in his mind he could influence his surroundings. Limits were established quite quickly as Rol learned he had to be able to physically interact with whatever it was he wanted to influence and there was at most a 70% chance of probability exactly following his command.
Rol also learned more of the technomancers plans and, in a surprising lucid moment even manages to get his father to tell him about the other Naltor Nu-borns. From what his father told him Rol was able to discern that the eighteen children all had aspects of the racial heritage enhanced. Nura and her sister were given the opposite extremes. Nura had her precognition and aptitude for science increased while her sister had her mystical potential enhanced. When Rol asked why he couldn't remember the sister of Nura whom he was supposed to have played with as a child his father darkly muttered a one word answer and would elaborate no further.
"Mordru."
All eighteen were what the UP would consider extreme citizens for one reason or another. All had gifts, whether or not they knew about or used them. All were trailblazers in their fields, scientific or otherwise. All were off Naltor following an urge that they couldn't fight.
Rol's father remembered several names and Rol memorised them. When he returned to his home reality he would search for these people and find out answers to the many questions he had.
After what to Rol felt like a month of being in this strange place he asked if he could return home as James and the Amazers would be looking for him, his father broke into a laugh that verged on the hysterical, "Oh yes, they will be looking for you soon, but not how you imagined. You are nearly done my boy, nearly ready to return I promise."
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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As Rol spent time with his father his thoughts about his life on Xanthu and how to return started to fade. The passing of time in this strange reality seemed unrelated to either rhyme or reason. The passing of Day and Night seemed to be randomly allocated. His father's mood swings and reminiscence about lives lived ensured that Rol kept his guard up, well aware that the so-called Stockholm Syndrome, whereby a person kidnapped or held against their will could start to sympathize or even agree with the person who held them, could easily lead Rol to forget his own morals and needs.
Rol learned that his father believed they had been sharing lives amongst their many incarnations for over four thousand years. In that time, his father admitted, more often than not Rol was the wronged party. This would often bring up the conversation where Rol's father would warn Rol about the damage that become one of life's doormats could create. His father said that because of the injustices he had placed before Rol's previous live paths he was karmically bound to assist him in this existence. To that end his father had arranged for the probability manipulating potential that his Technomancer altered DNA created be brought to light.
When Rol asked him about the prophecy that had said that Rol may be a catalyst for change within the otherwise sterile UP his father had clammed up. He would reply with "You are not supposed to know what is coming Rol, it would not be fair" or "You will find out when you need to", or "Try not to think about it son, enjoy your time while you can!" then change the subject. Rol had the mental strength to not get too upset by this hinted at dark fate that it seemed was mapped out for him. Whatever will be, will be. The ancient saying was particularly relevant to a Naltorian pre-cognitive.
Rol shared stories from his own life though quickly realised that any tale that involved his mother pained the old Technomancer. Despite what Rol's father had told him about how the marriage being forced upon him, the old man clearly still had feelings for the wife he had not seen for fifteen years.
After one particularly difficult day where Rol's father seemed to criticize every choice or action his son took and they had retired to their separate areas of the grey carriage that had become their home Rol decided that enough was enough. He would be going home the next day regardless of his father's wishes.
When he awoke the next day his father seemed to be particularly lucid.
"I know you need to go home today Rol but before you do I need to tell you something."
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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"The time has come for the many planetary prophecies to be realized. I know on Xanthu there was a witch who saw your potential. She is not mad." With this comment he gave Rol a look that clearly said he knew that Rol suspected his father of the same. "In the days to come she will support you more than you will know."
"What else Pa? What is going on?"
"You will go back to Xanthu but leave quite soon afterwards with a small group of allies. You must find the Nu-borns who have achieved their potential. Be very wary of the Naltor High Seer and her flunkies though, they also know what is coming and like all dictators they guard their status jealously. The friends you made may turn against you and the ones you once reviled may become the allies you need. My Seers armband can help you. It will keep you off grid. No surveillance device yet created can capture your image. If you use the transmatter system say this name and it will ensure that no trace is recorded of you and anybody to travels with you's transit." Rol's father said a name from history, the surname of the engineer who designed and created the first planetary teleport system. A man who Rol's father had said he had once been.
