“A bus?” Kelly crossed her arms and let out a gentle huff. “More like a roller coaster.”
Nathan backed away from the glass. “So do we flash a light, or do they?”
“I think we do. It looks like they don’t know we’re ready to come back.”
“You got your key ring light?”
She pulled the keys from her pocket. “Right here.”
“I hope it’s enough. The lights in the telescope room really put on a show, and that thing’s kind of puny.”
She flicked it on and shone it in his eyes. “It’s worth a try. A flashlight worked before on your mirror.”
He blocked the light with his hand. “I think there’s a huge difference between using Interfinity’s technology and just let-ting Quattro do its thing. They’ve figured out the mechanics, you know, how to tune their computers into the right dimension, how to decode the music to bring it up on their screen, and how much light to use to send someone across.” He tapped his mirror with a finger. “I think Quattro’s different. It doesn’t respond to a formula. It shows what’s going to happen in our dimension without me doing anything, but the only way it shows other dimensions is when there’s music, and it doesn’t actually affect what we do unless there’s a flash of light.”
“But Quattro doesn’t always work when we want it to.”
“Right. It’s kind of temperamental.”
As they stood close together less than two paces in front of the mirror, Kelly guided the flashlight’s pale beam over the glass, painting a dim circle in the center, barely visible in the noontime sun. They stared at it for a moment, but nothing happened.
“Not bright enough,” Nathan said. “What else can we use?”
She pulled on the strap around her neck. “The camera?”
He shook his head. “The last time I took a picture of one of the mirrors, it gave me a pretty wild jolt. The same thing happened to Clara.”
Kelly looked back toward the road. “Headlights from the van?”
“No way. He’d never make it through all the broken trees.”
She pointed at the sun. “We already have a light, but it’s hiding behind some clouds right now.”
“That might work.” He set down the violin and strode to the back of the mirror. Using both hands, he carefully shifted the frames to catch the sun’s veiled rays. “If it peeks out from behind the clouds, it’ll be like a sudden flash.”
Kelly set the smaller mirror beside the violin and helped him. “I guess before the tornado hit, the trees blocked the sun. What’ll keep it from transporting something accidentally after we leave?”
Nathan angled one side a few degrees closer to the other. With the sun still shielded by clouds, it was impossible to tell if he had the mirrors aligned correctly. “If we turn off the music from the Earth Blue side, I think this would become a regular mirror again, so someone would have to open it with music to go anywhere.”
“I think that’s as good as we’re going to get it,” Kelly said.
“Let’s give it a try.” Nathan spotted a slight movement behind one of the broken maple trees. He quickly averted his gaze back to Kelly and whispered. “I saw something.”
“What?”
“I don’t know. Something behind you.” Still watching the tree out of the corner of his eye, he walked casually to the front side of the mirror and headed toward his violin where his own mirror lay. “We’re not alone.”
Kelly hugged herself and rubbed her upper arms. “Don’t do this to me, Nathan. It’s not funny.”
“I’m not kidding.” He picked up his mirror and angled it toward the maple. In the image a wavy-haired, bespectacled man peered at him from behind the tree. “You might as well come out, whoever you are. I already see you.”
“An interesting paradox, indeed.”
Nathan swung around. Exactly as the mirror had predicted, a man stuck his head out and looked at him through dense, circular glasses. Although his thick head of hair contrasted sharply with the man Nathan knew on Earth Red, his soft voice and hint of a British accent were unmistakable.
Nathan glanced at Kelly and slid between her and the new-comer. “Dr. Simon?”
“Yes.” He walked out into the open. Wearing a leather jacket and blue jeans, he didn’t fit the professorial stereotype the Earth Red image always tried to maintain. And he seemed much younger, young enough to be Simon’s Earth Yellow version. “As I was saying,” he continued, “this Quattro phenomenon is quite interesting. You saw me peek out at you in the reflection, yet I could have decided not to do so.”
