The Portal At The End Of The Storm (Quantum Touch Book 6)

by Michael R. Stern

  “And ours,” said the Chinese president.

  Dolan returned a fully dressed North Korean leader. The new president walked to him and shook his hand. “We have a plan for you.”

  Kim listened to the brief comments, and then was shown the slide show. The picture changed to the satellite footage, as the room grew quiet.

  Noise in the hallway disturbed us. I opened the door, and the sound of firing rifles raced into the conference room, as soldiers crawled into the hallway. “Hurry, Ash,” I said. “That door needs to be closed.”

  Ashley told Nicole to hold the door and he ran into the portal.

  “Everyone, stand away from the opening.” I ran to the door, and pushed Nicole back. Three thumps behind me hit the opposite wall. “How many more need to exit, Colonel?”

  “Three plus Ashley. I can see them, but a squad of soldiers is chasing them.” He called his men to the doorway and ordered them to begin covering fire. Six rifles began shooting, two prone, two kneeling, and two standing. Everyone nearby had their ears covered. The remaining soldiers, Jane, and Ashley crawled out.

  “I'm okay, Ashley,” Jane said. Her left shoulder was bleeding. “It's only a scratch.”

  “You're accident-prone,” Ash said.

  “Shut the door,” I said.

  I returned to the conference room, in time to see an explosion on an otherwise dark screen. The president told Kim they had just witnessed the end of the North Korean's nuclear storage. He said the time had come to end the nuclear program, and to begin the process of North Korean entry into the community of nations. “With our assistance, you can bring peace, raise your country's living standard, and become a leader, not a dictator.”

  “And if I don't agree…”

  “Then you will remain here and watch as similar detonations take place. Your weapons aimed at the South will be obliterated. We can return as many times as needed to stop you. Would you like another demonstration?”

  “Yes.”

  The president nodded to the Japanese president. “You will see momentarily five missiles enter from about here. Their target is right here.” He tapped the screen as the rockets entered view.

  “This is war,” said Kim.

  “This is retaliation. And an end to war. If you choose.” Five explosions showed on the screen. “We picked sites where you have weapons hidden, but few people in danger. Are you ready to join us?”

  Kim exhibited a poker-face, offering a blank stare in response. Unable to discern his intentions, Putin said, “Do you need another example of what we will do?”

  “If you say you want us to do it again,” said the new president, “we'll do it. We'll take you home and leave you on the roof of your palace. You will have a perfect seat as the missiles fall on your house.”

  “How can I believe you? No one believes you.”

  “Who would you believe?” asked the Russian.

  “Him.” He pointed to the Chinese president.

  President Xi said that if he chose to see, he could watch the rocket launch. The screen changed to the Chinese missiles. “I have a direct link, and the necessary codes. All four that you see are ready and aimed at your palace. We have shown you that we will not hesitate. Or you can make a speech, with us around you, apologizing to your people and the world. You will say that you have determined that the best future for North Korea is settling your differences and bringing peace and prosperity to your people. That's all you need to say.”

  From behind him, Putin said, “Ten,” and was joined in the countdown again, by multiple voices.

  The Chinese leader stepped to the control panel at 'five.' At 'one,' Kim said, “Wait.”

  Chapter 69

  Linda

  A BREAKING NEWS alert scampered across the bottom of the TV screen. A statement from Kim Jong-Un would be broadcast in two minutes. I called Mom to come watch.

  “Fritz did it.”

  A clear picture came on the screen and world leaders arranged themselves behind Kim. He spoke in his native language, with a simultaneous translation on the screen as he spoke. North Korea would end its nuclear program, and end its military aggression toward the South. The new U.S. President spoke next and said that world leaders had agreed to begin shipments of food and supplies to one of the poorest nations on earth. As he finished, he said, “Together, I and the rest of these people, will make peace real, and we'll get peace everywhere. Soon. Believe me. Soon.”

  The screen went blank for a split second, and then the scheduled coverage resumed.

