Chapter 3. Inconceivable

Evangeline waited in fathers office. The hand of the huge brass wall clock moved so slowly she had to check it was still working. Father was behind his desk, working through a large stack of paperwork. Even though parliament mostly ran the country, and the monarchy’s power was waning. There were still protocols that the king had to approve this or veto that.

Much of their power was financial. The royal family owned the land that the capital city of Londinium was sprawled over. Thousands of acres of farmland, miles of prime coasts, you name it their family owned it. A branch of the family over saw the lands, another took care of finances, yet another took care of everything political…this was her part of the family.

As she sat musing there was a soft knock, at her fathers gruff “enter”, Dr Grawffe came in. Seeing Evangeline he half bowed to her and then the king, “Your majesty, your highness, good afternoon.”.

After being seated Dr Grawffe opened his briefcase and too out a large folder. “This is the sum of our knowledge about the Khowri, the beings that contacted us. How we first made contact, meetings, photographs, a brief synopsis of their society.”, he set the folder in front of Evangeline.

Her father saw the look she gave it, and winked at her. “I think perhaps you could give us a presentation, pretend we are your students.”. The dr clapped his hands, “what a capital idea, I loved giving reports at school.”. Of course you did, thought Evangeline. To have become one of the most respected scientists at his age…he must have been quite the swot.

She could see her father was having a bit of fun with the eager young man, but was looking forward to his talk

He stood on front of the fireplace and began to speak. “We found an artifact on the island of Fariff, at the Skara Brae dig. As you know that is the oldest ruins found in all of Albion. Our people lived there thousands of years ago then suddenly it was destroyed and it’s people scattered.”.

He took a sip of water and continued. “It was thought a natural disaster took the village and surroundings, until earlier this year. In a deep cavern below the village a metal ring was found. The workmanship was far beyond what was normal for the age. Also it was slightly damaged, with a long gash on one side. This revealed what are called circuits.”. He opened the folder and took out a picture of several men standing beside a large metal ring, about 20 feet in diameter.

She could see the damaged portion in the picture, and noticed one of the men beside the ring was Dr Grawffe.

He continued. “We realized this was an important find and had the device brought to Hereford university. Many many specialists examined it. Metallurgical tests showed the metal was not from this planet. Dating experts decided its age was anywhere between newly made and ten thousand years..”.

A slight laugh from the king “not very helpful was it?”. “No it wasn’t.”, replied the doctor. “It was only when an electrical engineer took a closer look and decided, on his own authority, to put power to it.”. Grawffe shuddered slightly.

“It was late at night with a skeleton crew who he decided to do his test. He hooked the device to a generator and modulated the power going in, various wattage, amperage, voltage and so on. Nothing happened for hours, but then he got the correct power.”.

Looking back…..

The device was doing nothing, as Scott turned the dials to change the power output. He had been at this this for a couple of hours and was beginning to think it was pointless. The artifact was as dead as the day they brought it to this secure lab.

A hum broke his train of thought. A flash of electricity danced over the surface of the ring. With a mighty snap, it rose to a standing position. Four stabilizers popped out and embedded them selves into the concrete floor. A mist was forming over the opening of the ring, swirling on a circle, faster and faster until….it flattened into a steady image.

A primitive city, composed of various sized pyramids and ziggurats. Beings of all kinds were moving through the streets, hard to make out. Large, small and in between. In the sky hung airships or aircraft or some kind. To Scott’s eyes it looked like a movie. A blue sky, with clouds of white, sand dunes visible in the distance.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

Al alarm sounding told Scott his efforts had been noticed. A clatter of feet told him the other specialists had run for cover. Turning away from the ring he found himself alone in the lab. The viewing ports above the walls were packed and he started to worry.

Looking back at the artifact he was disconcerted to see there was attention on that side of the ring also. Several things were approaching. Riding large two legged steeds that looked like small dinosaurs, if his eyes could be trusted.

They galloped up and surrounded the ring. As they dismounted he could see they wore long robes, cut open in the front to show leather and metal armour. Swords were drawn and spears readied, shields raised.

One of the figures stepped forward, sheathed its sword and removed their helm. A very human face was revealed to Scott’s relief, turning to fear when one of the other larger beings removed its helmet. Revealing what could only be described as a bear-man.

The human being spied Scott and waved, Scott of course waved back, bring the proper thing to do. He realized he was safe, here on the other end of the picture. Well he thought so, until the bear man poked his long spear at the ring, and it actually passed through.

