outdoor

Halloween Surprise (pt. 14/30)

real
Is it real?

Lila turned to Ian. “What the hell have we gotten ourselves into?”

“A hole?” he replied impudently.

The short people – or were they normal height? It was hard for Lila to tell — moved around them forming a loose circle.

“We asked Sergey to send you here. We know you are very good at dealing with problems such as these.”

Ian said to Lila out of the corner of his mouth, “Problems like going down the hole in an Alice in Wonderland? Yep, pretty accurate.”

Lila snorted a bit in laughter. “Pay attention. This could be important,” she reprimanded him. “These aliens obviously have a height problem.”

“Who says they’re aliens?” Ian whispered back to her.

“We can hear what you are saying.”

“Oh, great.” Lila rolled her eyes at him. “Now we’re in trouble.” She said accusingly, “This is your fault.”

“How is it my fault,” Ian argued.

“Humans!” The sound seemed to come from all over as it had in the research lab.

“Nice acoustics you’ve got here.” Ian added, “Must make for cool movie watching.”

“You are so irreverent.” Lila pointed out. “Have a little respect.”

“Like you?” Ian guffawed.

Suddenly there was a loud cracking noise that came from the floor and a large viewing screen rose from it.

“Sweet.” Ian mouthed.

They were watching people moving around a pool in the ground with rods in it in a large building that appeared to be a nuclear reactor. Lila could make out the words Билибинская АЭСon a wall plaque. “Bilibino,” she read aloud to Ian. “It’s Russian.”

His face twisted in concentration. Ian leaned slightly forward watching the action on the screen. One of the men pulled an alarm lever set on the wall and a light began flashing. Ian tilted his head as he considered what was going on in the picture. “Hell, it’s a nuclear meltdown.” He looked expectantly at the small people across from them. “Is this now? What’s the timeframe?”

“You have fifteen days before this becomes reality. I’m sure you know that this is the most northerly nuclear power plant in operation.”

“Actually I didn’t know that,” Ian motioned toward the screen. “How are we supposed to stop it?”

“No one will take our warning seriously,” the voice continued, “Particularly not in Russia. Sergey should not have been involved, but he knows us. He worked on another task last year for us. Things have, however, changed for him. He is dead.”

Lila gulped. Chills ran down her arms. In a slightly quavering voice, she asked, “Then whom were we talking to?”

Normal
0

Lila turned to Ian. “What the hell have we gotten ourselves into?”

“A hole?” he replied impudently.

The short people – or were they normal height? It was hard for Lila to tell — moved around them forming a loose circle.

“We asked Sergey to send you here. We know you are very good at dealing with problems such as these.”

Ian said to Lila out of the corner of his mouth, “Problems like going down the hole in an Alice in Wonderland? Yep, pretty accurate.”

Lila snorted a bit in laughter. “Pay attention. This could be important,” she reprimanded him. “These aliens obviously have a height problem.”

“Who says they’re aliens?” Ian whispered back to her.

“We can hear what you are saying.”

“Oh, great.” Lila rolled her eyes at him. “Now we’re in trouble.” She said accusingly, “This is your fault.”

“How is it my fault,” Ian argued.

“Humans!” The sound seemed to come from all over as it had in the research lab.

“Nice acoustics you’ve got here.” Ian added, “Must make for cool movie watching.”

“You are so irreverent.” Lila pointed out. “Have a little respect.”

“Like you?” Ian guffawed.

Suddenly there was a loud cracking noise that came from the floor and a large viewing screen rose from it.

“Sweet.” Ian mouthed.

They were watching people moving around a pool in the ground with rods in it in a large building that appeared to be a nuclear reactor. Lila could make out the words Билибинская АЭСon a wall plaque. “Bilibino,” she read aloud to Ian. “It’s Russian.”

His face twisted in concentration. Ian leaned slightly forward watching the action on the screen. One of the men pulled an alarm lever set on the wall and a light began flashing. Ian tilted his head as he considered what was going on in the picture. “Hell, it’s a nuclear meltdown.” He looked expectantly at the small people across from them. “Is this now? What’s the timeframe?”

“You have fifteen days before this becomes reality. I’m sure you know that this is the most northerly nuclear power plant in operation.”

“Actually I didn’t know that,” Ian motioned toward the screen. “How are we supposed to stop it?”

“No one will take our warning seriously,” the voice continued, “Particularly not in Russia. Sergey should not have been involved, but he knows us. He worked on another task last year for us. Things have, however, changed for him. He is dead.”

