“Have you talked about it?” asked Linda.
“No. I just wonder if she'd be satisfied with a teacher.”
“There's nothing wrong with teachers,” Fritz said. “Well, you might be an exception.”
“Fritz, stop. He's being serious. Ashley, if she's as smart as she seems to be, the only problem you two will have is logistics. The president likes her. Maybe they'll let her set up an office at our airport. Wait and see what happens.”
“I'm not going anywhere.”
* * *
“THE SECURITY'S not tight enough. I can't believe they're being so stupid. Are you ready?” He listened to the details. “Good. Keep me informed.” He hung up, and then made another call.
* * *
AT THURSDAY'S DINNER, Tony told them he had experimented with various levels of electrical current and turbulence. He had even gone to Arizona and Florida to test humidity levels. He'd had Fritz's desk copied. Even with all the variables duplicated, he could not open the portal.
“My conclusion is that you are the only one who can, Fritz. I even tried shocking myself to see if I could recreate the lightning strike. Pretty dumb. I'm glad I had a medical tech right there. She needed to resuscitate me.”
Ashley asked, “Aren't you a little overzealous about your work?”
“Yeah. Probably. A little. But I'm a scientist, Ashley, and the portal is the most exciting thing I've ever studied. Time travel has always fascinated me. And now it's not fantasy, not science fiction. Not anymore.”
“I have a question for you,” said Fritz. “We've used the portal quite a few times. Even if we don't do anything, are we changing history?”
“That's always been a question in fiction. Now that we know it's real, we need to be careful. I think it depends on what happens when you are wherever it is you go.”
Fritz listened and glanced at Linda and Ashley. “You mean something like Lee trying to stop Lincoln's assassination, or giving Shakespeare the names of Romeo and Juliet?”
“Exactly. If you do anything inside the portal, you can alter time patterns, I think, which may change future outcomes. If Lee had saved Lincoln, what else might Reconstruction have accomplished? Would he have sold it differently, so that people would have been willing to continue financing it for more than ten years? Would we have needed the Civil Rights movement at all?”
“Another question. Are we going back in time, or is the past transporting to the present?”
Tony rubbed the mahogany table with his right hand. “In the science fiction stuff, you can go back or into the future. But the portal is real. You said when you first met Lee, the books had no writing, but it came back just as you were leaving. Did you come back to the present, or did the words show up before you crossed the threshold?”
“Let me think for a second.” Fritz squinted, trying to see the scene. “I led the kids out, and Dan was right behind me. I think he was still in the portal when he said the words had returned. But I had already crossed into the hallway.”
“Why does it matter?” asked Linda. “You endanger the future regardless.”
Tony said, “Linda, as far as outcomes, you're right. But, if we can determine which it is, we'll be able to get a sense of how time moves. Waves, straight lines, both? This could have a huge impact on our understanding of astrophysics. Einstein postulated that it curves. But could there be multiple, overlapping curves—waves? And maybe it's making a better future. We have no way of knowing. I would have stopped Hitler, even if it meant I'd never be born. Hell, I'd have stopped all kinds of things, going back thousands of years, if the past and what grew out of it would be better. Problem is, we just don't know. What if I'd stopped Hitler and made way for something worse?”
Ashley said, “Fritz and I went to see General Lee to see if we could pinpoint time with the paperclips. We told him to write the date we were there, and then went back to a date before that.”
“He had the note but hadn't had the conversation with us yet,” said Fritz. “He didn't remember it because it hadn't happened. And he didn't know why he had the note. Then we went back again, to a later point, and he remembered both visits.”
Ashley asked, “Do you think we change ourselves just by going inside? Or is the portal so significant that we just behave differently? Fritz said it changed me, and George has developed a sense of humor, sort of. What do you think?”
“And the students are different, even the ones who didn't have a portal experience,” Fritz added. “They came back after vacation ready to go to work. I'm generally just getting into the swing about now. We're way ahead of my normal schedules.”
