by Joe Vadalma
"Whoa. We know people whose corporations do all sorts of research, but I don't know of any that are trying to build a machine to travel to other dimensions."
"But there must some who might be interested in such a device."
Melody sipped her tea slowly with a thoughtful expression. “Hmm. There was this industrialist, Morgan Thomas. He was involved with Michael's Institute of the Occult at one time. But I haven't seen him since Michael quit the institute and Morgaine committed suicide. I only met him a couple of times. As you know, I never had much to do with Michael's business dealings."
"Could you contact him for us? It wouldn't hurt to ask."
Melody took a cube of sugar from the bowl and dropped it into her tea. She stirred it a few times. “Suppose this Morgan Thomas gave you the money you need, and you build such a machine. What would you do then?"
"Sneak into the place where Michael is being held and bring him back."
"What would prevent Morgaine from taking him right back?"
"He would be on his guard."
"May I speak?” asked Esmeralda.
Melody gazed at the girl. She was very beautiful. She wondered whether there was something going on between her and Westcott. “Of course. You're Doctor Laszlo's lab assistant, you said."
"I am. What I want to say is that there's danger in allowing someone like this Mr. Thomas to invest in Dr. Laszlo's invention..."
"Christ, Esmeralda. I brought you here to help sell this project, not sabotage my pitch."
Melody scowled at Westcott. “Let Esmeralda speak. If there's danger, I want to know what it is."
Westcott huffed, but said nothing more.
Esmeralda said, “If Mr. Thomas puts up a lot of money, he will want to control the machine. It's possible that he might allow entities from another dimension enter this one. He may even want to build several machines, which could be disastrous for our world."
Melody looked at Westcott. “She's got a good point, Jack. We could have demons coming out of the machine like popcorn out of a popper."
"We would have Thomas sign an ironclad waiver that he would not use the machine except in a manner that would not cause harm. I would have to sign off before the machine could even be turned on. I'll explain the danger involved. Besides, the cat is already out of the bag. Doctor Laszlo has published a paper on the subject. Someone smart will realize the potential of such a device. I'm surprised that no one has been knocking at Laszlo's door to make a deal already. At least, if we are the first to build the dimension machine, we can take out patents and claim proprietary information to prevent anyone else from constructing one."
* * * *
Morgan Thomas went to the receptionist at the entrance to the Omega Building. He gave her his name and said, “I was notified that the Omega Oracle has an important prophesy concerning my business."
The receptionist checked her computer. “Yes. A priestess will escort you. I will call her. She will be down in a few minutes."
The Omega priestess was an attractive young woman who wore a white robe with a pentacle stitched into the fabric. It was belted at the waist with a simple cord. A sheath containing an atheme was attached to the rope.
She held out her slender white hand. “My name is Sister Myrtale, Mr. Thomas. I will take you to the Oracle. Please follow me."
They rode an elevator to a subbasement and walked through a series of hallways to a replica of the ancient Greek temple of Apollo, a gleaming white building in the style of ancient Greece. It contained a portico held up by massive Doric columns. The corridor walls that surrounded it were painted with a mural that depicted a panoramic scene of forest and mountains.
Myrtle said, “Please wait here until you are escorted into the temple.” She went into the building to inform the Oracle that Thomas has arrived.
When the priestess returned to the portico, as was customary, Thomas placed a handful of hundred dollar bills in the bowl for offerings. “You may enter the temple now. Follow me."
With bowed head, Thomas followed Myrtle. He gazed around at the enormous columns that filled the temple. That all of this was beneath the tall building seemed to him to be amazing. When they reached the western end, they entered a chamber that held an enormous statue of the sun god, Apollo. Thomas and Myrtale bowed their heads in reverence and waited.
