Serialized Novel 6: The Drifter

“Eva, what exactly is this other compelling hypothesis?”

“Yes, it is possible that we came from the future.”

I was surprised and skeptical at the same time. Hadn't she just said they came from the past?

“Isn't that the exact opposite of what you just explained? First you say you came from the past, then you say you came from the future. Where did this story about coming from the future even come from?”

“Well, I suppose I must start from there. Actually, last summer, a vehicle that was clearly artificial was discovered in an old geological stratum deep in these mountains.”

“A vehicle? Are you trying to tell me it’s a time machine?”

“Yes, that is exactly what I mean. The vehicle was discovered in a stratum from around the Yayoi period. It was like a UFO, capable of carrying about a hundred people...”

“Just because it was found in a Yayoi period stratum doesn't necessarily mean it belongs to that era. Do you have any other evidence?”

“We examined a plant found inside the vehicle—which we are calling a ‘time machine’ for convenience—that appeared to be an ornamental plant, using radiocarbon dating. The results suggested it was likely a plant from around the Yayoi period.”

“Eva, how should I interpret that?”

“When we looked at the display inside the time machine, it indicated the year 3500. The time machine must have come from the year 3500 AD.”

“So, Eva, are you saying that you all flew from the year 3500 AD to the Yayoi period? And then, after being sealed away in a ‘ice house’ from the Yayoi period, you drifted into this current world?”

“That is correct. If this hypothesis is true, we were born in a world much later than yours. In that sense, we ‘Drifters’ are your descendants. However, we rode a time machine and lived in the Yayoi period. And then we drifted here. In that sense, we are your ancestors.”

“I understand the logic. But is it really a time machine? Even if that hypothesis is correct, why would people from the year 3500 AD head to the Yayoi period?”

“Well, I don’t know that much. For us ‘Drifters,’ that was over a thousand years ago, and we were asleep the whole time. Honestly, we have no memory of it. Right after we drifted here, we had even forgotten our own language.”

“I see. That makes sense. I’m starting to understand you and Eva a little better, but...”

That was when it happened. A communication sound rang out from Eva’s device.

“Recovery? I see. That’s good news. So she has been resuscitated. I am heading there now. Is it... is it possible to bring him, the one who discovered her, along?”

Eva smiled.

“It’s good news. It seems the consciousness of the ‘Drifter’ you discovered has returned. I am going to her now. If you’d like, you can come too.”

“Is it okay?”

“Yes, permission has been granted.”

“So I can meet them.”

“Let’s go together.”

…to be continued

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