by Bryan Davis
“How close are you to creating the new parasite?”
“Oh, it’s practically done.” He picked up the beaker from the burner stand and swirled the thick green liquid inside. “What I lack is the catalyst. I need to subject the raw materials to volcanic temperatures.”
Lauren pointed at the burner. “I guess that doesn’t get hot enough.”
He chuckled. “Not exactly.”
“What if someone were to throw the raw materials into Mount Elijah?”
“Wouldn’t work. Even if the volcano created the parasite, the heat would kill it soon afterward. The only way it could survive would be for it to escape from the superheated environment within seven minutes after its creation.”
“Seven? How can you know that to the minute?”
He pointed at one of the windows on the computer screen that showed an image of a bug-like creature growing and becoming more complex before shrinking again and starting over. “Computer models. A good guess, I think. We can’t be one hundred percent certain.”
“So if Mount Elijah erupted right away, it might survive.”
Dr. Conner nodded. “That’s how we think the disease parasite was created in the first place.”
“Then the person who invented the parasite must have known when the volcano would erupt.”
His expression darkened. “The natives here claim that if a person is thrown into the volcano, it will erupt almost immediately, but in spite of their insistence, I can’t rely on superstition. Besides, even if it were true, it would be unethical to ask someone to sacrifice his or her life to create a cure.”
Lauren hid a tight swallow. The wandering ghost in Hades! Everything added up. A mad scientist, probably Mardon, manufactured the raw materials to create the parasite, kidnapped a male teenager, and threw him into the volcano from the museum room portal. That’s how he knew the precise time Mount Elijah would erupt. But who would believe her crazy theory? Probably no one, especially not a scientist like Dr. Conner.
He slid another beaker that appeared to be filled with soil. “Even if we were able to time an eruption, we would also need a way to deliver the materials safely to the volcano. The necessary enzymes, chemicals, and anthrozil cells require a soil environment with a mixture of organic nutrients, volcanic and nonvolcanic.”
“Like what’s in the birthing garden?”
“Funny you should say that.” He nudged the beaker with a finger. “One of the dragons collected this sample from the garden for me, and it’s perfect. It contains dozens of unmodified, native parasites that will mutate into what we need to counter the first batch of mutants.”
“How much soil would you need? I mean, if we threw the stuff into the volcano so we could spread the new parasite around, what kind of … um …”
“Payload size?” Dr. Conner stroked his chin. “Maybe a large bucketful of soil to go with about two-thirds of the green concoction. Once it disperses, it would spread pretty far, and the new parasites would begin multiplying immediately.”
She looked toward the volcano, though it wasn’t visible from the lab. “I could take the materials up there, but it wouldn’t do any good without the eruption.”
“And that’s the key to everything.” He half closed an eye. “May I see your feet?”
“Um … sure.” She lifted a foot and showed him its now-dirty sole. “Why?”
“Just trying to figure out how you walked out there.” He ran a finger along her skin. “That’s why I asked Karrick to fetch a soil sample for me. The ground melted the soles of my shoes.”
“I guess I have tough calluses.” She jumped down from the stool. “I’d better go. I need to get to the portal in the Valley of Shadows.”
“Do you know how to open it?”
She touched a backpack strap. “I have Apollo in here.”
“Oh, yes. I know about Apollo.” He shook his head. “Such a device would have made it easy for Jared to get here, but with the ingredients that enhanced the symptoms still in the air, it is best that he stays away, at least until I can figure out how to simulate a volcanic eruption.”
“Maybe we don’t need a simulation.” Lauren wrapped her fingers around the beaker containing the green liquid. “Can you make more of this stuff?”
“Without a doubt.” He lifted his brow. “But why?”
“I’d like to take this beaker and some birthing garden soil to the volcano.”
“And pray for an eruption?” He laughed under his breath. “Really, Lauren, that’s a noble statement of faith, but it’s hardly a scientific approach.”
Scientific, Joan murmured from under the helmet. Someone needs to get back in a training saddle. He’s not ready to ride at the front lines.
Lauren kept a straight face. Cool your temper, Joan. We’re almost finished here.
“Will it hurt to try? I mean, I could ride a dragon over the volcano and drop it in.”
He shrugged. “It is a futile exercise, but I understand the need to want to try every option, even if it’s such a long shot.”
He grabbed a bottle from the table, poured the beaker’s contents into it, and plugged it with a cork. “There. That will travel better.”
She turned her back toward him. “Will you put it in the outer pocket?”
“Certainly.” He unzipped the pocket and set the bottle inside. After zipping it again, he gave it a pat. “All set.”
“Do you have something I can scoop soil with? My feet are tough, but my hands aren’t.”
“I have just the thing. In fact, Karrick used it.” Dr. Conner walked to a wall, pulled open a bureau drawer, and withdrew a hand spade. When he returned, he put it in her backpack’s main compartment with Apollo. “Now you’re ready.”
“Except that I need transport. Have you seen any dragons out there lately?”
“Albatross has been on patrol. I suggest calling him.”
“Thank you.”
He gestured toward a door at the back of the room. “You can leave through the rear access. Better to let everyone sleep. And I will get right back to work.”
