George nodded at Jenny. Shifting the sleeping baby from one shoulder to the other, she held out two fingers and Falcon leaned forward so she could reach his temple. He returned her gaze steadily, allowing her to see the physical proof of the facts she was absorbing.
"Put away the gun, dear. He's half felan. He knew you were suspicious, but not violent enough to harm them. Falcon is an Innerworld tracker assigned to clear up all these problems we've been having, although he has understandably withheld the exact details of his mission from me." She nodded toward Steve. "She's a Terran, but she's been helping him. He trusts her implicitly, so we should, also."
George looked alarmed. He had lowered the gun but not his guard. "A Terran and an alien empath working together for Innerworld? Jenny, he has mental strength far beyond yours. What if he withheld other important information just now, like he's been exiled? The order that nobody was to use the transmigrator still stands. I will not defy that order without more substantial authorization."
Falcon took a deep, slow breath. Steve could actually feel his frustration. She donned her puzzle-solving cap.
"Falcon, I remember you made contact with someone in San Francisco. Couldn't that person confirm who you are?"
Falcon frowned slightly. "He would know even less than Jenny just learned." Looking at George, he ventured, "Are communications with Monitor Control still interrupted?"
George shook his head. "No. As a matter-of-fact they suddenly became fully operational again sometime during the night."
Falcon glanced at Steve and blinked. About the time Underwood reprogrammed the ring that was jamming the system. "Time is of extreme essence, but I do not fault you for needing authorization. Please take us to your residence and we will wait while you obtain approval to assist us. I would suggest you address the message directly to Governor Romulus. The mention of my name should get his immediate attention," Falcon stated.
George's eyebrows raised slightly before he nodded his agreement and stepped on the gas.
Steve no longer wondered at the fact that she was picking up on Falcon's emotional state. What she could not figure out was why was he so frustrated? Surely he wasn't worried about getting George's help. Even she could tell the man was already convinced Falcon was on the level and just wanted to get a proper okay. His worry was worrying her.
She reached for his hand and squeezed. When he turned to her, she gave him a quizzical look. What's wrong?
His eyes registered his surprise. He had heard her without her touching his temple, and she was hardly worked up. This mental business between them was getting stranger all the time.
Threading his fingers through hers, he let her share the cause of his concern. I told you I am able to see things that have occurred before. The images fade continually as time passes. After about twenty-four hours, they disappear completely. It works the same way when I am tracking people. I can follow either their brain pattern or their personal aura. Even when I was in Underwood's house, I was not close enough to get a fix on his brainwaves.
So that you understand the problem we will be facing, you should note that Innerworld is about half the size of the United States and has a population of almost twenty-five million. Since we have no idea where Underwood is headed within the colony, I am counting on the blackness of his aura to lead me to him once we get there. If too much time goes by, my talents will not be of much use.
"Jenny, do you have the time?" Steve asked.
"It's about three. Oh my, you're probably starving! Well, don't worry, we'll be home within the hour and get the both of you fed and cleaned up before you leave." She was anxious to make up for her mate's stubbornness since she had no doubt whatsoever about the integrity of the handsome man in the back seat.
"That would be very nice, thank you." Steve smiled gratefully, then tried sending another thought to Falcon. How long has it been?
When I said you were improving, that was a gross understatement. Are you doing anything differently to enable me to hear your thoughts so clearly?
Not that I can tell. It's just happening like the feelings. What about the time?
It is hard to calculate. It was night when I arrived in Alaska, but I do not know the exact time. It has probably been between twelve and fourteen hours already.
Geez! Maybe well luck out and someone will have stopped Underwood the second he appeared in Innerworld.
I do not believe we can depend on that any more than the possibility that he crossed Romulus's or Aster's paths. They are the only two who would recognize him on sight. I do not dare send any specific alert about Underwood over the open transmission system, but I will have George warn Romulus to expect our arrival with another problem.
So, thought Gordon Underwood as he read the data on the monitor, the alien who had escaped from his Nevada hospital six months ago had since become the leader of his people. "Governor" Romulus, they called him. The big shock though was that his co-governor and mate was the woman who had been with him at the time. It did not sit well with Gordon that he had dismissed her as decoration. She had apparently been instrumental in the man's mysterious disappearance. There was no time today for self-recrimination or righting yesterday's mistakes. Perhaps another time he would find a way to pay them back for the inconveniences they caused him, but not today.
Delphina sat quietly next to him as he perused several more files of Innerworld current events. He found himself chuckling when he realized how drastically Nesterman had disrupted Innerworld's mundane routine with his random fumblings. All things considered, the people here should be grateful to him. It didn't look as though much of anything happened from one year to the next. The change of leadership and surprising pronouncement that the woman, Aster Mackenzie, possessed a drop or two of Noronian blood were the only other big news items recently. He supposed if he researched back into their history he would find upheaval, scientific and medical discoveries, and so forth, but, again, there was insufficient time for such leisurely reading.
