MHICE - Solstice

[Pleater]

Mister Brown had denied me permission to leave the House on Midsummer’s Eve, stating that as it was the weekend there would not be enough security men to accompany me.

As I did not want security men, I resolved to go anyway, to walk up to the stone circle known locally as the Dancing Boys. It had become a tradition with me, and I particularly did not want to break it this year, as I was not in my own continuum but had been decoyed to that one by the local version of James Brown – who I called J.B. – when I returned with the equipment used by Fashion Furs to subjugate another version of Earth to do its will.

I had deliberately been withdrawn and solitary for a week or more before the Solstice, and so it was not difficult to leave the House undetected. I had been in charge of security at one such House for many years, and knew that it was possible to avoid the sensors. I also knew that my night vision was superior to most men’s, so I dressed myself in my modern Morrison kilt and plaid, put on a dark beret and hose, soft soled shoes, and went out of a window as soon as it was dark enough.

I knew that if I was detected there would be no alarm raised, not audible to me at least, but my confidence increased as I avoided the patrols and saw them go on their way exactly to schedule. There were the wanderers to avoid, and I had calculated that I was likely to encounter three of them, so my heart raced when as I approached the wall I saw a fourth, but I reassured myself that probability is not an exact science. As I watched him coming closer I wondered if he had already detected me, but when he was ten metres from where I crouched, he turned and went towards the House.

I counted to fifty, listening, then I waited a little longer, and finally I crossed to where there was a tree with a branch that had overgrown the wall. I climbed up and inched out onto the branch, which slowly sank down further, so that I was able to lower myself from it and drop to the ground, outside the walls.

A startled animal scampered away, the scent of the green lane and its hedge was welcoming, but it was very dark. I followed the smell of fox along the lane, until I came to a junction where I could turn from East to North, and then I let instinct take me towards the ridge, travelling an erratic route along the green lanes ever steeper and less trodden, until I came to the end of them and I knew that I had to climb the last hundred yards or so onto the ridge top, to the ancient pathway on the highest contour of the ridge.

I was not quite sure where I had reached it, and if I should turn to the left or the right, but as I turned and looked, I saw the Dancing Boys outlined against the sky to my right – and they did indeed seem to be moving as I tried to make them out against the Eastern sky.

I walked towards the circle, my footsteps and heartbeat seemed to be very loud, my breathing was like a gale in my ears. In the darkness I collided with something very solid, and cried out as my knee struck stone. I put my hands out and realised that I had found the stones which used to mark the direction of Midwinter sunset, but which had toppled and were leaning drunkenly against each other and pointing towards the circle.

I rubbed my knee and sat down beside the stones.

My knee throbbed, but I judged that the dawn was some time off, so I waited there and watched the stars, picking out the constellations as they turned in the great dance.

[Bugbear]

I wonder how Pleater is going to sneak back into the house...

[Pleater]

At the very first inkling of the dawn, as the first bird cheeped in the heath, I rose and limped into the circle, felt my way past one of the flat stones which lie beside the central mound, and climbed it. There are stones beneath and several of them protrude from the turf making it possible to climb despite the steepness of its sides.

I reflected on the truly forlorn nature of my hope that of all the stone circles with me standing in them my Mister Brown would be able to know which one I was. That he might be able to create a way for me to return to my own continuum I dare not even consider. Never the less I looked around, even though seeing a glimmering ring against the paling sky was beyond anything I could expect.

The birds were twittering and cheeping, too busy to sing but still making it clear they were there. The first rays of the sun touched the tops of the stones and ran down them. I felt the heat strike through my plaid, and a blue and gold portal opened in the circle. My absence from the House had been discovered, and J.B. knew where to find me. I shivered as the portal moved towards me, then froze with shock as a feebler one flickered into existence at right angles to it, and in its path. The two collided and there was a terrific impact which pushed me off the mound and made my insides vibrate.

When I regained my feet I saw that everything beyond the circle of standing stones had vanished, leaving an opalescent mist which rolled and flowed like some living thing, and over its surfaces delicate colours coruscated.

‘You again.’ The sound was one I recognised, not as an actual voice, but something other.

A figure appeared, some seven feet tall, a dandelion effect hairstyle of mahogany red ringlets, with ginger skin and beard, and silver grey eyes like two rifle barrels. On the stab vest the glossy black circle with the words Department of Otherworld Security upon it and the central motif of an astroid reflected the colours of the mist. He wore a kilt of some black fabric which also caught the colours on tiny sparkles and along the folds. There were three circles along the vertical edge of the apron, graded in size from a shiny coat button the top to a mini cd at the bottom. I felt slightly reassured.

‘I was just here watching the sunrise. It is the Solstice.’

‘Here isn’t anywhere,‘ he pointed out, ‘nor is this any when,’ he glanced at a small instrument in his hand. ’Nor does it seem to have a future. The rings will fail and then –‘

‘No!’ I wailed, ‘I have to go home.’

I meant to move only a pace towards the glimmering ring I thought was made by Mister Brown’s device, but I had not realised that there was a sort of black hole effect starting up – not until I was already being drawn towards it, the centre of the space between the two rings at right angles.