“I don't know, but let's consider time as a wave. If you stand in a wave in the water, some of it goes over you, but it also splits around you. If you are in a pond and toss a stone, the ripple of water separates around you, but it goes in all directions. In either case, if you react, you cause more disruption, more ripples. I think that there is impact, but more if you are actively engaged. But only in the place where you are. If you had just gone through and observed Lee and left, little impact. But you talked to him, and then went to see him again. More disruption of the wave. What if instead of saying Romeo and Juliet, Sandy had said Mercutio and Juliet, and he'd liked it? That would have changed things. Where, what, how much, who knows? Or where in the future the ripples will splash? Naria and Israel. Clearly caused changes. Without the portal, would the Israelis be dead? I don't know, but they're alive, so the impact will continue well into the future.”
Linda's ended her silence. “Look, I know we can't know if we are changing things for better or worse. But I wish there were some way to know the potential costs and benefits. Yeah, yeah. I get it, Fritz. It's like so much else in life. But this seems scarier to me. I guess because you could go back and have no now to come back to. Or a different now. Selfish? Sure if life were better overall for billions of people. But still scary.”
Fritz let it go. “Tony, have you done anything further with the images out of empty space? To me, that's the most fascinating thing about all this.” Tony had invented a scanner which could detect residual images of people who had occupied a space in the past. Some form of electrical signal remained behind.
“We've done more scans and the results are consistent. We're able to pick up relatively recent encounters inside a specific space, as well as images that are unclear and not identifiable. I'm still trying to boost the scan to get a better picture, but I'm not sure what to do with it. It's an interesting find, but I don't see a practical use for it.”
Conversation drifted to the summit and Tony's visit to Fritz's classes. At eight-thirty, Tony said he had work to do before the next day's classes, and Ashley had a call to make, so Fritz and Linda were soon alone. When they finished cleaning up, Fritz said, “I'm going to watch TV for a bit, Lin.”
“Fritz, I know you stopped talking because of me. I don't mean to be a wet blanket, but the closer I get to delivery, the more I worry. You've been involved in three dangerous events. People were killed and wounded. Those bullets in the school. That's not just changing history, that's risking your current life.”
“I understand, Lin. But I am trying to keep my temporal seatbelt on. You heard Tony. I'm the source. I can't help that, and I don't know if it's permanent or just a short-term thing. I certainly had no idea the president would find a need to use the portal the way he has. You and I both know it's hazardous, and I'm not anxious to do more.” He took her hands. “As a history teacher, I'm tempted to use it every day. But I haven't. I can't make you stop worrying, and I won't say, 'trust me, I won't use it.' I'd be lying and you know it. You asked the question earlier. What's the benefit? I need to find a good answer to that. I love you. Now I wish both of you,” he pointed to her belly, “would take it easy. I will not walk into Naria while there's shooting going on.”
He kissed her and went to the family room. His mind was running from thought to thought: Tony tomorrow, the tournament, the baby, the White House, t
he summit, Eric's play. The portal. Always the portal. The dinner conversation had convinced him that just going in caused changes. Where those changes would appear and what form they would take was anyone's guess.
Chapter 13
ENDING THE WEEK with a guest speaker allowed Fritz a bit of downtime, but more important, six months of student speculation would be over. Tony would explain how the time travel had been manufactured. Fritz hoped that part of the story would be over. Out of habit, he hesitated before opening his door and then invited Tony in.
By the end of fourth period, Tony had become a star in Fritz's fantasy presentation. The students paid rapt attention as the story of the computer graphics projection expanded to include a maximum exaggeration. “So far, we've only projected into uninhabited areas, but it's amazing the variety of things we've created,” Tony explained. “Even dinosaurs. This is all still in development, but we've already applied for seventeen patents, and we're close to doing multiple projections at one time.”
The questions had been interesting, too. The kids asked about everything, from description of equipment to “Are you married?” As Fritz had warned, Eric Silver discussed his own investigation of synthesizing carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen as the primary building blocks of all organisms. Eric impressed Fritz with the level of his research. The way Tony gently parried each probe kept the students eager to participate, questioning more cleverly after each answer. The classroom resembled a research conference, and Tony proved to be just the person to end the controversy.
