When the guard left, so did the metal ramp. Next, a series of metal spikes rose along the rim of the cavity, marked also by the start of a heavy humming that gave Trevor the distinct impression that the two-foot tall stakes were not only sharp, but also electrified.
"This is our new home I guess."
Nina fidgeted and grumbled, "You don’t seem too worried. I mean, they might just kill us, you know?"
Trevor drifted around the chamber gazing at the spikes above, more curious about the nature of the security devices than contemplating means of escape.
"Yes. You’re right. They might just kill us."
She wrung her hands and paced, saying, "How can you be so calm?"
"I’m not calm, I’m resigned."
She visibly shook as she shot, "What does that mean?"
He stopped his inspection, walked to her, and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"He’s trying to figure out what to do. He’s not happy about this. I mean, about us. We’re a variable he wasn’t counting on. He’s got to start adjusting his plans."
She cocked her head to the side. "Plans? What plans? What are you talking about?"
"Nina, look around this place. It's overcrowded, everyone is running around, and I know I spotted some training drills on the way over here. They’re planning for something. Then we show up and throw a monkey wrench into the whole thing."
"Monkey…wrench..?"
"We messed it up," Trevor clarified. "How long had they been nibbling away at Thebes? I remember Snowe saying the Chaktaw had been hitting the Geryons, too."
"So? So what?"
"So look around this place. You saw the Jaw-Wolves. He could’ve sent a stronger force against Thebes any time, but he didn’t. Why? Because he’s been planning for a big offensive. A…a spring offensive. Damn."
Trevor turned away from her and closed his eyes.
"Just like I had been planning at Thebes. First securing the drilling sight, then hitting the Chaktaw staging area, then the Duass at Erie Coast. Recon, planning, and preparation all toward one big offensive that would change the course of the war. Or at least I hoped so."
Trevor stared up and out of the pen. He could nearly sense Fromm somewhere in the complex above sitting with his Generals and his maps and his scouting reports.
"What are you up to?"
– Trevor and Nina remained in their holding pen unmolested for what felt like hours. At one point, a couple of guards distributed a collection of food including a few rations remaining from their confiscated survival gear as well as mushrooms and a type of hard boiled egg from Chaktaw stores. Too hungry to refuse, Trevor ate the unfamiliar elements as fast as possible to avoid any unpleasant taste, but he found the sparkling fresh water provided by their 'hosts' incredibly refreshing. Certainly the water came from a natural spring inside the base.
With the exception of the embarrassment of utilizing an open trench to relieve themselves, their stay remained uneventful until much later when Fromm visited.
The Chaktaw leader stood on the ridge of the prison hole looking down at the humans. Jaff hovered by his side and played the role of translator.
"You told my daughter that there is a structure to the north where I will find an artifact that will shut down the gateways bringing aliens to Earth."
Trevor listened to Jaff's translation and focused on Fromm as he answered, "Yes. That is the gift I offer."
He wanted to say 'and you know I'm not lying because by now you've talked to your version of the Old Man and he's told you I'm telling the truth.' However, he decided the less said the better.
"I accept your gift. Any signs of deception and you will be killed. In horrible ways."
Trevor nodded, "I understand."
Fromm paced the rim of the ditch. Trevor and Nina turned in place, keeping their eyes on the Chaktaw leader as he circled above. Fromm's expression changed. Not exactly softened, but Trevor thought he saw curiosity creeping into his mood, probably the result of whatever conversation he had had with his Old Man. If Fromm's benefactor was anything like Trevor's, he might offer a few cryptic answers but at the expense of many more questions.
"I am to believe that you live on a planet the same as this. I am to believe that you come from that world. Do all the humans invading my Earth come from your world?"
"No," Trevor answered. "I am the only one. The humans invading your home come from a planet in this universe from a star you can see in your skies at night. I come from a different universe. A universe where my people-my humans-occupy the planet Earth and where Chaktaw are among the invaders."
Jaff translated. Fromm did not like the answer.
"Do you dare say that Earth does not belong to my people?"
Trevor replied fast, "In this universe, it does belong to you. The animals and armies that are attacking your environment must be defeated. This is your home."
This time the Chaktaw leader accepted the answer more readily.
"And in your universe, the Chaktaw there come from a planet other than Earth? And they are invading your world?"
"The Chaktaw and many others. The Hivvans, the Duass…so many I have lost count."
"And on your world, your people have retreated to caves? To the wilderness?"
Trevor hesitated, unsure how to answer. His hesitation caused Fromm to cock his head in a manner that suggested suspicion.
"No. On my Earth my people hid at the place along the lake until our strength was mustered. We have struck out and taken back much of what was once ours. Every day we take back more. The invaders are on the run."
Fromm listened. Trevor feared that his words might translate as boasting, but that did not appear to be the case.
"I understand, Trevor Stone. I was not that fortunate. In the early days, my enemies found our place of hiding. Found it long before we could gather our strength. Only the Behemoths kept the evil at bay long enough for us to make our escape."
Trevor mumbled to himself, "The Behemoths?" Then he realized. Jaw-Wolves.
"Of course," he said. "I saw…I saw the remains of your…your Behemoths. At first I believed them to be the attackers who drove you away. Now I see they serve you much as the dogs of my world serve me."
As soon as he sensed that Jaff completed that translation, Trevor added, "I was given three gifts from…from a benefactor," he considered that word might be too difficult for Jaff. Trevor tried again, "I received three gifts from a guardian. I see you received three gifts as well."
After hearing Trevor’s words in his native language, Fromm responded, "Yes. Three gifts. You knew about my key. You know what that key gives me, I believe. You had your own version of Behemoths. That is curious."
"Yes, but it makes perfect sense, Fromm."
The Chaktaw leader repeated part of the story Trevor previously shared. "You say that you know of eight universes. You believe there is an Earth in each of them with a different race living on this planet. Now you suggest that the leader of each of those Earths has been given three similar gifts. But can you see why?"
The demeanor of the conversation shifted from an interrogation to a discussion, albeit with a healthy dose of distrust.
Trevor said, "Eight races of people all based on the same basic type of DNA."
The last word puzzled Jaff. Trevor struggled to help. "Um…genetic structure… genes…molecules…um…cells. Look, just the basic stuff that makes us who we are. I’ve got to believe you have your own word for DNA. Right?"
Jaff did his best to translate.
Apparently Fromm understood. "Our bodies…similar in many ways. This I concede."
"And our gifts. One to help us survive the early days of the invasion. The second, much of the knowledge of our races, so that we could fight on behalf of our entire species. Perhaps with a few extras thrown in to give us a chance against the invaders."