4
Countdown
August 3
Desmond had been awake for some time when his alarm went off at 5:50 AM, ten minutes before one of the techs was supposed to escort him to the bridging chamber. He hadn't planned on needing more than ten minutes to get ready. There was no point in showering—supposedly the dirt on his skin would be removed during the bridge. And no point shaving—he’d lose all his hair too.
No sooner had he turned the alarm off, than he heard a gentle knocking on the door. The tech was early. Desmond sighed and got up from the bed, still wearing the clothes he'd worn the day before. “One second,” he said. He looked in the mirror and tightened the disheveled band on his ponytail. Might as well have it looking halfway neat one more time before losing it altogether. He stepped to the door and opened it.
The tech was there, but so were Lenny and Xavier, as well as Armando Doyle’s assistant, Celia Pickett.
Lenny tilted his head toward Celia. “She wants to tell us all something before we head for Dimension X.”
Desmond moved aside, and they all entered his room. The tech, a thin guy in his forties maybe and wearing cotton scrubs, stood to the side with his arms crossed. Lenny and Xavier looked like they hadn't gotten any more sleep than Desmond had. They each held a half-finished one-liter water bottle, which reminded Desmond that he was supposed to hydrate. He grabbed his bottle from beside his bed.
As usual, Celia got right to the point. “Mr. Doyle asked me to deliver some breaking news he thought you three would find interesting.” She hesitated briefly like she wanted to make sure they were listening. “As I'm sure you know, since the discovery of the Outlander’s radio signal five years ago, scientists’ efforts to survey more segments of the sky have multiplied. Well, last night SETI announced that a second source of non-natural radio signals has been discovered.”
Desmond was suddenly alert.
Xavier spoke first. “A second source? You mean from the Outlanders?”
Celia shook her head. “Not from the Outlanders. From a source almost forty-two degrees distant from the Outlanders.”
“Hot damn.” Lenny said.
“Another civilization, then?” Xavier asked.
“Possibly, but also possibly not. The second signal uses the same formatting protocols used by the Outlanders. Either the Outlanders have colonized another world at a staggering distance from the source of the first signal, or another civilization has used the same signal formatting.”
“Perhaps another civilization also discovered the first signal and decided to rebroadcast it.” Desmond said.
She nodded. “That’s possible as well, but preliminary checks indicate the signals contain different information. At least this time they can decode the signal in hours, rather than months.”
Xavier glanced at his watch. “And we’re bridging in less than an hour. I guess we’ll have to wait until we get back tomorrow night to find out what it says.” He blew out a long breath and shook his head.
Lenny slapped Xavier and Desmond on their backs. “Never been a better time to be alive, brothers. Biggest mind-screwing period in human history.”
Celia turned toward the door. “We almost decided to forego burdening you with such momentous news just before your excursion. But Mr. Doyle is quite excited about it. He wanted you to know. He is hopeful that the new signal will provide additional information on bridging technology.” She half-smiled, the first time Desmond had seen anything but seriousness on her face. “I think he would like to believe that this second civilization received the first signal before we did, and they have discovered the missing hows and whys and are attempting to share the knowledge with others.” She rolled her eyes, smiling, giving Desmond the impression she had playfully teased Doyle about this. “I'll see you in a few minutes.” She left the room.
The tech placed a black rectangular case on the desk next to Desmond’s bed and popped it open, revealing three filled syringes and three small bottles. “Gentlemen, if you’re ready, we must administer the tagging radioisotope as close to 6:00 AM as possible. And then I'll take you to the bridging chamber.” He held up one of the syringes. “Who’s first?”
Desmond stepped forward.
