Generation 1, Chapter 13

Peter and Adam arrive in the future late in the evening. It was a bumpy ride and Peter landed on his backside. Although there were people around to greet them, Adam makes a beeline to the food synthesizers. His stomach was growling before they left and now he was famished.

After getting to his feet, Peter is greeted by Jay Van Winkle a descendant of Adam's. He couldn't believe how excited Jay was to meet him. But then again maybe he would be just as excited if he were to meet an ancestor too. But it felt more than that but he didn't know what or why.

Peter felt good about meeting Jay as it confirmed his conviction that this individual wouldn't exist unless he and Vallari hadn't met and had children. But he wondered, since his children already exist, would he mess up the time line if he and Vallari were no longer together? What time paradoxes will exist if he and Vallari split up? He wanted to talk to his good friend Emit and see if he knew of any dire consequences.

While Peter was talking to Jay. Adam had eaten his first synthesized meal and found a corner where he could read a book. He's such a little nerd, he is surrounded by all kinds of new and interesting things and he reads a book.

Peter finally says goodbye to Jay promising to see him later. He and Adam find a room to sleep in and call it a night. Peters dreams are a continuation of this thoughts and he feels less than lucky.

Adam on the other had was having little boy dreams about being an astronaut and walking on the moon.

The next morning Peter had an interesting conversation with this Alien who was visiting Oasis Landing. He was asking her questions about the crashed alien space ship but for some reason she became upset and left. Shrugging off that unpleasant scene Peter decided it was time he and Adam went to Legacy Park.

"Hey Dad, that statue looks like you" Adam excitedly points at a Statue. Peter was astonished that he was staring at his statue and it finally dawned on him why people were staring at him and asking for his autograph. He spent some time staring at his statue feeling proud that he had donated all that money towards the future. He had a real legacy to be proud of and his descendants would remember his contribution. However Adam had already lost interest and was off to the next statue.

"It says here this person was the Pioneer in Robotics. Do you think that one day I could have a statue made of me? I really want to advance artificial intelligence in robotics." Adam was explaining to his Dad what he wanted to do in the future.

They spent some time in Legacy Park discussing Adams love of robotics and his desire to make an A.I. Peter suggested that they go and watch the Plum Bot competition.

However before they were able to leave this resident of Oasis Landing came running up to Peter asking for an autograph. Adam stood there wondering what the big deal was all about. This was just Dad not some big celebrity. Shrugging his shoulder Adam thought people from the future sure were weird.

Adam was fascinated by the Plum Bots in the competition and Peter picked up a book about all the different plum bots that were in the competition. He couldn't wait to read it, so while Peter went into City Hall to check the lottery records, Adam sat outside and read his book.

Peter had decided to check for additional winning lottery numbers as insurance that he would have enough money for him and the kids in case the inevitable happens. He knew if he even brought up the discussion of divorce that Vallari would take him for every dime he had. He didn't think she would fight him for custody of the kids but he wanted to have enough money to fight her if she did.

When Peter came out of City Hall with more lottery numbers, Adam came and gave him a hug.

"Thank you Dad for bringing me with you to the future."

"Hey buddy I'm glad you suggested it. I'm enjoying sharing this time with you. Now I think we should call it a night. There's more to do tomorrow."

They went back to Emits' place and Adam went to sleep dreaming about his future career. However Peter was unable to sleep and decided to sit up and read for awhile. The next morning he planned on talking to Emit and his mind was racing on what he wanted to ask him.

The next morning Peter was finally able to discuss his concerns with Emit.

"So you see Emit I'm concerned that if I and Vallari separate it will somehow impact my future descendants." Peter explained.

"Well Peter it's possible as the future is always in a state of flux. The decisions you make in your present time line will filter into the future with bigger or smaller effects. One thing you need to realize is that you have already produced the one individual that is needed to this time line. Adam will in deed become the pioneer of robotics and the legacy statue will change as it should. You and Vallari had to meet and have Adam for this to happen. However that does not mean you have to remain with her. It's possible that Vallari's attitude could disrupt the time line by making Adam not pursue robotics out of a sense of rebellion."

Peter felt better after talking with Emit. He knew it was going to be a hard decision and wished he knew exactly what he should do. However he knew that he needed to do something about Vallari cramming science down Adam's throat it would only lead to more problems, not least of all changing the time line. He wasn't sure divorce was the course he wanted to take. After all they did share some wonderful memories together and produced four beautiful children. Divorce wasn't something to take lightly and he felt he should try and preserve his marriage if at all possible.

While Peter was talking with Emit, Adam went to the Stellar Observatory and took a space training class. He was excited to practice the moon bounce he learned and immediately took to bouncing all over the place. It was a lot of fun although it would have been better if his Dad could've come with him. But he was busy talking to Emit and Adam didn't want to disturb them. He knew his Dad had something weighing on his mind lately. He just wasn't happy anymore and that made Adam sad.

Peter met up with Adam at the observatory and asked Adam what he wanted to do next. Adam wanted to check out the wastelands, he had heard that one time it used to be an ocean. Adam had fun picking crystal plants and catching nanites. Peter was intent on rummaging through junk piles. Adam wasn't sure if his dad was doing that because he was bored or if he had a purpose in doing it. He just mentally shrugged it off and said whatever makes him happy.

Eventually Adam became bored with catching nanites, so he sat down and started playing with Windy. His Dad was still intent on rummaging through junk piles. It grew darker and darker and Adam was growing uneasy at the thought of being in the wastelands at night. So he asked his Dad if he could go back to Emits' and read. Peter said it was alright and that he'd be there in a little bit but he still had to finish what he was doing. So Adam went back to Emits' wondering what his Dad had to do that was so important that he had to dig through junk piles. He didn't get it but it must be important or Dad wouldn't be doing it.

Peter was intent on finding the key to the crashed alien space ship. He was curious if there was something there that he had missed the last time he was there. He couldn't get the thought out of his mind that the alien he questioned earlier became upset because there was something she didn't want Peter to find in the ship. But unfortunately, when Peter finally found all the fragments to enter the ship there wasn't much to find. Peter was disappointed and wondered if the Alien had gotten here before him and removed everything. It was possible. So he thought he would come back at another time and search the ship again. He did find a sprite form he thought Adam would enjoy. As it was so late he decided to go back to Emits and try to get some sleep before traveling home tomorrow.