Lila gulped. Chills ran down her arms. In a slightly quavering voice, she asked, “Then whom were we talking to?”

Halloween Surprise (pt. 13/30)

forest
The forest

Lila grabbed the hand and twisted it into a wristlock. There was some loud cursing in Russian and then Lila released the wrist and backed away.

“Nice move.” Sergey complimented Lila.

“Thank you,” Lila said modestly.

“She makes it do what it do.” Ian agreed with a twinkle in his eye.

Lila gave Ian a murderous look.

“Why the whole big mysterious thing to get us here?” Lila asked Sergey curiously.

“There is something I want to show you –“

“More etchings?” Lila interrupted him to ask cheekily.

“Hardly. This is another, what would you call it, void?” Sergey began walking with them to a much quieter and more secluded area. A cold chill in the air made Lila shiver, and she could feel goose bumps rising on her arms, which she rubbed briskly to warm them up. “Wish I’d brought a coat,” she mentioned in an aside to Ian.

“Wimp,” he said with a smile.

“Haha,” she said sarcastically. “Well, maybe a little,” she reluctantly agreed.

Sergey continued speaking. “This is a place of natural energy. The research lab requires huge amounts of energy, but this place…” his voiced drifted off. “We are not sure what to think. I would like to get your opinion,” he added respectfully.

After about fifteen minutes of hiking, they reached a spot hidden away from the crowds. There was definitely a mystical energy in the area. She could feel the vibrations coming from the earth under her feet. The vibes particularly seemed to emanate from a tree directly in front of them. “Is that it?” She pointed to the tree from which she felt the energy.

“Yes, it is most – unusual. Please walk over and touch its surface.” Sergy gestured toward the tree. Lila walked over with Ian at her side. Together they placed their hands on either side of the tree, the edges of their fingers nearly touching.

From the moment their hands came in contact with the rough bark, Lila could feel herself being drawn down into a tunnel. She could see several beings in front of her who appeared to be transparent. “Holy…” she whispered.

“I hear you,” Ian said softly, agreeing with her assessment.

As they neared the creatures, they could hear a buzzing in their ears that sounded like a hive of bees was hovering around them. She craned her neck looking for anything that might emit the sound, but all she could see were skinny, pale looking, short people whose mouths didn’t seem to be moving.

Suddenly the buzzing cleared up into speech. “Welcome.”

Lila’s eyes widened and she sucked in a quick breath. Was that them?

“Um, thanks?” she said uncertainly.

Halloween Surprise, (pt. 12/30)

hayride3
Ian turned to Lila. “What the…” His eyes met hers as they heard a beep followed by “leave a message.”

“While you are in the research laboratory your mobile phones will not work. We have received a forwarded message from your external phone numbers.”

“Hell of an answering service,” Ian commented.

A garbled voice followed the message.

“Ian, Lila, you have 30 minutes until Haunted Hayride begins. Midnight.”

“Oh, crap.” Lila looked at her watch. “It’s the thirteenth. I totally forgot.” She grabbed her backpack and hauled Ian to his feet by grabbing his shirtsleeve.

“Easy,” he warned, “this is a new shirt.”

“I know. I bought it for you.” Lila smirked. “Looks mighty nice on you too.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him.

“No time for that,” Ian said in a grumpy voice, which he then spoiled by smiling.

“There’s always time for that,” Lila imitated Ian’s tone. He just shook his head.

They hurriedly left the room and raced down the hallway at top speed.

“Slow down,” Ian said, nearly panting.

“You should work out more,” Lila said critically.

“When do I have time?” Ian griped. “I’m always investigating crazy stuff like this.”

“Gotta make time for what’s important,” Lila quipped.

It was Ian’s turn to roll his eyes. “What-ever,” he said drawing out the word.

The elevator reached the parking garage and ran to the car. Pulling out, they headed for the 105 East and merged onto the 110 North where traffic slowed almost to a crawl through downtown. Lila stared out the window as she saw the Staples Center pass by and then the Die Hard building. “Check it out,” she nudged Ian. “I always love seeing that building.”

Ian grinned. “Yep, I have some pretty fond memories.” They had stayed there overnight after one of their latest overseas adventures, with the room paid for by their friend as a gift.

“Joe was a sweetheart to get us the room for a night.”

“We earned it.” Lila said grimly. ”Thailand was hell.”

“Yeah, it was.” Ian smiled reminiscently.

“Stop it.” Lila said. “I know what you’re thinking.”

“No, you don’t.” He flashed her that smile again. “Maybe later you can tell me what you think I was thinking.” He gave her a lecherous look.

