Tales Of The Arter Gems: Episode VI: The Syndicate of Time: Prologue

By Mario Walsh

I'm Syra, a 31 year old Time Traveller from the year 2019, West Auckland, New Zealand. I've returned home after a long journey, and ten years have passed by. West Auckland is abandoned, and I don't have a clue as to why. Rumours are it's the government, but who knows - I'm determined to get to the bottom of it, and find out what has happened to my beautiful city.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mario Walsh
• Release date: Jan 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311784001

Mario Walsh

Firstly, thank you for supporting my Seven novels; Episode III, Episode IV, Episode V, Episode II, I, VI and recently The Chiller. A lot of hard work and time has gone into this story. I've been working on this series since September 2007, and have released Episode III first as I feel it was necessary to tell Syra's story first. The order that I will release the series is Episode III, IV, V, and then Episode II, followed by I and VI: Prologue. Now that all five are available, you can read them in chronological order as well. Episode VI: Epilogue will be released afterwards.A bit about meI'm a 39 year old author from West Auckland, New Zealand. I love action and Science Fiction - especially time travel. This series is my attempt of merging both these loves into one.My father introduced me to the 'Back to the Future' trilogy at age 6, so since then I've always been pretty obsessed with Time travel.If you have any questions about my series, like my facebook page and ask anything you like, i'd be happy to answer.One last thing. My book has a lot of violence in it, which does not mean that I condone it in the real world. You see, I dissect a scene in my head and describe it on paper how I see it. It's just how I have always been; I love vivid detail, and want to reader to be able to see what unfolded in my head as I wrote it.Again, a big thank you from the bottom of my heart. Positive or negitive reviews, thank you for reading my creation. It has taken nearly 15 years to tell this story, and it'll take plenty more.Books by Mario WalshTales of The Arter GemsEpisode III - The Chosen One - FREEEpisode IV - A Twist of Fate - FREEEpisode V - Syra's Paradox - FREEEpisode II - The Pinnacles of Fate - FREEEpisode I - The Prophet and her Legacy - FREEEpisode VI - The Syndicate of Time 'Prologue' - FREEAndBeyond the F.O.G SeriesEpisode I - The Chiller - FREEEpisode II - the Dark Messiah - FREEEpisode III - 2023Episode IV - 2025COMING SOONEpisode VI - The Syndicate of Time Full Edition + 'Epilogue' - 2025

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Preface

I'm Syra, a thirty-one year old who has been through so much - when I process my thoughts on what I've experienced, it makes me wonder how the hell I'm still alive. I've lost many friends, and vanquished scads of foes. But one more challenge awaits me, and it will test my courage, power and determination. I must eradicate the Syndicate of Time. But before I do this, I have to fill in the blanks for Enaz, explaining everything that has happened, up to this point in time. He of all people has a right to know...

I - A Link to the Past

• 10:12am, August 6th, 2017 - Leviathan University: White Lecture Theatre, Kelston, West Auckland, New Zealand.

My father and I are sitting in the front row of the White Lecture Theatre, in Leviathan University. This room has many memories, but is in a bit of a beaten state compared to many years ago. The seats are on a forty-five degree angle from top to bottom, with the blackboard just in front of us. Flags cover the walls, and cobwebs are everywhere else; in the roof, directly above us in the center of the room, is a suspended pink lightning bolt. This is how I originally entered.

Before picking up my father, I walked up to the blackboard and wrote down what I could remember seeing on there in 2019. Across the top of the blackboard, I wrote 'BEWARE! THE SYNDICATE ARE COMING!' in capitals, and the many years I remember seeing. 1993 is on the far left, then 2007, 2019, 2029, 2099, and 2119. I still don't know what this all means yet, but maybe we can eventually shed some light on it.

I glance at Enaz and it's weird to see him with so much grey in his hair; his big bushy grey and black beard is taking some getting used to. He's still dressed the same, with his long black trench coat, worn black denim jeans and black vest; his two samurai swords are still visible behind each shoulder. Looking at his aged face, I smile his direction and say something cheeky.

Shit, what age are you now?

Fifty two, so I'm an old fart, Enaz jokes.

Depends, you're young compared to others.

And by others, do you mean Modnar?

Yeah, I say, chuckling.

Still cheeky, huh?

You know me.

Where is Modnar, anyway? You two are usually joined at the hip.

He's running an errand for me, but he'll be back soon.

Choice... You know, it's funny - you look different every time we meet.

