Far Pangaea 65: Crib Notes

As it shapes itself further Ruby's belly highlights the letters M and E. She shakes her head thinking to herself, "One track mind."

"Listen to your child Ruby Goddard." The voice returns.

"He repeats those letters all the time. Me Me Me!"

"We We We." He offers making Ruby express astonishment.

"Dammit! Don't tell me you're James Ian too."

"In a past incarnation Yes." His body defines itself into a man very old looking. A grey beard that dangled down to literally his genitalia. A black and grey robe lined in rabbit fur worn from head to sandaled feet.

Her eyes tremble, "Are you Jesus?"

"Oh, no. Well not in this version of myself. You may call me by another name. Merlian. In another translation I am Merwyn. Merlin if you like. I know the ages following me were referring to that name most favorably."

"ME is in MErlin." She gasps.

"Indeed. RU is part of Ruby. GOD a bit of GODdard. I may ask you the same. Are you God?"

"God is a man isn't he? No I'm not God."

"A God then. You question the baby's Father? What letters are left in your first and last name?"

She shivers then calculates her name, "B..Y..D..A..R..D. What are you getting at?" Just as she asks her question it hits her like a brick, "Brady. How can Jason D. Brady be the Father of James? We dated one time. Just before our crash here. He used a condom."

"You see within yourself. Destiny can be cruel. J and A the beginning of James. SON finalizing his quest. How he could possibly grasp his future is unknown."

"No fucking way. Jason Brady was a tool. REGION scientist. As if I would settle down with a freak like him."

"Did he not travel with you to the Philippines to extract young James Ian?"

"How can you know that? Yeah, he did. He took a commercial flight home." She freezes, "Did he sabotage our flight?"

"Yes. As ordered. So much unsaid. Time undone."

"You're really the Merlin of myth? King Arthur shit? Wait. If you're one of James in a past life you can't be this old. He told me age 33 was a cut off point."

"If I were in your dimension yes. I am not. Here I may live forever."

"Where is here?"

"Young James spoke of both Myself and where I survive."

"Rabbits heard that. Hold on. How can you be all those rabbits and exist in our world and not suffer for it?"

"Magic Ruby Goddard. I can move about for moments in time in different dimensions. I merely chose rabbits to remind you of breeding. An innocent creature that falls silent and hears all. A loop. A loop of Us."

"Lupus? Stop with all the riddles I'm getting a migraine."

"The letters IAN and ME are within Migraine. We are everywhere." He coughs laughing. "Mind if I just shoot you now?"

Merlin chuckles, "If you wish. Nothing will change. Welcome to Hi-Brasil. An island that dips in and out of time for short periods. Its connection to the Earth calling it from beyond."

"Let's get to it. Why am I here?"

"I am trying to protect you. To protect all that is."

"From what exactly?"

"God's cruel joke I'm afraid. You see when my Ancestor first looked upon himself he saw the face of God in a pool of strange liquid. MErcurio. That which retains the concept of image. Once witnessed he became the template for future generations. I am but one of billions. Trillions if you like. Note the sound of IAN in all lengthy numbers?"

"Jesus didn't have IAN in his name." She puffs her cheeks then blows the hair strands from her eyes.

"ChristIAN my dear."

"Right. Okay I missed that one. So, what's so bad about seeing a reflection?"

"If not the original reflection I or no other of my lineage will exist. The caverns below you are locked between dimensions. Shared throughout the universe. While they exist for now they will not for long. Once the reflection is witnessed the dimensional barrier will break down and sort itself out. Whomever is seen in the waters will become the template. If not my Ancestor then we will cease to exist as we are now. He who peers before us will take on the visage of God."

"Who else wants that?"

"Many. But, only one has managed to get this close. Orin Ridge."

"Ridge? As in Madigan Ridge? General Obadiah Ridge?"

"The Great, Great Grandfather of Obadiah. Yes. Quite the vile man. He could easily be your Devil of Myth."

"Devil. I feel like this world is Bible Study."

"Of a sort."

"How do I prevent Orin from disrupting life?"

"War I am afraid."

"Our numbers are too few. We would lose a War."

"Would you Ruby Goddard? You have embraced your child. The child has embraced you. Looking out for one another is a blessing indeed."

"Wait a second. I went all hyperactive less than a week ago. Did some real damage. Like my body pushed everything away. Obliterated everything in a ten foot range."

"Yes. Your body adapts to its shared metabolism. Defense mechanism. Your Animus."