The DOS agent drew a weapon – it was a simple rod, but the way he handled it gave it its name.

‘Down!’ he shouted, and I dropped towards the ground, but never reached it. Something passes over my head, with a swish and rattle and it hit the blue and gold ring high up on the diameter.

There was a wobble, a sound like a gong being struck, and I was picked up as though by a rushing wind or torrent of water. My first impression was of being flung around in a great loop, and then hurtled forwards. Blue and gold arcs flowed around eachother, with a sound like wet fingers on the rims of glasses. When an arc came close to me it was like a wave passing when swimming in the sea.

From time to time I saw the DOS agent, standing looking around, yet moving rapidly.

I also saw a tiny figure, pirouetting in an area of extreme turbulence, arms and legs flailing, head rolling, looking rather dreadfully dead, and realised I was moving towards it. In moments I recognised the figure as a version of myself, and saw that we were going to pass very close, if not collide. Without considering the consequences I seized hold and held tight as we came close. For a dizzy interval we rotated around eachother, the centripetal force almost defeating my grip. But then something gave way and we were flung onwards, still rotating around eachother and landed with a thud on the mound of the stone circle, below a clear blue sky.

[Pleater]

We slid down opposite sides of the turf covered mound and I laid there winded and feebly trying to organise myself into the right way up.

Strong hands seized me, hoisted me up and set me on my feet. I raised a hand and removed a fold of my plaid from my face.

‘Oh, James. Good man.’ I gasped, recognising James Brown, though as yet unsure which one it was.

An accented voice called from the other side of the mound. ‘There is another one here, S’ib. This one looks drowned.’

Mister Brown released me and strode away. His back view comprised a multiplicity of pleats in a three colour civilian DPM and the neat collar and yoke of a short sleeved fawn coloured shirt, fawn hose and matching Tilley hat, and light brown suede boots.

I had to lean back against the mound, finding my legs not strong enough to take my weight. There were several small dark men who stood around the circle, most were quite elderly, yet they were stocky and vigorous. They were wearing wide brimmed hats and various items of military uniform, and as I recognised their race, and from them having limbs missing or great scars visible I deduced that they were most likely Ghurkhas, and so not to be trifled with.

‘Who is this, Madam?’ Mister Brown enquired.

‘Myself from another continuum.’

‘Hopefully your excellent cardiovascular health is shared by your alter ego.’

‘She’s alive?’

‘At the moment, yes, though in severe oxygen debt.’

‘Are you the James Brown from my own reality?’

‘That is difficult to say – I found myself without you, and your stabilising influence, earlier this year, and could not find you, but I remembered that you had been in the habit of visiting the stone circle at Midsummer.’

There was movement, and a feeble cry of distress.

‘I think she is recovering consciousness, Madam. Perhaps you would come around and assist?’

I pushed myself upright and tottered around to where Mister Brown was crouching down beside Joanne. Her eyes were open, but unfocused and she was moving her hands rather spasmodically. I feared the worst, that she was alive but with damage to her brain.

‘Joanne – relax and breathe, don’t try to move, save everything for the breathing.’

At the sound of my voice she looked at me, frowned, but obeyed, and I felt considerable relief.

Mister Brown moved back and went to speak to one of the Ghurkhas. I took Joanne’s hand in the hope of reassuring her, and saw someone appear, just on the edge of my vision.

‘Ah, there you are.’

I did not look around at the DOS agent, but patted Joanne’s hand.

‘Yes, I’m here.’

I thought that Joanne was beginning to show signs of recovery; her colour was changing to something like a living person’s. The DOS agent moved closer and knelt down, though he still loomed. He looked at Joanne closely sor several seconds.

‘There was a slight problem. Two continuities have been merged.’

‘You call that slight?’

‘There were other options which might have been more challenging, or distressing. One or more of them coming entirely unglued was definitely an option.’

‘I see. Yes – that does sound like a less favourable outcome than merging.’

‘But as you are here there should be a sorting out – eventually. You will find that things which were to happen now will not be happening. It is just the two realities easing into eachother.’

I glanced around. The DOS agent seemed to be standing a few feet away, but was casting no shadow in the bright early morning.

‘I’ll watch out for it. Thank you.’

He nodded.

‘It seems to me that this place was very like the one you left.’ He mused, looking around. ‘Wasn’t this there too?’

‘Yes, but I wanted to find home.’

‘I hope you have done.’ He said, and then he was gone.

I looked around at the Ghurkhas. Either they were used to seeing DOS agents appearing and vanishing, or they had not seen him doing either.

[Pleater]

Mister Brown returned.

‘The Ghurkhas are bringing some blankets and making tea – if you would care for some?’

‘Tea would be lovely, thank you, but I think I ought to tell you what happened, or at least what I suspect might have happened.’

‘If you feel you can – then please do.’

‘If I might begin with my attempt to return here – the rest can wait, I think, except to say that whilst I was away I collected together some equipment which was enabling Fashion Furs to subjugate other versions of the Earth, for it could move things and people between continuities and from place to place on the Earth.