As the tech swabbed alcohol on Desmond’s arm, he explained, “This is a special cocktail of carriers and the radioisotope, technetium-99m. We administer it both orally and by injection an hour before bridging to give it ample time to distribute itself throughout your body. Due to a unique prepping process, the radioisotope will not begin to decay until the bridging device scans your body, which happens at almost the exact instant of bridging.” He jabbed the needle in without warning and quickly emptied the syringe. “Technetium-99m has a half-life of slightly more than six hours. When it decays to the exact point where there is 1.56% remaining, the bridging device pulls you back to our world. That gives you precisely thirty-six hours and 3.6 seconds to enjoy your excursion.” He smiled broadly and handed Desmond one of the small bottles. “Please drink this.”
Lenny stepped forward for his dose. “What if we’re five miles away from where we entered the other world?”
“Doesn't seem to matter. It'll pull you back from wherever you are.”
Lenny grunted as the needle entered his arm. “Let me guess, you have no idea how it does that.”
The guy smiled again. “Perhaps we’ll get all the answers soon.” He then laughed and shook his head. Apparently he was as skeptical as Celia regarding Doyle’s theory.
A few minutes later the radioisotope dosing was complete, and the tech led them to the bridging chamber. They passed through an airlock that had both hatches hanging open, and then they walked through a well-equipped lab area.
“This is where you’ll spend three enjoyable days when you return, going through patho- and chemo-cleansing.” The tech turned and gave them a wry smile. “It's also where we evaluate bio-probe animals and treat client and bridger injuries.”
Xavier said, “Should I ask how often people return with injuries, or do I even want to know?”
The tech turned and glanced at them. “Some excursions are worse than others. There’s a direct correlation between frequency of injuries and how far back you choose your point of divergence.”
“That’s terrific,” Xavier said.
“That's what makes this whole zip-banging excursion exciting,” Lenny said. “Man-up, Xavier.”
They passed through a second airlock—also with open hatches—into the bridging chamber itself. Celia and four other techs were already in the chamber, but the bridgers weren't there yet. Desmond’s eyes were drawn to the plastic-covered, cushioned floor. The techs had done a good job of cleaning the stains from the bio-probe animals returning dead or injured the previous evening, but the center area of the floor was permanently stained dark, probably from countless returning bio-probes—maybe even people.
While the techs took readings of blood pressure, body temperature, and various other parameters, Desmond, Lenny, and Xavier made small talk until Infinity and Razor entered the chamber at 6:45. Razor shook their hands again and said things like, “You're about to see things no human has seen,” and “Ready for the ultimate adventure?” Infinity, on the other hand, stood against a wall of the chamber stretching her arms and legs with her eyes closed. Desmond wondered if that was part of her ritual.
Celia had her tablet, and she looked at it before speaking. “Mr. Doyle couldn’t be here to see you off. He’s flying to California to forcefully insert himself into the efforts to decode the new extraterrestrial signals. So I'll be providing your last-minute instructions. Infinity and Razor, please clarify anything I may miss.” She looked at her tablet again. “Since you haven’t bridged before, it is likely the process will be disorienting. It’s possible you’ll feel some nausea immediately following the bridge.”
“What she means is you’re gonna throw up,” Razor said. “Nine out of ten tourists do. Don’t let it dampen your spirits or break your focus.”
> Celia went on. “We have found that when bridging to worlds with more distant divergence points, you may arrive there above the ground, similar to what you saw when the bio-probe animals returned. We assume this is some kind of built-in safety feature of the bridging device, to compensate for increased uncertainty of the other world’s terrain.”
“So just before we bridge,” Razor added, “make sure you’re standing upright with your feet firmly under you but with your knees slightly bent. The idea is to land on your feet and absorb the shock of the fall.”
Celia said, “Your bridgers are experts at this. Keep in mind that the first few minutes are crucial. They’ll follow a standard protocol in those first few minutes in order to minimize any possible risks to the three of you.”
Razor clarified. “What she’s saying is that you need to follow our orders, both promptly and without question. Once we’ve determined there’s no immediate danger, you can begin to explore. But not until then. Agreed?”
Desmond, Lenny, and Xavier all nodded.
“Thank you, Razor,” Celia said. She then turned to the tourists. “That’s it. We like to keep our pre-bridging instructions simple. Your bridgers will provide additional information on an as-needed basis.” She looked at one of the techs. “Any physiological issues?”