"Animus? Wait! ANI is IAN along with US. Where does the M fit in?"

"Twist the M from side to side Ruby Goddard. Does it not resemble the number 3? Mirrored."

"I am going to go insane."

"IAN within InsANe. All that is. All that can be." He chimes.

"Enough of these interior comparisons. I can't stop this Orin guy from here. Let me go home."

"As you wish. I am not your enemy Ruby Goddard."

"Umm! Thanks for the heads up. Not what I hoped to hear but..."

A tremor sends both of them staggering to stand. One that forces Merlian to hold his stomach. In pain Ruby reaches out for him. His hand extended as if to stop her. Said hand slips through and touches her stomach. The sensations conceiving a communion with the fetus within her. His senses troubled the ancient Sorcerer reacts with terror.

"How could I have been so wrong?"

"W-what? Wrong?" She fights to keep them from falling as a portal reopens. Rabbits pouring out by the dozens. Circling her. Separating he from she. Herding her toward the portal. In her fright she watches Merlin dissolve back into more rabbits. Merlian. Merwyn. Whatever he was truly named.

Through the rabbit hole she went. Through the rabbit hole she fell. Shock captured shock.

"What the hell? Am I back on the island?" A similar scene retraced its footsteps. Merlian revealing himself yet again.

"Oh Dear." He mumbles as rabbits hop around him, "I do believe even I am in a loop. Forgive me Miss Goddard. I had no intention of keeping you."

"Keeping me? Oh hell no."

2020. One hole fell into. One hole dug up.

"Think I hit something solid." Obadiah Ridge taps his shovel against it from six feet down. Above him Serena Dorsey laying flat in the dirt to pass him a glass of tea. He accepts it using a sleeve to wipe his brow.

"Brush the dirt away. I think I see a tiny reflection." She points.

Crouching he uses his left palm to remove soil. Indeed it was something. A golden case the size of a boot box. Downing his tea in a single gulp he tosses the glass up to her before gripping the box with both hands. It was heavy. It ended up taking the use of his set aside shovel to pry it loose enough to actually lift out. The hand print encrusted within its surface had to be chiseled of hardened sediment with a pocket knife.

"Come on up Obadiah. Let's see what we have." She suggests setting up on her knees. They had fashioned a rope to a tree trunk to use as his way up and down into the hole. He smiled at his procurement but worried once it left his hand. She knew that he would feel his doubt creep up.

"Here! Put it in this backpack. It was my old school bag. I'll await you to reach the top."

He catches the small pack and fits the box inside. Then slipping the straps over his arms. It certainly made things easier. Shovel tossed up he glares at the outhouse door to his right. Worried his dig might collapse the bordering structure. As he climbs he again ponders the twin moons. Surely there was a reason for them. At the top Serena grabs his arm and assists him to the top. Dusting him off as a sign of respect. Her hand touching his crotch ignited a sly grin.

"Sorry. Dirty boy." She winks.

"What would your boyfriend think?" He narrows his gaze without a grin.

She shrugs, "Open relationship. SeVen knows my needs. Anyway, let's take it inside and see what we found."

Their journey was joined by her dog Daisy. As it danced around them it suddenly stops cold and begins barking toward the trees. The activity made Obadiah edgy. His eyes searching the branches.

"Modified drone. Size of a blackbird. Shaped like a crow even." He tries not to look at it directly. Making sure she herself didn't blow their poker face. To do that he drags her in for a kiss. That made her lose any thoughts on a search.

Lips parting he whispers, "Play it off. Don't look suspicious."

"You Sir are a rogue." She beguiles him taking him by the hand and leading him to the cabin. Reaching it they enter and discover SeVen sitting in the living room lifelessly. Seeing him Obadiah treads carefully.

"Don't mind SeVen. He goes into these traces."

"I am here Serena." He returns emotionally, "Merely watching from above."

Obadiah winces, "So, you're behind the Crow drone."

"My eyes when I cannot partake. I trust Serena's kiss was to your liking."

"Gut reaction only. I thought the drone was the enemy. REGION. It would be their type of sneaky." Obadiah informs removing the backpack. Sitting it on the coffee table built from smaller trees. Removing the gold box he sits it carefully on the table. Dusting it off further.

"The hand print." SeVen stretches his large palm outward to compare it with the indentation. His hand far exceeded the print.

