CHAPTER 142: NEW HORIZONS

When Numan called him and Tom to breakfast with Dr. Gurbanov, Marcus closed his call with his counterpart. He sighed with frustration about thinking of his day as Marcus Chen.

I need to travel between stars and fight a crazy wizard but dealing with Earth things also...

He cut his internal monologue. He woke up Tom and went to the house guest's dining room.

On his way he texted his New York host Harry and sent him the remaining balance. He noted they would come back for their stuff. After sending the money he looked at the remaining amount and gritted his teeth. They were living off his father's back and it bothered Marcus.

I should have found a way to make money in this world as well, he thought.

"Good....aaa...morning." Tom said in English and smiled proudly. "I am learning right?" He asked Marcus.

"Certainly faster than I imagined."

"Yeah. I noticed this world's writing is very similar to your invention so I was trying to read and make connections."

Marcus rolled his eyes. "Sorry Tom but I didn't invent a new alphabet for Valdris. I copied the Latin alphabet and tried to make it look like our flourishes."

"Oh.. right. You take knowledge from here to Valdris."

Marcus scratched his head. "Yeah I am not a genius." He smiled.

"Well to me you are." Tom patted Marcus on the back, trying to lift his cousin's spirits.

When they entered the dining room Marcus felt Numan's downplay of their financial struggle was a bit of an exaggeration. Even in the suburbs of New York this was a big house. Crystal chandeliers. Mahogany furniture. Oil paintings on the walls.

Alexi Gurbanov was reading from his tablet. He lowered it when he noticed Marcus and Tom. Marcus eyed his technological prowess.

"I may love ancient things but that doesn't mean I won't read today's news."

"It is not that you were reading from a tablet. My grandpa in Korea still uses a buttoned phone and he is younger than you."

Alexi Gurbanov let out a laugh. "If I didn't follow today's advancements those new digging site managers wouldn't let me get near new dig sites."

Marcus congratulated the old man and started eating breakfast.

"Anyway I contacted the Aguillon family. They are the only other family residing in North America. They want to meet you."

"Are they connections for old tech?" Marcus asked.

"No I don't think so but they have connections with... let's say certain groups who can provide illegal things."

"What does that mean?" He asked.

"That means they will provide you and your cousin passports and visas for Türkiye." Numan said energetically.

"Illegally?" Marcus asked but immediately raised his hand to not get an answer. Of course it was going to be illegal. Even if they made one for Marcus, Tom wasn't born in America. Heck he wasn't born in this world at all.

Alexi pointed at Marcus. "I am afraid I won't be on this journey but there are currently more than a dozen Keeper families at Göbeklitepe. Numan will come with you and Aguillon family members will meet you later in Türkiye. Follow the families' guidance. They can take you near this seed you mentioned."

"That is excellent news...." Marcus bowed his head. "But.. we don't have much." He put down the bread.

"Don't worry about the expenses. We have to help two-worlders." Alexi took a sip from his coffee. "Isn't that what the organization was formed for?"

Numan got excited. "I know a little Turkish. It will be enough to navigate our journey and most families there speak English anyway."

Marcus bowed and thanked them for their arrangements. When Tom picked up on Marcus showing gratitude he put down what he was eating and imitated him.

"Thank you..... old ....uncle." He said in broken English.

After breakfast Marcus had nothing left to do but return to Harry's apartment and collect his belongings. After planning his next moves while waiting for Marcus's text about calling their dad, he texted him to encourage him.

When their heartfelt conversation with their father ended, renewed vigor filled Marcus. He returned to work. Trying to remember circuit roads and devices of the mind freeing machine.

The path forward was clear now. Türkiye. Göbeklitepe. The Earth seed.

And maybe, just maybe, a way home.