White Light
Halloween Surprise (pt. 16/30)
They left the park and drove back to their condo where they parked their car. Lila stuffed her favorite black non-wrinkling travel clothes into a carryon, and Ian threw into his backpack some sub zero cold weather parkas that folded down into small packets, along with warm socks and thermal underwear.
“You’re packing like we’re headed to the Arctic,” Lila commented.
“We are,” Ian pointed out, “we’ll be north of the Arctic Circle in Bilibino.” He checked a phone app to look up the local temperature. “Today the high temperature is, dum, dum, dum, five degrees, with a low of minus 4 degrees.”
“Holy…” Lila’s mouth dropped open. “We’re going to need a whole lot more winter gear than that!” She pointed at the backpacks.
“Well, this is all we have time for, and if they want us to be prepared, they’re gonna have to provide it or we’ll buy it once we get there. I’m sure they stock clothing suitable for the weather there in the area.”
“I am never moving from Los Angeles,” Lila said determinedly. She looked at her phone app and quoted the day’s temperatures. “84 degrees for the high, and a low of 58. I love this place,” she said with conviction.
“I know, I’ve heard you say that often enough,” Ian laughed. “Let’s go. We’re heading out now.”
As they were walking over to the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, Ian received a text on his cell phone. “Top floor. Go now.”
They picked up their pace, quickly entering the hospital and taking the elevator to the top floor.
“I’m glad we’re flying out of here, instead of flying in,” Ian said grimly.
Lila nodded in agreement.
A man wearing a yellow vest met them at the top and addressed them in turn. “Ian? Lila?”
“That’s us,” Lila yelled over the pounding noise from the waiting helicopter.
“ID?” the vest wearing man continued.
Ian and Lila dug out their passports to show him.
He motioned for them to get on the helicopter.
As they ducked and raced to enter the passenger seats, Lila called out, “It’s really loud!”
“What?”
“I said it’s really loud!” Lila shouted again.
Ian shook his head. “Can’t hear you,” he mouthed.
They seated themselves and strapped in, gazing out in awe at the city lights beneath them.
Lila grinned. “This is so awesome. I love flying at night!”
Ian looked a bit grim. “Bad memories from my last night flight,” he mumbled.
Lila could barely hear him. “Baghdad?”
“Medevac over the Euphrates. Cool view of the river, but less than desirable circumstances.”
They traveled in silence to the airport where they flew high over the runways before making a pinnacle landing in a steep descent onto the LAX west helipad. Before they exited the helicopter, the pilot turned to give them a set of tickets. Lila clutched them in her hands as they raced underneath the whirling blades of the helicopter.
They slowed to a walk and Lila eagerly tore into the ticket envelopes.
Ian laughed. “You’re like the announcer on the Miss World contest opening the winning envelope.”
“Well, the winner is… nonstop to Moscow, flight to Magadan,” Lila’s eyes lit up. “Hey, that’s where Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman went in Long Way Round.”
“And then?” Ian asked patiently.
“Then a flight to Keperveyem Airport.” Lila’s eyes sparkled.
Halloween Surprise (pt. 15/30)
“You were talking with him. He is still able to converse in his current form.”
“But… he’s dead.” Lila said incredulously.
“Well, yes, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t able to converse with others. It is true he vibrates on a higher level than most – but not all – people. People such as yourselves will be able to see him, as you are more sensitive than others.”
The voice directed the following comment toward both Ian and Lila. “That was one of your tests, when you were able to interact with him at the Trianon. It shows that you are two of those people who have that ability.”
“Great,” Lila muttered, “just what I needed to have, the gift to see – what do you call him?”
“He is an entity, as are we. There is no reason that energy has to disappear, it simply changes form, as your Einstein so sagely wrote. Matter may convert to energy, but the energy is not lost, it has simply changed form. This is what has happened with Sergey.”
“And us, someday,” Lila mused. “In a way it’s nice to know that I may be spooking some people in the future.” She grinned unrepentantly. “I know a few people I’d like to haunt.”
“They will not be able to hear you, but perhaps will sense a tiny bit of disruption around them, unless they are as you are – sensitive to interaction with others.”
“I guess that’s a good thing,” Lila said hesitantly.
“It is most definitely for us. Now let us plan for how you will prevent this potential nuclear holocaust”
Ian interrupted the voice – was it one person or all of them speaking? – to ask cynically, “What is your stake in all of this? Why do you care?”
“We have a vested interest in what goes on here on this planet as we are currently home based here. The ecology is already dire in places like the ocean surrounding Japan, but the possible nuclear meltdown in this location in the Chuvan Mountains is very near our headquarters. There is almost no traffic or disturbances in this area as it is only accessible through an ice road in the winter. It is ideal for our,” the voice paused, “studies.”
“What kind of studies are you doing?” Lila asked suspiciously, thinking about how aliens used humans as a food supply on the 1980s TV show V.
“We gain energy through processing the output of human emotions. It is a simple and harmless technique we use.”
Lila snorted. “Like what, sucking their brain waves from their skulls?”
“Nothing so drastic. We are also conducting further research in the laboratory where you were at this evening. It was useful to see how you interacted so easily with the interface. You are truly gifted.”
“Okay, down to basics.” Ian interrupted. “We need to figure out how, if a crisis is looming on the horizon, we are going to get from here to there.”
“There will be a helicopter waiting for you at the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital helipad.”
Lila nodded. “That’s near where we live.”
“Where to from there?” Ian asked skeptically. “It’s a long way from here to Vladivostok, or at least the nearest airport to Bilibino.”
“You are correct. There is a rough road leading from Keperveyem Airport to Bilibino. You will take it one leg of the journey at a time and we will provide tickets along the way.”
“What about food?” Lila demanded. “I’m not going hungry.”
“You will be supplied as needed. Return to the upper level now.” One of the entities waved its hand and Ian and Lila were drawn against their will back to the tree where they found themselves once again standing.
“Hell of a ride.” Ian beamed.
Lila nodded grimly. “But what will tomorrow bring? And what will we find in Bilibino?”
Flower Shadow
Halloween Surprise (pt. 14/30)
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)
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.
Small, But Beautiful
Halloween Surprise, (pt. 12/30)
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.
Flower
Halloween Surprise (pt. 11/30)
~ 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.