Morgaine and Michael [The Morgaine Chronicles #8]

by Joe Vadalma

  "Oh, it's you,” he said. “It's been a while."

  The figure before him was a beautiful woman with dark red hair. She wore a simply gray robe with a pentacle emblazoned on the front. “Yes, it has. How's the campaign for the presidency going?"

  "Well, as you probably already know."

  "Nonetheless, I see a problem."

  "What's that?"

  "Many people feel more comfortable with a leader who is married. They think that a man who marries shows responsibility. Having a wife will help with the female vote."

  Nicholas rubbed his chin. “I suppose you're right.” He grinned. “Of course, you're always right, with your clairvoyant powers. But, at the moment I don't even have a steady girl friend.” He grinned. “Should I choose one of the women that I'm currently dating and make her my wife?"

  "Absolutely not. They're all sluts and gold diggers. Do you believe in soul mates, Nicholas?"

  He laughed. “What are you saying, Morgaine? That there's a soul mate waiting for me somewhere in this wide world?"

  "Perhaps not a soul mate exactly, but someone that you will fall in love and will make the perfect companion to enhance your political career."

  Nicholas eyed her suspiciously. “You're not kidding, are you?"

  "Not in the least."

  "Where will find this irresistible creature?"

  "Upstate New York. She's currently down on her luck and living in an abandoned mansion outside of Woodstock. I'll direct you to the location."

  "Am I supposed to cancel my speaking engagements and drive up to Woodstock to meet this fair maiden or vagabond hobo or whatever she is?"

  "That's what I'm saying. If you want the presidency, you'll do what I say. You know, my organization, The Children of Aquarius, could decide to support another more pliable candidate."

  Nicholas hated taking orders from Morgaine. Nonetheless, he knew that she controlled the Aquariuns and had strange occult powers, for example, the way she appeared in his living room out of nowhere. If she had entered the building in any normal way, she would have been stopped by his security people or at least set off his security system. Not only was he dependent on her support, but he feared her.

  "Very well. Do I have to marry this person if I find her unattractive?"

  It was Morgaine's turn to laugh. When she finished, she said, “No worry about that. One look, and you'll be spellbound. After I leave, look in your underwear drawer.” With that, she vanished right before his eyes.

  "Dark angels be damned. She must have demonic black magic at her command. I want to learn that trick."

  He went to his dresser. A note with driving directions in a legible feminine script. was pinned to his underwear. He called up his campaign manager. “Bob, please cancel my speaking engagements for this weekend. I need a little break. I'm taking a ride into the country."

  He decided he must go upstate alone, although he knew his bodyguards would give him an argument. He did not want anyone to know that he was to meet a strange woman and make her my life, especially if this trip turned out to be fiasco.

  CHAPTER 9. THE GATEWAY MACHINE

  Doctor Lazlos’ office was located in the corner of the physical science building. It was a cluttered mess, with papers and books covering every inch of the desk and chairs. A blackboard mounted on a wall was filled with mathematical formulae and a message for the maintenance people that read “Important. Do not erase.” Chalk dust was everywhere, floating in the air, laying in white heaps on the floor below the blackboard and covering every other surface like powder on doughnuts.

  Lazlos, himself, as rumpled and messy as his office, was badly in need of a haircut or at least a comb. His white hair stuck out in all directions as though he witnessed a frightening event. He was in his shirtsleeves with a loosely tied tie. One side of his collar was bent up. The front of the shirt was full of grease spots where his stomach bulged, and his trousers were wrinkled. His wire rim glasses were perched on the end of his nose.

  When Westcott entered, Lazlos had his nose buried in a scientific journal. Westcott stood for a few moments. Since Lazlos went on reading, he coughed loudly. The physicist peered over the edge of the magazine. He looked as though he had been awakened from a sound sleep.

  "Oh Jack. I didn't hear you come in. I was just reading about new theory concerned with quantum strings and multidimensional space. I noticed several inconsistencies in the mathematics, however. I'll have to point them out to the author."

