Chapter 55 Wallace’s Warning
Our waking
life's desire to shape the world to our convenience invites all manner of
paradox and difficulty. – Cormas McCarhty
I know the
ways of the Powers, but I do not know how Thought spreads through them. I know
that Truth is in Thought, but I do not know its parts.- Moses
Barry
was sitting there watching intently as Marie ate.
“Is
that really necessary?” she asked.
“What?”
“Staring
at me while I eat?”
“Oh,
sorry, I wasn’t really staring, I was just…what’s the word? I just happened to be staring in your
direction.”
She
took another bite of her toast, when Dutchie came running into the room,
panting and out of breath. He took a moment to compose himself before speaking,
“You two better come back down to the Freezer, Dr. Jenkins has called all hands
on deck.”
“Why?”
asked Barry, “What’s going on?
“We’re
having a video chat with Wally, and before he says anything, he wants you two
to be there, so the Boss sent me up here to fetch you both, STAT.”
Marie
quickly downed her coffee, and stood up from the table, before Barry had
moved. “Let’s go,” she said.
Everyone
was gathered around the large computer screen in the Freezer room. On the screen a refreshed and calm looking
Wallace Patel appeared with a mildly impatient expression adorning his
features.
“About
time,” his voice came over the speaker.
“What were you two up to, anyway?”
His attention was directed only at Barry. “I’m sure it’s a personal
matter, in any case, you are not obliged to tell me. But, I wanted you two to here this, even more
that I wanted Stan and Jenkins to.”
“Yeah,”
said Barry, trying to sound bored.
“How’s
the head, Barry? Sorry about the nasty
thump I gave you with my gun handle, but you know how it is.”
“It’s
fine, Wally. How’s the jaw?”
“Completely
healed, my Masters can heal all ailments in seconds.”
“And
I assume you weaseled your way out of police custody with their help as well?”
“Correct,
we control the local constabulary at this time.
It was a mere formality, the escorted me to the station, I relayed them
orders, no paper work filed. It’s nice
to own the police. I see why your
criminals like to do it.”
Stan
had gotten impatient, “What the hell is this about, Patel?”
“Ah,
dear Stan, still can’t control yourself, I see.
Rian, you should leash your dog.
And you…” He directed his gaze through the screen right at Marie, “How
was your trip, Marie? Go anywhere fun? Or did you just make the safe trip and have a
quick visit with the old hippy?”
Marie
didn’t say anything.
“Cat
got your tongue, my dear?” Patel chuckled, as if this was quite humorous.
She
glared back at the screen.
“Well,”
the image on the computer continued, “You seem none the worse for wear. But it was your first trip, so I offer you
Our congratulations. Next time, perhaps
you’ll visit another of Our worlds. We
look forward to meeting you in person.
That said,” He directed his attention over the whole group. “We are hoping there won’t be a next
time. And We are prepared to make you an
offer along those lines.”
“What
do you have to offer us?” said Rian Jenkins sternly and tersely, “And why
should we trust anything you have to say?”
“Look!
He speaks! Will wonders never cease. I don’t think I heard you say that many words
in my four years working under you, Rian.” Patel laughed again at his own
humor.
“We
are prepared to offer you your lives, and We are even prepared to allow you to
continue your work with the Freezer and Mawacky. We only ask that you discontinue working with
the Egg and with her.” Here he pointed at Marie. “Other versions of your gang of misfit
scientists have already mucked up the Multiverse enough. We are drawing a line here. It ends now.
Or you do.”
“Brave
words,” Stan nearly shouted, “We have you blocked from the mountain…you can’t
touch us here.”
“Can’t
we? If you continue with your
experiments, you’ll find out exactly what We are capable of. If you continue your present course, you will
all die horrible, painful deaths. And,
I’ll remind you…you all have family’s that aren’t on your mountain, or most of
you do. We will torture them to death
first, and then we will storm your mountain and your castle, and make you pray
for death. We will take you to the very
edge of it, heal you, and do it again and again…forever. This is Our warning. I recommend you heed it. Discontinue your work with the Egg, and send
our Ms. Brabant from your fortress of ineptitude by…well…what is it Monday…by
Wednesday…or We will come and get her Ourselves, and make your lives hell
itself for all eternity. Have a nice
day.”
And
with that, the screen went blank.
copyright 2017 Diana Hignutt
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