"Is that what it's trying to do now? Create another Conundrum?"
"We have no way of knowing."
"Can it be stopped?"
"You can no more avoid darkness than the winter rains. It is part of all that is. And you must also remember that its very presence allows us to appreciate the light that much more."
"But what does it all mean?"
"Perhaps it is no more than your expanding abilities to see and sense the music of life, Carole. Perhaps you are simply becoming aware of that which has always been."
--30--
Zack looked up from his book as Carole appeared in the living room. "Success?"
"Hard to say." She placed her basket of faerie gifts on the floor. "Anything exciting happen while I was gone?"
He marked his place and laid the book aside. "Does a visit from your parents count?"
Carole gaped. "Here? What did they want?"
Lilly walked in from the kitchen. "For you to go home."
She snorted. "Fat chance of that."
"So what do we do now?" Zack said.
Carole glanced out a window. "I suppose I could visit that cave on the Celestial Nexus. It's dark enough, now."
"After you show us what you've got in the basket," Zack said, while eyeing the sheathed faerie knife.
* * * *
The fractured stone ledge was barely wide enough for her to grip with her toes. Carole crouched precariously for a moment, before finding her balance and squeezing through a narrow rent in the rock to the space beyond. She turned on the flashlight. The room was little more than a shattered tumble of rock, crammed with bird nests and heaped with mounds of bird droppings. Here and there were remnant patches of finished wall, but like the foundation stones outside, there were only enough to indicate that this space had been carved out of the mountainside.
Clambering atop a pile of rubble, she swung the light towards a corner and saw the remnants of a stairway. She squeezed past a fallen archway and started down, but could go only about a dozen steps. The passage was completely filled with rock.
When she shone the light over the walls, she saw traces of color. Once there had probably been a large mural decorating the stone, but now only a few stylized figures remained. She committed the scene to memory and returned to the main chamber. There was nothing more to see.
Back at the Devilles', Carole told them what she'd found. Exchanging flashlight for a pen and paper, she made a quick sketch of the wall mural.
"Looks like a costume party," Zack said, when she'd finished. "That's Merlin the Magician with Maid Marian, and he's King Tut." He stabbed a finger at the fourth figure Carole had drawn. "I've no idea what that guy is supposed to be wearing. He looks sort of like a sausage."
"Maid Marian would be with Robin Hood, not Merlin," said Lilly. "Though they do look medieval. King Arthur's court, maybe?"
"And he's definitely Egyptian," Carole said about the third. "The sausage guy wasn't as fancy looking as the other three, and he seemed to be pointing to a star."
"But the other three aren't looking at it. They're actually facing the other way," Lilly said, tracing lines of direction with her finger.
"Earth history on an ancient Hub building." Carole shook her head.
"Multitaskers are so weird," Zack said. "At least once a day someone tells us we're not wanted here, and now we find they used to decorate their walls with our history. I wish they'd make up their minds. Do they like us or hate us?"
* * * *
The following morning dawned gray and dreary. As it was the Day of Reflection, and there was no school, Carole decided to report to Philamount, knowing he was an early riser. He lived just past the Eastway, between the Rim and the Middleroad.
It took little time to reach the professor's home, but once there she saw that it was dark inside. She peered through the kitchen window. There were breakfast dishes in the sink so she knocked on the door. No one answered.
Thinking he might have already left for his office, Carole backtracked to Hub Central and tried both the front and back doors. The school was also dark and locked. She returned to the Devilles' cottage and, sitting on the front step, stared at the twin towers rising from the roof of the school.
From the outside they were identical, complete with matching windows. But why put windows in a tower with no rooms? Unless... She stood and stepped inside the cottage. Lilly was sitting at the kitchen table. She glanced up, gave Carole a questioning look.
"Morning, Lil. Back in a sec." A quick smile and she was off.
She landed on the third floor corridor next to where the second tower stairway should have been, and rapped against the wall. Solid stone.