He had had no idea what to expect when they had arrived. The transmigration itself was miraculous. A man stationed at a control panel had merely shaken his head in disgust as he and Delphina exited the glass-walled unit. They hadn't even had to fabricate an explanation. The man had said, "Don't tell me. Emergency. Governor Romulus." Gordon had nodded and the man waved them on. The people here were obviously rather complacent about security, much to his satisfaction.
He had asked Delphina how he might get answers to some of his questions about her world, and she had taken him to a library. He had soon discovered there was very little information he could not access through one of the many computer terminals available there, and he had set to work immediately. His photographic memory automatically stored volumes of facts and formulas. He had only needed to make a few written notations regarding the most complex data.
He had learned how the Noronians traveled across the universe in remarkably short periods of time, and that a gram of the rare dustlike substance, volterrin, which Delphina had mentioned, produced sufficient energy to run New York City for a year.
The cure to cancer and other deadly diseases were child's play compared to some of their other achievements in the field of medicine. Genetic engineering had been outlawed—after they had perfected it, and the dead could be brought back to life.
The human brain held no more mysteries for these people. One mind could communicate with another. With reprogramming, a man's memory could be completely erased and replaced with new thoughts. That, Underwood realized, was the secret to their boring, regulated society. Crime did not exist because criminal behavior was not tolerated. The offender was altered to fit the accepted norm. Therefore, Underwood knew he had to return to his own, familiar world. Sooner or later, if he stayed here, he would be found and destroyed like a defective piece of equipment.
He had not located the exact code, but he was certain he had enough information to figure out eventually how to access the Innerworld data banks out of his own ho
me. The ring was the key, and now he had two. He had no doubt that Nesterman would be cooperative once he was given a taste of the fountain of wisdom. If not, he would have King eliminate him. He probably should anyway, considering his ultimate plans.
When he returned to the earth's surface, it would be with a wealth of knowledge that would ensure him the position of power he had always craved. Possessing Delphina was an unexpected bonus.
Another thing he had made note of was the Noronians' use of holography. They were in the inner core of the earth and yet, outside of the buildings, it actually looked like they were outdoors. There was a lavender sky and a huge, bright orange sun with a white ring around it. He would make use of the technique to improve living conditions in his underground facility in Nevada.
He intended to introduce his incredible medical discoveries to the public slowly. Altruism and the betterment of mankind had no place in his scheme, but the citizens of the United States did not need to know that. He would be labeled a hero, as well as a genius, as his foundation revealed one discovery after another. By the time he gifted them with the new energy source, the whole country would be rallied behind him. Anyone who was not could be dealt with by his loyal medical staff, headed by his personal physician, Doctor Quinn, who would soon master the technique of reprogramming such dissidents.
For years he had dreamed of owning his own country, but his plans had never been fully formulated due to the lack of desirable locations remaining in the world. Now he saw his future clearly. What could be better than taking over a modern, well-run country already established as one of the world's leaders? The United States would soon be his for the asking. After that, there would be no more asking, only commanding. The skin of his great bald head tingled as he imagined the forthcoming realization of his dreams.
He smiled at Delphina, and she blushed beautifully. She probably sensed his welling excitement and understood that, under different circumstances, he would have taken her then and there, and without the help of any of her mental tricks.
"I believe I have gathered as much information as I need at this time. Why don't you take me to the mining camp you had told me about—Gladly? I'd like to see where you were going to work." He hoped it would not take long to obtain a few pounds of volterrin from the mine. Since he had no way of knowing if it could be analyzed or reproduced in his world, he wanted to take a large supply of the real thing with him—enough to help his dream come true, without having to return to Innerworld for many years.
The necessary travel time was an unavoidable hindrance. They could reach Gladly instantaneously if they transmigrated there, but, to his annoyance, he had learned that the rings only functioned outside of Innerworld. To transmigrate from within the area, a person had to use the migrator cells and that required a pass. Gordon opted against that method. He wanted to attract as little attention as possible, until they were ready to leave. A bit of forceful persuasion would undoubtedly convince the technician to send them back to Alaska. The fact that these people abhorred violence was definitely in his favor.
In the meantime they had to travel by an alternative mode of transportation. The airbus would take about two hours, but did not require special permission.
This place made him uncomfortable, not only because he was trespassing, but because he, Gordon Underwood, was nobody special here. Also, he was anxious to get back and boast to Nesterman. He was so pleased with himself, he might even forgive King for his recent failures.
As they left the library, he gave a moment's consideration to his captured alien, Falcon. He no longer had any use for him. Perhaps he would give him to Doctor Quinn for one of his experiments. Maybe even his first attempt at reprogramming. That delightful thought made him laugh out loud. It would be the perfect end to the creature who had caused him so much trouble.
Two days without sleep and the last twelve hours without food were beginning to wear him down, but he ignored his body's demands. He could always eat and sleep tomorrow in Alaska.