He shook his head. “Everything is within normal ranges.”
She thanked him, and then he and the other techs left the chamber.
Celia pointed to five empty, plastic, zippered bags that had been left on the floor. “Your clothing.”
Infinity and Razor had come to the chamber barefoot, but they immediately began pulling off their shorts and t-shirts.
Celia seemed to recognize that Desmond, Lenny, and Xavier were hesitant, and she turned her back to them. “Just place the bags beside me when you’re done.”
Desmond and Lenny began removing their clothes, but Xavier removed only his watch. He placed it into his bag and put it next to Celia’s feet.
“You do know the clothes aren’t going with you,” Infinity said.
“I don’t mind losing them,” he replied, “for a few more minutes of dignity.”
Razor put a hand on Xavier’s shoulder. “Here’s the real deal. You can lose your clothes if you want to, but bridging with clothes on causes a burning sensation on your skin as the clothes are stripped away. No idea why.”
Xavier looked at him and then glanced at Celia. He sighed, removed his clothes, and added them to his bag.
Celia gathered up the five bags and stepped to the hatch. She turned around and gazed at Xavier for several seconds with a slightly mischievous smile. Finally, she said. “Good luck. I can scarcely imagine the wondrous things you’ll see. Thirty-six hours can pass quickly. Enjoy every minute of it.” She stepped through the hatch and closed it behind her.
Razor actually chuckled out loud, and Desmond realized he and Celia were having fun at Xavier’s expense.
“Very funny,” Xavier said. “Do you guys do that to everyone, or only when your boss is out of town?”
This made Razor laugh even harder.
Desmond looked at Infinity. She shook her head without cracking a smile.
“Stand in the middle of the room,” she said. “Two feet of space between everyone.”
They all gathered there as instructed. Desmond realized his heart was pounding. He tried breathing slowly, but it didn’t help.
Celia’s voice came through a speaker somewhere. “Two minutes.”
Desmond turned to the largest of the plexiglass windows. Celia and two of the techs were seated on the other side, watching them.
“Just relax,” Razor said in a calm voice. “It helps to think about something you like. For me, it’s skydiving.”
Really, Desmond thought, that’s what calms him down? He tried to focus on one of his favorite hiking trails near his home in Kentucky.
“One minute,” Celia announced.
Infinity tapped Desmond’s shoulder. “Move your feet apart. Now bend your knees. Lenny, get those knees bent, like you’re about to land after jumping.”
“Hold your arms out at an angle,” Razor said. “It helps your balance, and it facilitates the body scan.”
“Thirty seconds.”
“Remember,” Infinity said, “we’re here to protect and assist. The first minutes are critical. Do what we say, when we say it.”
Several more seconds passed.
“Here we go, baby!” Lenny said.
“Ten seconds.”
Desmond thought of fresh forest air and a breeze whispering through the trees.
“Five, four, three, two, one.”
5
Bridge
August 3 — 7:00 AM
For just an instant, Desmond felt wet and prickly, like he’d been wrapped in a slimy cactus. And then he was falling. He hit the ground hard. His legs buckled and one of his knees slammed into his face. His nose exploded with pain. He rolled on the ground, clutching his face.
Someone shouted, “Aw goddammit, my leg!”
“Severe placement error! Assess and give me a plan, Razor. I’ll check injuries.”
Razor responded immediately. “Open rocky hillside. Forest down-slope at two hundred yards. No other cover near.”
Someone pulled Desmond’s hands from his face. Infinity stared down at him. “Anything broken besides your nose, tourist? Try to stand up.” She turned and was gone.
Desmond looked at his hands, covered in blood.
“No large animals visible,” Razor said. “Flocks of birds in the distance. Best option: move to the forest now.”
“Be careful!” Xavier’s voice was desperate. “Oh Jesus, look at it.”
“Fractured tibia,” Infinity said. “Possibly more.”