Just after Tony concluded his fourth presentation, Ashley pulled open the door and waved Fritz to the hall, his cell phone in his hand, worry ruts knit deep in his brow. He handed the phone to Fritz. A message zoomed at him. “President taken. Call me quick. J.”
“My God, she was right. Did you call her?”
“Not yet. What should we do?” Ashley's hands told a tale. When he was happy and relaxed, broad sweeping gestures warned others not to stand too close. When his fists were closed, something was upsetting him. But when his arms were close in, his fingers pointing straight, as they were at that moment, words and jabs came in sync, warning that a crisis approached. Ashley wanted to do something. But what could they do?
“Ash, first thing is to call her,” Fritz said. “See what she needs. I'll find out if Tony can activate the portal. We're going to need George.” Then Fritz called to Tony.
Ashley told them he needed his computer. He said Jane had given him a secure website with a three-dimensional map of the building.
“She called Colonel Mitchell, but his unit is in Washington. They'll be here as fast as they can, but she said we can't wait. She wants to use the portal. She'll call back in five minutes.”
“Tony, can you get the portal working?” Fritz asked.
Tony said he didn't have his stuff but to give him a minute to improvise. Fritz stared into the parking lot, thinking about what else he needed. They needed to clear the hall. “When the class clears, I'll call George. Ash, get Al Kennedy. We need him right away. We'll send all the kids from this hall to the gym. Get your computer and come into my room.”
Fritz and Tony went back in while the class packed up. “Sorry for the interruption. No homework.” The students cheered as they passed Ashley in the hall.
“Are you okay?” Ashley asked into the phone. “Hang on. I'm getting help. The period just ended.” He left to corral the coach, and they ran back. Ashley went to get his computer and Al went into Fritz's classroom. “Okay, Jane. We're back. Yeah. I have it here,” Ashley said while opening his laptop.
Tony said, “I think I can hook something up, but the current could be a problem. I can't control it. You might get a serious shock.”
Ashley put the phone away and carried the laptop to the door. “I need a printer.”
George marched in as Ashley ran out. “What's going on? What emergency? I was in a meeting.”
In as calm a voice as he could muster to keep George from exploding, Fritz said, “The president's been taken hostage. Someone attacked the meeting. We're going after him.”
“Now? You'll disrupt the whole day. Can't you wait?”
Fritz ignored the question, his calm vanishing. “George, we need to clear this hallway. We can't have any interference. So join the team. When the period starts, move the kids to the gym.”
Not sure what he was hearing, Al asked, “What do you need, Fritz?”
“Al, I'll explain in a minute. George, how are you going to handle it?”
“How do you know?” George asked. “This could be a hoax.”
“Jane spoke to Ash. She's outside the Palace of Nations.” George's red face warned that a rant might be forthcoming. “George, now is not the time. She needs help ASAP!”
“O-KAY! We'll do a lockdown drill,” George almost shouted as disorder once again disturbed his realm. “But that will bring the police.”
“I'll call Jim Shaw,” Fritz said. “Maybe he can help, make sure he's the one sent here. If he can't, we just have to read one more person in. We'll do the best we can.”
Ashley returned with sheets of paper. Fritz called Jim, who said he would be there shortly. Fritz looked around and realized that he would again be the conductor, but in a different war zone.
George said, “Before we start anything, Ashley, what happened?”
“Jane texted me. Terrorists attacked the conference. People were killed. The president's a hostage. Mel Zack is in a utility closet near the president's private room, texting Jane details about what's happening. She's at the end of the walkway from the main entrance. At least for now. She'll keep us informed.”
“So what are we supposed to do?” asked George.
“She's working up a plan. But no one is at our airport to help. So we're on our own. She said she wants to move before the news gets out.” Ashley held up the papers in his hand. “She sent maps. There's also a live locator on the computer to pinpoint the president. She's trying to get us hooked up with Langley. But we have to get the portal open.”
