Chapter 20
In the short time I’d spent on the NOBI planet; I came to appreciate the evenings. This was a stark contrast to the AVERWOODS. For one thing; there wasn’t the occasional scream from a weaker ROTIAN being eaten alive---as was the case in the AVERWOODS. On NOBI; the night air brought comfortable temperatures and better attitudes among what was normally just Sonya, KATRAVIN and me. Miles was back with us now and I was braced for his usual entertaining antics that I’d grown accustomed to in the LOMMETRUS. Nonetheless; on this evening, he was in no frame of mind for lightening the mood with entertainment. His thoughts were on that portal---or maybe more than that.
“Miles; how are you so certain this…portal is it,” Sonya asked?
Miles nodded.
“Well, how do you know it will get us back? I mean, we are taking a big risk exposing our position to the ALVERONS without being certain that this portal is our way back to Earth.”
“And even if it does work; how will we know how to use it? This technology is beyond your training Miles. You can’t just figure it out when we get there. We may have very little time,” KATRAVIN said.
I was beginning to agree with Sonya and KATRAVIN. The details of this portal were sounding sketchy. My enthusiasm to see Miles earlier had worn off and I was becoming clearer minded about the matter now.
“Maybe CHANAH meant this DRUCKER individual knew of a fuel supply or something. This can’t be the only way back to Earth,” I added.
“The portal is the only way back. I already asked about the fuel for the transporter and no great amount of it exists on NOBI---at least not to DRUCKER’S knowledge. I believe CHANAH meant what he’d said to us back in the AVERWOODS William. We must trust DRUCKER on this.”
“Then how are we going to get inside the building were this portal is;” KATRAVIN asked?
“ARCHINE has acquired the schematics of the FLASCHIN facility and in particular; the building with the portal. I’m expecting him soon to discuss the layout and possible plan of entry. In the mean time; everyone should rest. We have a long and difficult day ahead of us.”
Sleep was going to be impossible on this night. We slept in shifts anyway so I offered the first opportunity for rest to Sonya and KATRAVIN. I was anxious to step outside; albeit briefly, for some much needed fresh air. Miles followed.
“It’s something; how far you and I have come, what we’ve been through over the course of our time in the LOMMETRUS,” Miles said.
“It’s beyond words for me. I could’ve never even dreamt…”
Miles interrupted, “We’ve got to get you, Sonya and my sister through that portal.”
“Your coming too---aren’t you?”
“Someone will have to stay back and make sure that portal is destroyed. I don’t trust anyone else to do it.”
I nodded.
“How will you…I mean, will you come to Earth? Perhaps the transporter,” I said.
“Maybe, but I need to know KATRAVIN will be safe with you. I want you to take care of her. Before, when I left---I knew she’d be fine in the LOMMETRUS. Earth is different though. I mean; there is so much I haven’t been able to tell her.”
“I will look after her.”
We stood there for a moment. I was deep into reflection over the past weeks since my arrival in the LOMMETRUS. I was finally taking in the beauty of these MOMENTRUS Mountains and reminded again of my Colorado vacation with my parents that I’d mentioned to KATRAVIN just days prior.
“There’s something else,” Miles said.
I looked at Miles who was staring back with a slight but recognizable grin on his face.
“What is it?”
Miles continued; “There is a bar at the corner of Westin and Main near your apartment. It’s in a three-story building where the bottom section looks older than the top half---which I came to find out later that the top half; is in fact, newer. It was rebuilt after a fire destroyed the original top half. Anyway, the owner of the bar is an older gentleman with a salt and pepper face and a thick Irish accent. He has a package that I left for you but you’ll need to ask him for a drink---and not just any drink either.”
I was intrigued. “What should I ask for?”
“Ask for a drink called STONIESOURS. Do you understand that---STONIESOURS? The gentleman will know it’s you then. When you get the package; don’t open it till you reach the inside of your apartment. That is very important. And make sure KATRAVIN is with you when you open the package. She’ll be able to help you.”
“Help me? Help me with what,” I asked?
“Just get to the package,” Miles insisted.
I was about to ask him what was in the package when he turned his back to me and walked toward the individual he called ARCHINE.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” he called back.
ARCHINE opened the door to the transporter and Miles entered with ARCHINE following behind him. The door to the transporter shut and the vehicle lifted off the ground---leaving the hostel and me behind. I stood there for a moment; bewildered and intrigued by this promise of a package waiting on my planet for me.
KATRAVIN then walked out.
“So he’s left then,” KATRAVIN said.
“ARCHINE just came by.”
She nodded and then rubbed her eyes.
“Your brother is really an odd fellow,” I said.
She looked puzzled by this verdict of sentiment toward Miles.
“Look, never mind. I’m just trying to make sense of something,” I said.
“What is it,” KATRAVIN asked?
“It’s nothing, forget it,” I said.
“So…Does Miles really believe this portal is the answer---our way of getting to your planet?”
“Yeah it is…he does. Look; I think you are going to like it there. I know it will feel different at first but Earth has a lot of good things---things like that SmOreBar and basketball games at Madison and even the rock concerts there. I’ll take you to one. There is so much that I can’t wait to show you. Coffee instead of GNOCKTA…You will be able to someday call it home too. You just have to trust me on this.”
I looked at KATRAVIN and the tightness in her face eased as she stared back at me. She appeared more resolved to the idea that Earth will be her new home. She moved in close to me and took my hand. She stood nearly a head taller than me but she rested that beautiful head on the top of mine as we gazed upon the NOBIAN sunset.
The LOMMETRUS Chronicles: Book One: The Abduction of William Baxter Page 21