I'm wearing a low cut, tight black singlet, black jeans, and steel tip, black boots. My hair colour is fire engine red with black slices evenly through - and is down to my shoulders in length. I forget how different I look compared to when he last saw me. I have to do this, to keep myself hidden, and protected; but, part of this decision is to do with fate.

So, you brought me here to tell me your story - so, let's stop beating around the bush. Where do we begin? Enaz asks.

That is a good question. Well, you remember everything from the moment we last spoke, right?

Yeah, you took the wormhole to the past right?

Correct, but this first event takes place a little while earlier.

When?

Remember when you first visited the Village of Noradi?

Ummmmmm... Shit, I remember. You took off, and left me to be escorted by Voltanna, Muhbac and Zekai.

That's it.

Was it you that killed the Oathient, Enaz says, then I chime in and reply Yes, it was.

And where did you go?

Well, let me collect my thoughts, I reply, looking up at the lightning bolt.

• 4:47pm, April 4th 1993 - The Village of Noradi, Tharp.

I disappear further up the tree, pushing through all the dense bush - until I hit the muggy swamp, up to my knees.

Shit, I forgot how much I hate this place, I mutter.

Before me is a forest, covered in dense fog, shrouding the way forward. The canopy of leaves above me practically blocks the sun, allowing only a few lucky specks to peek through the gaps.

Glad there's no trouble. I really need to meet Modnar, I mutter, moving forward.

I wouldn't be too glad, human. We eat your kind for breakfast, an Oathient serpent replies.

These troubling serpents are Oathient outcasts, banished to these swamps as a punishment for their crimes - branded with a red 'X' on their forehead to prove it. They have a rotting brown colour skin, and a muscular physique. The top half of their body resembles a human, where the bottom half is like a snake - a thick tail to slither around on.

Three of them approach me with axes, so I draw my sword.

I'm really in a hurry. Please don't make me harm you, I say.

You, harm us. Hahaha, forget it.

You asked for it.

The left serpent strikes, so I duck and horizontally chop through his stomach; he drops to the swamp in half.

AAAARRRGGGGGHHH! he screams.

The other two swing my direction, so I clash with them both, blocking all their strikes.

She's talented, one serpents says.

Not talented enough, the other serpent adds.

The left one strikes me, so I dodge it, then smash his axe with my sword; it lands in the other serpent's neck.

Aarrrrgggggh! You fool! The serpent says, dropping to the swamp.

While distracted by his blunder, I chop the left serpents arms off, followed by his head, then his friend's. I sheathe my weapon and continue ahead.

You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you? A serpent says, as two more slither towards me.

Seriously, I have somewhere important I need to be.

Not today, human.

I don't have time for this shit!

I open my mouth and thousands of flesh eating locusts fly out, landing all over me.

Wait... Wait... We were just... Just messing around, a serpent says, fearfully.

Go locusts, breakfast is on me, I say, putting my arms in the air, while they fly off me.

They devour everything in sight, reducing the serpents to blood and bones - as I proceed through the swamp, I can hear the screams of agony behind me. I'm quite happy to say, they just messed with the wrong woman.

• 5:25pm, April 4th, 1993 - Periko Plains, Tharp.

The Periko Plains never loses its beauty; I've always wanted to bring a camera and take a few photos of this place. Perfect green pastures go into the distance towards the mountains - a river runs right next to me, disappearing into the horizon. Trees sprinkled throughout the pastures, and birds gliding through the air makes this heaven on Tharp.

I look left and see some flashes at the top of a bank. I quickly run to see what it is. Upon my arrival, I see Modnar and another of the Syndicate, one of whom I haven't seen before - both have their palms in front of themselves, battling for control of a large ball of energy. He's wearing a fluorescent green dress shirt and a white pastel suit - he's clean shaven, with a platinum white comb over.

He's opening a wormhole! Modnar yells, struggling to control it.

It's open, but where will I go is what you should worry about!

Let it go, I have my fist aimed right at your face. I'll fire molten darts through your forehead, and I'm a good shot too, I say, carefully approaching him.

You don't scare me, Syra. You're only a fraction of the power of our leader.

Pfft, I'll wipe them out the moment I meet her.

Don't be so sure.

What's your name, I say, approaching him, my left fist still pointing at his head.

Tau, he replies, diving into the energy ball.

Shit Modnar! Follow him! I reply, grabbing Modnar's hand and leaping into it.

• 5:03am, April 1st, 1993 - West Auckland, New Zealand

We fall out into a dark field, face first.

Where are we? I ask, standing and panicking.