The Committee working against them managed to find six of me and bring us to their world. We were able to work out how to return home, using time travel,’

Mister Brown drew in breath.

‘Due to the time travel, my return was to the time of my departure. I placed a beacon, a pin, so as to be able to follow it, then I organised the equipment, as the committee wanted it removed – but yourself from another continuum moved the pin so I was fooled into moving it and myself to him.

However, I suspect that the committee chairman was attempting to remove Joanne from the same place at the same time, and the two portals clashed and interwove, trapping her between realities until I caught hold of her and we both arrived here.’

‘I see.’

‘However, I spoke to an agent of the Department of Otherworld Security and he said that the two realities had merged. I hope that the other version of yourself is not at the House at this moment attempting to reorganise the past.’

‘I created a connection to the House, in case it was necessary to retreat rapidly or move a casualty, I think that it might be best to use it to return to the House and check that all is well.’

A Ghurkha brought several mugs of tea, and crouched down to hand one to me.

‘If you want to leave here now we can bring the other Mem when she has recovered, Mem’um. Either through the ring way or on the lan’rover.’

I took the mug and glanced at Mister Brown.

‘How long will it take to fire up that ring?’

‘Three minutes.’

‘Then I suggest that we use it.’

He nodded, took his mug of tea and went to set up the ring.

[Livingston]

hmmmmmm... A continuation of the previous story.

<settling in with a nice cup of Earl Grey to see how this unfolds>

[Pleater]

I stepped through the ring and noticed how gentle the transport was compared to the portal. We arrived in the Rotunda, and were surprised to find the ground floor was stacked with boxes. I examined them quickly.

‘These are the boxes in which I transported the Fashion Furs equipment. If J.B. is here, he hasn’t got a projector.’

‘This J.B. – he is exactly like me.’

‘Exactly – but he doesn’t wear kilts.’

He frowned, and then shrugged.

‘We should search the House.’ We said in chorus, and Mister Brown locked the door to the Rotunda as we left.

I was checking the species used for the topiary chessmen and I found them correct, but as I passed the Kings and Queens I noticed that they were positioned wrongly – the Queens faced eachother across the walkway.

‘What is wrong?’ Mister Brown enquired, and I pointed to the Queens.

‘Oh.’ He said quietly. ‘But is that the only thing?’

‘All that I can see so far.’

We went through the wrought iron gate and I looked around.

‘What are those buildings?’

I was looking South and there were rooftops just visible across the road.

‘Oh that’s the new accommodation block, for the Institute. It won’t be visible once the trees have grown up.’

‘I see.’

‘That is not on your time line?’

‘No.’

‘The House is the most important – I think?’

‘Yes, the Hall – let’s look there first.’

I hurried along the front of the House, and Mister Brown strode along beside me and took my arm, for fear that I might stumble, I think. Reaching the porch we found the front door wide open, which was unusual for so early on a Sunday morning, but we did not pause to investigate, but rather increased our pace and ran into the Hall, then came to an abrupt halt.

On the floor was drawn an exclamation mark, somewhat foreshortened.

‘Wait here.’ Said Mister Brown and walked forward to investigate. I followed him, and watched as he crouched down to examine the phenomenon.

‘Is it ash?’

‘Yes – something like ash.’

‘I think it might be J.B.’ I said quietly, stepping back a little.

If Mister Brown had had fur it would all have stood on end, as it was he lept to his feet and brushed the ash from his hands.

‘I’ll bring a dustpan and brush, and a vase.’ I said, and hurried away. Half way to the door, I’m afraid I grinned, probably rather manically, at the resolution of my concerns about J.B.’s future interference in my life.

I found what I needed in the housekeeping cupboard by the porter’s room and returned to the Hall, where Mister Brown was gazing at the mark from a little distance.

‘He set up the projector – there – and stood there – ‘ I indicated the circle – ‘To use the needle – the controller, and make the portal there, so it had the space to move, in case he needed to refocus it. When the agent of the DOS fired at the portal, it acted as a lens – focused it on J.B. and – out brief candle.’

Mister Brown shuddered.

‘It must have been instantaneous.’

‘I suppose it must – ‘

‘Lets tidy him up before it spreads further.’

I carefully swept up the dust and poured it into the vase. It was mostly very light and fluffy, but the circle had a heavier base layer. There were flakes of iron oxide.

When the floor was clean again I put my handkerchief over the top of the vase and knotted it in place in case of accidents.

‘I was wondering what we could do – if he would work with us or against us – if I would have to fight him – and now – I’ll never know.’

‘Probably for the best. He worked with the Government – changing things. I expect that there will be alterations here, things which were to happen now will not - now he isn’t influencing them.’

Mister Brown took the vase, his hands shook.

‘You will be the best one to decide what to do with him. If you would like to put that somewhere in the gardens…’

‘I need to think about it – I’ll go back and bring down the devices, and Joanne.’

‘Good idea – where do I live?’

‘Mmm? Oh. In the stable block, number three – next to the workshop.’