  He laid the journal down and rose to shake Westcott's hand. “It's been a while. What brings you back here to the university?"

  "To see you, Doctor Lazlos. How have you been? You're looking well."

  "I'm in good health. How are you?"

  "Better than ever. I'm not drinking as heavily as I used to."

  Lazlos sat back down, and Westcott sank into a guest chair. Lazlos took a pipe from the holder on his desk and filled it with tobacco. “I'm glad to hear it. So, what can I do for you?"

  Westcott leaned forward. “I read your paper about how a machine could be built to peer into worlds in other dimensions. I was fascinated."

  "Not only to spy on such worlds, but actually travel to them."

  "Amazing. And you claim it's actually possible."

  Lazlos lit his pipe, took a deep puff and blew out a cloud of smoke. “Absolutely. I'm positive of it. I've worked out all the details and the math checks out."

  "Have you built a prototype?"

  "Only a small model. A machine large enough to send anything larger than a bug to another dimension would cost millions and would be a major project. Also, I need some sort of artificial intelligence computer for control. AI, that's your line, isn't it?"

  Westcott was disappointed. “Yes, it is. May I see the model?"

  "Of course, my boy. It's in the lab.” Lazlos got up and led Westcott down to the physics laboratory in the basement."

  * * * *

  Morgaine walked slowly down the long stone stairway that led into the lower depths of the castle. Seated on a great throne in the center of a vast chamber whose ceiling was lost in the shadows above her head was a gigantic monster, three time the size of a man, with three heads. The left head was a fierce snorting bull, the middle was human, but ugly and nasty of appearance, and the right was a horned ram. The creature had goose feet and a reptilian tail. By its side was a small dragon. Two giants with skulls for heads stood rigidly on each side of the throne; one held a spear and the other, a banner. Beautiful naked young women waited upon the enthroned monster. Flickering torches on the wall cast looming shadows. A white mist floated along the floor. Dark blood red fluid dripped from the rock walls.

  Morgaine threw herself to the stone floor and knocked her head three times against it. A voice like thunder said, “Arise slave."

  After Morgaine climbed to her feet, the bull head spoke. “So Morgaine, have you set in motion a plan to make my son emperor of the world?” Flames shot from its mouth. One of the naked women giggled and snuggled up to the beast, caressing it between the horns.

  "As you have commanded, Great and Mighty Asmodeus."

  Morgaine's voice quivered. She was never sure how this creature would respond. Its anger was a terrible thing. Sweat dripped from her forehead and ran down her back in rivulets. The heat, dampness and terrible stench of sulfur made her nauseous and lightheaded.

  The middle head smiled in an evil manner, and the ram head spoke. “Nonetheless, I foresee problems. Friends of your captive are attempting to free him. If they succeed, I see disaster for our cause."

  "What are their names, Master? I will deal with them."

  "They are known on the earthly plane as John Westcott, Raven Lenore, Lance Flebert, Rhami Deju, and Robert Longfeathers."

  "I know those people."

  "I realize that. For that reason, you might not be able to be objective in dealing with them. You are likely to show mercy when cruelty is required. Therefore I forbid you to take any action against them except as
I specify. Instead I will assign my beauties to thwart the males among them. Esmeralda."

  A dark beauty, with tawny skin, deep dark eyes with large lashes, perfectly formed breasts and wide hips, arose from where she sat between the creatures legs and bowed to it. “What is your wish oh great and glorious one?"

  "Would you like to spend time on earth, My Dear?"

  Esmeralda's eyes lit up. “If it is your wish, Master."

  "It is my wish. You must prevent the man named Jack Westcott from carrying out his plan to enter our dimension."

  The man head of the creature spit out a tongue of flame directly at Esmeralda. When the fire touched her, she vanished.

  Asmodeus, from his goat mouth, said, “Lucinda, come over here where I can see you."

  A gorgeous auburn beauty left off stroking Asmodeus’ back and stood before the monster. She bowed. “I am at your beck and call, Master. What does the magnificent Asmodeus require of me?"

