Between the Time Corps and family, John's debriefing at Trua Outpost lasted several days. Commander Walker had some explaining to do to his superiors over suspending the erasure. Luinan had made a huge political maneuver, pulling in favors, and finally convincing the Time Corps to follow its own accords and make the decision permanent. Saving a new, unique sentient race, the Jit, was also influential.
As the Jit need to please would rival that of the most faithful Golden Retriever, they could do nothing else but serve to continue to exist. And although they fit in fairly well at the outpost, they were eagerly awaiting new assignments soon to be handed out by their adopted clan mother, Tye. As a result, Tye enlisted a score of Family specialists in various social science disciplines to ensure the O'jit's transition to life off the Navis was in their best interests.
Billy Lutzger was now a hero. He had not only rescued the Kharg's family unit with Mac and Prophet but also used the key to cull the Leadership just moments before the nanos destroyed the singularity's containment. He saved countless troops deployed along the Rockys significant further casualties.
The rest of the high-ranking Leadership, including Captain Abdiel, only survived onboard for another few minutes until the warp field protecting the Navis collapsed. Many of the slave goodlife made it back to Earth as well as significant number of the Jit, but most did not escape the Navis in time.
Mac also died on the Navis, never making it back to Trua Outpost for treatment. John mourned and missed his twin a great deal more than their brief time together should have warranted.
His heavy burdens faded little as John took a deep breath of salt air mixed with the usual street smells emanating from the busy tourist traps a few blocks away. It was good to be back in Prime. He looked around a courtyard surrounded by a small group of cottages and a thatched-roof bar. Palms and paper lanterns swayed above partygoers in the afternoon sea breeze and competed the ideal festive setting. His survey settled on five beer kegs directly in front of him, four just barely floating in a pool full of ice in the middle of the courtyard. Another keg was sitting halfway up the pool steps; a digital thermometer leaned against its tap.
John knew Tye had been busy all morning transiting in guests. He and Jen were near the last to arrive. Jennifer, from Minus, was noticeably absent and Tye offered no explanation other than she was currently unavailable.
"Hot even for South Padre," Jen said.
John looked away from the beer, taking in the view of her in a brightly colored, tie-dyed wrap. "You know; we were lucky Luca could hack your keeper suit so it would stay operational despite the Navis."
"Yup," she replied. "Hot."
He just took another good look at her and decided in about a millisecond that luck was something you just did not question sometimes.
"Not Pittsburg, less humid," Mick O’Shanley said leaning between them to check the temperature of the keg as an ash from his stubby stogy fell to the surrounding ice making a subtle hiss. "Hmmm…maybe a bit more time. A promise is a promise, eh John."
"Thanks for all this, Mick," John said sincerely.
"And for all the parrots," Jen added, pulling on a sleeve of John's brightly colored Hawaiian shirt covered in flying Macaws.
"One too many of those in these parts," Mick said looking around cautiously.
Carl joined them wearing an equally loud shirt covered with surfboards and hula dancers. He took a close look at the keg on the pool
steps. "So this is The Gulf Breeze! I like it." He laughed rubbing his hands together and at looking at John.
It seemed to John, Carl was waiting from him to say or do something. They rarely had awkward moments, in fact, John could not remember any as intense squealing and squeaking interrupted his thoughts, causing him to wince.
"Sam wants it over there, Benny," Mick called out to a skinny guy in a tatty straw hat struggling to push an upright piano, its castors protesting against the rough surface surrounding the pool. Mick pointed at a spot next to what looked like a miniature submarine.
Wigwag sat on the piano's top, overseeing its journey.
"Catch you later," Carl told John as he excused himself to help push the piano just as Ces appeared behind the bar, surprising an older couple working behind the bar.
"Hi Jen. Hi John," Ces said with a wave just as a parrot on the roof of the bar began rolling nuts and seeds down the thatched roof to bounce off the unoccupied bar stools.
"I don't think that parrot likes my shirt," John said looking up at the bird.
Ces waved to them again to join her.
They quickly ducked under the bar's roof to avoid the parrot's barrage.
As Ces gently placed Luca's tablet down on the bar, she said, "Jen Scott and John Mackinac, I'd like you to meet my folks, Sam Greenstone and Sara Burnstein."
"Glad to see someone’s saving the universe, eh Honey," Sara said with a wink to Sam and then leaned over the bar to kiss Jen and John on their cheeks.
"I’m certain it was, in fact, multiple universes," Luca said.
"Hi, Luca," Jen said.
"Yeah, Hi," John said dryly, rubbing his jaw, "and thanks for helping save my ass on the dodec."
"You're welcome, Dr. Mackinac. After losing contact with my entity in you, I knew to take precautions," Luca said as cartoon smiley face winked at him.
"Welcome to Texas and The Gulf Breeze," Sam said as he shook John's hand, ignoring Luca while staring at John.
