Day Twenty ∞ Wednesday
"IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, you'll want to make a phone call before leaving. Eh, Mister McGahn?"
Danny snapped up his gaze to meet Kruger's across the table, swallowed and nodded.
"Then we'll take care of that after lunch." Kruger's eyes wrinkled above his bobbing mustache.
Relief released Danny's chest. "Thanks."
"Anybody else? Miss Wamba? Miss Aave?" Kruger looked around their half of the table. "Mister... ah... Atlas?"
Danny barely noticed the negative responses as he put a forkful of baked potato and chicken in his mouth. He couldn't tell Gina he'd literally be going to the moon. Would he ever be able to tell her about the mission? How could he tell her that there was a risk that he might not return? It wasn't like he was going to war where the uncertainty was a given... and not a secret.
Even life is uncertain, he reminded himself. He'd already lived through that when the motorcycle accident put him in hospital five years ago. At least he'd have two months to prepare his sister for his plan to follow Mickmi into a future world dimension... And Mom? He'd have to make up another cover story for her. She'll never understand. No... in Mickmi's book, not lying was preferable. Either way, it would be difficult. He drew a deep breath.
—This mission will go well. Mickmi rested her hand on his arm again. We will make sure of it.
He squeezed her hand. —Yeah, we will. Then he focused on his plate, determined to feed the monster in his stomach before it got loudmouthed.
"Mister McGahn," Bogdanov said when Danny had only one forkful left to go, "tell me..."
Danny looked up, surprised at the dark-haired scientist addressing him directly.
"I can't help but thinking... that something's changed about you since yesterday. You seem more knowledgeable... in tune with aspects of Miroshka's—how should I say it?—world? Did she share an experience with you... like she did with me?"
"Aah..." Danny hesitated. A library wasn't part of his dreamscape experience. He wasn't sure what he would call it.
"If you don't mind me asking."
"No, it's okay. It... was something similar."
Bogdanov nodded. "It's an amazing experience. Very personal, l understand."
Danny's ears heated up under his hair as he felt curious eyes on him. Especially from Atlas who shifted in his chair beside him and leaned back.
"I can't help but envy you," Bogdanov continued. "You'll have many opportunities."
The door opened and an unfamiliar man dressed in short-sleeved military uniform entered and spotted Kruger.
"Doctor Kruger." He approached the table. "Major Kerr asked me to let you know, a helicopter will be ready to take the guests at 1330 hours. He will meet them at Hangar 3."
"Thank you," Kruger replied and checked his watch as the soldier nodded at the others and left. "Well, ladies, gentlemen, I'm afraid our time together is drawing to a close."
Chairs scraped at the other end of the table as the pilots got up.
"We'll get our bags from our quarters and meet you at H3." Eckstein came around the table with his package under the arm as the rest of them rose. "Miss Wamba, we'll wear the suits for takeoff."
Mickmi nodded. "Thank you, gentlemen."
"Let's go, boys."
Danny retrieved his suit pouch from where he'd left it on a side table and exited through the door Bogdanov held open for them. He found two guards waiting outside.
"Thank you for allowing me to— for sharing that experience with me," Bogdanov proffered his hand as Mickmi approached.
"You are welcome." Smiling, she took his hand, and he put his other on top with a fond squeeze.
"I look forward to your successful return. Good luck, Miroshka... Good luck, all." He shook hands with Selina and Atlas as they passed through the door, then turned to shake hands with Danny. "You make sure to bring them back safely."
"Definitely." Danny glanced at Atlas, not feeling as certain as he sounded.
Once again, Kruger led the way in silence. Danny walked beside Mickmi, followed by Atlas and Selina. The two guards took up the rear. Danny found himself mapping their route. As they stopped at a security checkpoint that looked the same as most other checkpoints he'd been through in this place, he guessed—felt—they would take left and two more turns before hitting the elevator to the last stretch to their rooms. He was right. They made one stop on the way as Kruger disappeared into an office and returned with a telephone set before they entered the familiar, polished corridor.
Danny was sure that the rooms would surprise Atlas. The man had no idea what had happened these past few days. At least, he should know one thing. Dropping back, he fell in step with Atlas.
"Apoc," Danny said quietly, "he's dead."
Atlas shot a glance at him, at Selina on his left, then stared straight ahead at Mickmi, his eye crinkling.
"No, no, one of their people did it."
Atlas studied him out of the corner of his eye, then nodded without a word.
The guards stationed themselves on either side of the three entrances as Kruger held the middle one open for the group to enter room "307". He looked at his watch when the door closed behind them.
"It's five to one so you have twenty minutes to relax, freshen up."
Selina sat down in one of the leather couches while Atlas stopped in the center of the room, casting his gaze around.
"Mister McGahn," Kruger continued, "I'll set up the phone for you next door, so you can have some modicum of privacy. Just be reminded not to speak of the nature of your location or activities here, nor the mission. These are strictly top secret. And remember, your call will be monitored... as everything is here."
Right... "I will, thanks."
Mickmi approached Atlas. "Perhaps you would like to take the opportunity to freshen up before we leave."
