by Gini Koch
Started flipping through the universes again. Most of them were a lot like mine and Bizarro World—pretty normal, all things considered. There were a few that were really out there where Jamie and I didn’t exist—like the Dinosaur World that indicated the Z’porrah had won that round on Earth, and what I called Genocide World, where Hitler and his kind had all been victorious throughout the ages, which was the most depressing world out of the entire multiverse.
There were some that looked really cool where we did exist, though, including one that had a lot of blimps and such and seemed far more technologically advanced than ours, one where technology didn’t seem apparent at all and was almost like all the descriptions of fairyland, one where the railroads were still king and cars didn’t exist but horses remained in high use that I thought of as Westworld, only hopefully without all the animatronics and killings, and one that was incredibly futuristic, as if we’d gotten jetpacks and flying cars way back when they were promised to us the first time.
The Universe Wheel spun quickly, but felt there were more universes now than there had been in the past. Per how universes supposedly split off, that made sense. But even so, because of the mirrors, could see them all in a second or two and comprehend what I needed to.
Normally centered my search on Jamie, because in every world she was in, so was I. But I needed to look at everything, so I pulled back and, as the Wheel spun again, looked at the solar system, then the solar neighborhood, then the galaxy.
And spotted something. There was a dark mass in the majority of them. And it boded.
Focused in on it in random universes and the mass was always the same—it resembled a hazy wolf or dragon head, some kind of predatory thing. Not all that large, but large enough—it was hard to get a fix on its actual size because I was seeing it floating in space. This one was floating outside of Earth’s atmosphere.
Flipped through the Wheel again, now only looking for the black mass. Found it almost everywhere—though, interestingly enough, it was absent from the Dinosaur and Genocide Worlds—but it was never in the same place. It always gave me a bad feeling, though, whenever I looked at it. Though, admittedly, not as bad as the feelings looking at Genocide World gave me. That place looked like the worst place imaginable to be hanging out. Sincerely hoped I’d never end up going there.
Tried to drill down on it but couldn’t manage it. Whether I didn’t have the skill, the black mass didn’t want me to see it, or some other reason, just couldn’t do it. Wondered if I should try harder to see what this was and gave it a shot. Still nada. And I was likely running out of time, so had to focus on the things that mattered right now.
So, gave up on the black mass and did one more run through the Wheel to see if I could spot any world—well, really, any Jamie and/or Whatever Version of Moi world—that might be desperately in need of my services. And to get the feeling of dread that seeing that black mass gave me just once more for fun.
Noted that the world with all the blimps and such really seemed like a steampunk world, which was cool, and also noted that there seemed to be a giant space war of some kind going on, but didn’t get any signs that I was needed.
Fairyland seemed cool, and my family was doing something that looked like a ceremony to the Earth or similar, but, again, didn’t seem to need me.
Westworld looked interesting, and there was a lot of action of various kinds, but my family lived on a huge ranch with a lot of security, so while it might still be the Old West there or whatever, we looked safe.
The futuristic world seemed utopian, and I really wondered if that was the goal for us on this trip—to see how utopian societies worked and emulate them. But my gut, and life experience, said that utopia only worked until the first nasty dude with a gun showed up to take over. Either way, nothing other than serenity seemed to be going on there.
The downside to the mirrors was that you couldn’t see what was going on in your own world too often, so I couldn’t tell if the black mass was here, too.
Took a few moments to enjoy the various worlds where my family life was clearly idyllic. I was married to Chuckie or Reader in the majority of these worlds, but not all.
Noted who Chuckie was married to in the worlds where it wasn’t me and was happy to see it was the same person every time. Clearly it was a small world for some of us. Though not for Reader, who had an array of different partners if he wasn’t married to me. Being the most gorgeous human around had its benefits.
There was one world I spotted where I was apparently married to Buchanan. Decided to never mention that to Jeff or Adriana. Still had a few where I was married to guys I didn’t know. The ones where I was married to gals I still didn’t know seemed just as happy as those where I was married to guys. I was apparently a great spouse regardless of who lucked into marrying me.
