Time Traveler: E212. Undeniable Evidence

Still somewhat dazed by surprise and excitement, Sopeha returned to her ship. She did it in a hurry, as she feared that Robin’s girlfriend or another neighbor might see her through the window.

She pulled out her portable communication device and dialed the Moon Base.
“Moon Base Beta, this is Sopeha, please respond.”
The reply was immediate:
“This is Moon Base Beta, come in, Sopeha.” That wasn’t the high-pitched voice of the receptionist, but this sweet, masculine voice she loved to hear, though now it had a slight tone of eagerness.
“Captain, do you answer the switchboard now?”, she joked.

“It’s Zury’s lunch hour, I don’t mind helping her with the phones.”
“Or you are impatient to see the picture I got.”
“Do you have it with you?”
“It’s on my camera, I’m sending it to your cell phone right now.”

There was a long, tense silence, as Sopeha sent the image, and her boss checked his phone.
“Did you get it?”, she asked.
“Yes. Oh, my goodness…” he whispered.
“The resemblance is undeniable, isn’t it? “
“Yeah, it’s amazing, but – his hair, it’s black? Robin’s was silver.”
“He most likely dyed it but look at his face! Can you tell it’s not him?”
“No, it’s definitely him.” Another awkward silence, and then, after a gasp: “Did you check if he’s…?”

“I didn’t even have to. The boy is in full use of his powers, he displayed them right in front of me. He sensed me as soon as he came out, he scanned the surroundings, he teleported instead of walking… He’s pretty alien to me. but just like you, he looks very human on the outside, not to mention the uncanny family likeness. I have no doubt now.”

“It’s him. It’s your son, Douglas.”
“…”
“Doug? You still there?”
“Yes, I’m- I’m here…”

“You’re okay?” Sopeha asked, noticing the silence at the other end.
“Yeah, sorry, I didn’t mean to leave you hanging, but you must understand… all this comes as a shock to me”.
“I understand, it’s a lot to take, but it’s good news too, isn’t it?”
“It certainly is. Please, don’t get me wrong, I’m happy about it, but – I can’t help worrying. What am I going to tell Robin when he asks why we didn’t rescue him before, why we abandoned him for so many years.”
Sopeha noticed the lump in Douglas’ throat.

She could picture him in her mind, standing by the phones, playing tough as always, struggling not to break down…

“Are you going to tell her?” She asked carefully as she heard him return to the phone.
“Not yet. I’ll wait for the right time”, he answered. “Please, don’t say anything yourself either, nor to her or to anyone else at the Moon base. This is between you and me for now, okay?”

“You don’t even have to ask, you know you have my discretion, always.”
“And you know I trust you more than anyone else, Sopeha.”
This time it was her who got a knot in her throat.
“T-thank you. Is… there anything else I can do for you?”

“Yes, I need you back at the Base as soon as possible. We have to work out a plan to bring Robin home.” Douglas replied, back to his command role.
“Okay, I’m on my way there right now”.
“Good, I’ll be waiting for you, and… thank you, Sop, I owe you one.”

“You sure do… See you on the Moon, Starman. Over and out,” Sopeha replied and hung up.

Seconds later, Sopeha’s starship was soaring into the sky, on its way back home.