by C. A. Farlow
Snow licked her face. “Get off me, Snow, I just took a bath! I don't need another one.”
Finally, Snow sat back on her haunches, letting Lauren up. A wolfy smile split Snow’s face. “I am so glad to see you, Lauren, we have been so worried. Why did you go?”
“One question at a time, and stop smiling at me like that. You look like you’re going to eat me.”
“Speaking of eating, are you going to finish that steak?” Ice eyed the plate on the low table.
Lauren waved an arm in the general direction of her plate. “Have at it, Ice.” Ice turned her attention to the meat.
Lauren snuggled down on the soft rug, and Snow curled around her. “I left because Alex asked that I leave.”
Just as Ice moved to grab the steak, Merilyn pushed her away. “No, Ice. That is not yours.”
“It’s okay, Your Grace. Ice can have the steak.”
“Fine. I know you are conversing with these beasts, and I would appreciate it if you would allow me in on the conversation.” Turning to the pair of wolves, Merilyn asked. “And just how did you two get in here, anyway? This solar is sealed.”
Lauren sat up. “Oh man, I’m sorry! That was rude. I keep forgetting you can’t hear them. They are so easy to talk to. Well, Snow is. Ice can be difficult.”
“I resemble that remark.” Ice stated, chewing around a mouthful of steak.
“Careful, Ice. You are starting to sound like me.” Ice mock-snarled at Lauren but quickly turned her attention back to the steak. Lauren laughed.
“Do not drip on this rug, Ice, or I will have your coat as a new one,” Merilyn snapped.
Lauren chuckled and pulled the plate back. All of the vegetable matter had been left untouched, though not a drop of au jus remained on the plate. “Guess it’s just veggies tonight.”
“We entered the solar through your suite, Seneschal. It recognizes Alex’s imprint on us.”
“Snow said that they entered through your office using Alex’s imprint.”
Merilyn scoffed. “Well, we will see about that. I do not feel comfortable with you two having the run of the Keep. Next thing I will hear is that items are missing from the larder, and I will have an angry cooking staff to deal with.” The tip of Snow’s nose began to turn red as she hid her face from the Seneschal.
Lauren rubbed Snow’s belly, laughing.
“It amazes me that you can speak with Alexandra’s companions. No one else can.” Merilyn smiled at the sight of Snow, tongue hanging out in wolfy ecstasy created by the belly rub.
“Ice spoke to me first back in the Zirkel’s cave. And then when Snow arrived, I could speak to her as well. But I about fainted when Ffrwyn spoke to me when we found Alex. Her voice is so different from the wolves.”
Merilyn nodded her head in wonder. “You can speak to Ffrwyn as well?”
“Seems so. I can speak to McLaran’s horse, too.”
Merilyn’s jaw dropped at that. “Lauren, you must realize that no one outside of the bonded pair or group can mindspeak with each other. Yet somehow, you are able to mindspeak with everyone. When you spoke to the woman at the Postern Gate, did you mindspeak with her?” Lauren looked up confused.
“No, for some reason, I felt I shouldn't let her know I could do that. And she didn't seem to realize I could. I guarded my thoughts like Alex taught me. She only wanted me out of the Keep, and gone as fast as possible. In fact, she gave me a time limit to leave. She said if I didn't leave within the hour, the shield would kill me when I left.” Lauren went back to scratching Snow’s belly.
“Interesting, that means the shield was tampered with. A mind technician was holding it open to allow you to pass.” Merilyn tapped her chin and appeared lost in thought. “That is why your passing was not registered within the fabric of the shield.” She waved her hand through the air. “But enough of that for now. I will figure out who you spoke with. You have questions for me?”
“I do.” Lauren sat up quickly and organized her thoughts. Then, she began to barrage Merilyn with her questions.
Dusk gave way to full night, and the moon replaced the setting sun in the clerestory windows. Their discussion covered many topics: how Lauren was able to cross into Terran reality, what happened to Alex and why she was out of the Keep, the Comin bioweapon and the illness of the children, bonding and its implications for Alex and Lauren, and mindspeaking. But the topic that took the bulk of the evening was their discussion about the nexus itself.