Self-congratulation time over, had to try to do the other necessary thing. Find Naomi.
“Are you there?” I asked softly, as I let the Wheel spin on and didn’t focus on any world specifically. “I need to talk to someone who understands.”
Nothing, not that I’d expected it. Hoped for it, yes, but expected, never.
“I’m sure you know, but the Cradi, the crew of the Eknara, and the Yoko Ono solar system are all going to be fine. Thank you for helping us help them.”
Nada.
Heaved a sigh. “I’m sitting on vital information that I have no way of explaining to the others. I’m not even sure if I’m looking at this stuff right, but it appears to be a set of galaxy maps that are very different from the ones we have, seeing as they all look like photographs. In some of them, there’s a solar system that’s floating outside the galaxy itself, but it’s not in all of them. I spotted this same solar system when Lilith went inside of me. I have no idea if it matters or not, but it sort of seems like it must. And I’m not sure what the maps are trying to tell me but it’s clear that, whatever it is, it’s vital.”
Still nothing.
“And we lost the coordinates to get to Ixtha. I realize that you wanted us to handle everything we’ve just done, and I have no complaint or argument about that, but everyone feels we need to get to Ixtha, and we don’t know how.”
Was expecting the lack of response I got this time.
“And I don’t know what to do with the Anti-Mother. Dropping her into a vat of grain alcohol, though satisfying, seems wrong. But I don’t know how to ensure that someone doesn’t accidentally release her.”
Saw an image of Cradus. Interesting. Well, the Anti-Mother was, realistically, the biggest threat to the entire ship, crew, and galaxy, so Naomi responding to this request of mine made sense. Not that anyone else had been remotely interested in helping. Of course, the clue—since I seriously doubted that Naomi was suggesting we make another stop at Cradus—had come after I’d said that killing the Anti-Mother felt wrong, though. Maybe that was why she’d superconsciousnessed up and actually handed out said clue. So, had to figure out what she meant.
The obvious reared its head and waved at me. Better slow than never, that was my motto.
“Oh. Duh, and thank you. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your giving me an actual idea for what to do. I doubt it’ll kill her, but it should contain her successfully and safely, and that’s what we need.”
The image of Cradus disappeared. In its place was the face of a beautiful Dazzler with ebony skin, kind eyes, and a lovely smile. Naomi.
“We still miss you so much. Everyone’s managing, though. Abigail and Jerry seem solid, just like Paul and James. Your parents are hanging in. Chuckie’s doing well with Nathalie, and I assume you approve or I’d know about it.”
Naomi laughed, not that I heard a sound, and nodded.
“Good. Things seem reasonably calm in the multiverse, so I assume that all the action’s happening here, like always.”
She bobbed her head to the side, as if to indicate
that, yes, it was business as usual here, but that didn’t mean that it was all calm in the multiverse.
“I’ll be ready, like always, if you need me elsewhere. Um, a question? Why are so many people with us? I mean like Jeff’s Cabinet and the families. I think I get why on the Valentinos and Prices, but the Cabinet’s reasons for being with us elude me.”
She laughed again and I saw a picture of something that looked like a lot of pomp and circumstance that featured the politicians and Jeff’s sisters and their families. Everyone looked happy to be there, but I had no idea where “there” was or what was going on.
Naomi looked pleased, though, as if she’d given me all the info I needed and expected that I’d clearly made the leap. Decided not to disabuse her of that notion. “Super and duper I suppose. Um, another request? We need to find Ixtha and we have no idea of where she is. Plus, it looks like that solar system that’s drifting in the black is probably in dire need, too.”
Naomi gave me a look I was familiar with. I hadn’t seen it from her often, and I surely hadn’t seen it from her in a long time, but I still recognized it. It was her “Duh” look.