Desmond turned to look. Infinity was squatting beside Xavier, but she quickly got up and moved to Lenny.
“I’m okay,” he said. He got to his knees and stood up.
She turned back to Desmond. “I said can you get up? Move!”
He grunted and sat up. Blood flowed freely from his face onto his legs and groin. Suddenly, Razor’s outstretched hand was in his face. Desmond grabbed it, and the bridger pulled him up.
“I think my legs are okay,” he said.
“Good,” Infinity said. “We’re moving to the forest. Don’t get ahead of us or fall behind. We all stay in a tight group.” She and Razor pulled Xavier up onto one foot.
Xavier cried out. His broken foot swung loosely from a point halfway up the calf. The sight made Desmond’s chest tighten. He forced himself to look away. He realized suddenly that this would change everything about the excursion.
“I know it hurts,” Razor said as he and Infinity got on each side and put Xavier’s arms over their shoulders. “But we’re taking you down the slope. I want you to muster everything you’ve got to stop yourself from yelling. We need to be discreet.”
Xavier made an almost inhuman groan, possibly trying to convey that he would try.
“You guys,” Lenny said, gazing up the slope behind them. “I know you may be preoccupied right now, but there’s a wicked-awesome example of the local wildlife right up there.”
Desmond turned and followed his gaze. The creature was silhouetted against the blue sky, so he couldn’t see color or fine details. But it was bird-like, standing on two legs. It appeared to be as tall as an ostrich, but with a thicker neck and legs, and a much larger head. A thin, wispy fringe outlined its body against the sky—feathers or perhaps fur.
The creature crouched lower, as if it had suddenly realized it’d been spotted. It leaned forward and began walking, skirting to the side of the humans. Its movements were smooth and restrained, indicating it could move much faster if it wanted to. As it moved down the slope, coming closer, Desmond saw that it was brown, about the color of a deer or coyote.
“That’s a predator,” Infinity said, her voice lower than it had been moments before. “Let’s move. Stay tight—try to look like one large animal.�
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She and Razor started down the hill, Xavier stifling pained grunts.
Desmond couldn’t take his eyes off the creature—it was unlike anything he’d ever seen. Another movement caught his eye. A second creature of the same type coming over the hilltop. And then another to the side of that one. Seconds later, two more appeared. As they appeared, each one, mimicking the first, stared for a moment and then crouched and began skirting the humans. Two of them moved toward the first one, but the remaining two went in the other direction.
Desmond’s neck tingled, although it no longer had hair that could stand up. He rushed to join the others. “There are at least five of them now, and it looks to me like they’re stalking us.”
Infinity and Razor looked over their shoulders and then at each other.
“Okay,” Infinity said. “Desmond and Lenny, watch them as we move. Tell us if their behavior changes in any way. When we get to the trees, first grab anything you can wield as a weapon. Long spears are better, remember, but there’s no time to grind tips. Second, climb a tree. The higher the better. Take your weapons up with you.”
The bird-like creatures were now alongside them, about fifty yards out on each side. The animals were definitely stalking them. The forest was still a hundred yards away.
Razor pointed at the ground with his free hand. “Lenny, give me that rock.”
Without slowing down, Lenny leaned over, snagged it, and handed it to Razor.
“Now grab one for yourself. Desmond, do the same. If they get close, throw. Pick up another rock as soon as you throw.”
Infinity said, “If they keep coming, make a lot of noise and hold your hands up to look bigger. Give me one of those rocks.”
Desmond spotted two small enough to pick up, grabbed them one after the other, stumbling a bit after the second, and put one into her free hand. Xavier was now grunting and moaning uncontrollably. Lenny looked at Desmond with wide eyes and gestured toward the bird creatures, like he couldn’t believe this was happening. The predators were still alongside them but hadn’t come within throwing distance. The creatures were moving low to the ground, and every few seconds they turned their heads and looked directly at the five humans.
Bridgers 1_The Lure of Infinity Page 5
