Eden (2 page)

“How would you? You seem to be entirely immersed in your own activities.”

It was a point well-made. She knew she could be oblivious to anything beyond her periphery. “Fair enough. Now, how can I help you sir?”

“I think I may have invented something that, as far as I can tell, has never been created before in this laboratory.”

“That’s quite a bold statement Mr. Newton! I’m listening.”

“Do try to keep an open mind when I tell you that I may have created an Alkahest.”

Evelyn’s interest evaporated and she rolled her eyes. “An Alkahest? Really? You’re either daft or completely mad. Which is it Newt?”

According to ancient theories of alchemy, an Alkahest is a hypothetical universal solvent with the power to dissolve every other substance, including gold. It was widely sought after for its medicinal qualities and was believed to be able to cure all ailments, a universal panacea.

“Your skepticism is warranted and I can assure you I am neither. I will give you the formula and you can see for yourself if what I am saying is true. Do we have a deal?”

“Hmmm…. This sounds like an exercise in futility, and I am not someone who likes to waste her time on junk science.”

“Nor do I. I promise you, it will be worth your while. I’m going to leave here now and get a bite to eat. Everything you need is located in the east wing in room 313. I have the formula written out on the white board and the elements are clearly marked on the table. Take a few minutes and look over everything, and if you aren’t willing to help me, I understand. But if you decide to do it, I can assure you it will only take a few minutes of your time. What do you say?”

Evelyn’s curiosity was getting the better of her. “So, let me get this straight, you developed a universal solvent that has never been created in this lab and it takes only a few minutes to create it? I think you really are mad!!!”

A couple of minutes passed as Evelyn stared intently at her computer with no response from Newton.

“Fine!” she finally relented. “I could use a break, so I will come up in a few minutes to satiate my curiosity.”

“Perfect! You will not be disappointed.”

“Yet another bold statement, Mr. Newton!”

When Evelyn entered the room she was relieved that the mad scientist was nowhere to be found. She also realized that this lab was far superior to the dungeon that she toiled in. She wondered if this Newton was a graduate student or perhaps a lab assistant. Her curiosity was put on hold when she noticed the faint sounds of Wagner’s
Tristan und Isolde
playing somewhere within the lab.
How glorious
, she thought,
why haven’t I ever played music in the lab?

She walked over to the white board and read the directions. They seemed simple enough, but the components involved perplexed her:
Two parts Pearl Ash Murhnein to every one part Uisge Beatha?
She was certain she was pronouncing the ingredients incorrectly. And she had no idea what they were made of or what properties they held.

Evelyn concluded that this formula was more akin to a recipe for witchery than science, but decided that it was a worthy distraction and went ahead with the experiment. She followed the instructions to the letter and, as she mixed the ingredients, felt an unexpected excitement surrounding the outcome. After a few moments of mixing and diluting, she set the contents to flame and waited. Her thoughts wandered as she tried to deduce who the aspiring alchemist could be. She carefully combed through the ranks, but came up empty. She realized that Newton’s observation was accurate, if only on the surface. She was painfully aware of how aloof she could be, but she wasn’t so out of touch that she couldn’t hear the not-so-subtle whisperings that labeled her a loner, something of an odd duck. She struggled with the nuances of social interaction, though she so wanted to connect with others. But no matter how hard she tried she just couldn’t — which is why she embraced science over all else. She took comfort in knowing that science would allow her to help those she felt so disconnected from, and that someday, her passion would determine her legacy.

Suddenly, much to her surprise and wonderment, a green elixir, bubbling and effervescent, formed in the beaker.
Is this really happening?
She shook her head in disbelief. She bent down to smell the substance, only to be interrupted by the opening of the door.

Evelyn looked toward the entrance where, to her shock and disappointment, stood Noah, smiling broadly and carrying two large plastic bags. “Did it work?” he asked.

“What?” she cracked. “Are you behind this nonsense?” Her eyes shot piercing arrows.

Still smiling, Noah drew near Evelyn. “I am,” he admitted, placing the two bags on the long black lab table. “But I can assure you the science is real.”

“Bollocks!” she blurted, and made a beeline to the exit.

“Wait!” Noah pleaded. “Evelyn. I told you I created a universal solvent, and I still stand by that claim.”

Evelyn paused to hear his explanation, staring at the ceiling with her arms folded. He took off his coat and hurled it without looking toward the coat rack, where it snared as if he had done it countless times before, which indeed he had. He pulled out the items from the plastic bags and arranged a table setting on the end of the countertop. With a Bunsen burner, he lit two candles he had at the ready.

“Please, join me for dinner. I got you Chicken Tom Khah and Salmon Chu Chee from Tamarind.”

“Tamarind?” Evelyn asked meekly. “But… that’s my favorite.” Clearly confused, she stood not knowing what to do, while Noah grabbed the beaker full of green liquid and poured its contents into two glasses. He handed one of them to Evelyn and raised his in a cheers fashion.

“I’m not drinking that!” protested Evelyn.

“Why not? It’s perfectly harmless.”

Highly suspicious, Evelyn watched Noah drink from his glass. “Ahhhh…. That’s delicious!”

“Delicious?” questioned Evelyn, inspecting the liquid in the light.

“Go on!” Noah urged with a nod.

She reluctantly sipped the liquid and, after a long pause, laughed when she realized that she was drinking nothing more than an intoxicating tea, similar to an Earl Grey, but with more flavor and richness than she had ever tasted before. “Aha, so you made water?” Evelyn gasped. “Well, you were right about the solvent.” She reflected for a moment. “Is that whiskey I taste?”

Noah winked and then flashed a smile that seemed to warm the room. “Thanks for making tea.”