Before I could ask or say anything else, though, there was a knock on the door. Naomi blew me a kiss and disappeared and I was merely looking at my reflection. The Universe Wheel was gone.
Heaved a sigh, got up, and went to the door. To find the possibly last person I wanted to see at this particular moment.
Chuckie.
CHAPTER 88
“HEY,” CHUCKIE SAID. “Are you okay? You look funny.” He cocked his head at me. “Actually, you look guilty.” Dang. Chuckie always knew when I was lying.
“Um, why are you here?”
He raised his eyebrow. “Because Jeff wanted you checked on and, normally, I’d be one of your preferred options.”
“You still are.” Well, normally. Just not when I’d been talking to his beloved dead wife.
His eyes narrowed. “Are we fighting and I don’t know about it?”
“Oh, for God’s sake.” Pulled him into the room. “No, we are not secret fighting.”
“Huh.” He looked around and went into my bedroom.
“Seriously? Did Jeff think I was having an affair and you’re the one he sent to check to see if someone’s hiding under the bed?”
“No.” He came back out. “Stop looking guilty. I get it.”
“You do?” Had no idea what he was getting.
“You wanted to check the Universe Wheel and you didn’t want to be bawled out for not focusing on the issues at hand.”
It was rare when Chuckie jumped to both the wrong and the right conclusion at the same time, but was grateful it had happened now. “Yeah. I just . . . I haven’t checked as often as I’d promised the Jamie from Bizarro World I would, and since they made this for me on Cradus, it was about time I used it.”
“And birthing a superconsciousness can take a lot out of a girl, at least so I’ve heard.” He grinned at me. “Relax, Kitty. I’m not here to narc on you. Jeff was just worried and, frankly, so were James and I, so I came to check on you. Everyone else is still on the command deck, hoping to get to fly the ship. I don’t care about that, and Wheatles is there to help with any issues as we get to his part of the Milky Way, so I figured I’d check on you and run an idea I had by you at the same time.”
Sat on the couch. “Shoot.”
“What if we put the trap that has the Anti-Mother into some of the metal we got from the Cradi? That could keep it safe in transit and, hopefully, fully contained.”
“Dude, sometimes we’re so in sync it’s scary. I came up with that one just now, too.” Oh, sure, with help, but still, I’d managed to get there. And I wasn’t the Top Genius Man, either.
“Great. If you’re up to it, I’d like to do that now. The longer that thing is able to be easily opened, the longer we have something far worse than a live nuke on board.”
“No argument from me.” Slung my purse over my neck and we headed for the cargo hold.
It was several decks down from where we were and chose not to use hyperspeed because that would help me keep the fiction that I was exhausted going.
“So, what did you see?” Chuckie asked me as we walked to the elevator.
“Things look quiet, particularly in Bizarro World. They’re all good there.”
“Good. I’m sure all the other worlds where we are matter, too, but we haven’t met anyone from them, so it’s harder to care.”
“Yeah.” As we got into the elevator, considered telling Chuckie about the black mass I’d seen, but since I had no idea what it was or what, if anything, to do about it, decided there was no reason to worry someone else about it. Instead, described the future world, since I knew he’d like hearing about that one.
“Who are you married to in that world?” he asked as we got out. “And how many kids?”
“You scored the big win in Futuristic World and we have just a tonnage of kids, which kind of surprised me, since you’d think that in a world that sleek and high-tech there would be some moratorium on how many kids every family could have.”
“Maybe there’s enough abundance that it’s possible,” he suggested. “Or we’ve colonized the solar system. Or we got special dispensation.”
“Any of those could happen, or something else entirely. It’s hard for me to gather a lot of nuance.”
He laughed. “I’m sure. I can understand why Jamie in the other world wanted to just watch the mirrors all day. It must be fascinating.”
“In a way. I’m usually too busy to take a lot of time with it and I’m looking for dangerous stuff happening to or around me and Jamie, so for me it’s kind of like work versus fun.”