That was it. Scott’s courage disappeared and he ran for the doors. A click from the other side, the door opened and he fell through. The door was quickly locked.

A very disappointed Sir Anthony was looking down at him. “What the devil have you done Scott?”. Too shocked to answer Scott could only point. The activity in the lab was zero. You could see through the ring, nothing was happening. The bear man had pulled his spear back and was examining the tip for damage, the human man appeared to be laughing at his companion.

A decision had to be made. As Scott cowered on the floor a slight figure stepped forward.

“Sir Anthony, we need to make contact”, said Dr Grawffe, his young face resolute, “let me and a soldier go back inside.”. Sir Anthony agreed “Hmm, good show Grawffe, good show. Take McDougall here and see if they speak the kings Albish.”.

McDougall was a towering Pictish soldier, on loan from the Pict embassy to learn from his counterparts in Albion. Wearing his native kilt today loaded down with his weapons. Rifle slung over his shoulder, a pistol on one hip and his traditional basket-hilted claymore on the other. A person not to be trifled with.

He looked at Grawffe with respect, it took courage to volunteer to go back in the lab. “Aye your lordship, I’ll accompany the lad.”, he said in a thick burr. The two took a moment to ready themselves, unlocked the door and reentered the lab.

Nothing had changed. The ring was still active and the beings were still standing near on the other side. The whine of Scott’s generator suddenly changed its steady rumble to a stutter, stutter, and off. The ring surface wavered and Grawffe could hear the human shouting something as the picture disappeared.

The ring was empty.

A flurry of activity then. The generator was disconnected quickly and where it had been connected on the ring was as quickly blocked off. Sheets of lead were formed around the gash and covered up that opening. Grawffe supposed the theory was that no signal could get through the lead.

What no one had noticed in the excitement was a small wire that had made its way through the ring from the other side. No thicker than a pencil lead, it had wormed its way over to the locked door and under it.

The present….

Dr Grawffe paused, sat in a chair by the fire for a moment and sipped his tea. The king said “I knew the rough details Dr, but no one told me of your heroism in volunteering, as Sir Anthony already said, very good show.”. “Yes indeed Dr, I don’t know what I would have done .”, added Evangeline.

“It was a spur of the moment, your majesty, your highness, if I had thought about it longer I probably wouldn’t have volunteered.”, replied Dr Grawffe. “But on with the presentation.”.

“The device was left there under 24 hour guard, no access to anyone but Sir Anthony or myself. McDougall attached himself to me as my aide and bodyguard. What a man, a history buff, avid fisherman and experienced viscous fighter. Becoming a great friend too..”.

“We found the wire that came through the ring and we think it had been transmitting the entire time. An unidentified substance and packed full of circuits, like the ring.”.

“Now that all happened about a month ago.”, said the Dr. “Up until two days ago we thought it was over. We were going to sink the device in the North Sea, but I was overruled..”.

The king looked down, “I regret that decision Dr, more than you can imagine, I am sorry.”. Evangeline was shocked, her father had never apologized for anything. He said it showed weakness. Better to make amends than apologies. The king gestured for the dr to go on.

“Yes well….two days ago the machine turned itself back on. Nearly shocked the two guards to death. But nothing terrible happened, just a note tied to a brick.”. He produced the note written on normal looking paper, on black ink.

Greetings people of Albion.

We the Empire of Khowri wish you well. Meetings like this are rare, but not unknown. The ancient rings are joined and can be travelled through with no damage. Our spywire has learned much of your world and your culture. We postulate that you will be at war with the country of Garminder in 6 months. You will lose. We are willing to trade you our war craft. With our technological superiority you will destroy Garminder and more. We are willing to send you all you need, books, supplies, any weapon that will fit through the ring. We will send advisors to help you. We ask only one thing in return.

We want your queen in waiting. The princess Evangeline must come to our world, to rule us and save us.

There is no other price, no bargaining. We will come through to your world in four days.

Help us to save your world and ours.

To say she was stunned was a poor description of what she felt. Flattered at the thought of, in her entire world, she had been chosen. Terrified at the thought of going to another world. And on one level excited as hell.

“So now you know.”, sighed her father. “It has to be you, but you can say no, I will respect your decision.”.

Evangeline said “I’m willing to meet with them, but I think I will need a new dress.”.