The Adventures of Deacon Coombs (48 page)

“What is his next target?” Landrew asked. “Do you believe it to be Mendalgon?”

“Jabu was easy, as we agreed earlier,” said Deacon. “Urzel knew that a surprise attack there could result in only one decision. As I also stated, the risk was small. The results were huge, as word of his glory and victory spread. Unfortunately, Mendalgon—as I fear, and Raal spoke of—or perhaps even Jevnia could be the next targets.”

“Why?” Eggu-Nitron asked.

“Because it has a very small population that is unarmed, and it is close to Jabu and would provide Urzel with a second quick-strike, low-risk victory. He has proven that he can navigate in space undetected, so a strike either on Mendalgon or Jevnia is most likely.”

Landrew spoke up. “I think Mendalgon. The Alliance is so dependent upon Mendalgon to provide rich ores and spices found nowhere else.”

Raal agreed and said, “Tourism abounds on Mendalgon, with our famous landmarks and hallowed prizes of archaeological sites and digs. It occurred to me that Urzel could release all the tourists after an onslaught and let them return to their home planets to spread panic. Two bloody victories would most certainly throw the Tetrad Alliance into severe chaos and cause events that we the Council could not control.”

Xudur challenged Schlegar and Landrew by returning to an unpopular topic. “Why has the research at Brebouillis been kept a secret from the rest of the Alliance all these years?”

“We cannot satisfy your curiosity, Xudur,” Landrew replied, “except to say that it was held as a confidential arrangement between Medulla and Aralia and the predecessors of the Alliance. It has not been sanctioned as public information by our senators.”

Xudur’s body language signaled her distaste of the answer. “It is apparent to me that the Medullans want to share our world by us giving bodies to them. However, some moral, ethical, sincere causes have been tainted to produce malefic results. Therefore, we must now answer the question. If basic research continues for the cause of the Medullans, is Urzel going to be the exception—or the rule, as Coombs stated?”

“Xudur, you expect us to believe that?” said Schlegar. “Please let us converse further of the options.”

“Schlegar, you are too immersed in the problem. It will take less-biased thinking to resolve this.” Xudur hissed the word
this
at him.

Landrew waved his arms. “I have already ruled on a future session to debate this. Schlegar, we will hear you and your scientific team, but at a more appropriate time.”

Xudur wasn’t finished. “Will they treat us as equals? Will they become annoyed at our ignorance, as Coombs has said? Will they grant us equal rights after we affirm their superior intellect? Zentaurians will not risk this! This issue may risk the split of the Alliance if we tolerate less than discontinuing the research on Brebouillis for the Medullans.”

In the silence that followed, Deacon spoke softly. “I have witnessed the powers of Urzel, the first Medullan to transcend beyond the force field of Medulla. He can belittle us just as any other crazed Medullan who decides to follow Urzel’s path. So I propose a thought for you. What is the ultimate cost of the continued research at Brebouillis? Is it eternal friendship with the Medullans? Or is it that, years from now, we condemn our future generations to a life of slavery?”

Deacon shook the hand of each of the members, hugged Schlegar and Lyanna, and absorbed Lyanna’s compliments. Landrew rose and left the group. He wandered down the hallway to a balcony that overlooked the grand foyer, and here he stared at the statues and busts of all of the great leaders of the Alliance. Deacon took this as a cue to follow, so he excused himself and ambled after the leader. Behind him, Xudur debated with Schlegar while Raal and Eggu-Nitron comforted Lyanna and Dreveney and Quobit.

“I have brought death to all of us,” said Landrew. “The blood of the Jabu is only the first drops to be shed.”

The detective replied, “History may never know your dark deed, for I will not be the one to recite it in my memoirs. With some luck, Landrew, you may go down in history as the commander of the forces that beat the greatest threat ever to mankind.”

“I won’t deserve that fame.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself.”

“I want to travel with you.”

Deacon was surprised at this remark. “No, your duties are here on Earth and you know this. You once asked me to believe you when you said that I must use my gift to save my life. Now you must believe me when I tell you that your reign is not ended; your days as leader are not over. You have made a terrible mistake, but do not allow that error to let you lose sight of your present obligations. Your day is here and now. You are a monument to the achievements of this administration.”

“Tonight I feel as if I do not deserve to adorn these halls.”

“I must leave you.”