We reached the cargo hold and went in. It had the gifts from the Cradi and the Eknara’s shuttle and yet still looked fairly empty.
“I think we can move the Orange Scourge,” Chuckie said. We went to the lead container. Being made of lead, it was hard to open. Luckily I was enhanced, because it took both of us.
There was a lot of Orange Scourge in here. “Have we not been giving this to the rabbits and least weasels?”
“I have no idea. Mother?”
“Yes, Charles?”
“What’s the situation with the Orange Scourge here?”
“SuperBun requested that we not give it to the animals until we were on the way to Ixtha.”
Chuckie and I looked at each other. “Now, why would he have asked that?” I asked.
“You said SuperBun, not SuperStar,” Chuckie said. “Does that mean this request happened before that merging?”
“Yes, Charles. SuperBun requested that after we first left Cradus.”
“Why didn’t you mention it?”
“Because it did not appear to be a dangerous request. Was my interpretation wrong?”
“No, not at all that we can tell. Can we get this into wherever you store foodstuffs, though? Chuckie and I want to use the lead container to hold the Anti-Mother.”
“That is a good plan,” Mother said. “I will ask the young adults to help you move the produce.”
“Where are all the kids, anyway?” Mother of the Year here had forgotten to check on her younger children, or keep track of her older one.
“In the Observation Lounge, enjoying the sights and spending time with the majority of the Ignotforstans while they still can. Since we are not traveling at warp speed, there are things to see, and since we’re in their part of the galaxy now, the Ignotforstans are educating the children about the various celestial bodies we are passing.”
“Super. Should we really pull the older kids away from that, then?”
“They can use the responsibility.” The com turned off.
“Wow, you named her right,” Chuckie said.
“Go team.”
We unloaded the Orange Scourge
from the container. We just finished getting the last of it out when those young adults appeared. Lizzie, Wasim, Clinton Kramer, Louise, Sidney, Claire, and Anthony Valentino. Realized something.
“Um, Mother?”
“Yes, Kitty?”
“When we first took off, you said that we have a dozen young adults on board.”
“Yes.”
“Um, I count seven, not twelve. So, who were the other five you were referring to?”
“I included Chase Maurer, Raymond Lewis, Kimberly Price, Cassidy Maurer, and Rachel Lewis in my first count. Having observed them and their interactions with the others, I have reprogrammed myself to consider them neither young adults nor children.”
“Well, Chase is thirteen and Raymond and Kimmie are both almost twelve, but they’re still children to us. And they’re kind of far away from Anthony, who is our youngest young adult.”
Clinton laughed. “Mav’s going to be upset if he ever finds out that he didn’t make the presumed young adult cut. Especially when Rachel did.”
Lizzie grimaced. “No one tell Maverick about this. That’s an order.”
“Oh, yes, boss,” Sidney said with a grin.
Claire sniffed. “Lizzie’s not wrong and you know it. Mav’s feelings will be hurt.”
“I wasn’t saying we weren’t going to follow orders,” Sidney said, grin still going strong. “Now, Anthony, he might not listen to Lizzie. But I’m always faithful.”
Anthony gave his brother a dirty look. “As if I don’t listen?”
“Everyone’s awesome,” Lizzie said, shooting Wasim a “why me?” look. Wasim winked at her, but as soon as she turned away he looked sad. The kids kept on ribbing each other about listening to Lizzie or not, though Louise, as the eldest, remained above it. Mostly.
“My God,” Chuckie murmured to me as he watched them, Wasim in particular. “It’s like reliving high school.”
Nudged against him. “Yeah. There are times I think I can never apologize to you enough.”
He nudged me back. “It’s okay. You’re still my best friend, and that still means the world to me. And it honestly helps to know that, in other worlds, we’re together. In this one, things are different. And that’s okay, because I wouldn’t trade the short time I had with Naomi for anything. Nor would I trade what Nathalie and I have, either.”