Time Traveler: E182. Guess Who's Arrived in Aurora Skies - Part 2

"Well, first of all, to see him again… Gilon has changed since you last saw him, Jul. He's no longer the awkward, goofy teenager he used to be. He's a full-fledged Interstellar Police commander now."

"Interstellar Police? I thought he wanted to join the military."

"He still wants that, but he thought joining the police would give him experience."

"I see."

 

"Ah, actually, he looks gorgeous in a uniform."

"Judith…"

"Oops, sorry. Although I guess you're not interested in him anymore, are you?"

"Of course I'm not, and I suppose it's my brother Dustin who interests you."

"Sure, but there's nothing wrong with appreciating a handsome man like Gilon."

"Jud…" Juliette admonished a second time.

"All right, all right," Judith backed off.

"And since we're talking about Dustin..."  She continued. "Another thing you should know is he's already warned Robin that Gil will be attending our wedding ceremony and party."

"And Robin - how did he take it?"

"Not very well apparently."

"But in the end, he resigned himself and promised Dustin that he would sort things out with his wife before the wedding. Apparently Gilon attendance will be an incentive for Rob to try harder. That's good for you, isn't it?"

"I don't know what's good about my two ex-boyfriends running into each other at my brother's wedding."

Time Traveler: E182. Guess Who's Arrived in Aurora Skies Part 1

The "other topic" Judith wanted to talk about was none other than Gilon Mannin, Juliette's ex-boyfriend, who had apparently arrived in Aurora Skies earlier than expected to attend Judith and Dustin's wedding. The news certainly took Juliette by surprise, leaving her stunned for a few seconds, blinking in disbelief at the revelation.

"Gilon is here for the wedding? But how, why, who… invited him?" She asked.

Judith blushed. 

"Well, I did. So it was urgent for me to tell you because I didn't want you to be caught off guard."

"But I was, because Gilon's here now and I'm just finding out!"

"Yeah, well, I was going to tell you yesterday, but you weren't able to come, and I didn't want to tell you over the phone."

"Also, Gil was supposed to arrive until the very day of the wedding, but it seems he anticipated his trip. I didn't expect him so soon, he didn't give me any notice, he just showed up at the time portal last night and that's it."

"And that's it? But - Dust knew he was coming?"

"He knew Gilon was coming, but he didn't think he'd be here this early, he was taken by surprise too. And before you get mad at him, he wanted you to know as soon as possible, that's why his hurry for you and me to meet today."

"God, I can't believe it, you guys should have told me sooner!" Juliette growled.

"I'm sorry, Jul, I swear we didn't know he will arrive so suddenly and without telling us."

"And may I ask why you invited him in the first place?"

"I had no choice; Gil is one of my best friends."

"I know, but he's also my ex-boyfriend… EX, get it?"

"I'm sorry, I know it must be awkward for you, but you better get ready."

"Get ready? For what?"

Time Traveler: E179. Pending Matters

"Yes?" Juliette answered, fearing it was her mother to complain why she hadn't sent the test yet, and checking to see if Robin was still there.

"Jul?" 

"Oh - hi, Dust," she replied, relieved to hear her brother's voice.

"Hey, how's it going, did you get the sample?"

"Yeah, I'm about to send it to Mom. By the way, you should have let me know Robin was coming so early."

"Sorry, I just asked him to come, I have no control over his schedule. Anyway, I'm calling because Judy is at the mall and asked if she could see you, even for a few minutes."

"Dust for God's sake, I have to send in the test, take Rowan to Dad and, most importantly, I have to go to work."

"And Judith knows that and won't take much of your time, she just wants to meet Rowan and talk to you really quick about a certain matter."

"What matter?"

"You'll find out, so shall I tell her you'll go?"

"All right," Juliette sighed. "Tell her I'll meet her there in fifteen minutes."

Juliette hung up and thought for a few seconds. She thought she knew what issue Judith wanted to talk about. Juliette's friendship with her had been put on hold as Judith had dropped out of college in solidarity with Robin after their breakup. Since then, they hadn't spoken to each other again. Juliette didn't hold it against Judith for leaving, she understood she was Robin's best friend and wanted to support him, but she couldn't help feeling bitter about it. Now the time had come to face all that and renew their friendship. What Juliette didn't know was that Judith had another delicate matter to discuss with her.

"Come on sweetie, we have to take daddy's DNA sample to the hospital, go meet Aunt Judith, and then take you to grandpa's so mommy can go to work." Juliette said pulling Rowan out of the crib. In her haste, at least she had distracted herself a moment from what had happened with Robin and had calmed down. Hopefully, the outing with Judith and work, would also serve as a distraction.

