CROWELL

34 “You’re younger,” Plenko said. He loomed over me and I felt the need to shrink back a few steps. I kept forgetting. This was the original Plenko. The original. He’s on your side.

“Parr figured out a bizarre workaround that the Ultras agreed on,” I said.

Plenko seemed to take this as logical. He didn’t press me on it. “Quite fortunate you found Parr there again.” Plenko studied my face. “It really is quite remarkable. Just like the images I saw of you on U-ONE after the first Ultra incident.” He continued to stare.

I’d arrived on Barnard’s after coming out of the slot at Osprey Station. There was the expected confusion with the Exeter’s IDENT, since it was a ship that had existed in our universe. This one was different, of course. I had a solid script of what to say to smooth everything over.

Parr had been true to his word. The Ultras had put me back in our universe at the correct day, the correct year. I stood in Terl Plenko’s main room, marveling at my good fortune, and at the same time waiting impatiently while the Helk checked me out. Before that, Plenko’s two pals, Rob and Emma, searched me.

I said, “No word from Tem Forno? Did he make it back?”

“He’s okay. Got away from the sideways station—”

“Meadowlark.”

“Yes, he said that’s what you named it. Anyway, he did a 180 and ended up on Petrel Station.”

“He went to planet Memory?”

“No, he took the slot from there to Crossbill.”

“Helkuntannas.” I was trying to keep up. “He went home?”

“In my ship, I might add. I’m afraid after all he did to help you get to the Ultra universe, he decided to cut his losses.”

“He went home?”

“That means you get to turn me in to Morgan.”

“Turn you in?” The Helk finally gave me some distance, then sat down. I now could look at him at eye level.

“I’ve already given myself up,” Plenko said. “I figured Forno would help with the exchange. Keep things on the level. Sorry, but just like Forno, I didn’t expect to see you back in our universe.”

“Trust me. I didn’t figure I would be back. But surrender to Morgan . . . Why would you do that?”

“Because they have Dorie. She’s being held and is to be exchanged for me.”

I couldn’t speak right away, surprised. This certainly didn’t seem like a thing Plenko would do, but it was most assuredly a thing Plenko would do, for Dorie. Then I thought: Would Dave Crowell?

Well, of course.

“I’ll do it. I’ll help make the exchange. I’m going with you. Where’s Morgan?”

Plenko lowered his head, chin on his chest, arms flat on the arms of the gigantic chair. When he looked up again, it was with a sad, knowing smile. He looked past me, toward the door of the room.

Morgan stood there, blaster at his side.