by Rae Knightly
Hao hopped inside the office and landed in the chair opposite his boss.
“James,” the High Inspector greeted, his voice absent of emotion. “I see you’re up and about.”
Hao dropped the documents on the desk and stabbed his finger at them. “Why does a civilian witness to The Cosmic Fall have access to the spaceship?” he repeated, ignoring the greeting.
The High Inspector remained impassive. “Agent Connelly is a civilian witness as well,” he noted. “And he has access to the spaceship.”
“Yes. But this is different. Why wasn’t I notified? Why did I have to go through the registry to find out?”
“Victor Hayward isn’t just anybody. After making his witness deposition, he offered us his own flight engineers–some of the best in the country. His navigational expertise can help us pierce the mysteries of the extraterrestrial spacecraft. Not to mention that he is one of our highest esteemed patriots who–by the way–deserves your utmost respect.”
Hao pressed his hands to his eyes. “I don’t believe this. You gave him clearance? Just because he knows some engineers? Do you realize he signed a billion dollar contract with the United States military last month? Don’t you find that a little suspicious?” His voice trailed off suddenly and his mouth fell open. “But you already knew this…”
The High Inspector humphed, clearly not in the mood for this conversation. “Canada and the United States have common goals. We have the technology, they have the manpower. It’s only natural we work together.”
Hao sat back and clenched his teeth. “What about the fugitives, then?”
“The ones whose bodies we never recovered from the avalanche?” the High Inspector jabbed. “What about them?”
Hao ignored the criticism and searched through the papers, then pointed at a list. “Ryan Archer, Wayne McGuillen, Susan Pickering, Thomas Nombeko… do you see any pattern here?”
The High Inspector shrugged. “No. But I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
“Over the past months, our fugitives have had contacts with all The Cosmic Fall witnesses on this list–save one. They even sought refuge with some of them.”
“So?”
Hao tried to remain patient. “So, our intel has told us the fugitives are alive and heading east.” His finger slid down to the last name on the list. “And who is the last witness we know is located in the east?”
The High Inspector bent forward to look at the name. “Victor Hayward,” he read.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Safe Haven
The ball hit Ben square in the cheek.
“Pay attention, squirt!” Bob yelled from a distance. “Are you ok?”
Ben rubbed the side of his head. “Yeah.” He picked up the soccer ball, checking his surroundings for the hundredth time, then spotted his mother. She was walking at a fast pace on the footpath that crossed Tommy Thompson Park.
Ben dropped the ball and ran over to meet her. “Did it work?”
She nodded, heading towards a tree where Ben and Bob had left their sweaters. She dropped to the ground and let out a long, shaky breath.
“Way to go, Mom!” Ben said, full of wonder. “Is he wearing…”
“Sh!” she warned, glancing over his shoulder.
Ben turned and found Bob jogging up to them.
“Hi, baby. How was your meeting?” Bob said, out of breath.
“Exhausting,” she answered, studying their green surroundings. “This is nice. I could take a nap, right here.” She grabbed the sweaters, rolled them up and placed them behind her neck, then closed her eyes.
“Come on,” Bob gestured to Ben. “Let’s give her a breather. Three-to-one. I’m winning, squirt. Better get at it!”
He bent to pick up the ball, but Ben called after him. “Thanks, Uncle Bob, but I don’t feel like playing anymore. I think I’ll go for a walk.”
Ben caught a brief look of disappointment on his uncle’s face, but the man shrugged and showed off his soccer skills by repeatedly kicking the ball on his knee and heel.
A small buzz near Ben’s ear made him raise his hand to it.
Hey! You’re tickling me.
Beetrix hovered in front of his face.
You’re going the wrong way, Benjamin Archer. We’ve searched this area already.
I know, I know. Bear with me for a minute. There’s something I need to do first.
Ben pushed through some shrubs until he was satisfied that no one could see him. Then he sat, Beetrix settling on a leaf nearby, observing him.
When Mesmo had indicated the glittering diamond in the centre of his grandfather’s watch, and had told him it allowed the alien to travel in spirit to Ben’s location, it had never crossed Ben’s mind that he might be the one who would, one day, need to use the device.
But could he? He had never attempted it, nor had he asked Mesmo if it was remotely possible for a human to disconnect his spirit from his physical body.
“I guess you are more than a normal Earth human now…” Mesmo had said, many months ago. Ben felt a pang of loss at the memory. He missed Mesmo more than he cared to admit.
Beetrix buzzed next to him, pulling him away from thoughts that threatened to drown him if he lingered on them for too long.
He moved restlessly, trying to find peace in body and mind. Would Mesmo realize that Victor Hayward was wearing the watch? Would Ben be able to connect to it?
The idea was completely crazy. If the plan didn’t work, they risked losing contact with Mesmo for good.
Why didn’t you send me?
Ben glanced at Beetrix sternly.
Don’t be silly. It would have been way too dangerous. Besides, we have to find your hive.
Ben was going to close his eyes again, but he changed his mind and shot an annoyed look at the insect again.
And stay out of my thoughts!