Nathan spiced his tone with a testy edge. “You could’ve stayed where you were to see what would happen.” He stealthily set his feet, ready to fight if necessary.
“True,” Simon replied, wringing his hands together nervously, “but my need to talk with you was far greater than my curiosity.”
Nathan searched the newcomer for a weapon, but he seemed unarmed. He relaxed his fingers and tempered his voice. “So, what do you want?”
As Simon’s face lit up, he sped through his words. “In order for us to continue our interdimensional tests, we want to try to avert a certain disaster in my dimension, that is, Earth Yellow. Of course, this is exactly what we have always wanted to do, use this technology for the good of mankind, but now you have given us a chance to succeed in our endeavors.”
Kelly stepped forward. “Who is ‘us’? Do you work for Mictar?”
“Not at all. There are two competing forces at work. Mictar and Dr. Gordon from Earth Blue make up one side, while my counterpart on Earth Blue and I, as well as Dr. Gordon from Earth Red, make up the other side. It has taken until now to decide how to apply our abilities, and you have given us a timely opportunity. With Quattro assisting us, our prospects are greatly enhanced.”
Nathan laid a finger on his chest. “So is that why you need me?”
“Since you are the only one available who knows how to use it…” Simon folded his hands at his waist. “Yes, that’s why we need you.”
“I’m the only one available? Does that mean you don’t know where my father is? He knows how to use it.”
“Mictar is holding your parents hostage.” Simon took a breath and puffed out his chest. “If I could free them, I would.”
“Why don’t we concentrate on rescuing my dad? Since he knows about Quattro, he’ll be glad to put it to use for the good of mankind.”
“We already have that goal in mind. My Earth Blue counterpart has set a plan in motion that we hope will set the prisoners free, but it must wait until the funeral.”
“So,” Nathan said, crossing his arms, “what’s the plan?”
Simon hid his hands behind his back and retreated a step. “If I told you, I would lose some leverage in persuading you to avert the disaster.”
“But if I take time to stop it, I might not make it to the funeral on time.”
“My counterpart assures me that we should make it. Time passage here in comparison to the other dimensions has been increasing of late.”
Nathan flopped his arms at his sides. “So what do I have to do?”
“In both Earth Red and Earth Blue, an airliner crashed at O’Hare airport in Chicago on this date.” Simon withdrew a folded sheet of paper from his jacket pocket and handed it to Nathan. “This describes how the aircraft failed. The engine on its left wing fell off due to an improper replacement procedure, and it stripped the hydraulic system and retracted the slats, preventing the pilot from knowing what to do to properly correct its tilt. Our task is simply to prevent the crash in Earth Yellow, using Quattro in order to study how we might harness its power in the future.”
Nathan scanned the article. “Why don’t you just call the airline? Just say something like you got a tip that a terrorist messed up that engine, and they should check it out.”
“That might work quite well, but it also might not. I am not willing to put 271 lives at risk.” Simon pulled a pair of tickets from his back pocket. “I need an
agent on board who will make sure the passengers survive, and I assumed the girl would want to go with you.”
Nathan stared at the tickets. One bore his name, and the other spelled out Kelly’s. It was as though Dr. Simon held a pair of death orders in his stubby fingers. “So,” Nathan said, plucking the tickets, “you want us to fly in a doomed jet.”
16
THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Simon shook his head. “Not at all. The airliner won’t be doomed if you prevent the disaster.”
“Sure, but let’s just warn the pilot or something.” Nathan pushed the tickets back toward Simon. “It would be crazy to fly with them!”
“Keep the tickets,” Simon said, folding his hands again. “If warning the authorities is a sufficient rescue plan, then they will either repair the engine problem or conduct the passengers to another plane. If you are confident in this, and you care for the lives of your fellow human beings, why should you fear taking the flight?”
“Because… Well, I guess…” Nathan heaved a sigh. “Okay. You got me.”
Kelly patted Nathan on the shoulder. “He wants to skip the flight, because he has to get back in time for the funeral.”
