Read Eli Arnold and the Keys to Forever Book One: It's About Time Page 15

CHAPTER SEVEN

  Day 12, Ninth Lunar Cycle, 25,000 B.C.

  Phase cannon blasts echoed across the city. Dr. Jensen was right, Tevlok thought. He glanced uneasily at the reports scrolling across his computation tablet. The mainland doesn’t look so bad after all.

  The door to Jensen’s private office slid open with a hiss of air. The doctor looked tired. Bags hung below his eyes. He carried a computation tablet of his own.

  “One more incursion and we’ll be done,” he announced. “The boy will have to do the rest.”

  “Just in time,” Tevlok answered. “The rebel forces are steadily approaching the lab, doctor.”

  An explosion across the inner harbor confirmed Tevlok’s information. Both men jumped.

  “Then we must hurry, old friend. Prepare the window.”

  “Doctor Jensen,” Tevlok began. “Let me make the final jump. You can begin preparing for the Window’s dispersion.” Tevlok had noted his friend’s haggard appearance. He knew his mentor was still going on sheer willpower alone.

  “I’ll be fine,” Jensen responded. He paused then added, “but thank you, Tevlok.”

  Tevlok hesitated. “I believe that our mission has a better chance of success if I go, doctor. You are tired. We cannot afford a mistake at this point.”

  Jensen considered his assistant’s bold words. How dare he? he thought. His anger quickly subsided as the logical portion of his mind took over.

  “I’ve familiarized myself with the data,” Tevlok continued. “I’m an excellent shot and ...”

  “I agree,” Jensen cut him off. “Grab a cloak and the supplies. I’ll power up the window and input the spatial entry coordinates.”

  Tevlok stood staring at the doctor. He hadn’t expected him to give in so easily.

  “Move,” Jensen commanded. “As you said, we don’t have much time.”

  “Yes, doctor,” Tevlok sputtered. He whirled and began making preparations.

  Jensen chuckled to himself. I’m too old to be jumping through time anyway, he thought. Time travel is a young man’s game.

  Tevlok re-entered the lab wearing a long black cloak, the hood hanging down his back. He retrieved the computation tablet and scoured over the data one final time.

  “Ready?” Jensen asked.

  Tevlok inhaled deeply, clearing his mind of everything except the task at hand. “Ready,” he replied.

  Jensen flipped the switch on the Window. The now familiar portal flared into existence. He placed a hand on Tevlok’s shoulder and gave him a reassuring squeeze. “Be careful,” he advised. “I’ll be waiting.”

  Tevlok nodded. He checked his supplies and headed toward the vortex. A bolas in each hand, he disappeared into the blackness.