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AFTER A FEW DAYS of much needed rest and anxious to test the purification theories, Parker wanted to put their project into place on Katamoor. She would not linger on the terror below the Spyridon Sea, but she would keep a close watch on Cole.
She holed up for the week in the lab with Edison and Henley reviewing the requirements for each phase of the project. The night had turned jet black and Edison had taken a break. He focused out the window and said, “Do you think these are the same stars in the sky at home? I want to feel like we are connected to Earth.”
“Yeah. We are, if you recall, there’s this thing called a portal,” Henley teased. “I’d say it’s a direct connect if there ever was one.”
“I mean, more like a connection in our galaxy. Our universe. On a night like tonight, the stars would be out and we’d be grilling in the backyard. My relatives would be over. We’re a big bunch. Makes me sad.” He lowered his gaze. “I just hope my family doesn’t think a car hit me and I’m dead now. It was the last thing I remember before I arrived here. Do you think it’s true?”
“What’s true?” Parker asked.
“What Stefanos said—time would pass, but it would only be moments had elapsed when we returned. I hope so.”
“He hasn’t let us down yet. I believe him.” Parker went quiet, pensive, and said, “Let’s stop thinking about home, it will be daylight before we know it. Comes so fast here. And you both got so much done while I have been a jailbird! Now it just needs to work.”
Henley snorted. “Jailbird! I thought I had a monopoly on bird-based comedy.”
“Take a look at this Parker,” Edison said. He handed over a list full of cross-outs and scratch-offs. “I hope my second-guessing is accurate. I think we have answers, but so much guess-work.”
She brushed her long brown hair aside and wiped the moisture from her brow and the beading behind her neck, thinking there’s no getting used to the heat here. Was this how Earth would be one day—like the tropics, or worse, the heat of the equator with no way to cool off? If she ever did get home, she would be listening to the media reports on climate change very differently. More than that, she would put all her knowledge and effort into doing something about it.
She added, “Edison, I can’t believe you lined up all the regions to come here to meet with us. You can do anything!”
“Not only can he do anything—he can also get anyone to do anything he wants, Parker,” Henley said. “They even get along with me. Miracle of miracles.”
“You’re not that bad, Henley,” Parker said. “It’s all about survival for everyone in the Upperworld—not to mention us too.”
“Time will tell. And not on my time.” Henley broke into the conversation. “I’m home as soon as this membrane gets put together. I’m okay being a hero and saving the world and all, but I need some crab rangoon, stat.”
“Henley,” Parker interjected, “Speaking of the membrane, I’ve spent the last few hours reviewing the schematics of the purification system and the woven layers make sense. Maybe you’re right, Edison—I know it sounds bizarre, but maybe they needed us to come here to make this happen. Either of you have any last-minute doubts?”
“Nope. But if you really are asking about doubts, I doubt everything!” Henley replied.
“Yeah. This planet, with all its peculiarities, isn’t as it appears,” Edison said. “You’d think with just clouds and branches, for the most part, we’d have nothing to work with. But with the help of the regions and the bounty from the Virago trees, we have many options—chemical purifiers, adhesives, and flexible fibers, everything we need. Stuff indigenous to Katamoor, just waiting for someone to put it together for them. They may be smart with heightened perception, but they just might have missed it.”
“Hard to see the forest from the trees when you are living it every day I guess.” Henley held her hands up in mock defense. “None of this would have happened without all three of us knocking our heads together.”