He grunted. "Had I known you'd be accommodated like royalty, I would've brought change of clothes with me."
"I shall arrange—"
Danny didn't hear any more as he followed Kruger into the room Selina used last night. He watched him unlock a socket next to a small desk and plug in the phone cable.
"The number?" Kruger dialed the digits as Danny said them and waited. "Yes, thank you." Another pause. "Ah, it's ringing. Here you are." He handed Danny the receiver. "I'll be back for you all in twenty."
"Thanks."
Kruger pulled the door shut as Danny put the receiver to his ear. The phone at the other end rang several times.
Maybe they've gone out. What day is it anyway? Wednesday? It felt like he'd been underground a very long time, yet it couldn't have been more than two, three days. It was difficult to tell when not being able to see the progression of day and night outside.
It looked like he'd have to leave a message on the answering machine. A furrow deepened between his brows. He hadn't planned for that. By the next ring, it would pick up.
"Hello?"
Relieved to hear Gina's breathless voice, he opened his mouth to reply but nothing came out.
"Dan? Is that you?"
He sank down on the chair. "Yeah."
"I'm so glad I caught you—I was just in the darkroom developing the photos from the Spectacular. You guys look beautiful together, you know. Are you okay? And Mickmi?"
"I should be asking you that," he said, chuckling. "We're fine."
"All's well here. Mom decided to go back to work, and Phil was called in on an emergency. But he'll be back later. I have Zorro keeping me company. He won't let me out of his sight."
A chunk of the worry-weight broke off from his shoulders, dissipating. Good dog. "So Mom's letting him past the kitchen?"
"She doesn't seem to mind anymore."
It didn't surprise him after whatever nightmare they'd been through. "How is she?"
"Better, I think. At least, she hasn't had any more of those migraines. She's preoccupied with planning something for you, by the way. Like a reception or something."
Danny groaned. "Oh, please. Could you get those ideas out of her head?"
"l can only try, not promise." It was her turn to chuckle.
They fell silent for a while. He imagined Zorro lying at his sister's feet, attentive to every word of their conversation. Not as disconcerting as knowing a batch of security personnel were tapping the phone and watching him from a camera somewhere up on the wall.
"So what are you guys up to?"
"Well... we're about to go on a trip—that's why I called. I won't have access to a phone for a few days. Maybe up to a week, I'm not sure. I just don't want you to worry, not hearing from me."
"Camping under the stars?"
"Yeah... Under the stars." That was the closest to the truth he'd be able to tell her. At least for now. Would she get that?
"It's been a while since you've done that."
"Yeah... It's been a while."
Another pause. It felt like his sister did get it wasn't a regular camping trip.
"Well then, you two enjoy yourselves."
Danny sat back in the chair after ending the call, pensive. Mickmi seemed confident that all would go well. But if it didn't, then his family would never know. They'd keep wondering when he'd return home. If he could arrange to get a message to them—just in case.
He opened the single drawer in the desk. Yes! He grabbed the pen and tore a sheet from the notepad he found. Thinking he could ask Doctor Kruger, he printed his home number and Gina's name on it. Then he slid the folded paper into his pants pocket and opened the adjoining door.
Mickmi and Selina rose from the couch as he entered.
"It is not necessary." Mickmi met him halfway. "Blanc Aave is not bound by human mortality. Should the unlikely occasion arise, she will attend to your family."
"Oh... okay."
She took his hands as Selina approached.
"You have my word, Daniel." Selina paused next to them and dipped her head as she held his gaze. "Should the occasion arise, I shall."
Danny nodded his appreciation, swallowing.
Selina turned to Mickmi. "If you would excuse me, my Queen."
As the door closed, Mickmi regarded him. "You are... a little nervous. Are you not?"
"Yeah. And excited too." He pressed his forehead against hers. "Who wouldn't be? I'm just a regular Joe and I'm... I'm going to the moon. Who hasn't dreamt of doing that? I mean, I was— I must've been about eleven or so when Apollo 11 made it. Anybody who's watched that will never forget, 'The Eagle has landed,' and that... that first small step for man."
"Then... let us ensure you have your chance," she whispered with her lips moving against his.
He wrapped his arms around her, absorbing her calm as they shared a long, soft kiss. Too soon, a rap sounded from the opposite adjoining door. Sighing, Danny pulled back but kept his arm around her shoulders.
"Come in," she said, smiling wistfully at him.
A freshly shaved Atlas entered, wearing the sleek spacesuit again. Dropping his seabag on the floor, he held up his gray boxers.
"What happened to my underwear?"
Danny chuckled. "So you've been victim of the nanobot laundry too?"
Atlas's face contorted. "What?"
"Please, forgive me," Mickmi freed herself from Danny and approached Atlas, "for not advising you first. It is best to minimize the chance of contamination as we travel in space."
"Nanobot laundry?" He stared at her for a few seconds. Then he shook his head, muttering as he rolled up the garment and stuffed in his bag. "Okay," he said as he straightened himself, "better get rid of this. Don't want those people getting ideas about how I got past security with what I've got in there."
"I shall have it returned to my vessel."