***
“So, you like it here?” Bob asked as Laura opened her eyes. He was sitting close to her, smiling.
Oh boy, he still has those deep, brown eyes. Not like Mesmo’s, but…
Laura rolled to a sitting position. She removed soil from her hands by wiping them together, then looked up at the trees with their fresh, spring leaves. “I could get used to living here, I guess…”
“Then do it,” Bob said.
“What?”
“Live here. Permanently. With me.” Seeing the look on her face, Bob raised his eyes to the sky. “Ok, ok. Not with me, then. But close, so I can spend more time with Ben.”
She squinted her eyes. “I hope you’re not considering joint custody.” It was meant as a joke, but she suddenly regretted saying the words.
Bob shrugged. “No. Yes. Maybe. Why not?” He glanced at her.
He’s thinking about it! she realized in shock.
He crossed his hands behind his head and lay down. “Oh, I don’t know. It’s just that, he and I, we’re bonding, you know? He’s a great kid–apart from his insect craze. But that will wear off. Those things always do.”
“I don’t think…” Laura began.
“Just look around you, Laura. There’s everything he needs here: good schools, good jobs. He’ll make tons of friends. He can come work for me later. ‘Jeez, for all I know, he could take over one day…”
“Bob, Bob!” Laura snapped. “You’re daydreaming. Bounce back to reality already!”
Bob straightened. “What? Does that sound so off the beaten track? Do you still think so low of me then? I could be a great dad, you know?”
“It’s not that easy,” Laura seethed.
“Of course it’s not that easy. But give me a chance to learn, Laura. Can you give me that, at least?”
Laura looked away. She felt like Ben was slipping away from her. After fighting so hard to stick together, she found this to be the toughest challenge she had yet faced.
Joint custody: one week with me, one week with Bob.
That’s what life would look like.
I can’t do it!
&nbs
p; Her mind tripped over itself, searching for a way out.
I can’t keep Ben away from his dad, either.
She was so lost in an inner debate that she didn’t realize Ben had walked up to them until his shadow fell over her.
“Can we go home, now?” he said, his face looking crestfallen.
***
They sat on the bed opposite each other, their legs crossed, speaking in low voices so Bob wouldn’t hear them.
“This isn’t working, Mom,” Ben said, discouraged. “Mesmo isn’t connecting with me.”
Laura took his hands in her own. “Be patient. Mesmo may not have realized that Victor has the watch yet.”
“What if he does, but we aren’t able to make contact?”
“We talked about this. We decided it was worth the try. If it doesn’t work, we’ll think of something else. Let’s give it a rest for now. It’s late. You can try again tomorrow morning.”
Ben sighed in exasperation, then lay down on the bed.
“Come on,” Laura said. “Let’s get some sleep.”
She switched off the light and Ben stared at the dark with his eyes wide open.
“Mom?” he said softly, fighting a sudden lump in his throat.
“What?”
Around this time of night, Tike would be lying beside him–he could almost physically feel the dog’s warm body. But he reached out his hand and touched only emptiness. Feeling crushed, he said, “I wish Tike were still alive. I wish that police officer hadn’t shot him. I wish…”
“Shush,” Laura said in a hushed voice. He heard her turn to face him. “You know, I’ve been meaning to tell you, I don’t think that police officer meant to kill Tike. He was aiming at the grizzly. I don’t think he even realized Tike was there.”
“But it’s not fair, Tike never hurt anybody…” Ben sobbed.
“I know, honey,” she replied. “But sometimes I wonder where we’d be, if it hadn’t been for that avalanche triggered by the shot…” She fell silent, then said after a while, “Ben?”
“What?” he sniffed.
“Remember when I promised you I’d find a place where we could belong?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Well,” she said. “What if that place was here?”
Ben raised his head from the cushion. “With Uncle Bob?”
Laura didn’t answer right away, but when she did, her voice was muffled. “Maybe not with Uncle Bob. But nearby. He can help us settle in. Would you like that?”
Ben thought about it. He liked Uncle Bob. They had their differences, but it was like having a piece of his dad. “Maybe,” he answered slowly.
“Let’s sleep on it,” Laura said. “You can check out your new school, and I’ll give my new job a try. We can talk about it again in a week.”
“After we’ve saved Mesmo,” Ben added.
“Yes,” Laura agreed. “After we’ve saved Mesmo.”
They fell silent. Ben stared at the darkness, lost in thought.
***
Victor Hayward paced the floor with his head down and his hands on his hips, while a younger assistant whispered the latest updates to him.
“Placing humans in induced coma gives their body a chance to heal. But that’s not the case with the alien. Every time we wake him up, he gets worse. We’re running out of options.”
Hayward removed his glasses and rubbed his face. “I’m running out of options.” He paced a moment longer, then put his glasses back on. “I’m going to deal with him, once and for all.”
“Boss!” the younger man warned, but Hayward picked up a grey object from an examination table and scanned a badge to unlock a metal door.
