Piercing The Fold (6 page)

Sebastian took every precaution to make sure he was well suited for any conditions that he may encounter; extreme environments containing high levels of sulfur among other elements. Gases that our earthly bodies were not accustomed to. Sebastian had planned his travel gear. He needed to make sure his gear was portable. Expedition gear would be a good comparison.

Among the gear were two tanks of oxygen harnessed and attached to his fiberglass and steel protected torso and to the helmet that channeled the oxygen through the interior. Plastic metal materials made up the helmet for the unimaginable conditions that could present themselves in space. Yes, Sebastian was in a space suit, just as if he was ready to board a shuttle for launch. He would be able to breathe clean oxygen for approximately four to six Earth hours. He was aware that being prepared may not matter; he may never need those hours. He may never get to point B alive, and when he got there, he may never be able to come back, suffering a terrible death after the oxygen ran out. The leap of faith was great.

Getting his hands on this gear was a small, undetectable matter of pencil pushing that Sebastian performed regularly, due to his rank and status as an experimental physicist. Test tubes for collection of specimens, camera, composition journal and writing materials. Of course, the Copula, which he wore securely around his neck. Prior to his travel, Sebastian made the arrangements necessary for his boys, his estate, just in case he did not return.

The first time he traveled, he made sure it was in the middle of the night. His detached office on the estate was well suited for withstanding the possible noise and energy that could be emitted from this event.

Sebastian connected the defibrillator to the Copula. Within seconds of the electric charge, the Copula was in motion and Sebastian was experiencing the pull from within. Once the wormhole was open, it felt like every ounce of his being was on pins and needles. It also felt like Sebastian was being pulled. Kind of like the feeling you get when you wake from a good night’s sleep and you stretch to wake the partially atrophied muscles and tendons.

The travel time was quick, a few blinks of the eye. Piercing point A was a pull. Entry to point B was like a rebound effect. The entrance was such a powerful rebound, Sebastian blacked out upon landing in the world.

He didn’t know how long he had been out. The sound of wind whistling through a tunnel woke him. It might have been a reflection of traveling through the wormhole; he wasn’t sure, though. He looked around for the after burn of the wormhole, but there was nothing. The environment was only dust and gravel. The atmosphere’s air appeared dense and heavy. Sebastian looked up to find a source of light. A sun and moon were almost invisible in the atmosphere.

He had charted constellations for decades. He was familiar with the charted galaxies and moons that existed in our universe. His eyes traveled the atmosphere above, looking for any familiar constellations. The space above was whirling with a yellow-tinged gas just thick enough to hide any noticeable design of stars.

The temperature readings, well below freezing, would not support life on this hard, barren, tundra-like terrain.

I interrupt, “So it was a lifeless planet. No alien life?”

Ezra questions me. “Aliens? What makes an alien? Just that if the traveler is the foreign being? We are all alien in that respect.”

I nod once, acknowledging his reasoning. “Point taken. So, there was no sign of life?”

“Like I said, on the surface there was no sign of life. Subterranean life existed, though. Sebastian found burrows an hour into his expedition.

“The burrows were wide enough for a grown man to climb down. In the burrows, about fifty yards below the hard ground, there were open caves and caverns with springs. Sebastian steered clear of contact with the springs, unsure of the liquid’s composition and elements. Among the edges of these springs, Sebastian found plant life and fungal spores. They were exotic in appearance, a deep shade of purple and luminescent blue. Life existed in the springs as well. Below the crystal clear surface were iridescent green fishlike organisms.”

Ezra looks at me. “Can you imagine being somewhere that you want to learn so much about, but your time is limited? Sebastian was running out of time quickly. His oxygen level in his suit was already low, reading forty-five minutes remaining.

“Sebastian needed to move quickly. He collected specimens and documented his findings. Sebastian also brought supplies to construct a grander scale Copula to attach to this world.

“The Copula would be the tag, a homing device, for this world for future travel. The Copula around his neck and the Copula on this world would always be linked, a union with their own unique coding. All that remained for this expedition was the naming of this world. He looked at his left hand. Still encircling his ring finger was the gold band signifying his wife and his union. He named the world Dobria.”

I take a sip of my diet Dr. Pepper. “Did he get back?”

“Yes. But he could not wait for his return to Dobria. After the first expedition, Sebastian spent days researching where in this universe he could have ended up. How far was he from our galaxy? What galaxy was he in?

“After analyzing the crystal-clear liquid the organisms in Dobria were swimming in, which turned out to be H20, Sebastian knew it had to be a world with earthlike qualities and elements. This only made him want to travel to Dobria again to discover other similarities.

“His return travels to Dobria were more methodical and calculated. With the programming of the Copula, he was able to determine the coordinates of the galaxy that contained Dobria, the Andromeda galaxy. He had programmed a link between the Copula in Dobria and the Copula he wore so that the wormhole would be controlled for consistent travel. Sebastian spent days at a time in the new world. Days in Dobria were weeks on Earth; properties of time differed so radically. Consequently, Sebastian’s body began to adapt to the alteration of time. The more frequently he traveled to Dobria, the longer the stays, the less he would age. Other alterations began to take hold. Along with the new environment he was studying and the multiple organisms that were being discovered on Dobria, Sebastian was experiencing physical and metaphysical alterations within himself.”