“So let me get this straight.” Lauren’s mind spun with the many permutations of what she learned. “Multiple universes exist on different levels of real space at the same time. But, time may pass differently within each universe, proving that time is relativistic. The universe levels are parallel to one another, but at certain places, gateways exist that connect the different universes.”
“Correct. We call the connections—quantum tubuli. They are like tunnels. A membrane exists at each end that is impermeable to matter, energy, and time. The membranes exist to separate the universes. Think of it this way: the multiverse is a stack of paper. Each sheet of paper holds a separate and unique universe. However, the sheets of paper have holes in them, the holes are connected by a tunnel. A nexus closes off the tunnels between the sheets. If one were to open the nexus membrane, one could travel along the quantum tubuli to the other universe. Some tubuli pass straight through, from one sheet to the next so the universes on these adjoining sheets are parallel and very similar. Other tunnels pass through many sheets, connecting universes that are quite diverse. Evolution of life and the rate of time passage may not be the same, even between neighboring universes.”
“Okay, I get that example. The nexus I passed through connected parallel sheets that lay on top of one another. I arrived on Earth, but not my Earth. And Earth in this universe obviously followed a different evolutionary path. Humans didn’t evolve on Terra, your Earth. And time moves at a different rate.”
“Terra orbits the same sun. Each revolution taking the same amount of time. Time is not moving at a different rate. You arrived on this Earth at a different place on the time continuum. So, the quantum tubuli you traveled through to get here was not straight up and down.”
Lauren still didn't fully understand. She rubbed her forehead, trying to clear her confusion. “I still don’t get it. I crossed a nexus from Earth in the year 2016 to here on Terra at a time thirteen thousand years in the future.”
“Correct.”
“But Alex crossed another nexus from here to a different planet in her same time.”
“There are different kinds of nexi. Alexandra crossed a geographic nexus, one that allowed her to change locations within the same universe layer. You crossed a time continuum nexus, one that allowed you to change time but not location. You arrived on the same planet, Terra or as you call it Earth, in a similar geographic location, the Zirkel Mountains, in a similar cave in fact, but not at the same time.”
“Okay,” Lauren responded absently, wheels spinning rapidly in her mind.
“The tubuli that connect the universes connect different universes in different places. If a tunnel passed through multiple universes, you could travel millions of light years away to an entirely different universe. I think you traveled through a short, slanted tubuli that connected identical locales in neighboring universes.”
“This makes my head hurt.” Lauren rubbed her temples. “Several theoretical physicists on Earth were speculating about parallel universes, but they couldn't get the mathematics to work out.”
“Hmm, here is another way to think about it.” Merilyn sat forward in her chair. “Have you ever aligned two mirrors facing each other?” Lauren nodded as she pictured this in her mind. “If you stood between the mirrors you would see your reflection reflected back and forth between the two mirrors. There would exist an infinite number of reflected reflections. Each reflection would be a single universe. The total of all the reflections or universes, in this example, would equal the multiverse. You passed
from one reflection—your reality—into the next reflection—our reality. Alex passed from one place on her reflection to another place on the same reflection.”
Lauren smiled broadly. “Wow okay, great example! I get that.” She nodded. “I really do get it. In parallel universes, quantum tubuli connect different reflections or connect points in the same reflection.”
“What we do not know is how you found, opened, and crossed the nexus to arrive here.” Merilyn relaxed back in her chair and crossed her legs.
“I think I opened the nexus when I searched for help for Alex.” Ice stretched and rolled over, exposing her other side to the fire.
Startled by the interruption, Lauren looked down at the lounging wolf. “What did you say?”
Ice turned her head to Lauren. “I may have opened the nexus. Alex was hurt, and we could not move her. We needed help. Snow and I searched for help, and I sensed another human close by. It is like how we breached the barrier into the Seneschal’s office to come here to have steak. We felt you and focused on that feeling.”