"Is it my imagination or does this hand print look more like a woman's?" The General digs more dirt away. Hearing that Serena peaks her brows.

"I think you might be right General." She outstretches her own hand to hover over the thin crater on the box. It looked fairly close to her own in size.

"Should I?" She trembles looking to SeVen first then the General.

"Can't hurt." Obadiah shrugs brushing his palms of dust. SeVen tilting his head to the left as if anticipating her decision. Finally, Serena grits her teeth and plants her palm over the imprint. Upon full press a shrill ping is heard. All eyes bulge.

"DNA sequence confirmed." The box recites like a computer. Miss Dorsey's eyes tremble at the words. "Welcome Princess."

Serena Dorsey's eyes bulge and stare at the men. Seconds tick before her eyes roll back and she faints. SeVen and Obadiah Ridge merely watch her topple to the floor.

Such gentlemen.

Paris France 2020.

Having left the Military Renee Ramse chose to remain in France. She loved it there. Having met a handsome Israeli Mossad agent by the name of Ben-Zion Perez. It took nearly a year to get over her husband Jack's disappearance. Even longer to accept the fact she was having his baby all alone. Ben stood by her until recently. After losing her baby her mental state went on defense.

It had been six weeks since she had left the Military and settled in Paris. Working for a Private Security firm that was a step below National Security she kept in the thick of things. She was a woman of action. That was what attracted her to Jack originally. Man of mystery. Man of action. Man who got the job done. Yet, again she was alone more often than not.

When Jack's plane dropped off the radar she had just discovered that she was pregnant. She didn't even have time to warn him. Of course she had strayed in their relationship the last year so she wasn't honestly certain it was his. A series of tests confirmed it though. Jack was a Daddy. She was proud of having his baby. It even straightened her playing out once it was confirmed. Too late of course. Then, in her last trimester Renee began bleeding. Rushed to the hospital she sadly lost her baby.

Sorrow led to leaving the Military. Her time for renewal set aside to lead a normal life. Meeting Ben-Zion seemed like a perfect option. At first. Of late she even questioned this relationship. It was like right after she lost her baby he grew distant. She chalked it up to his religion. Maybe she was better off alone.

Today, her day off she chose to hit the gun range. Goggles, muffs, and a moving target. Nothing better. She and Jack used to do this together. To see who was better. He would tell her he let her beat his record on purpose. She never bought it. Head shots on every target said a lot. Renee Ramse was a crack shot under pressure.

After a grueling set she removes her earmuffs and whips back her blond locks. Smirking at the other artillery aficionados scratching their heads at her talent she let her Glock cool down. Even after losing her baby fat Renee was shapely. The woman liked to stay fit. It was in her DNA. She liked the allure it brought out. So did most men.

"Ah Jack." She sighs staring at her recorded response time, "Wish you were here. I just beat my personal best." Her eyes lower as a form of respect. Her days of depression over with. She had promised herself that her bad patch after losing Jack then her baby that she would bounce back better than ever. So far so good. Even without Ben-Zion to support her in weak moments. Gun packed up she discards her protective equipment and decides to go out and enjoy the sunshine.

A casual stroll through the city gave her a sense of renewal. A beauty in a city beyond beautiful. In the distance she could see the Eiffel Tower. Or as she liked to refer to it, the LIFEel Tower. Pointing up toward Heaven seemed like such an obvious reminder that things were looking up. Life would be good again.

Stopping for a cup of coffee she decides to sit at a café table on looking a fountain. The statue within it was a baby Angel offering up a spray of water that conceived a tiny rainbow in the vivid sunlight. She couldn't help but smile. It was almost as if her own biological baby was telling her that he was in a better place.

Over her shoulder a loving couple wrestled playfully near a park bench. Hearing the girl yelp out , "JACQUE stop." made Renee pause. The man's name so closely related to her own Jack made her sigh. Two recollections creeping in within seconds of each other gave her a breathless moment. Almost as if something was trying to tell her to press on. Of course she would.

Her cellphone pings forcing her to look at it. A number called that she didn't recognize. Frowning she lets it go to voicemail. Sipping her coffee she finally gives in and checks the message. As it begins playing her fingers tremble and she has to sit her cup down or lose it.

"MOMMA!" She heard a young child's voice. Her face growing pale. Her immediate response was to stare at her phone with a bit of anger. Who would be so cruel as to mock her after her loss?