Lila rolled her eyes and released a sigh of mock disgust.

They had driven about fifteen minutes up the 101 North and were nearing their exit.

“There’s Hollywood.” Lila pointed to the right.

“I see it,” Ian replied in a semi-annoyed voice.

“Barely in time.” Lila kept glancing at her watch and clutching the door pull as though she could make them go faster. They drove through the Griffith Park entrance, parked, and waded through the crowds.

After buying two tickets for the midnight ride, they seated themselves and waited to approach the Purgatory section. Once there they slid off the beaten path and made their way to an isolated corner.

It was dark and the gasps from other patrons were making Lila nervous. At least that’s what she told herself.

A hand grasped her shoulder from behind.

Halloween Surprise (pt. 11/30)

shakespeare
“I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.”
~ Shakespeare Bridge

“Gimme a moment.” Ian leaned his head against the wall and rested for a few minutes while Lila kept track on her watch.

“Ready?” she asked impatiently.

“Not quite. A minute more.”

Lila set the timer on her watch to go off in one minute and watched it intently. “Time’s up,” she said as the tinny alarm sounded.

She got to her feet and put her hand down to help Ian stand. He put his other hand against the wall to steady himself as he rose shakily.

Lila strode over to the posts and turned her head to watch him come toward her, keeping her hands hovering over the posts until he drew near. He stood directly behind her and placed his hands on top of hers. “Let’s go,” he whispered in her ear. She lowered her hands onto the posts and took a quick intake of breath as the lights once again swirled around her.

She could see what appeared to be a control room occupied by men in military uniforms. The man nearest her had a nametag that she could just make out as Петров or Petrov, and she could see a sign on the wall with the word Око written on it.

Lila started to pull her hands away from the posts, but pressure from Ian’s hands kept her palms in contact with the surface.  A few seconds later the pressure eased, and they both sank to the floor in tandem.

This time travel didn’t seem to have nearly the same negative effect on Lila. Ian still looked a bit peaked from the experience.

“What did you see?” Lila asked breathlessly.

Ian raised his hand indicating for her to pause. “Just a second,” he gasped out before scooting back to place his back against the wall. Lila joined him there and once again handed him the piece of paper and pen. He waved it away. “Cuban Missile Crisis. I could see Kennedy in his office with McNamara poring over what looked like ballistic missile photos.”

Lila perked up. “That means we traveled forward about twenty years.”

“What did you see?” Ian asked curiously.

“I think I was looking at Stanislav Petrov. He worked at the Soviet’s Oko command center and some people say he prevented a nuclear war back in 1983.”

Ian’s eyes brightened. “I remember reading about him. He monitored an early warning system that reported the U.S. had launched a missile at the Soviet Union. He assessed that it was a false alarm, and by waiting to report it may have prevented an all out retaliation by the Soviets. Amazing guy.” Ian shook his head. “Couldn’t have been easy to make that decision.”

Lila looked puzzled. “Okay, so what’s the point of this? Why are we seeing these things?”

Ian screwed up his face in an I-don’t-know expression. “Maybe we’re supposed to be averting a similar fate? Seems like a pretty strong message.” He gestured toward the posts. “Who’s controlling these things? The visions–if that’s what they are–seem pre-recorded, except that we’re seeing different things.”

The blank white wall in front of them began to seethe with colors that eventually coalesced into a pearlescent appearance. A voice spoke in what sounded like 3D audio so that the sound came first from behind them and then switched to above them, before finally reverberating from all four walls.

Halloween Surprise, pt. 8/30

stormclouds
Stormy night

“Okay, so that’s a bad thing,” Lila said halfheartedly.

“Yes, and the worst part is that we have very little time to delay the catastrophe.” Sergey pointed to Ian and Lila. “You two are familiar with things that go bump in the night and this is definitely going to be a big bump.”

“So what are we supposed to do?” Lila asked.

“We need you to go down to the research facility and spend the night there to give us a reading on the situation.”

“You want us,” Lila gestured to herself and Ian, “to spend the night at someplace that you think is the source of the next disaster of the week?”

“Exactly.”

“Sure, why not?” Lila got up from the couch and once again moved toward the door. “Can’t be worse than the place we used to live. Ghosts wandering up and down the stairs and hiding out in the attic.”

Ian nodded. “What’s the address?”

Sergey handed Lila a piece of paper on which he had written a series of numbers followed by the address of a parking garage.

“What’s this?” Lila pointed to the numbers.