She focused on the tower, leaped again and landed inside a grimy, unfinished and mostly empty room. There was a small writing desk sitting near the middle of the floor. She moved closer.
On top of the desk and layered in centuries of dust, was an open book. Carole gently brushed the dust away. It was a journal and, though faint, there was writing. Writing which she could read and understand.
15,323 AL, Cycle of reflection, 20th rise: Subtle enquiries continue to be fruitless and as I had feared, the madness has seized hold of many. I must be bolder in my search, but whom to trust?
15,323 AL, Cycle of reflection, 30th rise: I have been discovered. My actions were foolish perhaps, but at least I now know with certainty that I am truly alone.
15,324 AL, Cycle of renewal, 8th rise: The madness spreads. They search for me everywhere and the sparks of violence are beginning to ignite. It is time to make preparations to quit this world once and for all.
15,324 AL, Cycle of renewal, 27th rise: This will be my final entry. As I write the Hall of Records is a smoldering ruin, the Celestial Nexus still ringed in flames, and yet they continue to hunt for me. The fools. Do they think fire will erase me as easily as it has erased the records of their inglorious deeds? For I am Udiken Malcor, the last free-faller, and I leave this cursed world to the smoke and ash of its deceit.
Carole tried to turn to an earlier page but the entire book crumbled to powder at her touch.
--31--
The Center for Transdimensional Studies was packed. Tables had been replaced with rows of chairs, most of which were already occupied. As usual, Professor Seafeather had reserved front row seats for Carole and the twins, though today they weren't in the center, but to the extreme right.
At the moment, the professor, dressed in a hot pink outfit, was hovering near the entranceway, greeting and handing programs to all who entered. Professor Hotspot hadn't yet arrived, which was odd. Carole had never known him to give Professor Seafeather free reign over anything, especially if there was a crowd on hand.
There was some activity to her left. She watched Ferdinand Dalimar and Reginald Squim take the last two aisle chairs at the other end of her row. They were acting very self-conscious, and slouched low in their seats.
She pointed out the two seniors to Zack and Lilly. "What do you suppose that means?"
"Who let them in without a leash?" Zack said.
There was a sudden commotion at the doorway. Professor Snively Hotspot, sporting a canary yellow suit with flickering fuchsia zigzags, bounded into the hall, all but shoving Professor Seafeather aside. He enthusiastically Long-Legged his way towards the front of the hall.
Carole's jaw dropped.
Lilly nudged her. "Look at Seafeather."
Professor Seafeather, along with most everyone else, was staring at Hotspot, seemingly spellbound.
"Not good," Carole said. "He didn't see this coming."
Professor Hotspot sprang onto the stage. "Friends, multitaskers, welcome," he began.
His words caused a flurry at the doorway as people rushed to fill the remaining empty seats. "Welcome to the Center for Transdimensional Studies."
Professor Seafeather suddenly came to life and scurried for the stage.
"Welcome to this most auspicious and timely meeting. It is long overdue, since we'
ve not come together as a community for some time. Much has happened. Much needs to be discussed. But first allow me to turn the stage over to a man who needs no introduction at all, Professor Meron Seafeather." Hotspot smiled benignly.
Professor Seafeather was forced to sprint the final yards. "Thank you, my dear friend, Snively," Seafeather puffed, as he climbed onto the stage. He tugged his suit straight, ran his fingers through his hair and turned to face the audience, a smile plastered across his face. Clasping his hands together behind his back, he glanced upwards, seemingly to study the ceiling. The noise in the hall, quickly faded.
Professor Seafeather spread his arms wide. "Friends. Certainly much has happened since we've last met. Much good has happened. Reports from our cadre of leapers indicate that the effects of the Great Conundrum have vanished from all realms visited thus far. We can certainly predict that as more are visited, we will hear no reports to the contrary.
"Leaping can continue as in the past. Trade, commerce, education and evolution may return to what it once was. Assistance to those less fortunate realms may once again be given. All-in-all a stellar report."