"Mayavale."
After that his father had become silent. Rol watched as the old man fumbled around with a variety of gadgets from his pockets, never quite making eye contact with Rol as he busily engrossing himself in anything other than saying 'goodbye'.
After a period of time Rol's father stood up and walked out of the carriage. Laying a few apparently random objects in a circle he started to sing in a surprisingly strong tenor voice, and as he did the ground within the objects started to buzz and shimmer. Rol followed his father to the edge of the shimmering ring, he could see it was a field of energy much like those created by an active transmatter gate. Rol could feel his heart start to race at the prospect of going home and seeing James again.
"It's time to face your destiny my boy. May the Great Spinning Wheel grant you luck."
And with that four of his Handyhands grabbed Rol roughly and threw him into the portal that had opened up before them on the ground of this most strange dimension.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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Rols flew through the trans-matter gate and crashed to the ground. He was back at the Amazer's spire. This was the gate they had used only.... well not so long ago, when he had planned to visit Naltor. Although he had no real idea of how long he had been away Rol knew it was more than a two weeks. Maybe even as much as a month.
He had to see James!
"Spire, patch me through to James Cullen please." He raised his head as he spoke aloud to the AI that controlled the Amazer Spire's internal systems.
"James, can you hear me?"
"Sir," the warm voice of the AI interrupted Rol, "I'm sorry to inform you but Mr Cullen is off world at present attending a diplomatic function on Weber's world. Would you like me to issue a communication alert to him there?"
For a second Rol considered asking the AI to open the trans-matter direct to Weber's world and surprising James there.
"Ah, not right now thanks. Are there any Amazer's in the Spire right now?"
"Sir, currently Captain Marvel, the Separator, Atom'x and the Monstress are present. Would you like me to open a communication channel with any of them?"
"Actually, no, thank you. I'd rather surprise them."
As he turned to leave the Trans-matter room Rol heard several people approaching. He recognized N'Gok, the Laser Ape, as her rich voice echoed gently through the corridors. Rol felt warm tears start to fill his eyes as the realization struck him just how much he had missed the team.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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For the first time since he had been taken by his father to Rrtxl Rol had a precognitive flash, and the unexpectedness of it surprised him so much he almost collapsed. Gently, shakily, he sat himself down and let the vision wash across his senses.
He saw a group of the Amazers before a large screen and a shocked expression on each of their faces. Whatever the news was it involved him. It was not good news. He saw a manic flight, three of his comrades with him. The rest ... the rest were chasing him. He would be a fugitive.
As he stood up he heard his squad member N'Gok say: "It's probably another florggin' glitch, ever since that Brainiac infected our system with his monitoring virus you know how bad things have been..."
Another voice, a young woman said: "We have to investigate it sister, through you are probably right..."
Rol was shocked. Monitoring Virus? Had Brainiac 5 really sabotaged the Amazers? But before he could consider what he had just heard N’Gok the Laser Ape along with the two trainees known as Nemesis Girl and Ambassador Contact turned the corner. There was an awkward moment as Rol looked at the group and they stared back before N’Gok bounded across and lifted him into the air.
“Rol! My stars! It is you, we were so worried. Where have you been?”
Nemesis Girl was smiling openly while the xenomorph Ambassador Contact telepathically asked Rol if he was okay.
“Laser Ape, what is the status?” The Monstresses voice, as rich as Rol remembered it, spoke though the spire Comm system.
“Ma’am, we do have a guest, Dream Boy is here.” Nemesis Girl replied.
“Dream... ROL? Oh Sweetheart how are you? Where have you been for the last nine months? We have really missed you. James is... Wait, Rol come up to Deck 31 now please. N’Gok, Contact, Aneaelle please join us.”
Rol’s senses were overcome. Between returning back to Xanthu, his sudden vision and meeting up with N’Gok again he wanted to cheer. But nine months? He had been gone for nine months?
