Chapter 36 - Finale
Beyond Empire
As I polish off the final bite of yet another splendid breakfast, Clyde saunters over and plunks himself down in the empty seat next to me.
“I'm ready to return,” he announces.
“We talking about Empire here?”
“Indeed. I've got a proposal for you.”
He laughs at my arched eyebrow. “I see us as an effective team, Bea. We could travel together, locate and awaken Portals, share Village agriculture and recycling technologies, and then move on.”
I nod. “I'd be honored to assist you, Clyde. Sounds like a good plan. I was talking with Yolanda last night—”
“You rang?” she says sitting in an empty seat across from Clyde.
“Hey, good morning,” Clyde greets Yola. “I haven't really gotten to know you yet. We're talking about returning.”
“In search of dormant Portals, by any chance?” she grins gleefully.
Clyde nods. “We awaken a Portal, share our technologies with the local Resistance and then skedaddle through the space-time tunnel.”
“Fantastic! I'd like to suggest you start in LA.”
“LA?” Mariela asks, sitting down to join the conversation. “Somebody planning a return trip to LA? I'm in! There are so many drought tolerant fruit trees and vegetables we've developed that'd do well there.”
“Ok! Looks like the beginning of an exploratory team!” I'm way more excited than I ever imagined being at the thought of setting foot in Empire.
“Very good!” Blanca joins in, setting down a tray with cups, a pot of tea and drams for all. “A new worker cooperative —”
“The Returners!” Clyde finishes her thought.
“Wait a minute!” Olympia says, taking the seat to my left. “Tell me you're not taking biscuits out of the oven half-baked?! No. We need an Alignment and perhaps a few minor excursions before launch.”
We hang expectantly on her dramatic pause.
“But I will tell you this. If we figure out a reliable method of awakening Portals, I'm willing to travel the space-time tunnel to get there. However, I'm not stepping foot in Empire again. Not. Ever.”
Olympia pauses to look into every pair of eyes to make sure everyone gets this point.
“Never again!” I say in support.
“But,” Olympia continues, “I'd be delighted to grace new sister Villages in the Amplified Dimension with mind-synced photosynthetically grown architecture. Perhaps even apprentice a gifted local.”
We're all excitedly adding to each other's contributions when Sapphire and Clarence approach. A hush settles over us.
Clyde clears his throat and dives right in.
“You're witnessing the formation of a new worker collective called the Returners. We'd like the upcoming New Moon Alignment to be devoted to what that might look like, and what could be involved.”
Then he adds, respectfully, “If at all possible. Should nothing more pressing arise.”
Sapphire winks at Clyde as Clarence responds, “For sure, Clyde! Let's do it.”
Blanca jumps in, “This sounds like the start of a working plan for dealing smoothly with our drop-in situation, yes?”
By now Karla and Gabriel have joined us.
“I would love de todo corazón to find the remaining Zapatistas en Chiapas. For sure, sin duda, they have a Portal, ready and waiting for activation! Think of it, personas en México would have a closer refuge calling to them. No más viajes peligrosos. No more children separated from their parents at the border.”
And with that, the buzz of conversation waxes and wanes throughout the morning as we prepare for what lurks unseen beyond the horizon's edge.
THE END!