She raised her glass to Noah and, as they clinked their cups, she realized that there was much more to this man than she had allowed. That evening, they shared a wonderful meal and in short time they fell into a love that Evelyn had never known was possible. Their connection forever changed her and her metamorphosis began. The walls she had built over the years slowly eroded and, in time, she learned to allow others into her world.

Even now, the distant memory fills Evelyn with warmth. “I’ll take it from here, thanks Peg,” she commands as she places her hands on the steering wheel and pulls into the airport garage.

“Auto navigation is now deactivated. Have a good day Evelyn, and please drive carefully.” The car computer signs off.

A nervous twinge of electricity runs through her, as she looks forward to the days ahead, allowing herself to love again and to welcome her hero home with open arms.

Chapter 2

This is no hero’s welcome.

Noah ponders the series of events that have led him to this day — the one failed mission that tarnished the brilliance of his previous campaigns. Though the tide of war is turning in favor of the free world, it comes as a small consolation for Noah, all because of that dreadful night raid in Tora Bora.

He stares into the overcast skies from his passenger window as he heads into uncharted territory for the first time in his storied existence. What had seemed to be such a promising life and career is now filled with uncertainty. After a decade of service, more than half served during conflict, Noah feels relieved that he will control his own destiny from this day forward, now that his formal release from Her Majesty’s Army is complete.

How quickly fortunes change in this world.
Just two years prior, he had been awarded the Victoria Cross after he and his squadron held off an enemy offensive for two days, with no air or ground support to speak of. With a garrison of only fifty men, the unit successfully defended a key military outpost in a desolate mountain region of Pakistan. Hundreds of enemy soldiers were killed during the siege and a hundred more were taken prisoner, while his fabled Phantom Nine suffered only three casualties. Noah Lockheart, Captain of the Elite Special Forces, was being groomed for a higher station in Her Majesty’s Royal Command. It appeared to everyone that destiny was calling the young captain; his father was after all none other than Admiral Sir Jackson Leigh Lockheart, First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy.

During his forty-year military career, Sir Jackson became a legend in his own time. A true English gentleman of the highest order, he was beloved by his fleet and heralded by his country. He carried himself with a swagger that commanded attention, yet his alluring charm always seemed genuine and spontaneous. Though as famous as the Queen herself, Sir Jackson had never lost sight of his humble beginnings. The eldest of eleven, Jackson had assumed the role of patriarch after his parents’ unexpected demise. At only sixteen years of age, Jackson was charged with the custodial care of his family and the farm that provided for them. When he turned twenty, he joined the Royal Navy and ascended through the ranks, eventually to Admiral, commanding Her Majesty’s Royal Fleet.

Sir Jackson Lockheart’s shadow was long, but Noah had already begun to forge a career just as extraordinary. He was easily the best strategic mind in the field and played a pivotal role in the turnabout of the war. Having understood the enemy and its asymmetrical approach to fighting, Noah designed a counter offensive that pushed the Knights of Palestine to the brink of total defeat. Utilizing small squadrons of Special Forces, Noah orchestrated night raids, drone attacks, and assassinations of key leaders that caused the KOP to take to their heels and run for their lives. With the end of the war imminent and Noah’s future secure, it came as nothing less than a complete shock when he requested his resignation.

It was accepted, but only under great protest, by his commanding officer, Colonel Donald Strayer. Noah closes his eyes as he recalls the exchange with his CO.

“Welcome back, Captain, you have been sorely missed. I trust you had enough time to recharge and reconnect with your beautiful wife.”

Noah was incensed.
Recharge? How can he act like my mandatory leave was nothing more than a brief holiday with the missus?
He stiffened to attention. “Yes sir, it was good to be home, sir.”

“At ease, Captain,” the Colonel ordered. “No formalities here, you know that.”

He stepped away from his desk and gave the Captain a closer inspection. Carrying a COM in his hand, he pressed a few keys and then mounted the tablet to a dock on the wall. The lights faded, and the COM projected a wide holographic screen displaying a three-dimensional rendering of five soldier profiles — their pictures and unabridged dossiers scrolled on and on, detailing their service and accomplishments under the constant eye of military surveillance.

Four men and one woman, all new recruits for a squad that Noah wanted no part of. The audacity of his CO to assume that he could just dust himself off and carry on had him fuming.

“We want you to get started rebuilding the new Phantom team,” Colonel Strayer began, “and we have five worthy...”

“Excuse me, sir, but I must stop you before you brief me any further. I came to request a discharge from my post after my tour of duty is complete.” Noah handed his superior a legal envelope confirming his intention.

His revelation was met with a look of shock and disapproval from Colonel Strayer. “Nonsense! Surely you must be joking.”

“I’m not, sir,” Noah stated defiantly.

Furious, the Colonel leaned his imposing six-and-a-half foot frame toward his subordinate. With his eyes fixed on his resigning Captain, he softened his tone even as he piled on the rhetoric. “Noah, I realize that recent events have taken their toll on you; but did you honestly think you could walk away from this mess unscathed? This is a bloody war, for Christ’s sake. Your record is outstanding regardless of what happened in Tora Bora. It may be only a short time before I’ll be calling
you
‘sir.’ You can’t just walk away, not now. For the sake of your Queen and country — we need you.”

“I appreciate your counsel on this matter, sir, but in the best interests of my family and me, I respectfully disagree. The Knights are all but wiped out. It will not be much longer before they are defeated. I have dedicated over ten years of my life to this army, and I feel it’s time for me to pursue other interests.”

“
Other interests?
” The Colonel let the words settle around him. He knew too well that Noah’s actions were always calculated. There was more here than he was letting on and that did not sit well with the Colonel. “You are aware that there is a full military investigation into the matter at Tora Bora?” he began. “Those soldiers who died will not have died in vain. I can assure you of that, Captain.”