"How long?"
James stood next to the bed, watching as the old man struggled to even move without coughing, using a napkin to contain the blood before tossing it into the mini-incinerator garbage can before laying back down onto the medical bed, moaning.
Across from the was a fireplace, which was electric but had an impressive hologram of the real deal. The lights were dimmed in the master bedroom and the windows tinted to the outside world.
The old man stared up at James, sighing.
"At best, a month. But even I'm skeptical."
James nodded, suppressing his emotions for the man who had trained and mentored him. Aside from his grandparents, who had since passed, the old timer was the only other person he considered family.
"I take it Kalloway will become your successor."
It wasn't a question, it was a matter of fact. Something that the old man took notice of.
"I take it you don't approve."
"It doesn't matter."
The old man smiled before coughing again, "Well said. But I didn't summon you to discuss line of succession or my limited time. Rather, it is because of those two that I wish to speak with you about something important."
James raised his brow, intrigued.
The old man reached across the bed and took a round, long device off a shiny tray that sat on a metal table, pressing a button to activate it. From one end, little needles popped out. He brought the device towards his arm and pressed it against his skin, injecting himself with some kind of medicine that quickly began to spread through his body, giving him the time he needed to speak without worry of coughing or feeling weak.
As he put the device back onto the tray, he turned to James, his expression turning serious.
"What I am about to share with you is confidential. Only certain others like me are aware of this."
After James gave a firm nod to continue, he motioned towards a chair right next to the bed.
After taking his seat, the man continued.
"The Helios Star in sector 589 will explode and go Supernova in 31 years time."
James was taken back by the news, but such things were not that uncommon to hear about when talking about other galaxies within the universe, "What category?"
The old man stared deep into his eyes, "Category 11!"
James' eyes widened, feeling his heart skip a beat for a single second as time itself felt like it had stood still.
"That's..." he could barely speak. "... impossible."
The old man shook his head, "Not according to our scientists. It's the first time every single one of them actually agree on something without a doubt. What they do disagree on is whether or not it can be prevented."
"Surely they have a way to stop it."
The old man shook his head again, "The ones I trust say that we don't possess the technology to do so. Nor would we be able to in time."
James took a deep breath, trying to get his emotions under control.
"How bad will it be in the worst-case scenario?"
"Well, the bad news is that there is no good news, because the worst-case is the only scenario: Total annihilation!"
Now James' heart was racing. Fear rushed through him, remember his studies in college about the different categories and what each one meant. And Category 11 was designated between either a theory or a once in a billion years. The first one was to believed to have been caused by the Big Bang, which had yet to be proven true. As most things in life.
James had difficulty speaking as his mind tried to wrap what the old man was trying to tell. He could imagine it. Not with how many humans now occupied so much of the universe now, or at least what was discovered.
"So..." he paused. "... humanity only has 31 years left."
"Correct."
Finding it within him to keep talking, which was the best way to remain in control of himself, James asked, "I take it this event is only possible because of the 'Domino Effect'?"
The old man nodded, "Yes."
'The Domino Effect' was also a theory but one that seemed possible in the event of a Category 11. While the Supernova of that scale couldn't cover the vastness of the entire universe, it had the power to effect other stars to create a lasting effect to keep the Supernova going until it would lose steam.
Maybe if the star in question was far enough away, most of humanity could be spared. But Sector 589 was too close for that to be possible. Especially with the Core Planets being filled with a majority of the human population.
Even if there was to be a massive evacuation, 31 years wouldn't be enough time. Only a hand full of people who could make the first trip had the best chances of getting far enough away. But then there were questions of survival afterwards to think about.
Which made James come to a realization.
"They're not going to reveal this to the public."
The old man turned away, looking towards the hologramic fireplace.
Despite not answering, his silence was more than enough. The very thought made him feel sick, but at the same time he couldn't offer a solution to replace it either. If anything, it reminded him how complex being a leader can be. To reveal such an event would cause chaos and mayhem, a complete collapse of society.
He didn't approve but he also couldn't criticize either.
"I take it that running away isn't their goal either. If I had to hazard a guess, they'll create shield installations."
"Yes," the old man finally spoke again. "Whether or not they'll prove to be capable to withstand the Supernova is unclear. But even if they could, there isn't enough time to make enough for the entire population. Even half would be a miracle."
James leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead. Still trying to process what he was hearing; he began to wonder.
"Why are you telling me this?"
The old man turned back to him. His expression once again serious.
"Because I have a solution that one of the scientists I trust came to me about. She believes that there maybe a way to save our universe. But to do so be deemed treacherous and risky."
Filled with a sense of relief and hope, James nodded, "I'm all ears."
Turning to the metal table again, the old man pressed his thumb against a circle on the side and a green light formed around it, blinking to signal access. Removing his thumb, a secret access compartment opened, and he reached inside, taking out a high advanced flash-drive.