Landrew asked him, “Why do you insist on fighting my battle? I always took you as one who disdained politicians.”

Deacon chuckled. “I have a plan to defeat him. I need to locate a former colleague to understand Urzel better. Meanwhile, my friend, you must remain here to direct the activities of the Alliance and prevent anyone else from interfacing with Urzel until we are ready to do so.”

The two walked back to the chamber, where groups of discussion were taking place. Deacon clapped to get their attention. “There are many questions to be answered, but we must depart. Lyanna, Schlegar, Jim, Quobit, and I will set up our brief research efforts in the library archives as before. I shall count on top security this time. Who guarantees that in Rande’s absence?”

Xudur said, “I will ensure your privacy and security.”

Peace offerings were exchanged as the five departed. Quobit touched Deacon’s arm. “I will return to Jabu.”

“That is not wise, Quobit. We don’t even know who is in control of the Vesper station.”

“My mind is made up. I also know that we will meet again.” Quobit gave him a tight hug, shook hands with the others, and bounded down the stairs and out of sight before Deacon could offer good luck. Landrew stood on the balcony to salute them as they clamored down the stone stairs and exited. Deacon’s last words before he passed through the doorway were “Remember, Landrew, your time is not over. You will not pass the way of Geor and Como.” After Deacon left, these words still echoed in the great hall.

Landrew stood there long after the High Council had disbanded. He liked this little man of Anglo. He owed his life to him. Suddenly the fears he had been fighting disappeared. Past glories filled his mind, spotted with future imagined victories. He muttered to himself, saying, “Damn, Landrew, we will beat this menace yet.”

Toad Roadster

The sign on the gate of the corner lot read “Rodan Roadster.” Deacon made his way through the slush of the first snows, leaving the only clear footprints. “Wait here, Jim.” Then he climbed a set of decrepit steps to an elevated, one-story white-framed cottage as Jim stood guard sixty feet away at street side.

Deacon reached for a computer portal and placed his card into the slot. The humming electronics verified his identity. However, when the card was released, the door was still bolted. The identical procedure produced the same results, so he descended the stairs, waving at Jim to follow him to the back of the structure.

Jim protested as he pointed out a sign and read it aloud: “No Trespassing.” Deacon ignored the insinuation, opened the rusty gate to the small side gardens, and then traipsed to the side of the dwelling. Jim followed while continuing to voice his objections. “We should respect the privacy of this individual. Invasion of private property is a crime.”

“Hush!” He turned to signal the Owler to keep quiet. There was an absence of windows until they reached the back side, where two small, round openings displayed light inside. Deacon peered into the dwelling as Jim spoke. “If you must know, sire, I have confirmed a single Earthling inside.”

“Behind this wall?”

“Affirmative.”

Deacon stepped forward and pounded on the back door. “Open up in there! I know you’re there, Toad! This is Deacon Coombs!” Jim proceeded to pound on the wall. “The human has moved to the front of the house, sire.” As Deacon retraced his steps to the front and up the stairs, he knocked harder while Jim scanned the street. Suddenly, a crack appeared as a gruff voice saturated with spite spoke to him.

“A man can have no privacy. What do you want? You impertinent being, why I’ll—”

The door opened wide to expose a very short, very stout man of about sixty-five. He had a wide, ruddy face; big, bulging eyes; long, taut lips; a floppy belly, a large nose, and no discernible chin. His lips seemed to rest on the bottom of his face. He stared hard at Deacon.

“Deacon Coombs! Oh my goosh! Oh my dear! I have been so rude to you. Oh my chooch! Deacon Coombs, forgive me. Villya, villya, villya.” He raced forward to embrace Deacon vigorously with his fleshy hands while a quarter-moon smile graced his face.

“It is I who is rude, Toad, banging mercilessly to disturb you. However, I need your help urgently.”

“Oh my goosh!” He danced around his small habitat and then exuberantly replied, “So glad to see you after all these years. Come in. Come in.”

Deacon entered and locked the door behind them. “I am so glad to see you again, Toad. You haven’t changed one bit.”

“Ha, look at you, Deacon, dressed in smart new clothes. However, you still have a small belly compared to mine.” He patted himself on his rotund stomach, which hung underneath his drab, baggy pine-green clothing. “Come, follow me to the back room, where we can converse.” Deacon spied bits of food on the monstrous table in the dimly lit surroundings. Papers and discs were strewn in every direction, while a thin layer of dust covered the floors except where Rodan had defined his own path of heavy traffic.