I interrupt with a snicker. “Like what? Could he levitate and read minds?”

Ezra chuckles. “Yes, among other capabilities.”

My sly smile turns stiff quickly, remembering my own recently acquired capabilities.

Ezra continues, “His physical strength increased as well. This prompted Sebastian to start testing his blood after every travel to and from Dobria. The level of copper in his blood was increasing after every trip. The rising level was not toxic. It did explain the advantageous capabilities that Sebastian was gaining as the level of copper increased within his body.”

For a moment, I consider my experiences of speed and strength while running in the woods last week.

Why would my levels be heightened, though?

I put that thought in the far corner of my mind. I don’t know if I did it out of pure denial or overwhelming fear.

I question Ezra, “How was he getting increased levels of copper in his bloodstream?”

Ezra replies, “Sebastian discovered that the more connected his body became to the Copula, the more smooth the entrance and exit from the wormhole. He decided that a second generation Copula needed to be engineered as an implant. A battery would be inaccessible and unnecessary upon implantation.”

Ezra blows out his lower lip and tousles his hair; a small idiosyncrasy that clued me in that his stress level was increasing.

Ezra knows my question before I ask.

How would he use the defibrillator to start the Copula then?

I suck in my breath, realizing what Sebastian was doing.

Oh!

“He electrocuted himself!”

Ezra leans forward in his seat. “Well, yes and no. Think of the second generation Copula in terms of a modern-day pacemaker that needs to be charged at times. All of his vitals were monitored as a safety precaution. The charge initiated the electromagnetic propulsion in the Copula. His body only reacted to the Copula, not the charge. The Copula’s release and synthesis with Sebastian’s body was much greater with this generation. It also increased the Copula’s release of copper residue into Sebastian’s body after each travel, thus the increase of copper within him.”

Ezra leans back in his seat. “Sebastian knew he needed more minds to filter through the immense amount of discoveries he had encountered up to this point. He handpicked close and trusted colleagues and associates he had known for years to begin traveling with him. These colleagues needed to have respect for the necessary balance of science, humanity, spirituality and nature.

“Sebastian wanted a variety of associates to explore, discover, analyze, and develop Dobria. The list included biologists, botanists, geologists, and scientific engineers just to name a few of the credentials. He also made sure the people he had chosen were agreeable to the inevitable plan, which was to eventually live, develop, and fully experience the superior capabilities and advantages that came with living there. Only those that agreed to the plan were implanted with the Copula.”

Ezra pauses and looks at me for a long time, silently.

I become self-conscious. “What?”

He continues, “Nothing. There was one day, one event, which changed everything. That very moment in time shifted everything for the Onoch family and the cosmos.

“Caleb and Balthazar were in London attending University. Balthazar decided to come home for a surprise visit during fall session break. Balthazar had followed in his father’s footsteps. He had received accolades for his past and current dissertations as a budding physicist. He had just been awarded an internship with NASA in the States and was eager to tell his father. Balthazar was always seeking acceptance through Sebastian’s eyes, which could sometimes be perceived as an aggressive and competitive nature.”

Balthazar entered the Onoch Estate.

“Hello? Miss Sasha? Mr. Edmond?”

He walked into the lounge.

“Father, are you here?”

Balthazar slowly approached the lab outside of the main house. Even though this area was off limits to Balthazar as a child, he was an adult now. Part of Balthazar was eager to tell his father of his success. Part of him was eager to see what had been hidden behind this fortress for years and years. Those childish thoughts quickly dissipated as he knocked on the heavy, metal door. The door shifted under his knock. He gave it a shove, and it opened a hair.

Balthazar pushed the door open wider.

“Hello?”

Sterile counters, sterile walls, and minimal furnishings. Beakers, metals, and maximum welding machinery. Computers generating data, downloading and auto-saving like an electronic record keeper. And the smell of a hot, metallic residue.

Balthazar couldn’t resist taking a look at some of the contents of closed cabinets and drawers. Balthazar accidentally bumped the keyboard as he sat in the chair. The desktop on the computer was still active. Balthazar looked around suspiciously for signs of his father.

Smell of hot metal?

Leaving open access to his data?

What had his father just finished doing?

Balthazar noticed a file folder on the desktop that was open. The file within the folder that stood out was labeled “Onoch’s Blueprint of Travel”.

Balthazar rolled his eyes, recalling his dad’s eccentric ways.

Balthazar clicked on the file, expecting to see his father’s recorded data of his travels over the years. Balthazar anticipated seeing some sort of excel spreadsheet.

Balthazar stopped breathing for a second and sat back. It was not a spreadsheet at all.

The folder revealed all of Sebastian’s notes, theories, engineering specifications, experimentation notes, and results of successful travel through wormholes. Balthazar remembered the times his father was too busy in his lab researching, experimenting, and theorizing.