“It’s the access code for the building connected to the parking garage. Take the elevator to the third floor. You’ll need to enter the first code at the elevator, and this second code at the access door to room 331. Also, you’ll need these.” Sergey produced a couple of ID badges with their names and photos.

“Awfully sure of yourself, aren’t you.” Lila commented as she tucked the badges in her handbag.

“We like to be prepared. We could only hope that such dedicated professionals would be willing to take the case and run with it.”

“Well, luckily you were right.” Lila looked at Ian. “Let’s go.”

Charlie remained by the couch and Sergey walked them to the door. “Good luck to you,” he said gravely and shook each of their hands.”

Lila walked into the stairwell and shook her head. “We are so trusting.”

“Trust, but verify,” Ian stated as he dialed his supervisor. “John, we just had a conversation… Really. You’re sure?” He hung up. “Before I even had a chance to say anything, John told me to take as much time as I need to help ‘our friends.’ Very strange.”

Lila looked down at the address with surprise. “I know this place. It’s where I did a summer internship when I was in high school.”

“You were already an intern in high school?” Ian asked incredulously. “You were a go-getter.”

“I was very advanced.” Lila grinned. “It’s a small contractor who works on special projects. They’re close enough to the Air Force Base to be convenient, but far enough away for deniability.”

They made it home quickly, then took only enough time to feed Pearson and pack up some treats and hot drinks for their evening’s adventure/sleepover.

They parked at the garage and made their way to the elevator, punching in the series of numbers given to them by Sergey. The elevator opened directly into a small room with a guard sitting at a desk. “ID’s,” he said in a bored voice.

Ian and Lila both handed over their badges and the guard buzzed them through a thick metal door.

“Ladies first.” Ian waved his hand for Lila to precede him through the door.

“Gee, thanks.” Lila said dryly.

“Hey, you wanted to do this,” Ian pointed out.

Lila led the way hesitantly through the entrance and they slowly strolled down the hallway looking for room 331.

”Smile, you’re on camera.” Ian murmured so only she could hear.

“I know,” Lila smiled. “I saw the display on the guard’s desk.”

Finally reaching the door, Lila entered the code and received a red flash on the keypad. Trying the door, it refused to open. “What the…” she began to gripe.

“Try it again,” Ian encouraged her. “Breathe.”

Lila once again pushed the series of keys and this time the small keypad light flashed green and unlocked with an audible click. Lila pulled down the handle sharply and pushed open the heavy door.

Halloween Surprise, pt. 7/30

ahead
What lies ahead…

Gently dragging the pistol from its holster, Lila glided it down Ian’s back and smoothly pulled it up in one motion to aim at Charlie.

“I think we’ll be going now. Not that it hasn’t been tons of fun.” Lila said lightly.

“Wait,” the man said. He put down his weapon and held up his hands as if to show he was harmless. “There is something I must show you before you go.” He gestured to the back of the apartment where the bedrooms lay.

“Oh, no. I’m not falling for the old ‘check out my etchings’ routine. If they were so great you’d have them hanging in the front room.” Lila began edging back toward the front door until she backed into something solid. Looking up, way up, she saw the man pictured on the dosimeter. “Sergey?” She looked accusing at Charlie. “I thought you said he was dead.”

“No, I said he was one of our best employees,” Charlie reminded her.

“Fair enough.” Lila agreed. “Still, that doesn’t explain what he’s doing here. What’s really going on?” She directed the final question to Sergey and passed the pistol to Ian who had moved to her right. He held it loosely in his hand, prepared to use it if necessary.

Sergey moved around her left and sat on the armchair kitty corner to the couch. “Lila, you’ve heard rumors about the experiments at El Segundo. I heard you say that while I was waiting in the kitchen.” He grinned suddenly. “I really was going to bring dessert, by the way.”

Lila looked cautiously toward the kitchen area. “What, bullet surprise, or perhaps brownies a la Chernobyl?”

“Tiramisu, actually.” Sergey motioned. “I can get it if you’d like.”

“Let’s hear what’s really going on,” Ian said. “Then we’ll decide if we’re playing along.”

“You are familiar with the concept of world line?” Sergey looked expectantly at Lila.

She nodded. “Spacetime, which is divided into the future, past, and what we think is now, but can actually be the past. Like if we’re standing there staring at the sun, we’re actually seeing it as it was eight minutes ago because light takes time to travel.”

“Correct.” Sergey nodded. “We think we may have found a point in spacetime where we are able to see images from the future, but they are very,” he paused, “disturbing.”

“Disturbing how?” Lila pushed for details.