When he entered the almost bare room, the alien’s white hair stood out in the dim light. Observing the being from afar, Hayward had to admit it had a deathly look. The businessman approached the hospital bed. He held the metallic object inches away from the subject, and it began to levitate.
The alien who lay on the hospital bed with feeding tubes sticking out of its arms opened its eyes a crack.
Hayward met the being’s gaze. “I know you can hear me. So I want you to listen closely, friend. I’m a wealthy and powerful man. I own thousands of airplanes that have crossed the world countless times.
“But the fuel we use for these airplanes is running out. If I don’t find alternative energy soon, my company will go out of business. I will be forced to fire thousands of people who depend on me to feed their families...”
He gestured towards the floating object. “This piece was extracted out of your spaceship, and it reacts to you. Therefore, I believe you hold the solution to my problem.”
Hayward snagged the object from the air and slipped it into his pocket. “I will ask you one final time. Tell me about the energy that fuels your craft, show me how it works, and I guarantee your freedom. I can get you on a plane by morning, to any destination you may desire.”
He stopped at the end of the bed. “I can make you a special deal, friend. This one time only.” He stared at the floor, choosing the words carefully. “What if I saw to it that you could get home? You see, I have no interest in you–I’m only interested in your technology. So help me duplicate your flying saucer, show me how it works, and I will provide you with access to your own spacecraft. Because, you see,” he straightened his glasses. “I know where it is, and I can lead you to it.”
The extraterrestrial hadn’t moved an inch, but Hayward knew it was listening because it followed him with its eyes. The subject opened its mouth, and a sound left its lips as if it wanted to speak.
“What?” Hayward said, lifting his hand to his ear and approaching the alien’s head. “Speak up!”
The being tried again, but only a croaking sound left its throat.
Hayward’s adrenalin rose slightly. It was the first time he was getting a reaction. Maybe he was finally getting a breakthrough. He checked that the subject’s arms and legs were firmly attached to the bedframe, then leant forward expectantly.
Something caught at his wrist. Yelping, Hayward jerked back. But the alien had wrapped its fingers tightly around Hayward’s wrist and was staring at him with intense eyes. Hayward struggled, watching in horror as the subject lifted its head, its voice coming out in rasps.
“I will not speak a good word for you,” it said. The faintest trace of a smile appeared on its face, then it sank back weakly.
Hayward roared, just as his men erupted into the room. But the alien had already let him go.
The businessman rubbed at his wrist, his teeth bared. “You’ve sealed your fate, friend,” he snarled.
As he stormed out of the room, his edgy assistant followed closely. “What did he say?”
“Baloney!”
***
It happened all at once. One second, Ben was fast asleep; the next, he felt a jolt and tumbled into the void. He wanted to scream, but the high velocity pushed his voice to the back of his throat. He tried to grasp on to something, but could not find his hands.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the sensation vanished, and he was himself again. Or at least, he thought he was.
His senses on high alert, he reached for the bed light but found only air around him. His eyes focused slowly. Soft light washed over him, then forms began to take shape.
Where am I?
A corridor, illuminated by dull night lights, stretched out before him. Several doors took shape to his left and right, while the corridor continued behind him. The door in front of him stood open.
He tried to remember where he had been last, but his thoughts were jumbled. He checked himself and found that he was in one piece, wearing pyjamas.
I must be dreaming.
Deciding to go along with this mind trick, he stepped through the door and found himself in a room filled with strange apparatus. Computer screens flashed strings of information, science jars contained mysterious liquids, baffling instruments lay strewn across a table. Ben concluded he was in some kind of laboratory.
To his right, he discovered a large window. He glanced through the smoked glass and found a dim, empty room that only contained a hospital bed. A man with white hair lay on it.
Ben gasped. “Mesmo!”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Contact
Ben stepped back from the window giddily. He stared at his hands, which seemed solid, but when he tried to make them touch, they passed right through each other. His mouth fell open in exhilaration mixed with fear.
I did it!
His spirit had disconnected from his body and had travelled to Mesmo’s location, at the alien’s call.
Mesmo has the spirit portal!
He turned to the window again.
I have to tell him I’m here.
Loud voices filled the corridor.
Tensing in dismay, the boy searched for a hiding spot, then dove frantically behind a filing cabinet in the nick of time, just before two men entered the room. Ben heard them close the door, then settle in front of their computers on the opposite side of a lab table.
Making sure they were concentrated on their work, Ben crawled behind the lab table to the door, then reached for the doorknob. His fingers slipped through it.
Drat!
He checked on the men hurriedly, and instead found a security camera in a top corner of the room, aimed in his direction. A green light flickered on it. Beside him, several screens projected images from other security cameras. Mesmo was visible on one of these screens. Ben on another.
He retreated with his back to the lab table and shut his eyes tight.
Think!
To begin with, he couldn’t save Mesmo. Not in his spirit state. What he needed to do was find out Mesmo’s location. He checked his surroundings for any clues but found none.
I’m going to have to inspect the whole facility.
Ben closed his eyes again, trying to accept that the laws of physics had changed now that he was intangible. He opened his eyes to study the door, and, instead, found himself in the same room as Mesmo.