The chamber was windowless and gloomy. The only light came from torches high up on the wall. Sulfuric gases rose from below making the chamber mystical and dreamlike. Suddenly a beautiful woman with auburn hair stepped from the mist. She wore a simple white gown with a hood that half concealed her features. “I am Morgaine, the Oracle of Omega. I have examined the portents and omens and have important information for you. Soon the wife of an old friend will ask you to receive visitors who have a new invention that they wish you to invest in. Their machine can transport people to other planes, even to the land of the dead. You and the Church of Omega will benefit greatly if you give them financial support."
"Thank you, Morgaine. I shall follow your advise.” Thomas bowed.
Morgaine turned and faded into the mist as mysteriously as she had arrived.
* * * *
After Esmeralda, Westcott and Doctor Laszlo entered Thomas’ posh office, the CEO of the high tech firm stood up and said, “Please sit. Make yourselves comfortable. Would you like coffee or tea?"
"Coffee sounds good,” replied Westcott.
"I'll take tea,” said Esmeralda.
"Nothing for me,” said Laszlo.
Thomas buzzed his secretary. “Please bring in coffee and tea for me and my visitors.” He turned to the trio. “Let's get right down to business, shall we? I know Doctor Laszlo and Doctor Westcott. Doctor Westcott, I recall that you were involved in an attempt by the Turc Corporation to build a humanoid robot. Too bad the company went belly up."
Westcott shrugged. “I was not happy about that either."
"But you haven't introduced this charming young lady."
Laszlo said, “Her name is Esmeralda Emuishere. She is a graduate student and my lab assistant. She's quite brilliant. She'll make a fine scientist someday."
"Pleased to meet you, Esmeralda."
She nodded, flashing him a flirtatious smile. “The pleasure is all mine, Mister Thomas."
The secretary came in with coffee and tea. She poured and added sugar and cream according to each person's preference.
After she left, Thomas said, “Okay. Let us begin our discussion of what you came to see me about.” .
"Great,” said Westcott. “Doctor Laszlo here has invented a machine that will revolutionize the way we think of the universe."
"Yes, I know. I've read his paper. It's an intriguing concept. But will it actually do what the paper claimed?"
"I can vouch for that, sir. Doctor Laszlo has built a small working model. I've seen it in operation."
"And you want me to finance a full-scale prototype."
"That's correct. I have the particulars in this attaché case.” Westcott patted his briefcase. “Blueprints, Doctor Laszlo notes including the mathematics behind his theory, cost estimates and so forth. I'd like to leave this material with you for you and your technical and financial people to go over."
"Good. We'll do that. Can you give me a ballpark figure?"
"Ten million. If all goes well."
"That's doable. We have assets that we're going to sell and are ready to invest in something new."
Westcott said, “We must insist in absolute secrecy. It is imperative that this invention does not fall into unscrupulous hands. It could endanger our world. Hence, we need to insist that everyone who has access to these documents sign a binding nondisclosure agreement."
"Danger to our world? What do you mean?"
Esmeralda replied, “Since travel to worlds in other dimensions is possible with Doctor Laszlo’ invention, alien creatures could also cross into our world."
"I see. Well, I'll do everything I can to ensure that only my most loyal emplo
yees see these documents. People whose integrity I can rely on. It'll take at least a week to go over the material. A week from today I'll either give you my answer or ask for additional information."
Westcott was all smiles. The meeting had gone well. Thomas came around his desk and shook hands with the three visitors. They left his office.
They had come in Esmeralda's car. After they exited the building and headed for the parking garage, she said, “We should go somewhere and celebrate. From Mister Thomas’ reaction, we have every reason to believe that he is willing to finance the project."
Westcott said, “I believe you're right. Where do you want to go?"
Doctor Laszlo said, “Leave me out. I have work to do back in my laboratory."
"Oh c'mon, Doctor,” said Esmeralda. “A couple of hours away from work won't hurt."
"I'm sorry, but I can't. You young people enjoy yourselves. I'll take a cab back to the university. Ah, here's one now.” He hailed a passing taxi, waved to Esmeralda and Westcott and got into the cab.
"Well, it's just you and me,” said Westcott. “Where do you want to go?"