Al fixated on what had happened until he heard the word. “Portal?” he asked, turning to Fritz. “It's real? Holy cow.”
“Al, I asked you to come here because I trust you to be closemouthed. The portal is real.” He sucked his bottom lip. “We need to clear the kids and teachers from this corridor and keep them out. George, we need to start the lockdown. Gym and auditorium. Not the cafeteria. We'll get Tom Jaffrey to go room by room and get the kids to either place. Let's get started.” Fritz gave orders as if he had experience taking charge in a crisis. He asked himself later if that, too, was the portal at work.
“Fritz, this is the last time. I want to help, but this is just too much.”
As George diddled, Fritz grew angrier. “George, the president is in danger. If we can save him, we're going. So be a part of the solution.” He told George to make the announcement first. When George left, Tony asked if there was any clay in the school.
“In the art room, I think. They do pottery.”
“Can you take me? And I need that heavy-duty extension cord.”
“We need more of us.” Fritz stroked his head behind his left ear. “Al, would you get Tom Jaffrey and Liz Chambers and then take Tony for the clay and come right back?”
Fritz and Ashley were alone. “How are we going to do this?”
“I don't know yet. Tony's trying to rig up the electricity. Jim Shaw will be here. I told him to bring an arsenal and body armor for all of us.”
The PA system buzzed, and George announced a lockdown drill for the entire school would start immediately. Students and teachers were instructed to remain in classrooms. The cafeteria would be emptied and closed. He said that classrooms would be cleared sequentially as the drill progressed. “Starting NOW.” The PA went silent. Tom Jaffrey came in, followed by Liz Chambers. Al and Tony returned shortly after. Tom's look of curiosity went unanswered for the moment. Tony said he needed the extension cord.
“Al, do you know wh
ere a long cord would be?” asked Fritz. “There's a closet down by the office.”
“I know where the closet is. A long one?”
“And Al, bring George back.”
“What's going on, Fritz?” asked Liz, finally getting a chance to speak.
“Sorry, Liz, Tom. The president's been taken hostage in Geneva. We're going after him. I need you to help keep the halls clear.”
“I don't understand. How are you going…” Clarity struck, Tom's mouth opened wide. “The portal's real?”
“Yup. And I hope this is the last time we need to use it.”
“What do you want me to do?” Liz asked. Fritz had chosen Liz, the history department chair, and Tom because their excitement and competence would translate to the best kind of help. “I gotta see this,” Tom said.
“You will, but first you need to get the kids away from this corridor. Alternate rooms to the gym and auditorium.” Fritz's tongue moistened the corner of his mouth. “Tell the teachers no internet, no phones. Tell them to tell the kids to turn off their phones. Not silence, off. It's a drill, but tell them that if it were real, their signals could be tracked.” Fritz could see in his mind what needed to happen. “Start with the closest rooms. Classes on the second floor can stay where they are, but get a couple of teachers to take charge up there. Then come back.” As Tom and Liz walked out, Al came back with the extension cord. George, already out of breath, was puffing behind. Fritz watched as Tom herded the teachers and noisy students. It took about three minutes to clear the hall.
“Hi, Mr. R,” said Jim Shaw. Jim and another police officer walked in. Jim introduced Steve Sullivan and said he had explained what was going on. “He's a little stunned, but he'll get over it. Where are we going?” With multiple weapons slung over their shoulders, they both set down duffel bags. “We waited until the hall cleared before we came in.”
“Glad you're here, Jim. I'll explain later, Steve. Okay, we're all here. What does Jane want us to do?”
Ashley got Jane on the phone and took notes. “I'll call you when we're ready,” he said. The president had a tracking device in his shoe—that was the blinking light on the computer. Mel had told her that four guards protected the hallway and at least two were in the room with the president and Tom Andrews. They would need to be fast. The local police were deploying. Delay would allow the captors to escape with the president. “There's probably going to be a battle, and she doesn't know if the terrorists include suicide bombers,” Ashley said.
Quantum Touch (Book 3): Shadow Storm Page 6