Professor Hotspot clapped his hands forcefully. "Solid links my friend. Solid links." The rest of the audience joined in on the applause.
Professor Seafeather raised his hands and waited for the noise to abate. "And here at home, I have been informed by Professor Startling that our preschool class is showing great promise, the best in years." The man looked over his shoulder. "Professor?"
Professor Startling walked on stage from the wings and waited for the applause to end. "That is certainly the case. I can't remember a more enthusiastic and dedicated group of students. And though perhaps a little out of the ordinary, I believe a short demonstration will show everyone how well our preschoolers are doing. Class?" The preschoolers swarmed onstage, surrounding their teacher.
"Did you know about this?" Carole asked Lilly.
"Not a clue. I can't believe the little stinkers were able to keep it a secret."
Professor Startling arranged the children into a line facing the audience. "I'd also like to say, that I think a good deal of our success has to do with Zack and Lilly Deville." A rush of whispering swept through the hall. Professor Startling waited for the noise to abate before continuing, "Not only have the Devilles led by example, but they've provided unique insights into what life is like in other realms. In fact, that is what today's demonstration is all about. Jo-Jo?"
The small boy took half a step forward and looked at his feet. Carole could see his mouth moving but she didn't hear any sound.
"Louder please," professor Startling encouraged.
"...and we been learning about plasticating animals that live in the Monobrain realm. Zacky has told us all about them. One's called a bullfrog, and this is what it does."
Jo-jo stepped back in line. On a cue from their teacher, the preschoolers dropped into squats and with a chorus of enormous belches, started hopping around the stage on rubbery legs. The audience murmured appreciatively. Zack bit his lip to keep from laughing, while Lilly looked horrified.
"Very good class." Professor Startling snapped her fingers twice. Jo-Jo and Gerald seemed not to hear, and a helper rushed over to herd the two bullfrogs and the rest of the preschoolers off, while the audience clapped enthusiastically.
Professor Startling continued. "I'd also like to point out that both Zack and Lilly Deville are showing remarkable progress with their own training. They've become quite flexible in their mental exercises and show definite improvements in the physical."
A further buzz swept through the place. Carole noticed the twins sinking lower in their chairs.
"Excellent, excellent." Professor Seafeather beamed. "Wonderful news, Professor Startling."
She nodded a silent thank-you and followed the preschoolers through the back exit.
"But should we have expected anything less?" he added. "After all, we are multitaskers and traveling throughout the realms helping others, is what we do. It's what we are."
"Absolutely! Couldn't have said it better my dear friend, Meron." Professor Hotspot, his suit blinking wildly, stepped in front of Seafeather and spread his arms wide.
Carole's stomach tightened.
"The realms have returned to what they once were, and so should life at the Hub. A return to the flow of knowledge, the business of balance, the assistance of evolution, for the betterment of all. Life as it was, and as it now is...well, mostly is. We've had a bit of a population explosion since that nasty Conundrum business." Professor Hotspot chuckled. "Definitely a few more familiars to house and feed.
"Not that we shouldn't look after them. No one would ever suggest that. We are multitaskers after all and must set the example for others to follow, even if there are now many more hogs than student leapers. Even if, sadly, there will always be many, many more familiars than students for them to assist. Even if that heroic herd of hogs will continue to breed, continue to swell in number, continue to require ever more of our food supplies and living space..." Professor Hotspot clasped his hands piously in front of himself.
"Now Professor Seafeather firmly believes--and we must admire his conviction--that our tiny band of leapers will also increase in number to match that of our familiar population. Except of course, that hasn't been the case for some time." He chuckled. "In fact that hasn't been the case since the Golden Age. But never mind that. It gives us a lofty goal to aspire towards, and we must all do our part. We must, each and every one of us, struggle and sacrifice for the greater good of the whole.