  "As I returned Esmeralda to an earthly life for a short time, so shall you be returned. I want you to thwart the plans of a man named Lance Flebert."

  Lucinda's smile had something of evil in it. “Thank you for this opportunity."

  Asmodeus shot out another burst of flame. Lucinda vanished from within its folds.

  The awful creature said, “Sheila, appear before me."

  A tall beauty with hair so blonde it seemed to be spun from silver threads left off stroking Asmodeus’ tail which she had been sitting astride and walked up to the demon. She did not bow to the horrible creature but stared directly into the eyes of the man head with a haughty expression. “What do you wish of me, My Master?” The tone bordered on the sarcastic.

  "Ah, my blonde beauty, what am I to do with you? When you return from the assignment I am about to give you, you must receive training in how to address your betters."

  Sheila flinched, but stood her ground.

  The bull head grinned. “What self assurance. That is why I choose you to deal with two mortals, Rhami Deju and Robert Longfeathers.” Again the human head blew flame causing the blonde to vanish."

  All three of Asmodeus’ heads stared at Morgaine. “This Raven Lenore is a priestess in the earthly religious organization you run, is she not?"

  "Yes, Master. I allowed her to infiltrate the Church of Omega in order to set traps for Michael and others."

  "So you have. Well, that makes her your responsibility. You will have to deal with that one."

  "I can to do that by making use of my prisoner."

  "How intriguing. That should be interesting. Won't your own jealousy interfere?"

  Morgaine chuckled. “I have nothing to fear from any mortal woman. Besides my only interest in Michael is as a plaything and a pawn in our little game."

  "Good. Go then."

  Morgaine said a spell under breath to teleport herself to her destination before Asmodeus could spray her with fire.

  * * * *

  When Westcott and Lazlos arrived in the physics laboratory, they found a female student wandering around examining the equipment. She had bronze skin and jet black hair tied back with a ribbon. Her eyes were dark, her figure stupendous and a lovely young face. Westcott was immediately taken with her.

  Lazlos said, “May we help you, young lady?"

  She lowered her lashes shyly and said, “I am Esmeralda Emuishere. I am from Egypt and a graduate student of physics. I have been doing a thesis in your field of quantum mechanics and our relationship to parallel universes. I wish to study under the great Doctor Lazlos. The dean said I could be your new lab assistant."

  "But I already have a lab assistant. Oh, what was her name again, oh yes, Doloras something or other."

  "I was told that Doloras Stempoff had to leave because of a family emergency."

  "I see. That's too bad. She was competent. I hope you do half as well, young lady."

  "I will try my very best."

  "Good. You can start right away. See that machine over there.” He pointed.

  "The Interdimensional Viewer?"

  Lazlos smiled. “So you know what it is called. How did you learn that?"

  "I read all about it in the Quantum Physics Review. It's quite an achievement."

  "Thank you. Well, we're going to demonstrate it for this gentleman here. And you're going to help me set it up."

  Esmeralda clapped her hands together. “How wonderful."

  The machine sat on top of a workbench. It was a patchwork of lasers, mirror, gears, electronic parts, speakers and optical parts with many wires running hither and dither in and out of the device. A cable connected it to a desktop computer on a second bench.

  As Westcott watched, Esmeralda and Lazlos set about connecting wires, adjusting currents and voltages, booting up the computer and entering several numbers and letters into it. The machine began to vibrate, indicator lights came on and various meters showed readings.

  Lazlos peered into a microscope-like lens on one side of the machine. “Oh, this is tremendous. Most universes I have looked at are empty of life. This one seems to have humanoids much like ourselves. Jack, Esmeralda, come look."

  Politely, Jack allowed Esmeralda to gaze into the lens first. Meanwhile, Lazlos wrote down several notes. Esmeralda said, “Wow. It-it's unbelievable. You must be so proud, Doctor Lazlos."