Time Traveler: Episode 173. The Journal - Part 3

Dustin got up from his chair and walked over to Judith.

"Darling, please don't say such things. You know that you and our wedding come first to me and are above anything else, but understand me, this journal could be the key to everything that's happening to Rob."

"I know, but have you thought that maybe what's happening to Rob is something that you or even your father have no control over? That maybe it's something much bigger than all of us?"

"Something bigger than all of us? What do you mean, Jud?"

"Nothing, I, I just wanted to say that…"

"By the way," Dustin interrupted her. "Back at the mall you said something about the code in the document, that it might 'not be from the Earth'? Are you by chance telling me that code might be extraterrestrial?"

"Well, I didn't say that, I just..."

"Come on Judy, do you know something that I don't?"

"I know the same as you, it's just a suspicion."

"Suspicion of what? Because, if the code is actually alien, maybe Rob is too, hence the changes he's undergoing. Or maybe he's not alien, just not fully human. Maybe he has supernatural powers."

"Dust", Judith tried to step in, but Dustin remained immersed in his guessing.

"Maybe he came from another planet, or maybe he was born here but is some kind of genetically modified super-human with alien traits? Science must have made great advances in 2054 and it is possible that..."

"Dust!" Judith cried, "Stop it, will you? You said it would be just you and me tonight and now all you talk about is the diary and aliens, what about our original plan?" 

"I'm sorry dear, I don't mean to be annoying but curiosity is killing me."

"Dustin..."

"Okay, I'll leave it alone, just tell me, do you or don't you know something I don't?" 

Judith let out a sigh. She had to stop that conversation or Dustin would jump to his own conclusions. Yet she would have to give him some information to satisfy his curiosity or the evening would be ruined. 

 

After another deep sigh, she reached over, wrapped her arms around him, and looking at him with a mixture of love and apology, she replied as tenderly as she could.

"Based on what the Captain told you about that code, I think I know where it comes from."

"Really, from where?"

"I'll tell you, I swear, but not tonight."

"Judy, come on…"

"I'm sorry, but you promised tonight would be ours".

"So, will you keep reading that journal and talking supernatural stuff, or can we continue with some more relaxing activity?" Judith asked, her lips already on his.

As it usually happened each time he was in Judith's arms, everything faded from Dustin's mind. The contents of Robin's notebok, the thousand questions he had, his wondering, everything vanished as if it had never existed.

"The journal and the aliens can wait, of course," he muttered, and for the rest of the night the matter wasn't mentioned again.

Time Traveler: Episode 173.The Journal - Part 2

Judith came out of the bathroom and returned to the bedroom. Dustin was sitting in front of his desk, so absorbed in his reading that he didn't even notice her presence; she shook her head and walked over until she was very close to him.

"Dust? Are you reading at this hour?" she inquired. Dustin had a little startle, but he didn't take his eyes off the journal, he knew his time for reading had run out and he wanted to at least finish that page. 

"It's not just any reading," he replied "It's the journal Robin started writing since she had that accident with the time portal." 

"These notes are pure gold, Jud, listen to this part:"

"I've noticed that I can move things out of place just by thinking about it, as if I were moving them with my mind."

"Telekinesis! Awesome, isn't it? And now listen to this other one:"

 I've also noticed that I can teleport at will, although many times I do it without even thinking about it, as if a strange force lifts me up and transports me, which, I must say, scares me a little. Sometimes I hear voices in my head, speaking in a strange language, one I've never heard before, but which I can somehow understand. It's as if someone is talking to me in thought, from another dimension-or could it be from another planet?"

"What do you think, isn't it great? And here comes the best part, listen..."

"I discovered I can read other people's minds, even control them and make them do what I want them to do. Thanks to this new 'ability', I have been able to make my clients buy my plumbots, just look them in the eyes and they are convinced to buy my bots, which has made me more money. I don't know if this is ethical, but it feels amazing to have this power, it's like having the world in your hands. Of course, I try to suppress it as much as I can, or at least handle it with caution, especially when I'm around people who are close to me, like family and friends." 

"Wow, do you get it, Judy?" exclaimed Dustin excitedly.

Judith gasped.

"Yes, I do, and I don't think it's any good."

"You're kind of right. Now that Robin has the power to control people's minds, we'll have to tread carefully, don't you think?" Dustin joked, and let out a chuckle. 

"Not funny", Judith mumbled.

