We madeit to the Lab.It was totally in shambles.Broken beakers, glasses, and other equipment were strewn everywhere.Some interns were sweeping up some broken glass here and there.Dr.Kaz was leaning against a far open window, smoking a cigarette and staring into the distance.
In the next room, through an open door, a slice in the air like an oval pointed at the top, and the bottom was hovering.I could see misty orange energy flowing through it as if electricity moving through a series of open circuits.
“Dr.Kaz,” I said.
“Ah, Stacey.Summoned at last,” Dr.Kaz said.
“Did Clemenza explain herself?”
“No,” Dr.Kaz said.“She just said they didn’t understand—that none of us understood—and she activated the Dragon’s Eye in the next room after setting up a barrier.When she crossed over, the barrier fell, and they each decided they would go in rounds.”
“No word yet?”Brynholf asked, behind me.
“None, other than the initial ransom note,” Dr.Kaz said.She stubbed the cigarette out on the windowsill and sighed, frustrated.“This is ridiculous.If I’d had my druthers about me, I would have set up a two-way Communique incantation so we could hear what was going on.”
“Would that still be tenable?”Brother Al asked.
Dr.Kaz nodded.
“I’d prefer someone with more experience to head into this place, but I’m afraid Clemenza has more experience with interplanal travel than I ever gave her credit for.She’s keyed the Dragon’s Eye so that only Stacey can enter.Or someone with her general biological makeup.”
Something was sticking in my craw about all this.
“Why do you think she did all this?”I asked.
“Knowing her?”Dr.Kaz asked.“Clemenza has a good heart, but she’s very superstitious.I wonder how much whispers of The Imperium reviving has infected her sense of wonder.I still don’t see the point in distributing whatever rancid rot she was.”
“I don’t know what I can do when I’m in there,” I said.“I don’t want to go blind.”
“The Two-way Communique should allow us to communicate, yes?”Brother Al asked.
Dr.Kaz nodded.
“The topography of Topside is nonlinear, and non-spatial,” Dr.Kaz said.“Different areas have different rules.Generally speaking, thoughts are your most powerful weapon when you’re there.How good are you at Meditation?”
“Uhh…”
“Visualization?”
“Mmmmmm…”
“Can you obsess over an idea at will?”
“Well…”
Dr.Kaz closed her eyes and sighed.
“Well, you’re going to be toast,” she said.“Look.Real quick.Mind control is the most powerful weapon you can use in your arsenal.I want you to think about the thing that gives you the most happiness in the world.”
“Should I say it out loud?”
“No,” Dr.Kaz said.“Just think about it.What do you see when you bring it up?When you think about it?Do you see anything?How do you process it?”
“I’m seeing an iced coffee,” I said.“It’s the old kind I used to get.”
“You’re sick,” one of the interns said.
“I have a problem, I know,” I said.“I’m seeing a Starry-Eyes Sundae Frapp.It’s… okay.Plastic container.A straw.Half vanilla, half chocolate, two scoops of powder.It tastes like I imagine eighth grade tastes.”