  I didn't want to hear the talking heads. I went to the kitchen and poured a cold cup of coffee.

  “You think Fritz set that up?” Mom asked.

  “They were in the conference room across the hall from Fritz's classroom, Sandy Horton's old room. That's where the Summit was held last year. I recognized the paintings on the back wall.”

  “Well that means they're almost done, doesn't it?”

  “I don't know, Mom. I'm going to drive up to the school.”

  “Stay here, Linda. Let's watch the news and see what we can find out first.”

  The news speculated about everything. No one admitted the meeting had been planned, or where the leaders were. As the world was informed what had happened, reports that leaders were missing further confused the story.

  “I hope you never find out.” I muttered.

  Chapter 70

  Fritz

  THE PRESIDENT WARNED every participant to say the meeting had been pre-arranged, and the location would remain classified. “Have press conferences if you choose, but remember that travel through time and space is impossible, and any mention of it will be dismissed as insanity caused by the pressures of your office. The press tolerates me and they'll be very interested in my opinion. Mr. Kim, you'll go home first. We always know where you are. So we can help at a moment's notice.”

  I had a seconds' head start and ran down the hall. I set the bedroom plan on Ashley's desk. Kim shook hands with everyone. This smiling young man, about the same age as Ashley, had been shown the abyss and stepped back. Relief had relaxed his shoulders. He glanced at me, and bowed slightly, as I opened the portal. In front of him, his empty bedroom vibrated with banging on his bedroom door. Before he left, Major Dolan handed him his pajamas.

  The current president was the last leader to depart. “Wow, that's amazing. I did good, I think. I like winning.”

  His predecessor said, “Then keep doing it. The world is too small, as you just saw, for this country not to play a big part in it. The Middle East needs you to honor our commitments. Have a nice trip home.”

  I opened the door to the Oval Office. The general and the secretaries walked out amidst gasps from their counterparts. The new president walked in and I shut the door.

  “Good job, Fritz,” the president said. “Thank you all. We didn't know what we would need, so I'm glad you were all able to help.” Jane asked him if she could visit him later. “Of course. Are you okay?”

  “Just a scratch.”

  “Fritz, let's get everyone else home. Thanks again, Colonel Mitchell.” He turned to the line of troops. “Once again, well done, guys. I hope we're getting closer to not needing to do this anymore.”

  I set the portal to their base and moments later, only General Beech needed a lift. “Do you want to go home, General?” I asked.

  “Yes, please, Mr. Russell. I think my part is finally done. Good to see you all again. I'm liking retirement. I've taken up painting.”

  “Maybe you should take lessons from Winston Churchill. We could arrange it,” Ashley said. “He might like the company.” The general asked if Ashley was joking. He wasn't. I set the portal, and only the president and we Riverboro people were alone again.

  George said, “School is out for today, but I hope you'll be back in the classroom soon, Fritz.” My colleagues echoed agreement.

  “I'll let you know, George.”

  “Mr. R,” said Rachel, “classes have been pretty dull without y
ou. Nicole and I invested a lot of extra effort to make things interesting. The tournament was okay. Not as much fun. You did good though, Ms. Chambers.”

  “Thank you, Rachel.” Liz laughed.

  “Now what?” Ashley asked. He looked at his watch. “It's just past noon. I'm hungry.”

  Chapter 71

  Ashley

  THE ADRENALINE RUSH of the past few hours receded like molasses flowing uphill. The president and his agents prolonged their exit with hugs and handshakes. Fritz had slipped into my classroom, and I could see him through the window in my door, replacing our papers with the books and papers that belonged to the substitute. When he finished, he sat in my chair and ran his hand over the desktop. I didn't disturb him. Less than a day had passed and he found himself in the midst of another international crisis. But this trip into the portal had been very different.

  Before leaving, the president asked to speak to Fritz. I told him that Fritz would call later, that he needed some time alone. All the while, I blocked the door. Jane asked the president if she could go with him, so finally they all left. Except Tony. From the outset of the portal missions, he was always the last one anyone thought about.