"I know just the place. We can have dinner and drinks there. They have a blues band later in the evening."
"Sounds great."
* * * *
The club was in a basement. The atmosphere was blues club gloom. The only lights in the place were from the candles on each table. When the waitress asked what they wanted to drink, Esmeralda ordered a vodka martini. Westcott ordered a club soda.
"Hey, Doctor Westcott, this is a celebration. Don't you drink?"
"You may call me Jack, Esmeralda. I prefer informality. We'll probably be working quite closely on this project."
She winked at him. “I'm all for that ... Jack. Now, how about ordering something wicked and wild."
Westcott shook his head. “I'm an alcoholic. I'm on the wagon."
She put her hand on his. “A couple of drinks won't hurt. You can go right back on the wagon tomorrow. Let's have fun tonight. Once the project gets started, we'll be like Doctor Laszlo be too busy to have any."
Westcott licked his lips. In his imagination, he could savor the taste of raw whiskey. It was tempting. He knew that he should know better. He looked into Esmeralda's dancing eyes. They seemed to say, Don't be a party pooper. What's a couple drinks anyhow? Tomorrow you can go back to AA.
"Okay. This is a special night.” When the waiter came back with Esmeralda's martini and asked for their meal orders, Westcott asked for a bourbon on the rocks in addition to his steak dinner. That was the first of several.
Later when the blues band started playing, he and Esmeralda danced. During the slow dances she hung on him like a rag doll; during the fast ones, she shimmied her booty around in the sexiest possible manner. By the time the evening was over, Westcott was drunk. Esmeralda drove him to her apartment. They staggered into her bedroom, and as he lay on the bed watching, she did a striptease, slowly and sensually removing her clothes. Perhaps it was too slow. By the time she wriggled out of her panties, Westcott had passed out and was snoring loudly.
CHAPTER 19. UNDERGROUND GATE
Flebert turned to Lucinda. “You're a demon? Who sent you? Morgaine?"
"Not the witch. The great one, Asmodeus. This is a gateway to his dimension as well as Morgaine's."
"That's where we want to go. We're on a mission to rescue Morgaine's prisoner, Michael Ellul."
"I know. I was sent to stop you from completing that mission. Please don't take me back there. I've failed. Asmodeus will inflict terrible punishments upon me.” She fell on her knees and continued to beg.
"If you're a demon, why are you afraid of my gun?"
"My body is human. If it's killed, I'll be sent back to Asmodeus immediately."
Flebert rubbed his chin. “I have an idea. Suppose we bring you with us. Instead of trying to stop us, you could help us. I promise that if we're successful, I'll bring you back to this world."
Lucinda gazed up at him from a kneeling position. Tears ran down her cheeks. “You intend to go to the witch's quarters. I see it in your mind. But, I tell you. The way is hazardous. There are demons and other evil creatures that you'll have to overcome. If I'm caught helping you, I'll be punished ten times worse than if I simply failed. No. I refuse."
"Then I'm afraid I'll have to send you back to you master immediately.” Flebert raised the pistol and pressed it against the back of Lucinda's head.
"I can't let you do that,” cried Isaac. He snatched the gun away from Flebert so quickly, that at first the actor did not realize that he was not still holding it.
Flebert said, “Oh shit. For Chrissake, I wasn't really going to kill her, Isaac. I was simply trying to scare her into helping us."
Isaac said, “Nonetheless, you were pointing the gun right at her head. It might've gone off accidentally. I will keep this before someone is hurt.” The robot stuck the pistol in its trouser pocket.
Macrome said, “Besides, how could you trust one of her kind? She'd betray you at the first opportunity."
"It seems that we're at an impasse,” said Flebert. “Should we leave her here, and go through the gate without her?"
"Go without her,” said Macrome. “I'll accompany you into that dreary dimension. Michael was my friend too when I was alive."
"Very well. Lucinda, you may stay here."