"Who in the hell?" She ponders letting it continue. She could hear noises in the background that sounded like computers. Then a child's song as if played from a dangling mobile over a crib. A second verse of "Momma!" followed by, "DADA! Needs."

made her growl under her breath. Eying the number as Unknown she ends the short message and sets the cell on her table.

Eyes closed to relax her nerves she hears the cell ring again. Unknown as before she immediately answers it. This time listening before saying anything.

"Momma? Am I God?"

"Who is this?" Renee mumbles and looks around her for potential jokesters.

"Me Momma. I miss Momma."

Her heart sank. There was no way this could be her child. The baby would not be old enough to talk let alone use a phone. Or have the motor skill or memory to decipher how to use a cell. She frowns and ends the call. Enough of this she shook her head clear of her emotions.

Finishing her coffee she prepares to get up. Distracted as her cell gets a text. Eying it she notes a video. Her brain freezes in thought. Eyes trembling as to what this all meant. With a scowl she plays the video to see the shock of her life. Before her stood a baby holding a camera remotely steady. Smiling at the camera.

"Oh my God!" She thought holding a hand over her mouth.

"Am I God?" The baby spoke. Behind the baby she could see computer banks. A German Shepard easing in beside the baby to lay down. Whimpering toward the cell in the baby's hands. The baby giggling at the dog patting at its nose, "Xander."

Tears well up in her eyes, "Who would create such a cruel joke?" A call back leads her to answer it swiftly, "WHO THE HELL IS THIS?"

"Me Momma!" The baby replies again, "Real Momma!" She hears the dog yelp in the background.

"This is sick. Whoever you are. To abuse me knowing I lost my baby is pure evil. Pray I don't find you." She snaps.

"Proof Momma." Is all she hears until she realizes that every cell around her was ringing all at once. Her attention drawn to each individual reply. Hearing French speaking voices chuckling at a video of a baby playing with blocks. She had to know. Leaping to her feet she goes to the table next to her and looks over a shoulder. Watching the baby using tiny blocks with the alphabet on them to write, "Momma".

In her thoughts she tries to sort this out, "How could this be real? How could the baby even know numbers let alone spell?" Again, shaking it off she grabs her purse and marches away. Enough!

Hailing a taxi she awaits it to stop and she quickly jumps in. Settled she controls her nerves as the Driver looks back at her for directions. She pauses a moment to breath. Suddenly the car's CB radio ignites with, "MOMMA!"

The Driver looks startled and stares at his radio. Reaching for the mic he refers back to his station for a response. It returns with, "Jack Da!" Becoming pissed off she leans over the seat and snatches the mic from the Driver and yells into it, "Stop playing this game. Whoever the fuck you are."

"Bad word." The baby replies, "Momma bad."

The Driver freaks out and points for her to leave the car. She rolls her eyes and tosses the mic at him and abandons her ride. Storming along the sidewalks for another block she notes a billboard that was playing a movie trailer for Luc Besson's Valerian 3D sequel. Suddenly, interrupted by a TV feed of a baby and the dog. Everyone walking stopped to respond to it with joy.

"MOMMA!" The baby clapped at the screen as if from the other side trying to escape. Hopping in his seat on the floor. The on looking audience laughing at the thought of such a thing being real. Gurgling the baby spit up on itself and looked down. Reaching for a blanket it wipes its chin and chest. It looked so very real.

"No like prune juice." The baby said as people pointed laughing.

Renee found herself mesmerized. She herself hated prune juice. Swearing off the notion of making her own baby ever drink it. She recalled thinking that while carrying her child. This led to the baby looking over his alphabet blocks to form letters. Once achieved clumsily the word spelled out, "PANGAEA". This led to people talking about the story of the continents all being one land mass in the beginning of time. The word meant nothing to Renee however. Until the baby points at the blocks and says, "JACK! DA!"

Before another word could be spoken there was interference. A woman's voice heard saying, "Bad James." The video feed lost without warning. Renee felt the loss instantly. Tears streaking down her face. She was confused over the name James. She intended the baby's name be Jack Jr. to honor his lost Father. As folks lost interest they moved on leaving her alone to contemplate the whole ordeal.

Her cell begins ringing once again. Snapping a look at it she notes Unknown yet again. Answering it she yelps, "Why are you doing this?"

A woman's voice appeals to Renee with empathy, "Please forgive us. We never meant to hurt you. He is safe." The call ends just as quickly.

Stunned Renee Ramse had no idea what to do next. Confused until she receives a text that throws her for a loop.