Lauren turned her gaze back to Merilyn. “Your Grace, Ice says she thinks she opened the nexus using her bond with Alex. It’s how they say they got into your office. They sensed me and followed that feeling through to me.”
“Impossible, the companion bond is not strong enough to reach across nexi.”
“It seems it is that strong. The sword was still active from Alex crossing back from the Comin Homeworld, and I focused that energy to search for help. I felt a human and crossed the nexus to reach her.” Ice rolled over. “You were sleeping when I found you. I lay down beside you to warm you up. When our bodies touched, my bond to Alex drew us back across the nexus.”
Lauren relayed Ice’s theory to Merilyn.
“It was you, Lauren. We felt you and your bond to Alex.” Snow joined the conversation.
“That may be so, but I wasn’t bound to Alex then. My bond with her grew as we journeyed here.”
Merilyn interjected. “However, it is possible, that you are attuned to the frequency of the nexi and that is what Alexandra’s companions picked up on. Your mind and body may react to the nexi even though you do not recognize them consciously.”
“Interesting theory.” Lauren leaned back to think. Memories of that day returned. “After I fell through the ice, I was searching for shelter to get out of the blizzard. I couldn't see anything in the blowing snow and had passed the entrance to that cave. But something made me stop and turn back—that’s when I saw the cave entrance. And I remember a weird tingling sensation when I entered the cave. I thought it was a combination of hypothermia and frostbite.”
“You may have felt the vibration of the quantum tubuli at the nexus point. That was the tingling. When you rubbed against the nexus, you may have increased its vibration, allowing the wolf to feel you.”
“I’m just thankful I found Alex,” Lauren said quietly. “Our journey challenged us in many ways. It forced me to realize how isolated my life is—was—how lonely I’ve been. Just working, never feeling. Alex showed me what it feels like to really live. I’ve also come to realize that however I got here it’s like I’m meant to be here. I mean, meant to be here with Alex.” Just as Alex is meant to be with me. I hope.
“I think you share a soul-bond with her. If that is true, I have never seen a bond so strong. Tomorrow you will see Alexandra. I am hopeful your reunion will quicken her recovery, and continue to strengthen her memories. Even help her regain her mindspeaking abilities.”
“I can’t wait.” Lauren rubbed her hands together. Realizing she would see Alex soon energized Lauren and spurred her to her feet. She strode to the fire and turned to warm her back. “I can’t seem to get warm. Must’ve spent too much time out in the cold.”
“The cold of winter seems to linger in all our bones. I think we feel the cold not only due to the weather but also due to our worry of the future. That make us feel the cold more intensely,” Merilyn mused.
“Alex shared some of her worry about the children with me while we traveled. She didn't really understand what was happening with them. I thought about what she said about the Comin attack. It sounded like the Comin weapon may have worked in two ways. One was the immediate destruction of your planet’s biosphere using some sort of catastrophic release of highly-charged atomic or subatomic particles. A microwave burst that evaporated all the water. And second, it released an endogenic retrovirus, which combined with the survivors’ DNA after infection.”
“And you came up with this theory in just a matter of weeks? Our technicians have been unable to determine how the weapon worked after several hundred rotations.” Merilyn shook her head ruefully. “You really are a wonder. We must figure out how to have you work with our technicians on this problem.”
Lauren blushed at the compliment. “I’m just a fresh set of eyes. Oh, that reminds me, I’ve got something that Alex wanted only you to have.” Lauren moved off to her gear that was piled against the wall of her sitting room. She dug through her pack, moving her med kit to the side and sorting electronics as she went.
“You brought a patrol worth of equipment with you.”
“All my technical and medical gear, I just couldn’t leave it behind.” Continuing to search through the depths of her pack, Lauren pulled out the small orange box. Opening the clasps, she lifted the lid and turned the box toward Merilyn so she could see the metal object nestled inside.
Merilyn gasped and reached a tentative hand out. “The datanode. We thought this lost in Alexandra’s journey.”