Yes, she wasn't the least bit amused by the joke Dustin had just made, nor by what he had read to her, but she restrained herself from showing it, as it would have only stirred his interest further. She would have to turn his attention to another subject before he continued reading and finding out more. 

"Er, Dust?"

"Yes?"

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm beginning to think that diary and the whole Robin accident thing interests you more than me and our wedding."

"But what do you say, dear? Of course it doesn't," Dustin replied, slamming the journal shut.

Time Traveler: Episode 173. The Journal - Part 1

4. THE SHENS HEADQUARTERS, ALMOST 7 PM

 Dustin and Judith had just returned from a long afternoon in the city, which had started with a nice lunch, followed by a long and fun walk through the most emblematic places of Aurora Skies, and had concluded with a steamy encounter on the top floor of Mick's Master Karaoke. Who would think that this place would have such interesting possibilities in its facilities, namely its photo booth?

But Judith didn't seem to have had enough with the photo booth adventure and continued in her romantic mode. Truth be told Dustin was a little tired, but he played along; after all he owed her, since, first, he had made her wait two hours alone at the mall; second, he has promised her that he would be all hers that night and he intended to keep his promise.

"Well honey, while you get the shopping out of the car I'll take a bubble bath and in no time I'll be back with you to pick up where we left off, okay?" announced Judith, teasingly.

"Er, yes of course, but.... wouldn't you rather have some dinner first?" Dustin suggested.

"We'll have dinner later, right now I just want to freshen up and enjoy our romantic evening uninterrupted. And don't even think I'll let you near the computer."

"Of course not, darling, I told you, I'm all yours tonight," Dustin restated.

This was only partly true, for as soon as Judith ran up the stairs, Dustin headed for the kitchen, his mind focused on just one thing: Robin's diary, which had been left on the table since that morning, waiting to be read. This was his chance to fulfill his curiosity and find out what was in those pages once and for all. 

While Judith took a long bubble bath, he changed into something more comfortable, grabbed Robin's journal and took it to the bedroom to start reading. He didn't know how long it would take Judith to get out, but he hoped he could at least make some progress in reading and get some exciting information. 

Robin wasn't a great writer, but his storytelling was clear, objective, and above all, appealing to Dustin from the first page.

"Lately I've been feeling more energetic than usual, sometimes I'm so restless I can't even sleep, and my sleeping cycles have changed as well. I sleep little, but well, and wake up rested and sharp. It's as if I didn't really need to sleep. My mind is clear all the time, and I don't feel fatigue, which accelerates not only the pace of my work, but the quality of what I do, and I can even build more sophisticated plumbots. I've never had so many ideas or imagined so many new things as I do now."

"Amazing! Dustin said aloud.

Time Traveler: E172. A Little Late Date

AURORA SKIES, CUISINE AND CONTRACTS BUSINESS PARK, ALMOST 2:00 P.M.

Two hours later than scheduled, Dustin climbed the steps to the mall entrance and made it to the esplanade, where Judith was waiting for him.

"Well, I'm finally here," he said, still out of breath after his run from the parking lot.

He rushed to embrace her, Judith reciprocated the embrace but did not kiss him as she usually did.

"You're over an hour late," she told him, pouting.

"I know, I'm sorry, but the conversation with Robin was kind of long. And then I had to stop by the Captain's house, you know about Robin's document?" Dustin apologized at once.

" Of course, anything to do with Robin is more important than me," Judith reproached again.

"Baby, what are you saying, of course not. Come on forgive me, I swear I'll make it up to you for being late."

"You better."

"Well, why don't we go inside and you continue with your shopping?"

"But I already bought everything I needed, the packages are in the car, I was just about to go home alone."

"Well, but you're not alone anymore, I'm here, so how about we have lunch and then I'll take you for a tour around town. There are many places you haven't seen yet."

"Hm, I'll take the deal, but only because I'm starving; don't even think I'll forget you stood me up for Robin."

"Oh, come on, darling, forgive me already. It won't happen again, I swear. From here to the wedding I'm all yours."

"Yes, you've said that a thousand times since I arrived and at the drop of a hat you get distracted by anything, especially if it's about Robin. 

"Jud, what have you always said about jealousy, hm? Besides, you know well that romantically speaking I'm only interested in you," Dustin replied, leaning closer. Judith let out a sigh and her eyes filled with love again.

"Okay, I'll take the lunch and the ride as temporary compensation, but when we get home you'll pay me back in full. You'll be mine all night, okay?

"Sounds like a great plan to me," Dustin replied.

That was like music in Judith's ears, and her little displeasure was forgotten with a long, loving kiss.

Time Traveler: E173. Lunch by the Sea

With their lunch already in hand, Dustin and Judith went to find a table outside the mall.

