The Khyber Connection (TimeWars 6)

“Lucas?” Andre said with disbelief.

“See to the wounded soldier,” the man in the gray uniform said. Another man similarly dressed came into the light and crouched down over Ortheris. He removed a first-aid kit from his pack. Others now moved into the light, and they could see that there was only one other man dressed in gray fatigues. The others were all Pathan tribesmen.

“Lucas, it can’t be you!” said Andre. “We buried you!”

“Did you? What a shame. I guess I’m late to my own funeral.”

“Blimey!” said Mulvaney. “ ‘E looks enough like the Father to be ‘is ruddy twin!”

“Finn?” said Andre, looking at him wildly.

“It isn’t Lucas,” Finn said slowly. “At least not our Lucas.”

“Congratulations, Lieutenant. Or is it lieutenant? What is your actual rank?”

“It’s lieutenant. Second Lieutenant Finn Delaney.”

“And you?” he said to Andre.

“Sergeant Andre Cross,” she said numbly.

“Sergeant?” said Mulvaney. “Would someone mind tellin’ me what in bloody ‘Ell is goin’ on ‘ere?”

“It would only confuse you, soldier,” said the twin. “I apologise about your friend. It was meant to be a warning shot, but these tribesmen tend to get a bit overzealous. Keeping them in cheek can be difficult. I strongly advise you to cooperate so as not to provide them with any excuse to give in to temptation. I believe you’re carrying dispatches. May I see them, please?”

“What dispatches?” said Mulvaney. “We were only escortin’—“

“Please, Private, don’t waste my time. The dispatches.”

“Do as he says, Mulvaney,” Finn said.

“What manner of uniform is that?” Learoyd said as Mulvaney removed the dispatches from the saddlebags. “You’re not British, surely.”

The twin Priest smiled. “It’s the uniform of a captain in the Special Operations Group of the United States Temporal Army.”

“The United States?” Learoyd said. “I don’t understand. What’s your interest here?”

“That,” said the twin Priest, “would take a bit of explaining. And frankly, I don’t have the time. Let’s have those dispatches.”

Mulvaney handed them over.

The twin Priest glanced through them quickly. “Yes, well, I’m afraid we can’t allow these to get through.” He handed them to one of the other men. He glanced at Finn. “Interesting, “ he said, “but not completely unexpected. Paradox piled upon paradox. Zen physics run riot in the presence of a confluence. I assume from your reaction on seeing me that my counterpart was with your unit. Pity. I would have liked to have met him.”

“What is he talking about?” said Learoyd.

“Not now, Chris,” said Andre, the initial shock having passed.”What are you going to do with us?”

“Take you prisoner,” said the twin Priest. “After all, I have as many questions to ask you as I’m sure you have to ask me.”

“What about them?” Finn said, jerking his head toward the others.

“We’ll bring them along, just to ensure your cooperation. I wouldn’t expect commandos to be very cooperative by themselves, but with hostages, it might be different.”

“Look ‘ere,” said Mulvaney, striding forward belligerently. “I demand to know just what in bloomin’ blazes—“

The twin Priest signalled to one of his men. There were three sharp, hissing sounds and Mulvaney and Learoyd dropped to the ground. Din slowly backed away, eyes wide.

“You there!” the twin Priest said, pointing at Din. “Come here!”