Representing it to him, he began to explain, "Inside this are the details I have put together. But first, I must repeat myself that if you choose to go through with this mission, it will not be sanctioned or be even remotely legal. Caught or killed, you and those involved will be disavowed and branded traitors. For us to try and sanction this will be met with heavy blockage from the higher ups. It would in fact lose us any chance of success.
"I will put it on record that I ordered you to do this, as they won't be able to prosecute or terminate me once it's revealed. But that won't be enough to protect you. At best, in terms of success, imprisonment. At worse, experimentation. And that's assuming you come back alive."
Silence followed.
James took in every word he said and processed the seriousness of what he was asking of him. While he didn't yet know the details, he was aware of its importance, and he started to suspect why he was being chosen out of anyone else.
With a determined nod, James reached out for the drive, but the old man slightly pulled back, making him frown.
"I want to hear you say it."
Taking a deep breath, James narrowed his eyes, "I accept this responsibility!"
Satisfied, the old man reached towards his hand and gave him the drive.
After slightly analyzing it, he put it into his pocket.
"What's the grand plan?" he asked.
The old man smiled, "Consider this to be your final mission. The task is to activate "The Last Resort" protocol. If successful, which my scientists believe is very much possible, you will gain the ability to reincarnate."
"And where will I be reincarnating?"
"I cannot say for sure, but it will be a magical world," he answered. "There's much I still haven't revealed to you about what we have discovered. Experiments have been done on subjects to take very small doses of the blood, allowing them to experience memories of a world filled with magic."
James nodded, remembering their last conversations months ago.
"To do so meant to put them in comas to gain feedback. We recorded what we could, hoping to learn more about this world. Inside the drive are pictures we retrieved from the subjects.
"And one picture in particular is that of a black crystal."
James frowned, "A crystal, sir?"
"Not just any kind of crystal. The kind that is believed to be powerful enough to create a black hole."
His eyes slightly widened, "I see."
The old man nodded, "If the blood is indeed compatible to you, then reincarnating into this world is the only chance we have to find this crystal and bringing it back here. Other races and species have been to our universe, yet they've visited other planets long before our technology existed. The only explanation is that they must have the means to control when and where they go through magic."
James nodded, understanding what his mentor was saying.
"Let me stress the situation, you won't be going with any back up. No weapons. No means of rescue. You will have 30 years to find the crystal in time and discover a way to send it back here, assuming time there works similarly to our universe."
The old man nodded to drive in his pocket.
"The information needed on how to proceed is in the drive. I will begin recruiting key operatives and moving them into position to help you. You've worked with them in the past. My security clearance will help in getting the blood as well. But you will need someone else to help you."
"Who?"
"A scientist named Lisa Cambell. She has worked on the blood before but transferred to another department to focus on the Category 11 issue. Thankfully, she's on the same planet where the space station is orbiting."
James nodded, "Understood, sir. I won't let you down."
The old man's expression softened, turning to sadness.
"I'm sorry for forcing this onto you, James. I'm always asking too much, no matter how hard I try not to."
The tenderness in his voice caught James off-guard.
"There are times when I regret not pushing you away from this life. You should be married, raising children of your own. Free from violence to live a normal life. I know that's what Richard would have wanted. All I can say is... I'm sorry."
James turned away, keeping the tears at bay. He had not been expecting this from him.
"There's nothing to be sorry for, Alan."
The old man's head popped up at the mention of his name. It had been so long since he addressed him in such a way. Even in private.
"I chose this life," he turned back to him once he was strong enough to face him. "I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. You and my grandfather may have been the inspiration, but I had plenty of chances to change my mind. If it was a mistake, then it's mine to own."
/
Leon awoke from his slumber, his eyes adjusting to find himself back in the crib, staring up at the wall. Wherever the woman was, he knew she wouldn't long to check up on him.
'It worked, Alan'.
Though he couldn't speak as a newborn, he had the mental capacity to think and understand like an adult, which would allow him to get a head start in understanding how this world works, the politics, the magic, and the combat.
While it was frustrating to be so at the mercy of others taking care of him, he had to wait it out until he was old enough to start training. He had 30 years to complete his final task. One last mission in honor of his mentor to give his home universe a chance.
His thoughts went to Curtis, Harvey, and Lisa, hoping for their safety. He even wondered what the UNCE was going to do with his former body. But he couldn't dwell on any of them. Not when they did him more harm than good.
Pushing such thoughts out of his mind, he thought of Alan again. Remembering their final conversations in the last week of his life. The old man was right to assume that he wouldn't make it a full month, but he had lived long enough to give him the chance needed to complete phase one of their plan.
'Rest in peace, my friend.'
Now able to process the passing of the old man in silence, Leon felt a single tear slide down his cheek. The first one of his second life.