The breeze was a bit chilly but the sun was shining in all its splendor, they hadn't seen it shine like that in many months and Judith loved to be near the sea, so it was worth sitting out there, despite the cold, which, to be frank, at least Dustin was already used to, and Judith didn't even seem to notice.

"So? What did the Captain tell you, will he be able to crack the document?

"Everything seems to indicate yes, maybe he'll have an answer for me tomorrow. Although, he said something about a code unknown to him".

Judith stopped eating.

"Unknown? You mean not from the Earth?"

This time it was Dustin who stopped munching.

"What do you mean 'not from the Earth'? 

As indiscreet as she usually was, Judith knew her limits and was aware that saying certain things would get her into trouble.

"Uh, forget it, I was rambling", she replied after a few hesitant seconds. "Your father is sure to find out what it is and will inform us. Better tell me, did you talk to Robin about the wedding?" 

Dustin blinked, Judith's words had certainly piqued his curiosity, but the mention of Robin's name, as always, managed to divert his attention.

"Yep", he replied "I asked him to be my best man, and he agreed", 

"Cool."

"I also told him about Gillon."

"Aw, and how did he take it?"

"Not great, but at least he's been warned". 

"How about you? Did you get a chance to tell Juliette?"

"Not yet, she couldn't come today, work stuff, the kid, and so on. But maybe we'll see each other sometime this week and then I'll tell her."

"Good."

Time Traveler E171. The Code

Spring 2017, the Shens’ house, high noon.

"Dust, finally, what took you so long?"

"I had a contingency. Robin came home suddenly, he wanted to talk to me."

"About Juliette I suppose."

"No, he got my sister's message very clearly and has been keeping his distance. He wanted to talk about the document I brought you, precisely, but I took the opportunity to ask him to be my best man."

"Great, and did he accept?"

"Luckily, yes."

"Good, now the ceremony will be complete".

"Yeah... Oh, by the way, he sends you greetings".

"Thank you, give him my greetings too when you have a chance".

"Sure. Anyway, I'm in a bit of a hurry because I gotta meet Judy at the mall, so let's get down to business."

"Sure, let's take a look at that file while you explain what it's all about."

As briefly as he could, Dustin informed Dylan all about Robin's document. He also told him about other things he and Robin had talked about, including the journal and its contents.

"A journal, that sounds interesting, what does it say?"

"It's like a record of the changes Robin has undergone since his accident with the portal. I couldn't read it yet, because I was in a hurry, in fact I'm one hour late, but I'll start reading it tonight and I'll fill you in.

"Well, if you're in a hurry, that can wait, now let's see the file".

"So you want me to hack the document?" Dylan asked when Dustin finished his explanation.

"That's right, do you think you can do it?"

"Well, I'll give it my best shot."

"You don't mind if it's illegal?"

"Of course I mind, I don't want any trouble with the Oasis Landing authorities, but I'm interested as well in Robin getting information about his background if that helps him solve his problems. The sooner this all gets resolved, the sooner he'll be able to give Juliette and my grandson the home they need."
"That's true".
"Okay, now let's see what I can do".

"Thank you Dad, I knew you wouldn't let me down."

"Never" Dylan said, inserting the flash drive into the computer and clicking on the document. "Now let's see what we have here."

A FEW SECONDS LATER...

"M-hm," Dylan mumbled after examining the document up and down.

"Dad? Did you get anything?" Dustin asked eagerly.

"Well, not yet. This code is kind of strange, nothing like what I've worked with before".

"You mean you won't be able to decipher it?"

"Oh, no, I will, I just have to identify it first, then I'll decipher it. It may be a bit laborious, but if all goes well, I'll unlock the document without a problem in a few hours. Hopefully, I'll have something for you by tomorrow".

"Really? That's great!"

"Uh, I should go now, Judith must be impatient.

"Yes, of course, go ahead, don't keep her waiting."

 "Again, thank you so much, Dad", Dustin said, as he hurried to the door.

"You're welcome, son. I'll call you as soon as I get something."

Dustin left the studio, Dylan got down to work.

"Well, the first thing is to identify the type of code and then I crack the password, it'll be a piece of cake... Hm, yes, it's a different coding than the ones we use here and even in Oasis Landing. It looks very advanced, but kind of familiar too... 

"Wait a minute... is this what I think it is? But why would they use this language to lock their documents? Maybe they thought it would be safer like this, maybe it wasn't the Council who locked it? I'm probably just imagining things, I should ask Karen, she knows a lot more about this stuff that I do."