  I said I would see her later, and asked Tony to keep an eye on Fritz. With the corridor finally empty of strangers, my fellow teachers had questions. Liz Chambers said that the president had sworn them to the oath, and said she would explain the portal history to Ms. Sweeney and Mr. Pettinelli. “What we want to know is where you and Fritz have been. Is Fritz okay?”

  Rachel and Nicole stood in the background, but Nicole said, “He'll be fine, Ms. Chambers. Mr. R is a spy, so he's done all sorts of things, I'll bet.”

  “Thanks, Nicole,” I said. “I'll take it from here.” Not wasting words and wanting to get out, I told them that Fritz had unintentionally discovered parallel universes. He altered the past which changed the present. “I've been looking for him. We reversed what he did, so we could come home to our time. For him, he's been gone for thirteen years.”

  Joe Pettinelli said, “I've heard stories about what you guys were doing here at strange times. Kids talk. I know I can't say anything, but can I ask you questions, you know, like between us?”

  “Sure, Joe. Everyone here can talk among ourselves. But today isn't a good time. You've seen with your own eyes another example of what we've done with the portal. But one thing we know is that the portal is fickle the more it's used. History doesn't like to be tampered with, and sometimes, it rebels. That's what happened to Fritz. Really, guys, I could spend hours talking about it, but we've been at this since dawn, and I want to get Fritz out of here. I'll answer your questions some other time. Sorry.”

  George asked, “When are you coming back? I need to know in advance, Ashley.”

  “When I know, I'll give you all the time you need. Okay? See you all soon.”

  I noticed the Dough Twins behind me as I walked to collect Fritz. I thought my delayed, but expected greeting was on the way. Instead, Rachel said that she and Nicole had news. While I was gone, they were both accepted to college. Nicole said they had been accepted at the University of Pennsylvania. “Together.”

  “I'm proud of you both. Well done. Now let me get out of here.”

  “Mr. Gilbert, are you ever going to marry Jane?” Nicole asked. Rachel said, “You should, you know.”

  Before we left, Fritz said he wanted to peek in his room. He walked down the hall and looked in the window. As he turned away, he tapped the doorknob.

  “The portal is closed.”

  “For now,” I said.

  Chapter 72

  Fritz

  I HAD A FEELING that the day we'd had so far hadn't finished its unruliness. I sat in Ashley's kitchen, while Tony and Nat talked in the living room. Ashley said he wanted to take a quick shower, so I sat alone. What had just happened? I grabbed a pad and jotted some notes. As the conductor this time, even the president followed my orders. The only hitch in the entire morning, Jane's wound, fit our previous patterns. I had planned everything in my head and saw what would unfold. Everything happened as I envisioned, as it was supposed to.

  I pulled out my pocket watch. We'd completed the mission, start to finish, in less than six hours from the time the president called. My only remaining doubts concerned two men, the North Korean and our president. I truly hoped the message had penetrated their pampered egos. If not, another trip to North Korea might be necessary. But our side of the Pacific concerned me more. The president had seen what we could do, and how easily. Without doubt, we would hear more from him. That fact didn't make me anticipate another meeting.

  At the moment Ashley returned to the kitchen, the front door opened and the Dough Twins arrived, carrying boxes and bags.

  Ash said, “Great. Let's eat.”

  The girls chattered about how they could set up a sandwich business at school for their dorm. As Ashley carried the wrapped sandwiches to the table, the door opened again.

  “Looks like we're eating in the dining room,” Ash said.

  Jane, Mel Zack, and the president joined the party. Outside a voice called, “Hold the door.” Emily, Linda and TJ walked in.

  Ash said, “Girls, looks like we don't have enough.”

  Rachel said, “Mr. Gilbert, did you count? We have fifteen sandwiches. And here's your change.”

  “You got all this for forty dollars?” Ashley asked.