Inside the laboratory, the intensity of data was magnified dramatically. They were on the floor, on the counters, beside glass and metal apparatuses. The walls of the entire room were bathed in posters depicting Rodan’s heroes of physics.

“Sit,” Rodan said to Deacon as Rodan made his way to a weather-beaten high-back green chair and plopped himself down. “Oh my chooch, it is so wonderful to see you. Let me guess. Three years ago?”

Deacon corrected him. “Five.”

“Oh my, so long. Five years. Tragic.” His lips were taut as he shook his head.

“It was at the convention of astrophysicists at Bristol.”

“Aha! Yes.” Rodan was very enthusiastic. “Oh, I remember those days. However, times have changed, Deacon, and no one wants to seek my opinion anymore. I must be careful, you know. Pests, they come here all the time. Not as respected as I used to be. No more respect for the aging Toad. I am behind in my debts, as consulting assignments are infrequent.”

He bowed his head, seeming somewhat ashamed. “Pests come to collect. Pound on the door and walls just like you did. Roust me out of my sleep. Use phony identifications to gain admittance. Oh, I am a poor host by boring you with my personal troubles. Let me say what a pleasant surprise to see you. What can I do for you? Is this purely social, or did I hear something about an urgent matter?”

“I came here to consult with one of the world’s foremost authorities on physics. In my world, you always will be.” Deacon leaned into him. “I desperately need your help with one of my cases.”

“Oh my, what an honor indeed. Me? Rodan Roadster? You want to engage me? The great Deacon Coombs? Oh my goosh. This is so exciting.”

“I wish we had time to reminisce about our memories from college days and the papers at conferences, but that sadly cannot be the case. We must discuss business. If you accept my offer to assist me, then we will have other times to reminisce. Do we have an agreement?”

“Ha, oh yes!” Toad beamed resiliently and sat back, his arms folded across his pot belly.

“Toad, I have been recruited by the High Council of the Alliance to solve the deaths of two great statesmen.”

“Hmm. Como and Geor.”

“Yes.” Deacon knew that he could trust Rodan. “During this investigation, I have stumbled onto what could be a startling idea of how this murderer remains undetected by our modern-day technology. It is of this matter and other conjectures that I come to consult with my old professor. As a great quantum physicist, an expert in laser theories, the author of the fortieth and forty-first and forty-second laws of thermodynamics, I seek your advice.” Deacon huddled even closer to Rodan. “Let me commence by asking you a question. What do you think about the existence of dimensions of reality beyond our comprehension and measurement?”

“Oh my dear, the dimensions beyond length, width, height, and time have been studied for a lifetime. Beyond our four dimensions, some scientists have postulated a fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and so on, all being theoretically calculated. All of these are not dimensions that mortals such as us can enter or utilize at present, but they are measureable. Ahhmm, yes, these dimensions have been conditionally quantified until the time that a phenomenon is proven to exist.”

“Toad, the murderer of Geor and Como went entirely undetected at their death scenes. I have this crazy idea that this villain might have been undetected because the space he occupies is invisible to us. What do you think? Am I crazy?”

“Hmm, you think that the murderer is of another dimension. That is difficult to imagine.”

“What? You’re the physicist! You always kept your mind open, and you always encouraged your students to do the same. Don’t you see the predicament I have? I, as a detective, always look to the facts to solve my problems. I came to you because I need to look beyond the facts and the limits of our physics to catch this evil. You, Toad, always said, ‘Believe the impossible.’”

“You are serious, and I owe you an apology. Please present your evidence. How rude of me to dismiss your ideas so rashly.” Rodan suddenly felt the urgency of the situation and put on a serious face, realizing he had not heard his guest fairly.

“This must be retained as confidential information. I recite my case as I trust you.” Rodan smiled back. He sat on the edge of his chair, his short, stubby legs swaying as Deacon commenced. “Toad, I have witnessed evils that men have only seen in nightmares. Panic would surely grip the Tetrad Alliance if this creature that I corroborated were to expose himself. For the sake of brevity, let us discuss only the aspects of the physical nature of this beast rather than my trip to other worlds.” Deacon sat back, and the two were at ease.