They walked together to the door. When the hatch opened, letting in a draft of warm air, she gave him another hug. “If you believe in prayer, pray for an eruption at the right time.”
“I will.” Smiling, he jiggled her helmet playfully. “I’m sorry if I offended you with my overly scientific approach. I will be sure to have the hospital ready to fly on a moment’s notice in case the volcano erupts. I kept enough fuel in reserve for an emergency flight.”
“I wasn’t offended. I understand.”
She walked down the stairway, took off her helmet, and jogged slowly toward the birthing garden. Joan pushed out from her hair and floated near her shoulder. I think I know what your plans are.
“That’s good, because I don’t.”
Chapter 20
EAGLE EYES
When Lauren arrived at the birthing garden, she twisted the backpack around and pulled out the hand spade. Tucking the helmet under her arm, she pushed the spade’s metal end into the lava-covered ground and gave it a turn, uprooting a bit of grass. The soil crackled, and smoke rose into the air. “I was going to put it in my backpack, but only the outer material got the fire-retardant treatment. I think the inside would catch on fire.”
Joan floated lower as if sniffing the rising smoke. Very likely.
“I guess that idea went up in flames.” Lauren straightened and put the spade back in the pack. “Almost literally.”
You have an innovative mind. Perhaps you will get another idea.
“Either way, I would have to bring Jared first for him to get the benefit. Even if he gets worse from being here, it won’t take long to get the cure.”
Assuming you can get the volcano to erupt.
“Right. That’s not exactly the best assumption, I know.”
Yet, going to Earth is what Abaddon expected us to do. So let’s proceed and continue to allow wi
sdom to work out our plans.
“I’d better see if Albatross is around. I’ve already wasted enough time.” She put the helmet back on and cupped her hands around her mouth. “Albatross! Can you hear me?”
After calling twice more, she waited. A whistle pierced the air. Beating wings followed. In the light of the moon, a dragon’s silhouette appeared far away in the direction opposite the volcano. Lauren waved her hand and called again. “I’m over here! Can you see me?”
Joan flashed brightly, a helpful beacon. Maybe Albatross could see that.
The dragon drew closer and closer. Soon, his size and color clarified, a white dragon, smaller than Makaidos and the others. He swooped and touched down with his claws, then quickly shot up again with a squeal, tossing Lauren’s hair in his breezy wake.
“I’m sorry!” she called. “I know it’s hot. Maybe you could just grab me with your—”
A spray of icy wetness rained on her head and spread across the ground. Steam shot up along with loud pops and sizzles. Ice pellets followed and melted on contact with the superheated soil. Soon, the garden of new grass looked like a sea of fog.
Albatross landed in a slide on the cooled grass. When he stopped, he swung his head around on his long neck and faced Lauren, his red eyes gleaming.
“Wait!” Lauren said, raising a hand. “Wait right where you are.”
He blinked, but stayed put. Lauren retrieved the spade and scooped soil from the area where Albatross had deposited ice. She lifted the scoop and touched the dark earth with her finger. Hot, but not scalding. She slid her backpack off, tucked Apollo under her arm, and began filling the pack, careful to collect soil with shallow scoops.
While she worked, Albatross added more sprays of ice over the area, apparently figuring out what she was doing.
Lauren cast a thought toward Joan. Who says he isn’t as smart as other dragons?
Not I, Joan said. He is a most admirable dragon.
After a few minutes, Lauren had filled the backpack about halfway. Holding a strap, she tested its weight. Not too bad. She could handle it pretty easily.
She pulled the bottle from the pocket, poured the contents over the top of the collected soil, and stirred it with the spade. When it looked reasonably well blended, she placed the scoop and her helmet inside, zipped up the pack, and hoisted it to her back.
Breathing a satisfied sigh, she turned to Albatross. “We need a ride. Will you give us one?”
Albatross extended his neck and looked behind Lauren, then withdrew it again, a confused expression on his face.
Joan floated next to Lauren’s nose. I think this good dragon is wondering why you said “we.” Since all Second Edeners have a companion, he considers you to be alone.
“Ah!” Lauren smiled at Albatross. “I have to go to a cave in the Valley of Shadows. Do you know where it is?”
Albatross bobbed his head.
“Can you speak?”
He swung his head from side to side.
“Well, that’ll make things more difficult, but at least you can understand me.”
He bobbed his head again, this time adding a series of whistles.
“I see,” Lauren said, nodding. “You speak with whistles. I suppose the people of Second Eden understand your language.”
Albatross cocked his head and let out a whistle with a questioning inflection.
Joan hovered in front of Lauren’s nose. My guess is that he wonders why you speak as if you are not from Second Eden, since you obviously have a companion. I suggest explaining yourself.
“Right. I keep forgetting.” Lauren bowed. “I am Lauren Bannister, daughter of Billy and Bonnie Bannister. I am from Earth, but I have gained a companion by virtue of circumstances I don’t have time to explain. I ask you, kind dragon, to provide transport to the Valley of Shadows so I can go through a portal in a certain cave there. It is crucial that I get to Earth as soon as possible. Many lives are at stake.”