"I mean, what else are we to do? These are intelligent beings that have thrived as a community, long before they joined us. We certainly can't send them back to the Monobrain realm, where they'd be subjected to unspeakable horrors. They deserve better than that, don't they Meron?"
Professor Seafeather looked between Hotspot and the audience, "Uh, yes. Yes indeed. They are now members of our community. Always welcome. Always."
"What about another realm?" The question came from someone at the back of the hall.
"Another realm?" Snively Hotspot looked for the speaker amongst the audience. "You mean some other more suitable realm where the herd could live out their lives as they see fit?" He crossed his arms, cocked his head to the side, and stood there as if frozen in thought, for many seconds.
Finally he spoke. "I must confess I hadn't considered such a thing."
"I suppose it is only fair that we present this idea to our familiars. After all it's not as though they had any say in coming here in the first place, a situation not unlike our two monobrain celebrities, Zack and Lilly Deville. Rest assured, you two, our greatest minds have been struggling with the issue of how to get you safely back home."
Professor Hotspot raised his arms as if in supplication. "Yes, yes I know. Many of you are wondering, why would anyone want to leave the Hub when there is so much here for them, and when they are such keen and willing students? Why? Well again it is all about sacrifice. Certainly we wish to offer them the best to foster their growth, but is it fair to expose them to the constant dangers that our realm presents? Zack would you come here, please?"
Zack frowned before rising. He slowly mounted the stage.
"Look at this injury." Professor Hotspot attempted to poke a finger into the bruised flesh around Zack's eye.
Zack jerked out of his reach. "It's nothing."
"Nothing for you perhaps, but that bruise definitely means something to me." Professor Hotspot pointed accusingly at Dalimar and Squim. "You two. Front and center!"
The seniors gained the stage with even more reluctance than Zack, and stood staring at their feet.
"Chins up!"
They lifted their heads, and there was a general gasp from the audience.
"How did this happen?"
Dalimar glared at Zack. "He did it!"
"What?" Professor Hotspot stepped back, hand clutching his chest. "Mr. Deville gave you those injuries? Certainly not of his own acc
ord? Surely he was provoked? It must have been in...self-defense?"
Professor Seafeather almost shouted, "Of course it was. He was attacked by those two, and three others. You know that perfectly well, Snively. Everyone knows it was five against one."
"Shocking, simply shocking. I can't remember a similar incident in my entire life. So uncharacteristic, so unlike a multitasker." Professor Hotspot turned to Zack. "But I understand you've had similar encounters on your own Monobrain planet."
Zack spoke quietly. "A couple."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Yes."
Professor Hotspot turned to the audience. "When I first heard of this incident, I must tell you all that my mind was unlinked. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to think. Was this yet another example of the Monobrain Effect? Could it still be among us? But how? The Conundrum is finished, over. I was at a loss, a total loss.
"And then by the strangest of coincidences, I was shown a paper written by one of our very own undergraduates, a student showing promise to become a great leaper in the near future, should her 'Dive of Destiny' hold true. And this insightful student proposed an idea; a theory as to how this terrible deed might have arisen.
"These boys are not bad. They're not misguided. They are sick. They've been infected by a virus that causes them to act like unevolved primitives. And not just any virus, but a thought virus. Transmitted from where? Link only knows. Obviously from some realm where violence is common place."
"Now just you wait--" Professor Seafeather blurted.
"No one is suggesting that Zack here is the carrier of this virus, Meron. It could have been brought by that monobrain who triggered the Great Conundrum in the first place. It might have traveled with our porcine herd, or with any one of our current leapers. Where it came from is not the point. How it got here is not the point. The point is, it is here.
"We are contaminated. The disease is amongst us and is affecting our most vulnerable. The children."
Stepping between Dalimar and Squim, Professor Hotspot placed a hand on a shoulder of each. "How do we protect them from further attack? How do we protect ourselves from diseases and influences, which will weaken us, lead us astray? Destroy us?"
The Missing Link Page 17