Turning toward her, Nathan shook his head. “I could use that excuse, but it wouldn’t be true.”
“As I said,” Simon continued, “you should have no fear. If you do your job wisely, you will be able to complete your mission.” He turned and gestured for them to follow. “We have dawdled too long, so now we have to hurry.”
As they followed his lead, Kelly swiveled her head from side to side. “I don’t see a car anywhere.”
Simon withdrew a small key ring and tossed it back to Nathan. “I have been told that you are capable of riding a motorcycle.”
Nathan caught the pair of silver keys. “Yeah. Pretty well.”
“My counterpart dropped me off with two Hondas that I have hidden under some branches.” He passed a line of broken trunks and stopped at a pile of debris that rose twice as high as his head. “Can Miss Clark ride as well?”
“Like a pro,” Kelly said. “I have my own bike at home.”
Nathan faced her and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Look, Kelly. You don’t have to risk this. I can probably get it done by myself.”
Narrowing her eyes at him, she planted a hand on her hip. “You gotta be kidding me! What’re you going to do? Leave me out in the woods?” She pressed a finger into his chest. “And whose life is it, anyway? If you’re going to risk yours, I’m with you all the way to the bitter end.”
Nathan caught the sincerity in her eyes. Her courage was amazing. Not only that, her loyalty to him left him practically breathless. Turning back, he gave Simon a nod. “Sounds like we’re in this together.”
Simon pulled one of the large branches off the pile of debris. “That is acceptable, but when I mentioned the young lady, I was wondering if she would be able to ride with you, not on a motorcycle of her own. I don’t have another mode of transportation for myself.”
“Then I’ll drive,” Kelly said, “and he can take the back.”
Nathan waved his hand. “Uh-uh, Sister. You might be good on a bike, but if things get ugly, I’ve probably got a little more experience in getaways.”
“Spare me the sermon, Brother Nathan. We’re not going to run into trouble between here and the airport.”
Simon pulled two more branches from the pile. “I will not get involved in your lovers’ quarrel, but I must insist on leaving immediately. You will ride together on the blue motorcycle, in whichever manner you decide.”
“Look, Kelly,” Nathan said, spreading out his hands, “I —”
“Never mind.” Kelly began helping Simon clear branches. “You don’t have to explain. I’ll ride in the back.”
Nathan grabbed a protruding limb. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” She jerked a huge leafy branch away and swatted it to the ground behind her.
After clearing off the bikes, Nathan loaded the violin and mirror in a saddlebag and hopped onto the blue one, while Dr. Simon climbed aboard the other, the same model, but trimmed in red. Nathan adjusted one of the rearview mirrors. “Sweet. Looks like it has plenty of horsepower.”
Dr. Simon pushed a helmet over his head. While Kelly pulled an elastic band from her pocket and tied her hair back, Nathan grabbed a shiny blue helmet from the handlebar and put it on. Without a word, Kelly took hers, a sparkle-coated maroon one, slid it on, and climbed on the back, grasping the sides of her seat.
Dr. Simon started his engine, revving it a couple of times before easing his way through the mangled forest.
After starting his own bike, Nathan followed. As they headed away from the road Gunther had used to find the area, they zig-zagged to avoid branches and splintered stumps while bumping over hidden dips and swells in the otherwise flat land. Kelly let out a few oomphs, but she kept her hands tightly clutching her saddle.
Within a few minutes, they reached a hardened dirt road. Simon gave them a thumbs up and sped away on the smoother surface. Leaning forward, Nathan gave chase, quickly closing the gap before slowing to stay a few bike lengths behind.
When they finally motored onto a paved highway, Kelly slowly wrapped her arms around Nathan’s waist and laid her head on his back. “I’m sorry!” she shouted.
As the stiff headwind whistled all around, he twisted his neck and shouted back. “Sorry for what?”
“For being a brat!”
Nathan sighed and patted her hands, interlocked just under his ribcage. “You’re not a brat. You’re … assertive.”