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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Construction was started in 2990 by the eccentric astronomical genius Egor Mansfield xxi, the Spire was originally to be both his home and the base for his rapidly expanding business but after the Small Depression gripped Xanthui economy in 2991 the plans were put on hold. Mansfield died suddenly that year in what was reported as a freak gardening accident on his estate in the Venga sector and his heir, Egor Mansfield xxii had no passion to continue his fathers work. The Xanthu Tribune quickly bought the half built building from the Mansfield estate and refurbished it building so it would support their nascent Amazer program. At that point it was not expected that the program would have such visible results, in fact it was the rogue actions eight years later of Marak Russen, later to be known as Atmos, who fought off a Space Dragon infestation in East Continent that finally alerted the public to their existence.
The Spire has many functions, as well as the visible base of operations for the Xanthu Planetary meta being program, it has eight floors just of living accommodation, eight separate laboratories, three separate areas set up to accommodate visiting beings from different environments, two floor entirely devoted to hydroponics, two vehicle hangar decks, nine gymnasiums and training areas, a public area full of mementos from the program, a library, two full state of the art Command Decks.....
It was said that the Spire was the most advanced structure anywhere in the Outer Edge Worlds.
Level 31 was the lower of the Command Levels and was often a congregation point for team members who were either away to be briefed for a mission or needed a debrief after a training exercise or incident.
At least it had been before Rol had left.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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As they approached he Grav-Lift Rol was certain that his vision was away to become true. Something was away to happen that would influence his future. Something that would make him run from this place taking these three Amazers with him.
N'Gok had been telling Rol about the danger and excitement she had faced battling with Sklarian Raiders two months ago. Rol was trying to listen, part of the distraction was how obvious it was that none of the Amazers had mentioned James Cullen, though Rol’s mind was still flickering its warning about what was about to happen.
"Sir," Ambassador Contact's silky telepathy,"Are you unwell?"
"Please, Contact, link our minds. Let me show you what I've been through so you can understand what’s away to happen." Without considering privacy Rol opened his mind and allowed the telepathic xenomorph to transmit the memories from the time Rol spent with his father up until the worrying precognitive vision he had experienced when he had arrived back in the Spire.
"Now, please understand, we’re away to witness something that you can either choose to believe or.... well, you can join me or not but whatever you choose it has to be your choice."
"I don't understand..." N'Gok's lips smacked together in her frustration.
"Dream Boy, sir," Ambassador Contact's smooth voice, "from your vision we will be fugitives. My race have no concept of this arrangement as all are bred as part of the greater whole, our society...."
"Contact, please sister, let's just see what happens." Nemesis Girl nodded towards Rol. "If you are correct and Naltor will brand you a criminal falsely we will do everything we can to support you. I'm certain the majority of the Amazer's will feel the same."
"I'm not so sure Nemesis Girl..."
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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They had reached the top of their gravity well, the sleek lift depositing them on the lip of a large circular room that was surprisingly bare. The walls were full of holos and display units, there were irregularly placed seats, but immediately obvious was how singularly functional this room truly was. All the Comms were linked to the AI system, the Tribune's office, all major police and military sites within the Xanthi system as well as a direct link to the ruling houses and governments of a dozen close by systems and the United Planets authorities.
As they stepped off the lift the Monstress stepped forward and picked Rol up and hugged him with a surprising tenderness. There were tears in her eyes and a catch in her voice as she said "We missed you so much Rol, where have you been sweetheart?" Around her a group of Amazers and trainees, most of whom he recognised, applauded and cheered.
At the main holo screen Atom'x, never a close friend of Rol's, stood facing the screen. “Hey listen to this!” Atom’x shouted from the Holo. The internal Comm system came to life with the voice of Raymond Luxury-Yacht.
“....Naltor High Seer has just released the names of the ten citizens she believes will be responsible for an atrocious act of terrorism that could potentially plunge the whole United Planets into darkness. Amongst those named are the eminent Ambassador and self titled Voice Of the Dispossessed Yarem Duvoi and the former Legionnaire and missing Amazer Rol Purtha, also known as Dream Boy. A large reward has been offered to anyone who can offer information that leads to their arrest. I repeat in an incredible act of preemptive policing the Naltorian High Seer has just released the names of the ten citizens she believes will be responsible for an atrocious act of terrorism that could potentially plunge the whole United Planets into darkness. Amongst those named are the eminent Ambassador and self titled Voice Of the Dispossessed Yarem Duvoi and the former Legionnaire and missing Amazer Rol Purtha, also known as Dream Boy.”