I'm sure you can work this one out, Modnar replies, picking up his staff and standing.

I can hear rustling to the left, and see a house in the distance.

The house in the distance looks so familiar. The long grass is up to my stomach, and in long need of a trim. Wait.... We can't be where I think we are.

Are we in my backyard?

Indeed my girl. Now, where has Tau gone?

I think this way. Quietly, follow me, I say, heading towards my house.

Modnar and I creep through the long grass, pushing it aside, hoping to find Tau. The darkness is making it difficult to see.

We better find him. He may kill....... Me, I whisper.

No, it'll be worse.

Really? What could be worse than killing me?

He's trying to kill your father.

Shit.

Suddenly, the silence is broken; the back door opens at home, and someone emerges. We're at least fifty metres away, and I can see Tau not far from us - the moon is making his pastel suit stick out like a sore thumb.

There! I whisper, sprinting after him.

I run like my life depends on it. I am gaining on him, but maybe not fast enough. I hold my left fist out in front, and fire a molten dart, which misses.

I have to catch him, I say, gasping for air.

Tau sees me, and runs, tripping over a log in the grass; I look at the back door, and see someone stand up. When Tau surfaces, I tackle him into the grass. We roll a few metres; he kneels over me, and throws a few punches. I block with my forearms, then knee him in the groin.

Aaarrgggh, he groans.

I roll him over, and pin his arms down with my knees; my flurry of punches connect with his face, busting open his lips. He pushes me over, and begins running towards my house. I trip him up, then dive onto his back, covering his mouth. Over Tau's muffled groans, I hear a voice in the silence.

Is someone there? Zane says.

You better not say a word, Tau, I whisper.

Mmmmmmmmmm, he groans.

I'd stay quiet, or this will end quickly for you.

Tau begins wriggling, moving the tall grass around us.

Hello? It's five in the morning, can you please quit the games? Zane says.

I do the only thing I can think of at this moment in time - I break his neck.

I peek over the top of the long grass, and see my father sit on the back step with Butch, our dog. Modnar sneaks up behind me.

Sorted the problem out?

Yeah, I broke his neck. He didn't really give me a choice.

It had to be done eventually. Now, just twenty-three of the Syndicate to go, and then the leader.

Once Dad heads inside, we'll drag Tau's body out of here. Problem is, where do we take it?

I know just the place, Modnar replies, grabbing Tau's left ankle.

I peek over the grass and see Dad head inside. This is our cue.

All right chief, let's go.

We drag Tau's heavy corpse through the long grass. This is the closet I've been to home in a while. If Dad is at home, I wonder what year it is.

Modnar, when are we?

If I'm right my girl, it is the year 1993.

So I'm inside that house, as.... A kid?

Correct.

That is some buzzy shit.

Once we're about hundred metres from the house, we let go of Tau.

Gees he's heavy, I say.

You're not kidding, Modnar replies, sarcastically.

Open up a wormhole, let's get him out of here. Where did you suggest to take him?

I never said, but you'll see soon, be patient my girl.

Fine.... But please promise you'll pick a discreet location. I'm not so comfortable with this... You know, dragging a dead body around.

Modnar opens his palms, and a ball of energy emerges from a small hole. We pick up Tau and throw him through, then follow closely behind. I really hope Modnar knows what he's doing.

II - 'Levin' the Pigs Behind

• 11:03am, August 6th, 2017 - Leviathan University: White Lecture Theater, Kelston, West Auckland, New Zealand.

Shit, Enaz says.

What? I reply.

I remember that morning. I was eating Linda's leek and potato soup.

Oh man, I miss that recipe so much.

Me too. Had too much cream that time.

Too far Dad, too far.

I can't believe I nearly died that morning.

Let's just say you have a guardian angel, I say, cheekily.

Sure right about that. Syra, I have a question.

Fire away.

Where did you and Modnar take the body?

Now Dad, that is a good question......

• 11:01am, June 1st, 2029 - Muriwai Beach, West Auckland, New Zealand.

The ball of energy opens in the middle of a black sand beach; Tau flies out, Modnar and I land seconds afterwards.

Shit Modnar, do you understand discreet? I say, wiping the sand off me.

I do my best, Modnar says, cheekily.

Clearly, I reply, in a similar manner.

I assess the area and discover we're on Muriwai beach; it's currently pretty populated. A coast guard driving an open top jeep stops beside us, and hops out to help.

Has he drowned? the coastguard asks.

I clench my left fist and pop a few molten darts into the sand next to him.

We need your jeep, I say, walking up to him.