More seeds bounced off John's shoulder, so he moved under the bar's roof a bit more. "Sorry about Barney," Sara said eying the bird.
"Sam, what's that?" John asked with a nod to the large brass cylinder holding up party lanterns next to where Benny was positioning the piano.
"That's the sauna," Sam replied with pride and still studying John's face. "It's an old Navy decompression chamber," he added.
"As if we need a sauna in South Padre," Sara added dryly.
"Helps with an eternal chill I got a while back," Sam said. "More guests," he added as the Calma prophet materialized on the pool's diving board.
"And by the looks, we had better get more coffee stocked," Sara told Sam. "It looks like a great New Years Eve's brewing."
John studied the complex urn on the bar. "I wouldn't know beans about making that kind of excellent coffee."
"Stop it," Jen said covering her ears, "both of you are going to get mugged."
"We're just getting warmed up." Sam said. "Stand your grounds, John."
"The urn is a great perk for customers," Sara said pouring dark sugar into a side compartment.
Jen groaned.
"Come on Sara," Sam said, "Help me find the 1919; it's getting latte."
"You mocha a good point," she replied dryly just when a loud splash followed by ice cubes pelting the bar's roof joined the rain of seeds.
John looked for the cause just in time to see the second of two young Khargs cannon balling into the pool and sending ice flying again and kegs rocking. A group standing at the smoking barbecue pit consisting of Robert Polleto, Mikael Cherkin, Dutch Matthews, Cale Timberin, and Jenny, all applauded the kid's splash.
Billy Lutzger poured cubes off his Panama hat watching as the prophet scrambled off the diving board just before a young Kharg could grab a stumpy leg.
Both Higgs' bent over equipment assembled just out of the splash zone, turned and gave the young Khargs a grim look.
Queen Luinan, just missing the ice shower, appeared on the opposite side of the pool with Clare.
"Looks like the gang is mostly all here," Ces said. "A few more locals will drop in later, I'm sure. Hi, Trudy," she shouted to a woman who just emerged from a nearby cottage.
"Hi, Ces. Good to see you back," she said in an obvious New York accent, common in Florida these days.
Jen said something in Spanish to her.
"Languages. Good choice on the add," John said. "But I think she speaks New Yorker any ways."
Jen ignored him. "Tye told me she lost her husband a while back,"
she explained. "I was just giving her our condolences. And it's good to keep in practice."
John pulled her close and gave her a gentle squeeze around her waist as Trudy joined the adult Khargs on the other side of the pool.
"Let's go meet the piano player," Jen suggested to John. "We didn't get a chance last time."
"Don't worry," Sam said kindly. "We'll catch up later."
Carl, Sandy and Tye intercepted Jen and John just on the other side of the pool.
"Hey Captain. Good job on the machine ship," Tye said giving him a hug.
"How's the wound?" John asked Carl. "And Jen actually released the nanos that destroyed the containment field; all I could do was make chit chat," he said to Tye, wishing the beer was ready.
"It's only a warm-blooded, dinosaur scratch," Carl said wryly at the bandage wrapped around his waist.
"Do not try to wiggle out of the legend thing," Tye told John coyly with a sideways glance at Carl.
"Yeah, I've about heard your denials about the TIA discovery,"
Sandy said trying to suppress a giggle as she gave John a hug.
"Speaking of the TIA, that paradox was Carl's fault you know," John said while glimpsing a worried look on Tye's face, who quickly smiled as she caught his glance.
"I should be right back," Tye said and then vanished.
Jen grabbed a parrot on John's sleeve and pulled him back on track towards the piano. "Now don't go getting everyone perturbed. This is a party you know."
"I didn't mean—"
Jen kissed him, halting the conversation, just as they joined the partygoers surrounding the piano. Carl, Mick and Benny were just tweaking the position of the old upright to Wigwag's specifications next to a drum set.
Mick pulled his cigar out of the corner of his mouth, "Hey you guys, meet Blisterin’ Benny Powel."
John did some metal math. Benny had to be at least seventy years old based on the kid they saw in 1947, but he looked to be in his early fifties at the most.
Benny tipped his straw hat to them. "Nice ta meet ya folks," he said while testing a few keys' tune.
"Likewise," Jen said for them both.
John jumped, startled at the appearance of Dr. Fanau and Tye next to him. He noticed Tye held a small orb and nudged Jen.
"What a surprise Dr. Fanau." Mick said apprehensively while quickly tapping the ash off his stogy. "What do we owe this unexpected visit?" he asked inserting the cigar into the other side of his mouth.
"There are three issues. First, the protocol overrides you authorized for the full-spectrum—"
"Yes." Mick interrupted her.
"I have made a terrible mistake," she continued, looking extremely sheepish.
John and Jen exchanged glances and locked fingers just as Luinan joined them.
Dr. Fanau leaned over and whispered in Mick's ear, waving cigar smoke out the way.