In spite of the length of time it took to reach Gladly, Gordon was impressed with the airbus. A wheelless vehicle, it silently soared on a cushion of air at an incredible speed. He had not been able to discern the change in scenery until they arrived at the volterrin mining camp. Barren, there were only a handful of small buildings and rows of the metallic structures Gordon had learned were filters, which were each about four stories high and barely three inches wide. What appeared to be metal wires were woven in hexagonal configurations, giving the appearance of a cross section of a robotic beehive. During the day the miners vacuumed and scraped the traps, similar to beekeepers collecting honey. Underwood had learned from the computer files that the Noromians had tried to use machines once, but this was one process that man still performed more efficiently.
Unlike honey however, the volterrin was of no use when taken directly out of its hive. A machine similar to an atom smasher had to be used to separate the element from the useless material surrounding it, and a human was still required to operate the equipment.
It was evening now. No humans buzzed about the filters. Gordon saw two people walking from one building to another where lights had been turned on, but they paid no attention to him or Delphina. Could it be this simple?
He walked toward the filter closest to him and immediately received the answer as his body bumped into an invisible barrier. Instantly, the section of the wall he had come in contact with was glowing with light.
"May I be of assistance?" a man's voice called from behind Gordon.
He turned to see a black-uniformed man swiftly approaching him. Calling upon some of the information he had consumed earlier, he offered what he hoped was a believable explanation. "Yes. I'm a new arrival. This is Delphina. She's my caretaker. I'm considering a career as a miner, but I wanted to see the camp and how it functioned first."
The man frowned, clearly dubious, but when his gaze fell on Delphina he relented. "This is most unusual. She should have known not to come here at night. The protectors are already in place. You may stay in the dormitory tonight. There will be nothing for you to observe until daylight." His eyes never left Delphina as he spoke. His interest in where she would spend the night was completely uninhibited.
Angry frustration curdled in Gordon's stomach. He had not expected to be thwarted so effectively or so easily. The man's leering at Delphina was making it even harder to sound nonchalant. Placing his arm around her, he brought her possessively to his side. "I suppose I have no choice. Tell me, would it be possible for me to see what this stuff they collect here looks like?"
The man was not pleased by the implied message that Delphina was unavailable, nor did he see any need to repeat information he had already given. He pointed to a long structure. "Someone in there will set you up." With that, he turned on his heel and walked away, the light extinguishing as he did so.
* * * *
The drive to Fairbanks had seemed interminable to Steve. She had tried to doze, but her frazzled nerves wouldn't permit it. Once they reached the house, George immediately went to work on the telecommunicator hidden in the attic. Jenny fussed over Steve and Falcon, helping them get the glass out of their hair, offering clean, dry clothing after their showers, and serving them a hot meal, all of which was enormously appreciated.
Steve called Lou at the office and filled him in as quickly as possible. He was both angry about her long absence without a word and relieved that she and Nesterman were both safe and sound. Since she was still on Underwood's trail, he agreed to make the necessary arrangements for Nesterman's return to California.
As occupied as she was, Steve could not stop herself from looking at the clock every few minutes. George seemed to be taking forever, but then, how long was it supposed to take to contact someone in the center of the earth?
It was after five when the authorization came through and they were thanking Jenny for her hospitality. George handed Falcon his ring, but he could not accustom himself to the idea of a Terran being gran
ted permission to travel to Innerworld, and it showed in his lack of manners.
One minute they were in Jenny's neat living room, the next they were inside a glass booth in
Innerworld's main transmigrator station. Romulus and Aster came forward as they exited. It was clear they were both glad to see Falcon, but the expressions on their faces when they saw Steve were vastly different. Aster's smile grew wider; Romulus's disappeared.
Steve's gaze darted from one to another. So many emotions assailed her at once that all she could feel was confusion.
After a moment, Romulus glanced at the technician, and, noting her interest, informed Falcon that he would listen to his explanations in his office.
"There is insufficient time," Falcon began, but Romulus would hear none of it.
"Ten minutes won't make that much difference. Upstairs. Now." And with those words he stalked off, leaving the three of them to catch up or catch hell.
The instant they had privacy, Romulus turned on Falcon. "I believe I am still the governor of Innerworld and you are still subject to its laws." His gaze flew to Aster, who was looking at him beseechingly. "No. Friendship has nothing to do with this," he responded to a plea only he could hear. The glare in his eyes softened as they stared at one another. A moment later, he sighed and turned back to Falcon. "There are times when sharing a woman's mind can be quite complicated, particularly when you are expected to make sensitive decisions—" A raised eyebrow from Aster cut him off. "All right, Falcon. Explain yourself. Why have you brought her back?"
"Gordon Underwood and Delphina are here in Innerworld." Both Romulus and Aster voiced their shock as Falcon continued, "They have already been here for a considerable number of hours. While we were in the transmigrator, I picked up his aura. It is fading rapidly. If I am to follow him, I must not delay. The only explanation I can offer regarding Steve's presence here is that something most unusual has been happening between us. It may or may not affect my abilities if we are separated, but this is not the time to take that risk. For the present, where I go, she goes. After we have apprehended Underwood, you may render me whatever punishment you see fit. I will give you a complete report of our time in Alaska later. For now I request a change of clothing, a weapon, and permission to finish this mission."
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