“Keep treating me like a lady, Nathan. I’m not used to it, but I like it.”
After traversing an interstate highway for about two hours, they arrived at Chicago’s O’Hare International and pulled up to Terminal Three’s passenger drop-off zone. Nathan glanced at his watch. It was 2:17. He took off his helmet and tucked it under his arm. “What time does the flight leave?”
Simon slid off his own helmet, mussing his hair into a frazzled mop. “I’m not sure of the scheduled time, but the actual runway time in your world was a minute after three.” He extended the keys to the other motorcycle to Nathan. “Leave the helmets. It will lighten your load.”
Nathan set his helmet on his seat and stuffed the keys into his pocket. “We’d better hurry. Getting through security might take a while.”
“I have heard about your 9-11 disaster,” Simon said, “but it hasn’t happened here. Security is not as tight.”
Kelly gave Simon a suspicious glare. “What are you going to do while we’re risking our necks?”
“My counterpart will arrive soon to pick me up, but we will stay long enough to ensure that the motorcycles are not taken away. Assuming that you will successfully prevent the disaster, you may then use the bikes to go back to the observatory site. From there, you will return to Earth Blue before you journey home to Earth Red.”
Nathan raised a finger. “Just one more question. If for some reason, the mirror isn’t tuned to Earth Blue, is there any way for us to bring it up in the reflection?”
“Yes. You may play a certain melody on your violin.” He withdrew a slim iPod from his shirt pocket along with its attached ear buds. “We have recorded on this amazing device from your world all the known compositions that open dimensional passages. If you look at the display screen you will see a note that explains where the compositions work and to what destination they will take you.”
“Cool,” Nathan said, reaching for it. “That’ll help.”
Simon pulled it back. “The music device isn’t yours to keep.” He dialed up a selection and handed Nathan the ear buds. “Do you recognize this?”
He plugged the buds into his ears and listened. After a few seconds, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “It’s Waxman’s ‘Carmen Fantasy.’”
Simon arched his eyebrows. “Can you play it?”
“Mom loved that piece, so she played it a lot.” Nathan took out the buds and
gave them back to Simon. “She tried to teach me, but I never could get it right. I still have some of it in my head, but I don’t know how much.”
Simon wrapped the wires around the iPod. “Let’s hope you don’t have to test your memory.”
“The way things have gone,” Kelly said, hanging her helmet on the handle of Simon’s motorcycle, “he’ll have to test it.”
Nathan detached the saddle pack from the motorcycle and held it at his side. “Let’s move. The more time we have to convince them, the better.”
After passing through the terminal’s sliding doors with Kelly, Nathan checked the flight number on his ticket and searched the listings on a schedule monitor. “There it is. Flight 191.”
After getting their boarding passes, they hurried to the security check. As his saddle pack passed through the X-ray machine, Nathan leaned close to Kelly. “This is nothing compared to how it is now.”
“Good thing. Even a mirror might be considered a weapon.”
“Or a violin.”
When they arrived at the gate, the passengers had lined up at the jetway door and were slowly filing in. Nathan marched straight to the check-in desk where a tall, slender young man stood typing at a computer terminal. He looked up and gave Nathan a mechanical smile. “May I help you?”
Nathan tapped his finger firmly on the counter. “Listen, this might sound really stupid, but what if someone had a bad feeling about this flight, like a premonition about an engine falling off the wing, would you check it out?”
Dropping his gaze back to his desk, the clerk scratched a note with a pencil, apparently unmoved. “Sir, that happens all the time. So many people fear flying, they have nightmares about their flights, and with the recent epidemic, more than half the passengers on any flight have had nightmares about their plane crashing.”
“But aren’t some of the nightmares coming true?”
“Some, yes, but we can’t possibly check out every bad dream.” The clerk looked up, again wearing the mechanical smile. “In any case, air travel safety hasn’t changed at all, so passengers are flying at the usual rate.”