Twin Earth

Chapter 58

I followed James and Yuki back out into the corridor and outside to their car and sat silently in confusion as they drove ten minutes further into the space agency grounds. The whole situation was baffling, apart from the fact that James had grown into a middle aged man and had a wife, the idea that he didn't trust me reminded me of how I was made to feel when I was sacked for killing that woman in space. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, especially after everything I had done to effectively save the world.

'Where's my hero welcome home?' I wondered sarcastically as I watched the rain lash against the car window.

Passing through a heavily patrolled barrier I hadn't remembered being there, I was curious to see a new complex of modern buildings and towers, some with satellite dishes that looked bizarrely futuristic with their shiny discs and flashing green lights.

'What is this place?' I wondered, staring up at them.

We pulled into a small car park just beyond another security barrier and getting out I followed Yuki and James into a large building that was at least five stories high. It certainly was nothing like the decrepit building we had just been in and I wondered for a while if they even used the old agency headquarters any more.

'It certainly explains why I literally saw no-one working there,' I mused. 'They're all here.'

As we approached a clear glass door, I watched as Yuki pressed her thumb to a small display to her right, which caused an electronic voice to announce her arrival in confirmation and the door to open. Bewildered, I followed her and James down a long corridor, which was milling with scientists and into a lift at the end where she again pressed her thumb against another panel and selected a number on the screen.

"What the hell is this place?" I finally asked to James as the doors closed.

"The YM Institute of Space and Time is what replaced the UKSA, approximately five years ago today in fact."

"Did Robert build all this? I don't understand"

Laughing, James replied, "No, Robert was sacked pretty much after your memorial service. He was deemed responsible for the failure of your mission and your deaths. Probably as a scape goat, not that I'm complaining. I still hate him for what he did."

"Failure?" I asked confused. "And can you stop saying memorial. It's kind of creepy."

"Sorry," James grinned. "I'm just so glad you're back. I've missed this."

"Yeah, well, I guess it's been a bit longer for you. I'm still trying to get my head around all that has changed."

"You know what's really funny though?" James continued.

"Go on," I muttered nervously.

"You still look like you've aged twelve years."

"Oh fuck off," I replied, slapping James hard and causing him to laugh loudly, much to Yuki's surprise. "You have no idea what I've been through. Literally, no idea," I added.

"You might be surprised," James stated in response.

Frowning in confusion as the lift stopped and the doors open, I followed James and Yuki out of the lift and immediately into a huge laboratory, similar to the one I had first met Yuki in, but on a much bigger scale.

"Wow," I breathed as I scanned the room.

Lots of scientists and people in white coats milled about the room, either studying glass computer screens that were suspended from the ceiling or chatting and discussing things in groups whilst looking over boards of data. Then I recognised something on one of the boards. It was the same DNA symbols I had seen on the small black box. My DNA symbols.