Even before his name was said Rol had scooped up the telepathic alien known as Ambassador Contact and had started to run.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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Behind them Rol could hear the Monstress asking him to stop but he didn't hear her footsteps, his good friend Cindi was buying him some time by playing at being baffled and reasonable. Rol knew her well enough to know she was a lot smarter than most people initially realised. He would find a way to thank her later.
An Amazer Rol had not met before phased through the floor in front of them. A young man with white hair and pale blue skin, and an obvious love for pumping weights Rol thought, and put up his hand in the universal sign for 'stop'! Rol focused on the young man, willing that the intangible man would phase back through the floor out of their way. His thought became reality as the surprised Amazer disappeared back the way he came.
N'Gok looked surprised and Ambassador Contact telepathically queried what had happened. "No time, we'll speak later." Rol said as they ran through the corridor to the grav-lift, N'gok blasting the edges of a closing door behind them, fusing it shut.
Rol flew down the main grav-lift shaft but behind him he hear Nemesis Girl shout. Their Amazer Buckles anti-grav function had been switched off. Rol rushed back up to her and the Laser Ape, and with the telepathic Ambassador Contact already curled around his torso, he used his Legion flight ring to fly the group back down to the Transmatter room.
They could hear the crash above them as the Amazers broke through the fused door.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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N'gok looked up, her eyes flashing in pulses of energy.
"Don't hurt them!" Rol's concern came out in a sharp tone.
"Only dazzling them a little." she replied as her eyes flashed again.
Rol could hear the shouts from above but didn't look. His focus was purely on escape.
"Dream Boy, I have enhanced their confusion. There are a few up there who really don't like you, it's most odd." The genuine surprise in the Ambassadors telepathic message made Rol give a quick barking laugh. The poor alien still had a lot to learn about humanity. Hopefully she would survive long enough to put those lessons to good use.
"Hey guys," a new voice, a young woman speeding down the grav-lift shaft at blurring speed had reached them,"do you like want to tell me what is going on here? It's like so-o-o mental up there! Atom'x is screaming at Monstress saying she's a traitor too for not stopping you. "
"Dream Boy is being set up, help us get away to prove his innocence sister." Nemesis Girl reached her hand out as she spoke.
The speedster gave a curt reply, "If you are wrong Aneaelle I'll not forgive you." And she was away, streaming down the grav-lift shaft and out of sight and just as fast they saw her race back up to be beside them.
"I've cleared the way for you. Now get going slowbo's and I'll be up there telling 'em you are away to get some evidence and'll be back like real soon. Be safe."
Rol felt the air blast behind them as the young woman flew back up the shaft at a frightful velocity. They rushed around the corner. Twenty mets to the Transmatter.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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Standing before the command console stood the Monstrees, Gates, the pale blue skinned team member who Rol has sent back through the floor and a small girl with blonde pig tails and a wide grin that looked far too wise for her young years.
"Rol, enough. We know you can't be guilty so don't give them anything else to pin on you."
"I'm really sorry, I had a vision Candi, a really strong vision." Rol could see how upset his friend was and while he didn't want to get her into any more trouble he knew they had to flee. How could he explain what his father had explained and how he knew the future would involve his running out on the Amazers?
"Rol, we want to help..."
"This doesn't help." thought the alien Ambassador, and with that the Amazers who stood in their way collapsed, fast asleep. "They were stalling before Atmos and Psyche returned. The Tribune has given them direct orders that they must stop you from leaving at any cost. Your friend the Monstress was particularly upset so I've given her pleasant dreams."
While the Ambassador explained her actions Rol had approached the Transmatter control console, gingerly stepping over his fallen friends. The Laser Ape and Nemesis Girl closed the blast doors into the room, both looking very nervous about the situation.
"Okay, this is my fault you are in this mess. I'm not promising that you will come out of this with your careers intact but I do promise you that I am innocent and only want to prove that to the Galaxy. My father said that if I ever needed to escape I could travel through the Transmatters without being monitored. Guess it's time to see if he knew what he was talking about. Do you want to join me?"