“Oh my God. So this is what encompassed your life for all these years, you bastard.”

Balthazar leaned into the screen and read.

Ezra takes a sip of his drink and shifts in his seat. “It’s not what you think. Sebastian was not traveling to Dobria while Balthazar was picking through his lab. He was attending a debriefing on current and future space travel missions at his department. His appearances at the department were becoming fewer and fewer.

“Debriefings were one of the few appearances that Sebastian had to be at in order to alleviate any suspicions about his frequent absence and insistence of working from home.”

Ezra leans back and continues.

As he pulled into the estate, Sebastian noticed the parked car upon the drive at the main house. He quickly parked and walked to the front entry. He moved from the entry to the formal living room.

“Hello?”

Sebastian continued to walk through the downstairs rooms, looking for any sign of an intrusion. He stopped and closed his eyes. A moment later, he sensed Balthazar’s presence and moved haphazardly to his office.

Balthazar was still sitting in front of the desktop when Sebastian entered.

Sebastian paused at the doorway and spoke calmly. “What are you doing here, son?” Uncharacteristically calm for someone who had just had his life’s work violated.

Balthazar turned in the chair to face his father. Balthazar held a small, black floppy disk in his hand that he quickly slipped into his shirt pocket.

“Father. You have been busy over the years with all of your travels. Tell me, what have you found out there?” Balthazar’s smile was filled with both quandary and envy.

Sebastian dropped his head in disappointment. “This is not for you, Balthazar.”

Balthazar interrupted, “For years I have followed in your footsteps, desperately wanting to be your protégé. You know of all my honors as a budding physicist. I know you are aware of my accolades even if you have never shown acknowledgement of them.”

Sebastian stepped through the door and shut it tightly behind him. “I do know. You are truly growing to be a great physicist.”

Balthazar stood. “I was coming to tell you about my most recent internship. NASA wants me to assist the aeronautical physicists on future launches for a year.”

Sebastian showed genuine astonishment. “Son, that is wonderful news!”

Balthazar said, “You know what would be wonderful news? To hear my father tell me that I am worthy enough to become his protégé, his right hand.”

The two silently stared at each other. Sebastian knew what Balthazar had discovered.

Balthazar gave way. “I want to be a part of this, Dad. I know what you have been pursuing. You have succeeded where so many have failed or not even fathomed attempting, for that matter. You have traveled to another galaxy, for God’s sake. I want in.”

Sebastian rubbed his head. “Balthazar, this is not for you.”

Balthazar was seething. “Oh. And you are so sure of this?”

“You are not ready to be a part of this. You are young and impressionable. There is an imbalance you can create in our world by opening paths haphazardly to other worlds. I was naïve when this began. Now, I wish I could take back what I have put into motion. It is not too late to stop what imbalance can perpetuate from here. I’m ending all of it.”

Balthazar moved to the exit. “I lack the knowledge? All I have is knowledge. Not love. Not nurturing. Not you.” Balthazar reached into his pocket and pulled out the floppy disk. “Dad. Knowledge. That is my power.”

Sebastian looked at Balthazar with sorrow in his eyes. “Don’t do this, son. Don’t start something you know nothing about.”

“Like the way you put ‘something’ into motion years ago. Taking your children to another city far from what they knew. Having them raised by the nanny and butler. Depriving them of your love? What about that delicate balance?”

Sebastian could not respond. It was true, he had failed in that realm of his life.

Balthazar pushed past his father. Sebastian could only focus on what would become of the knowledge that his son just acquired from his lab.

I stop Ezra. “What a jerk of a kid. Sebastian did all that he could with his family’s situation. Yeah, he was a little obsessive and eccentric. So what? He was brilliant.”

Ezra carries on, “Balthazar fled back to London. He delved into Sebastian’s research, riding on his coattails. He began building his own design and performing experimentation with the Copula blueprint. The programming of the coordinates of the Andromeda galaxy was a bit tricky, but not impossible for Balthazar.”

I interrupt, “Well, what about the implant? Why didn’t Balthazar use the second generation Copula?”

Ezra smiles coyly. “Sebastian had not included the second generation Copula design in the original file. Sebastian never left all his eggs in one basket.”

Ezra and I exchange a brief smile.

I whisper, “Good for you, Sebastian.”

“Within months, Balthazar is traveling.”

“Did he travel to Dobria?”

Ezra answers me in a matter-of-fact tone. “He can’t!”

“Why?”

“Remember, every Copula is coded and paired. Sebastian had put the coordinates of the Andromeda galaxy into the file Balthazar took. Sebastian had programmed his implanted Copula to synchronize with the homing device in the world he was traveling to, kind of like a cosmic string linking point A to point B. Balthazar could not access that information. It was only coded on the Copula in Sebastian.”

I smile and whisper again, “Two points for Sebastian.”

My mind begins to wonder. “So why would he need programming for a specific planet? It would only be necessary if he was attempting to have multiple codes, locations. I mean, he is only traveling to Dobria, right?”

I silently fear his answer as I look into Ezra’s eyes.

Ezra pauses. “No. He is not.”