CHAPTER 139: THE KEEPERS

"If you two try anything funny, attack or steal something, I swear I will use my father's gun." Numan Gurbanov threatened while opening the door of his apartment.

After their street fight Numan had revealed himself as the grandson of Alexi. He explained they had only come to learn about their vague knowledge about the organization named Keepers.

When he made sure Marcus and Tom weren't crazy or digging into the organization to gain clout or fame he agreed to take them back to his grandfather.

"Keepers aren't some sort of global conspiracy. We are not big or wealthy. We are descendants of what is known as otherworldly knowledge carriers. I don't know what that means exactly but apparently thousands of years ago people with knowledge from out of this world appeared and saved the human race from extinction." Numan explained as they walked through his home.

These small bits of information made sense only to Marcus. As a two-worlder tasked to save Ephus it was logical. If there were thousand year old etchings of Earth's seed then there must have been people from other worlds called to save the Earth.

When Numan welcomed them into the library of the house and showed them seating, he continued. "I know some statements seem crazy but my late parents and grandpa believe them so I am trying to help preserve their legacy."

"How many people are in this Keepers group?" Marcus asked.

Before he could answer Tom saw the world globe on a stand in the corner. He pointed to Numan for permission to touch. When he gave the go ahead Tom started to examine Earth's globe with wonder.

"I don't have any idea about total numbers but I know there is only one other family in North America, in California. Like I said it is voluntary. My grandpa gave his whole life to founding and preserving relics and spent his family fortune." Numan's face got sour like he was trying really hard to let out something. "By the way I am sorry for attacking you. Even though we were getting beaten up. I was just..."

Marcus raised his hand to stop him. "It is okay. All is forgiven. I really need the whole truth."

"It is just that my parents gave their lives searching for the origins of life at the oceans. Unlike modern scientists they believed some ancient programming started life at sea."

Water seed, Marcus thought. Without getting information from a godlike figure like Celestine they were getting really close to the origins of life. They must have been really advanced, Marcus thought.

"Grandpa said you know or had a theory of Göbeklitepe being the origin of life. My parents believed Göbeklitepe only sourced land life so they had theories about a source in water."

"Why were they looking for it?" Marcus asked.

"To study and prevent future disasters before they happen."

"Smart," Marcus noted.

"Also there are ancient tales of knowledge bringers from other worlds abandoning their duty and harming locals, trying to dominate with their advanced knowledge."

This made so much sense now, Marcus thought. In every place humans entered they caused problems. Even at ancient times for Earth they came and caused problems just like Malachar. He was supposed to help Ephus but he chose to ignore the problem and became a more imminent and brutal problem himself.

"Anyway I talked too much. Grandpa texted he will arrive in half an hour. Let me make coffee in the meantime." Numan got up and was walking away when Marcus stopped him.

"I am sorry for your parents but they were thinking correctly. Other people from other planets won't come with a clear goal to help. I will explain my whole story when Alexi comes."

Numan nodded solemnly and left to get beverages.

For half an hour Tom tried to communicate with his crooked English. Marcus laughed at his pronunciation and Numan patiently explained to Tom about the globe. They traced continents with their fingers. Pointed at oceans. Tom's face lit up with each new piece of information.

The outside door opening broke their intimate conversation. The knocking of a cane was unnerving. But Marcus prepared himself to reveal his truths to Alexi. Because after he learned from Numan he had no choice but to cling to them.

The library door opened and Dr. Alexi entered with disappointment on his face. He glanced at Tom and Marcus and turned to his grandson.

"I am so disappointed in you Numan." He waved his cane.

"Grandpa just listen to them for a second."

"You mess up everything. Lose every assignment I give you. If your father..."

"Stop comparing me to him!" Numan rose to his feet with fury. His hands balled into fists.

"You were supposed to get these idiots' source. If CIA sent them they are probably wired and have learned everything."

"They are not CIA. I am telling you."

While their argument heated and the language was sliding into Russian, Marcus got up. He took the seed copy from Tom's bag and unraveled it from its wrapping. He walked up to Alexi and held it up to his face.

"Have you ever seen anything like this? Now stop shouting at your grandson and sit."

Alexi's eyes went wide. His cane clattered to the floor.