“Like Fukushima,” Sergey said, referring to the nuclear reactor disaster that occurred in Japan. “Only 100 times greater.”

Halloween Surprise, pt. 6/30

adventure_sunset1
As the sun sets, the adventure begins.

“Sweet.” Ian said. He held out his hand for the Slinky-key as Lila had mentally dubbed it.

He examined both parts of the key and snapped off the key part from the bottom half of the Slinky. Inserting it into the entrance lock, Ian opened the door and they began walking up the hallway to the elevator.

After arriving at the third floor with a quiet ding from the elevator, Lila cautiously poked her head out and tugged Ian’s arm to get him to walk with her to the stairwell. “Remind me again why we’re walking up from the third floor instead of taking the elevator.”

She looked at Ian for clarification.

“Because it’s far easier for people to wait outside the elevator doors since they would expect us to come up that way instead of walking.”

“What people?” Lila asked in a frustrated tone of voice. “We still don’t know who’s behind this. If it were in the Soviet days, then I wouldn’t be surprised to see our comrade KGB friends waiting inside the door for us.”

They paused outside Room 432 and Ian once again snapped off a key-containing piece of plastic from the upper part of the Slinky. “Pretty handy, actually.” He murmured. “I’ll have to remember this if I ever have to hide a key in plain sight. Who‘d ‘a’ ‘thunk’ it.” He joked to break the tension.

Ian motioned for Lila to stand on the hinge side of the door and he bent low as he inserted the key into the lock and turned to knob. Pushing the door open slowly, he kept to the side. “Welcome.” They heard the voice and immediately recognized it was the box delivery person from the restaurant.

Lila and Ian looked at each other warily. “To quote you, WTF.” Lila said so only Ian could hear.

“Come inside,” The dark haired man – Charlie, as Lila had nicknamed him – motioned them to have a seat on the plush couch. They eyed him guardedly and took a seat next to each other, but not too close in case they needed to separately dive for the door.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why you’re here. By the way, good job on figuring out the key. I’d heard from some friends that you were skilled at your jobs, and now I know they were not lying.” He spoke with a slight Central or Eastern European accent. “You do not need to know who I am, but I certainly know who you are. Your exploits are well known in my field.”

“And that would be?” Ian lifted an eyebrow.

“That is for me to know…” The corner of the man’s mouth turned up in a small smile.

“And us to find out.” Lila finished for him. “You have us at a disadvantage. Perhaps you could fill us in.” She pointedly looked at her watch. “After all, as you say, we are such well known and busy people.”

“All in good time,” the man replied.

Lila barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes. This whole evening was turning into a bad 1960’s spy flick.

“So what’s with the dosimeters,” she said crisply.

“What if I were to tell you that Fukushima is not the only radiation leak going on right now.”

Lila began to look interested. “I would say that I’m not surprised.”

“That is good because it is so.” Charlie paused, “I know Ian has worked with nuclear disarmament, and that you have a stellar record in the science world.” He addressed the last half of the sentence to Lila. She waited for the other shoe to drop.

“And?” She once again prompted him impatiently.

“As you know, the Los Angeles area has become quite a hub for the space industry. While this brings lucrative contracts, it also presents opportunities for those wishing to push the limits of science.”

Lila began to look interested. “Are you referring to El Segundo?”

“You are good,” Charlie praised. “Yes, there’s been quite a lot of research into the space time continuum.”

“You’re talking ‘Beam me up, Scotty’ stuff?” Ian asked mockingly.

Lila gave him a reproving look.

“What? We’ve already got the shirts.” Ian said innocently.

Charlie continued. “There’s been a mishap at one of the research facilities that has led to unintended consequences.”

“People died, you mean.” Ian said tightly.

‘Unfortunately, yes.” The man looked aggrieved. “Sergey and Anna were two of our best employees.”

“I’m really not interested in getting involved with Russian security services,” Ian stated flatly.

“This is a special case,” Charlie spread his hands beseechingly. “Your employers detailed you to us on special assignment.”

Ian looked skeptical. “And why wouldn’t they have communicated that to us directly? Why all the cloak and dagger stuff?”

“It’s a delicate situation, as I’m sure you understand.”

“Screw this.” Ian stood to leave.

The man pulled out a small 9 mm pistol. “Please, stay for dessert.”

“Perhaps we’ll stay a bit longer.” Lila tugged at Ian’s sleeve and pulled him down beside her on the couch. She slid her arm underneath his jacket around his waist and placed her hand over the holster strapped to his back.