  “Well, we told Mr. Hoffmann who it was for. He gave us a discount,” Rachel said.

  Nicole said, “So he didn't really give us a discount, Mr. Gilbert. We said you and the president and Mr. R had just saved the world. He owed it to you not to charge anything.”

  “Then he shook his head,” Rachel said. “He said he would only charge us for his costs. Nicole asked him what his cost was for the potato chips. He gave them to us for free.”

  The laughter, as much in relief and happiness for our return and the end of crisis as the humor itself, surrounded them and brought everyone to the table.

  “Fritz, join us,” the president said.

  Chapter 73

  Ashley

  I HADN'T EXPECTED a crowd and I sensed Fritz's desire to be left in quiet awhile. His extraordinary performance rated among the top feats I'd ever seen. Other missions paled in comparison to what we'd accomplished today.

  Fritz had never sought the limelight, in school or with the portal. Now, with Linda here, and surrounded by our fellow portal warriors, he'd begun to slip back into the fog. Before I sat, I whispered to him to snap out of it, that everything would be fine.

  “You did it, Fritz,” Linda said. “We've been watching the TV. Do you think Kim will follow through?”

  After seeing Fritz's face, the president didn't give Fritz a chance to answer. He said that he'd spoken to Putin already and the new French president. Both had received emailed apologies from Kim. “I'm sure some of the others have, too.”

  “Why don't we eat, and talk later,” I suggested.

  “Good idea,” Emily said. “Do you have one of those pastrami sandwiches? Ashley, do you have any beer? I like them together.”

  “Mom, what's gotten into you lately?” Linda chided.

  “We're celebrating. Fritz is home, Ashley is home, world peace at least for now.” I handed her a cold bottle. “A toast,” she said. “To Benjamin Franklin.”

  I looked around the table at this most unlikely gathering. Two high school seniors and the former president of the United States, secret service agents, a local reporter, an electrical engineer, a physicist who I love, my two closest friends, their son in the swing set I'd bought, and one very wise woman. And we all shared the portal. Around me, I could see my life returning to normal.

  Then the door opened again.

  “They said I'd find you here,” said the former vice president.

  “Come on in, Joe. We're just having lunch.”

  While the newest arrival found a seat, Jane said, “I have an announcement, if I may.” The chatter stopped de
ad, like the mute button had been pushed. The president had offered her a job, curating his papers and helping to set up his library. “My boss accepted my resignation, and rather than having a hissy-fit, asked me for a job.”

  “Does that mean we'll be working for you,” asked Nicole.

  “Some. Until you leave for college.”

  “Where are you two going?” the vice president asked.

  Together, with pride and confidence oozing, they said, “The University of Pennsylvania.”

  Tony said, “Nat and I have an announcement, too. The president has offered me a job, too, coordinating the tech in his house and making it run properly. So I'll be in charge, and that means I'll be here. But that's not the announcement.”

  Nat said, “God, you are so slow. We're getting married. That wasn't so hard. You sound more like a politician than a geek.” She shook her head, but Tony kissed her when she turned toward him. “At least something will get you to stop talking,” she said, taking a deep breath.

  “If I may, I'd like to propose a toast,” the president said. When he stood, everyone did. “To all of you with these wonderful changes in your lives. But most of all, welcome home, Fritz and Ashley. And Fritz, on behalf of a grateful, although unaware, world, thank you.” Emily had the only proper toasting drink, so she made a point of clinking her bottle on everyone's glass.

  Within an hour, almost everyone left. Emily took TJ for a nap, and she, Jane and I left Fritz and Linda free to talk.

  Chapter 74

  Linda

  “FRITZ, I'M GLAD you're home safe. I know it's going to take time to adjust. I want you to know that even though I miss having you with me, you should take as much time as you need.”

  “Thanks. Today's events jolted me. I know I'm home, in the right universe, but I need to get used to things I'd almost forgotten. Time here hasn't passed, but for me, well, I've been away a long time.”