Danny pulled out his suit and headed for the bathroom to change as the olive drab bag dissolved into thin air.
∞
"Well," Kruger said as he collected the last visitor pass from Danny and handed them to the security, "it's my turn to bid you farewell. Good luck." Kruger shook hands with each of them. "Thank you for spending time with us, Miss Wamba. I do hope we'll have more opportunities to learn about you and your world."
A guard pressed a code on a security panel and opened the metal door. On the other side stood two more guards.
"Please follow me," one of them said. "No straying and eyes straight ahead."
No looking around. Right. It was the second time today Danny had heard that order. He didn't see what the big deal was. This was the same hangar where they'd selected from the group of volunteers, with the same strange-looking, dark gray fighter plane being worked on in the far corner. But he did as he was told.
Now escorted by two guards in front and two behind, they crossed the hangar to join the suited men standing at ease with their seabags at their feet before Major Kerr. The guards positioned themselves facing outward in each direction. Danny guessed they were there to ensure nobody would try to stop them from going on the mission.
I wonder if Mister Gray is watching. It wouldn't surprise him.
Kerr turned to Mickmi.
"Major Kerr," she said before he could speak, "my sister has confirmed our vessels are ready for departure. However, her travel companion was detained by your people this morning. We can not leave on the mission until he is brought to us."
"I have not been informed of this." Kerr frowned. "Is he part of the mission?"
"He is her travel companion, and we shall not leave until he is brought to meet us at our vessels." Mickmi paused as she communicated internally. "His name is Jagg Johnson."
"I'll have to make a few calls. Excuse me."
∞
To Danny's disappointment, there were no windows for him to look through. Now that his fear of dizzying heights had somehow evaporated, they had to be assigned a military transport helicopter without a view. Only Major Kerr had access where he sat behind the pilot. It didn't stop Danny from utilizing his newfound navigational abilities as they lifted into the sky and rotated to take off in a northwesterly direction.
A half-hour later, the group of eight entered the bubble shield surrounding the two gray, shimmering ships. Danny halted next to Atlas and the four volunteers as Mickmi and Selina approached Lora and Artemae at the foot of Deymos' ramp. Both dipped their heads in respect but Lora's expression was tense.
"We shall soon have an answer," Mickmi said. She turned to watch Kerr enter the improvised command post to speak to one of Apocalypse's men.
Soon the rumble of an engine grew louder from the direction where Danny and Mickmi had been taken just two days ago. Danny stood straight with hands clasped behind him, stemming his urge to take a closer look. He wasn't about to give Mickmi—or Selina—a reason to regret inviting him on the mission, nor to make a fool of himself in front of Atlas and the volunteer pilots. He was painfully aware of his obvious lack of training.
A jeep pulled up outside the perimeter, and Major Kerr met the three men entering the camp. It wasn't until they approached the shield that Danny recognized the black man in the middle wearing a dirty, white shirt.
The man who'd threatened them at the bank during the heist.
This time his hands were cuffed in front of him, a bandage wrapped around his head, and several cuts and welts on his face. Despite his slight limp, he walked with confidence, casting a watchful gaze around before spotting Lora.
"Release him," Kerr said as they reached the open shield.
"I want my jacket back," Jagg said evenly as one of the guards removed the handcuffs.
Kerr jerked his chin at the other guard, then at the shield, looking at Jagg. Jagg strode inside, briefly studying vessels and the men before his gaze locked with Danny's. He lifted a brow in surprise as he passed, and stopped a few paces in front of the four ladies.
"Looks like you made it in time, nuh?"
"I am sorry." Lora's brows contracted as she eyed his wounds. "I meant not for you to get—"
"This is nothing." Jagg shrugged. "Just go do what you need to do. I'll wait right here."
"I'm afraid that's not possible." Major Kerr strode up to them. "This is a restricted area. You'll be escorted back to where you came from." Another man tossed the leather jacket to Jagg.
"I'm not going anywhere 'til she comes back."
"Then you'll be returned to holding."
Jagg snorted. "That dungeon? Nah, I've seen better."
"You have three choices. Either leave the area or stay and be detained... or you're part of the mission."
"What's the mission?"
Mickmi opened her mouth to reply but Kerr interrupted her. "Ma'am, due to the highly classified nature of this mission, you will not speak of the details unless this man is confirmed a part of it, and not while in the presence of observers."
Several seconds of silence passed as Mickmi exchanged glances with Selina, Lora, and Artemae. Eventually, Mickmi stepped in front of Jagg.
"Jagger Johnson. Are you willing – to participate in our mission – as a volunteer? Risks – are – involved."
"What risks?"
"Risks to life."
Jagg stared at her, at Lora, then turned to study Danny and the men. His gaze returned to Danny's. "And you're going," Jagg stated.
Danny automatically stretched his spine. "Yeah."
"Time is running short, my Queen," Artemae said. "It's—" She clamped her mouth.
"O... kay." Jagg rubbed his chin, contemplating as his gaze scanned the hull of Mickmi's ship. "Okay," he nodded slowly, "I'm in."
— ∞ —
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