Albatross lowered his head to the ground. Lauren glanced at Joan and cast a thought her way. Stairs?
I think so. Joan descended and hovered close to the dragon’s underside. I am not familiar with dragon riding, though I rode many a horse in my day, but the neck appears sturdy enough to walk upon.
It’s worth a try. Still carrying Apollo, Lauren stepped high on Albatross’s neck and climbed up to his back. Once she had settled in place and gripped a protruding spine with one hand and Apollo with the other, she patted his scales. “I’m ready.”
Albatross extended his wings and leaped into the air. Lauren lurched backwards, juggling Apollo for a moment before grabbing the dowel again and catching a better hold on the spine.
As the dragon surged upwards, the air cooled, bringing a chill to Lauren’s sweat-dampened body. She shivered. Exhaustion had depleted every bodily defense, including resistance to cold. Joan rested on her shoulder, her light glowing blue, though she stayed silent.
Warmth rose from the dragon’s scales. It felt wonderful, like forced hot air from a floor vent, and she was a cat ready to curl over the flow and go to sleep. She yawned, then shook her head hard. She couldn’t sleep, no matter how exhausted she might be. Fortunately, Albatross rose and fell sharply as he flew, keeping her alert.
Below, Second Eden spread out in all its devastation. Lava fields dominated the landscape, fires dotting the black expanse and a long line of orange in the distance marking the far edge of the lava’s march. The huge moon hovering overhead illuminated heaps of logs and stones scattered in every direction. From this high up, it looked as if a child throwing a temper tantrum had kicked his miniature farm set and sent the pieces flying.
The volcano loomed to the left, still spraying a tiny plume of smoke and ash. How odd it seemed to watch it from this vantage point. Not long ago, she poked her head out of nothingness a hundred feet above that very cone, and it wouldn’t be hard to go back and do it again since Apollo could easily generate the proper flash. It would be comical to see such a sight now, and it still could serve as another way to enter, though she would need a winged transport to …
She glanced at the dragon’s wings as they beat rhythmically at each side. Of course! This dragon understood her words perfectly! She patted his scales. “Albatross, I have something to tell you.”
He curled his neck and brought his head close.
“This will sound very odd.” She pointed at the volcano. “There is a portal above Mount Elijah. Not long ago, I came through it, my upper body in this world while I stood safely in the other world, but since I was so high in the air and suspended over lava, I couldn’t go anywhere. Do you understand?”
Albatross swung his head toward the volcano for a moment, then returned his gaze to Lauren. He gave a quick nod.
“Good.” Lauren took in a breath. This would be a big request. “Since you’re on patrol, could you keep a watch on that volcano? If someone appears above it the way I described, could you pick that person up and fly him or her to safety?”
Albatross nodded again.
“Wonderful! Please pass that request on to any other dragons you know.”
After nodding once more, Albatross straightened his neck and looked ahead. Soon, he descended toward a basin-like feature with a river spilling in from the higher side and spilling out at the opposite end.
Lauren touched the phone, still in her pocket. With the dragon shifting so much, bringing up the map while holding Apollo might be difficult. That river had to be Twin Falls River, though it looked quite different from this angle and distance. Although a thin layer of smoke lay in parts of the basin, it appeared to be blowing away. Maybe the air down there would be breathable.
As they neared the smoke, Lauren lifted her shirt over her mouth and nose and looked at Joan, still perched on her shoulder. Do you breathe in that little egg?
Joan’s eyelets blinked. I sense some breathing, and there is something akin to a heartbeat, a pulse of life that thrums like the rhy
thm of a song. I think it changes depending on your thoughts and mood, which gives me a view into your heart and mind. This will be helpful as I seek how to provide counsel.
Lauren listened for her own heart. It thumped hard and fast. Was it excitement or terror? In either case, it felt good to know that Joan would be there to help figure things out. Can you guess what I’m thinking now?
Perhaps you feel foolish for not bringing one of the masks. We had two extra ones that could have been brought along.
No, but now that you mention it, it was pretty dumb to forget them.
You and I both had many other things on our minds. Joan floated closer to her cheek. So, what were you thinking?
Keeping her eyes straight ahead, Lauren smiled. I was thinking that I’m glad you’re with me. I’m glad you’re my companion.
Oh, mon amie! I am glad as well. Joan nuzzled her cheek. Thank you for saying so.
When Albatross dove into the smoke, Lauren blinked, trying to find the river again. She patted his scales. “Do you have to …” She coughed, then forced the words out quickly. “To go through this smoke to find the cave?”
Albatross reeled his head back and nodded.
From below, whistles sounded—three chirps and a long warble. Albatross jerked his head back and veered toward the call.
“Wait!” Lauren shouted. “What are you doing? You’re supposed to find the cave.”
I think he is responding to a higher authority, Joan said. There is likely no reason to fear.
Albatross broke into clear air. The river came into view, bright and sparkling in the moon’s glow. He landed at the river’s edge in a sweeping slide through a stretch of beach sand. When he stopped, he swung his head around, searching all directions. Running water drowned out all other sounds, but the dragon’s ears stayed perked.