Mick roared with laughter, and the whole crowd stopped and looked at them as Sam and Sara joined them at the piano; he carried a guitar case and she carefully cradled a case of Angostura.
"Tell us the truth, Mick," John said.
He put his arms around both their shoulders. "Well, it seems the good doctor was a bit zealous with your treatments."
Jen poked John in the ribs. "I told you not to joke around in the med facility," she whispered to him.
"Ouch," John retorted. "It not always my fault."
"Just tell us, Mick," Jen said looking worried.
"Well I'm afraid it seems you both were given beatha treatments,"
Mick said and then paused as Clare joined him with a concerned look.
"So there really nothing else to do but welcome you guys to the Family!"
he shouted.
All the partygoers cheered, and a few glasses found their way into the barbeque pit.
"What?" Jen said.
Mick grinned as Clare explained, "You know terrific telomeres and all that. Not to mention, your new genetic disposition will affect certain translations."
"What?" John said.
"Lots of work to do," Mick added looking skyward.
"In fact, Jennifer has situation downline that would suit both your skills," Tye said softly into John's ear as she hugged him.
"What?" John repeated, still in shock.
"Nothing," Mick said with a subtle shake of his head directed at Tye.
"Not now," he told her.
"Of course," Tye said.
"The other issues, Dr. Fanau?" Mick asked.
The doctor glanced at Jen then John and then quickly told Mick,
"Just read the detailed reports." She then vanished along with the orb Tye had been holding.
John felt a familiar push against his leg. "Angstrom. Boy, it's good to see you." He scratched behind the cat's ears as Dotty appeared next to them and then both cats playfully bounded away in the direction of the now unusually quiet parrot.
As the party gained momentum, Jenny found John and Jen and gave them her blessing.
"John, I've got something for you," Jenny said and handed him a stiff, leather pouch.
It fit into his hand and he recognized it at once. He unsnapped its flap to reveal a compass; it was an original Brunton. Besides the geologic hammer, a geologist was sure to have one of these in the field. Only now they were computerized eliminating the need for the analog compass,
signature mirror in the top of the case and folding alignment sight, this one had.
John closed the case to read an inscription underneath the etched seal of the United States on the cover. "Presented to Captain John Mackinac, 355th Engineers, United States Army, for meritorious geologic services to his country."
"Thank you Madam Vice President." John replied earnestly.
"At ease soldier." She giggled. "And oh yeah, remember it points south."
They all laughed so hard they nearly toppled over the piano to the horror of Wigwag.
"So you've never said what your add was," Jen said after softly pulling John's right ear by the lobe next to her lips.
"Didn't I?" He knew to dodge a coming rib poke, but she had him by the ear. "Don't do that. Shit."
"Please." Jen playfully batted her eyes at him.
"Okay." John relented, kissed her and stepped on the small stage next to the piano. "I hate to ask Sam, but can I borrow the electric for a couple of minutes?"
Sam picked up the old Atkins guitar from its stand and handed it to John, who whispered into his ear. Receiving a nod and big smile from Sam, John slung the guitar over his neck as a hush fell over the party. "I guess this just goes to show you nothing is impossible. So, here's one for us all, for family."
It began slowly as John's fingers toyed with the Atkins' strings.
Benny joined in on the piano after the first three notes and Sara on bass was right behind him. One of the juvenile Kharg rushed behind the drums, grabbing the sticks in a fluid motion to join the rest on the next downbeat.
As they picked up speed, the initial calypso beat morphed into solid reggae as Sam sang began to sing:
It was on da Fourth of July.
He's the only legend around,
She's a trusted warrior weary.
By the end of the first verse, everyone was dancing including Barney, who just swooped onto Benny's shoulder.
But dat evening, they won't deny.
They found their love to abound,
So timeless, like quantum theory.
You ain't got time to kill, travelin' fractime.
You ain't got time to kill, travelin' fractime.
As the first chorus faded, John glanced up from the Country Six's neck to see Jen, Tye and Jenny, laughing joyously as they danced together.
Those strong new Family warriors,
'Day destroyed the killer mech,
So evil, and oh so very old.
John saw Mick wince at the past possibly of their failure, subtly shake his head as if in disbelief of their victory, and then finally smile cutting though any past despair.
When I think of those two soldiers,
Fighting through Null Space on their trek,
Saving us all, was so very bold.
Sam's voice reached over everyone as he swayed to the reggae rhythms peaking for the last chorus.
You ain't got time to kill, travelin' fractime.
You ain't got time to kill, travelin' fractime.
The young Kharg finished the last chord on his snare as tears welled in Jen's eyes.
John his fingertips red and sore, placed Sam's guitar gently back on the stand. He wrapped his arms around Jen as the crowd applauded and Clare, Wigwag, and Billy arrived with trays full of perfectly pulled pints of Guinness for everyone.
"A toast," John said raising a pint, "To the future!"
"To the future!" they all chorused.