Macrome reached up and moved a protrusion on one of the carvings. There was a loud screech of stone against stone that set Flebert's teeth on edge. Slowly, a section of wall slid back leaving a doorway into deep darkness. The vampire said, “Step right this way gentleman and robot.” He went through the opening and vanished. Flebert and Isaac followed him.
The small troop was in utter darkness, as though a dark curtain had been thrown over them. Flebert turned on his flashlight. When he turned around, where the entrance had been was a stone wall with niche carved into it. A moldy corpse was deposited in the niche. They were in a catacombs. Flebert said, “This is not the same place as the last time we came through this gate."
The stone block walls were damp with slime and mold. Water dripped from the ceiling, making the floor slippery. The musty stench of the long dead permeated the air. Archways led off in three different directions, left, forward and right. There were strange sounds, the creaking of scraping rocks, distant screams as though people were being tortured, low animal sounds, weird growls and screeches.
"What do we do now?” asked Flebert. “How do we know which way to go?"
Isaac said, “The logical thing to do is to pick a doorway at random and place a mark on it so we do not go in circles. Let us start by going through the archway on our left.” He headed in that direction.
"Wait,” cried Macrome. “Since I became a vampire, my senses are much more acute. I hear human voices and smell human blood, but not from the direction the robot is heading."
"Which way then?” asked Flebert.
"Straight ahead."
"Very well. Let's try that way first. If there are living human beings down here, perhaps they can help us find our way to where Morgaine is keeping Michael."
The trio went through the center archway. As Isaac passed through, it scratched an arrow on the edge of the stone archway with its metallic finger nails. The next room had two openings, left and right. Macrome sniffed the air and strolled toward the opening on the left. They continued this way through several chambers of the catacomb, sometimes to the left, sometimes straight ahead and sometimes to the right.
* * * *
After the vampire, the man and the robot vanished, with a horrible grinding noise the stone doorway slowly slid shut. Before it closed completely, Lucinda slipped through. Hidden in her sleeve was a butcher knife she had swiped from the kitchen when the robot and Flebert were distracted.
As she entered the pitch-black chamber, she used her demon ability to see in the darkness of the void. Isaac, the robot, was scratching an arrow on the edge of the doorway. When it finished, it went in
to the next chamber. She chuckled as she realized that the trio were descending deeper into the labyrinth. In order to reach the place where Michael Ellul was held prisoner, they would need to find the stairway to the upper part of the castle. Instead they were heading away from it. If they continued in the wrong direction, they would come to the abode of the demons and ghouls who haunted the catacombs.
She fingered the knife. She decided to follow them until their flashlight gave out. At that point, she would pounce on Flebert and stab him through the heart. Once she killed him, her duty to Asmodeus would be fulfilled. She had not been ordered to stop anyone else from entering the gate. She would return to the dimension of living souls, dragging Flebert's body with her. The creatures who dwelled in the catacombs could deal with the robot and the vampire. Once back in the human world, it would be fun to start killing strangers again as she had when she was alive until the police caught her.
* * * *
"That does not sound like a human being to me,” said Isaac. Somewhere in the darkened chamber beyond an exit, there was a crunching noise as though animals were enjoying a particularly hearty lunch. Flebert shined the light from his flashlight into it. Since the batteries had become weak, the light was dim. What he saw made him draw in his breath in horror.
Inside the room were four or five awful creatures. Their shape was generally human, but that's where the resemblance ended. Since they were naked, their ugliness was revealed in all its awfulness. Their heads were skull-like with bulging eyes and large mouths with rows of razor-sharp teeth. Their long, lanky arms ended in clawed hands. Their legs were short and sinewy. They squatted on the floor ripping apart a corpse and eating it bones and all.
When the light fell on them, they looked up at Flebert hungrily. He backed away and pointed the flashlight away from the archway. It flickered and went out. Flebert shook it, and it again shone dimly. “What the hell are those things?"
Macrome said, “Ghouls. They can't hurt me or Isaac, but they're a danger to you. They don't like bright lights. It's too bad that your flashlight isn't working better. Isaac, can you see in the dark."