“Perhaps, if my presence is to remain a secret, I could work on the information Alex gathered on the Comin Homeworld. Use it to expand my theories about the weapon. We may be able to identify how it worked. And if my theory is correct, we might be able to determine the endogenic retrovirus’s genetic sequence, if it is a virus, and find a way to snip it out of your DNA.”
“I do not know what this endogenic renal virus is, but if you can find a cure, it will be a miracle.”
“Retrovirus.” Lauren chuckled at Merilyn’s chagrined look at being corrected. “My world was infected with a number of diseases caused by retroviruses—HIV, various cancers, influenza, and even the common cold. Cows, cats, birds, and various rodents suffered too. It’s possible that the Comin programmed a virus with a RNA-strand that when combined with your DNA would activate after a specific number of generations or due to a specific environmental event. This activation would result in the initiation of a disease.” Lauren continued to summarize her theory about the Comin disease.
“Retroviruses multiply by using the cell replication of its host. It enters the cell nucleus and replaces some of the host’s genetic material with its own. Lots of stuff in our DNA strands is junk left over from viral infections in past generations. Most don’t do anything but get benignly passed along to future generations. But sometimes, something happens to turn on the specific genetic sequence left over from the virus. The host could get sick and die, or it could be a beneficial mutation.”
“I have not heard these ideas discussed by our healing technicians.”
Lauren shrugged and turned back to her sorting. “It’s possible that they are so focused on the disease, and treating its symptoms in the children, that they haven’t looked back to the parents or grandparents or great grandparents yet. I’m sure you’ve mapped your genome and know what’s what in your gene sequence. Again, just a new set of eyes on the problem.”
Merilyn smiled and looked out the octagonal window noticing a streak of lighter gray on the horizon. “It is late, and we have nearly talked the night away. Perhaps, if I bring you the summary of the healing technicians’ work-to-date, you might be able to apply it to your theory?”
“Of course, I’d love something to do while I’m here.” Lauren sat back on her heels and looked at Merilyn. “But most of all, I want to see Alex as soon as I can.”
“Very well, I will bring the summary reports and Alexandra here with your breakfas
t. Perhaps we can eat and discuss your theory?”
Lauren grinned. “That would be awesome.”
“I will see you in,” Merilyn looked down at her chronograph and yawned, “three and a half hours. Sleep well, and thank you for an enlightening evening. I am glad you are here for Alexandra as well as for our people.” The pair rose and headed toward the circular stairs.
“Oh wait, you need the sword too.” Lauren turned back to her belongings. She reached down and grasped the hilt that peeked from the corner of her pack. Pulling the sword free, she turned and extended it to Merilyn. “You said Alex needed this back too.”
Merilyn backed away, staying well clear of the sheathed weapon. “Yes, we do need it returned, but I cannot take it. It would kill me. Alexandra will collect it tomorrow.”
“McLaran said the same thing, but I’ve been able to touch it. And use it. The only thing that happened is it branded me. How odd?” Lauren turned the sheathed weapon over in her hands. The sapphire sparked as it caught the light.
“Branded?” Concern colored Merilyn mellow voice.
“Yeah.” Lauren pulled her left sleeve up revealing the dragon where it slept peacefully under her skin. “The dragon from Alex’s blade is now under my skin.”
Merilyn reached out a finger and stroked gently down her arm. The dragon rolled over. Lauren laughed. “That tickles when she does that.”
“Indeed, I have only seen lithographs of this image before Alexandra had the image transferred to her blade. But now it rests here.” Merilyn pointed to Lauren’s arm.
“She, she rests here.” Lauren pulled her sleeve down, hiding the dragon.
“Indeed. The sword should not allow anyone’s touch but Alexandra’s. As I said, your bond allows you many unique skills. This being the most amazing of all. You are chosen. Keep the sword safe until the morn, and you will be able to return it to Alexandra.” With a swirl of robes, Merilyn disappeared down the stairs, leaving Lauren holding the blade, lost in thought.