His three companions all nodded.
"Right, let's go."
Rol once again picked up the alien known as Ambassador Contact, allowing the curious creature to wrap it's prehensile tail around his torso, and offered his hands out to N'Gok the Laser Ape and Aneaelle, who had taken the name of Nemesis Girl. They took hold of the hands he offered and stepped towards the buzzing event horizon of the transmatter gate, all ready to face whatever their fugitive status threw at them.
"Oh Cassandra I hope this works. MAYAVALE!"
And Rol and his three companions were gone.
The four unconscious Amazers started to rouse on the floor beside the control console and could hear their comrades approaching in the distance. They all knew, though no-one said it, that the next time they faced any of the escaped group they would not allow them the luxury of trying to talk first. Next time Rol and his gang would be brought down hard and made to pay for their actions.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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That's the end of part one of Tempus Fugitive. Thank you for taking the time to read my work, hope you have enjoyed the story so far.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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In total they had transmatted to 51 different locations on 40 different worlds before they stopped moving. They had abandoned everything they carried and wore along the way with the exceptions of a dagger Nemesis Girl had kept hidden in a boot and Rol’s fathers seers armband and the Legion flight ring.
They had arrived through a transmatter gate in the small city of Strmmor on Talok viii in their newly stolen clothes expecting to turn around and jump through to another random destination, as they had been doing since they left the Spire. Instead they arrived auspiciously in the middle of a local festival where everyone was dressed in costumes and hiding under holo disguises while enjoying the crowded bazaar. The small city was awash with many brightly coloured and extravagant characters all taking part in a traditional two day party. Amongst the garish crowds they could blend in and effectively vanish.
The group felt reasonably sure that anyone chasing them would have lost them before that point so decided to stay and take stock.
That had been three local days ago. In that time they had managed to persuade a local merchant, with a slightly judicious use of Ambassador Contact’s telepathy, who lived on a farmstead a little under five klicks from Strmmor's ancient fortified walls to access the UP wide streaming data news net and find out what was happening off Talok viii. Starting off the merchants data search by looking up the exploits of Tasmia Mallor, the Talokean planetary champion, and from there following seemingly random data leads until it showed the group what they had been searching for, they hoped that any AI hunter algorithm wouldn’t be alerted to the merchant’s sudden interest in Xanthuan affairs and the Naltorian High Seers proclamation.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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The situation they had fled from had spread much further than Xanthu. All the news feeds from official sources, and most of the few independents that also held licenses to broadcast, were awash with the story. The High Seer of Naltor had issued a decree that the people she named were wanted for crimes that would destroy the very foundations of the United Planets.
The reward for information leading to he successful capture of Rol and the three who had followed him was enough to buy a small planetoid.
“My mother always said I was worth over a million credits of anyone’s money.” Yet despite his attempts at levity both Aneaelle and Ambassador Contact expressed their anxiety. N'Gok tutted to herself but said nothing. Rol assured them that they would be able to prove their innocence soon and that the next day they would begin the process.
As he tried to sleep that night Rol knew that despite his resourcefulness they were way out of their depth. It appeared that the entire United Planets were searching for them now. It was that night that Nura appeared to him in his dreams.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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“Rol sweetheart,” in his dreams she looked like she has when she had walked out of the Pre-commandoes. That was a day that stunned Rol along with everyone else as everyone knew that Nura Nal. She was a year older than Rol and he had secretly worshiped her since they had played together as small children. It had always been assumed that the then High Seers Grade 1 Alpha pre-cog daughter was destined to follow in her mother’s footsteps yet there she was announcing to all that her future would be on Earth working alongside the anarchistic Legion. Rol thought she had never looked so beautiful. “It’s up to you to get to the heart of this. Querl and I have our own mission now. “
Rol started to speak but she held out her hand, motioning him to stop. “I don’t have long my friend. I need to tell you that when the morning comes you must go to the great Forest of the Green Brotherhood. Querl says that the rings will always lift you and please remember that right is not might and left turns will take you backwards.” She started to fade “Be gentle with Mysa as she has been through enough already. I will see you both soon.” And with a melancholic smile she faded fully out of view.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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