  She moved over just slightly enough so that Westcott could look into the viewer. Westcott had to squeeze against her to peer into the device. He was very aware of her warm thigh pressed against him. Nonetheless, what he saw was so astounding that he forgot about the closeness of Esmeralda. He was peeing into what appeared to be a woman's bedroom. The outer wall, however, was made of stone. A man was chained to it. The man looked up and stared at Westcott as though he sensed that he was being looked at. Westcott recognized him immediately. It was Michael Ellul. Ellul's mouth moved as though he was talking to someone Westcott could not see.

  Westcott watched for a long while. Finally, he broke away. “Al, it's too bad there's no sound. We could hear what the man is saying."

  "Oh, it would be a simple matter to add an amplifier and speakers. But what use would they be. That person would no doubt speak an alien tongue that we would not understand."

  "Hmm. It would be interesting though. Perhaps we could find a way to communicate with the people in that dimension."

  "You have a point. Tomorrow Esmeralda and I can add an amplifier, speakers and a microphone. Esmeralda, could you be here early, say seven in the morning?"

  "Oh, I'd be delighted to, Doctor.” She was bristling with eagerness to work for the famous scientist.

  Jack said, “You said that small objects could be moved from our dimension to that other world."

  "Yes, of course. Allow me to demonstrate.” Lazlos withdrew one of the several pens in a holder in the pocket of his lab coat. He pressed a button and a metal tray like the tray that hold the CD on a CD player came out of the machine. However, the slide did not have any hole or indentations. Lazlos placed the pen on it and caused it to retract into the device. He flipped a switch. There was a curious buzzing. He peered into the viewer. He motioned for Westcott to come over and see for himself.

  When Westcott looked into the viewer, the pen was laying on the floor. Michael was staring at it with a puzzled expression. “By golly, you did it."

  CHAPTER 10. NICHOLAS AND MANDY

  When Nicholas pulled up to the dilapidated mansion in his Mercedes, he doubted whether he was in the right location. He read over Morgaine's direction. He had followed them to the letter. “This ugly old structure is where my soul mate is supposed to dwell? Hard to believe.” He got out of the car and stretched. “Well, now that I'm here, I may as well look around."

  Gingerly he strolled up the broken steps to the front door. It had been boarded up, but someone had pulled the boards loose. One hung from a single nail. Another lay on the porch. He tried the door. It opened easily. He stepped in and looked around with an expression of disgust. He had a fastidious hatred of grime
, and the place was filthy. Dirt and leaves lay on the floor where they had blown in through the broken windows. Enormous cobwebs hung from the ceiling. He called out, “Anyone here?” He was answered by echoes.

  He looked in a room to the left of the stairs. It contained furniture covered with dusty sheets and nothing else. Light areas on the wallpaper showed where pictures once hung. Another door led to a dining room and a kitchen. The kitchen was cleaned up and dishes were in the sink. “Someone's been taking their meals here recently,” he muttered. “I wonder if it's the woman I'm supposed to meet."

  He returned to the foyer. The first door on the right led to a library. This was in bad shape too. Most of the shelves were empty, and books were scattered about on the floor and tables. Suddenly he had the feeling that he was not alone. He turned to face an enormous man with a disfigured face. The man held a baseball bat. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?” the apparition said in a voice like thunder.

  "My name is Nicholas Bongiglio. This mansion is for sale. I was supposed to meet the real estate agent here. The door was open, so I came inside."

  "That's a lie. I happen to know that the owners do not have Moonwood up for sale."

  "Are you sure? The agent assured me. Perhaps the owners put it up recently. Unless I'm at the wrong house. Are you the caretaker?” The big man lowered the bat.

  "In a manner of speaking. I still don't believe you, but for now, I'll take your word for it. Later I'll call the owner and check your story. I'm curious though. Your name, Bongiglio. Are you related to Tom and Bridget?"

  Nicholas thought, He'll never believe that they are my parents. My cousin, Tom Bongiglio, is in the general contracting business. Do you know him?"

  "I worked for him for a while. He did some work on this very house, but he left before it was completed."

  "I didn't know that, but I don't see him that often. Would you mind showing me around?"