P...P...Please, take it, he replies, fearfully.

A little help, my girl, Modnar says, struggling to lift Tau.

Gees, hold your horses, I reply, helping him.

We place Tau in the back and Modnar hops in the jeep. I walk up to the coastguard and slam him into the side.

Keys, I threaten, as he passes me them.

Who's being discreet now? Modnar quips.

Yeah yeah, let's get out of here. What year are we in?

2029, Modnar replies, as I start the engine.

What??! Why?

I get a feeling of where to take us. Now, the rest is up to you, Modnar says, as we accelerate along the beach.

People are screaming and diving out the way, and we accelerate through the masses of people. I begin tooting the horn.

Move the fuck out the way!! I yell, swerving around some woman sunbathing topless.

Be careful, Modnar replies, gripping the bar above his head.

I am. Noe, there is only one place I can think of, safe enough to store this body.

And where would that be?

Leviathan University.

Remarkable, that's just what I was thinking.

I still can't believe I stole this jeep. I'm a criminal.

No you're not. You did what you had to do. You've always been this way, and always will be.

What do you mean?

You do whatever it takes to get the job done. That's what makes you a good leader.

Thanks Modnar.

I can hear a faint siren in the background, but leering over my right shoulder, I can't see anything.

Shit, sounds like the pigs, I say.

The what? Modnar replies.

The police. How on Earth did they find us so fast? I say, as I slide the jeep into a hard left turn, then speed down a bank.

What are the police?

They will arrest us for breaking the law. I'm speeding right now.

I look behind me and see several police jeeps chasing us, and Tau's body jumping around in the back.

SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!

What?

We have a dead body in the back, and I'm outrunning the police. We are going to prison.

I look at the dashboard of the jeep, and see a touchscreen. I don't hesitate to turn it on.

You have no 6G signal, the computer says.

6G? I say, sounding surprised.

Can't this contraption go any faster?

Probably not.

Times like this I wish we had a Zabait.

Well, we don't. We're kind of in the shit right now.

The police jeeps begin ramming into the back of us.

Damn it, I say, quickly peeking over my shoulder.

Modnar waves his hand, and makes the front police jeep flip, then roll down a sandy bank.

Hey! We can't just kill them! I yell.

They'll live.

They'll live? You just flipped their jeep!

Yes, to buy us some time.

We slide into the gravel carpark, and I see a black Levin, two door sedan. There are some people drying off from their swim.

Grab Tau out of the jeep. I'm getting us that car, I say, pulling the handbrake, sliding a few metres.

I quickly hop out, and storm towards them.

Once I get closer, one of the guys begins flirting with me.

Hi beautiful. How can I help you? he says.

Give me your keys, I need your car.

The three of them begin laughing, but I'm clearly not impressed. I clench my fist and fire a few darts into the gravel, leaving smoking holes.

I said, give me your keys!

Sh... Sh... Shit lady, ta... Take 'em! he says, fearfully throwing the keys to me. The three of them run towards the sirens.

That was easy. Here, I'll help you, I say, running over to Modnar and draping Tau's other arm around my shoulders.

I can hear those pigs, my girl, Modnar replies.

Haha, now you're catching on. Quick, I'll just move the seat forward.

I push the passenger seat forward, and we throw Tau across the back seat.

Quick Modnar, hop in.

I slide across the bonnet, then open the driver's door. I pop the keys in, and hear the engine roar as I fire it up. I move the gear into reverse, and wheel spin back, then fling the car around, to face the exit behind us.

The pigs! Modnar says, pointing out the window.

Ha, they won't catch us now!

Where is that screen the other contraption had?

This model is from 1997, no touch screens back then.

We accelerate down the stoney driveway, sliding around every turn. Tau is bouncing around the back, but what can we do. We have no time to stop and buckle him in.

We're going to cut through Kumeu to get to Leviathan University.

Do we have far to go?

Not at this speed, I say, looking at the dial, needle etching over one hundred.

Not to be a pain, Syra, Modnar says, before I cut in and say What?!

We're actually moving quite slow.

You just watch, Modnar. We'll lose those pigs, trust me.

We slide around a large right hairpin, wheels spinning the whole time. Modnar holds onto the handle above his right shoulder; maybe the old timer is more scared than he's making out.

Where are the pigs? I ask, sliding round a long left turn.

Catching up. I thought you said we'd lose them.

Oh sssshhhh, concentrating.

As we approach the end of the road, I pull up handbrake, sliding ten metres to a halt. Looking both ways of State highway 16, there