<meta name="LineWrap" content="true"><TITLE>SR_Bk1 0045</TITLE><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0046.txt">Next (Page 46)</A><BR>"<P><P>"Okay--so I'll just shove the booth over there?"<P><P>"Yes--and we have to go in too."<P><P>"Okay," Grant said, shoving the booth into the bridge. As soon as he entered the space, he saw the image of an ocean twinkling in the moonlight, superimposed over the darkened Thing Ping. "Now what?"<P><P>"Well--I'll sit in the booth and you push it--but be ready to be in the water!"<P><P>"Okay," Grant said, taking a deep breath. "Here goes."<P><P>And he pushed the booth hard out of the bridge, but he was still in the Thing Ping.<P><P>"Don't worry," Fife said. "Like I said, it's fifty-fifty every time. Just like flipping a coin.<P><P>"Okay," Grant said, getting around to the other side of the booth and shoving it back into the bridge.<P><P>"So I can try again?" Grant asked.<P><P>"Yup. You just gotta keep doing it till you get through."<P><P>Grant took a deep breath and pushed the booth again. This time, they went through, and they fell with a splash into a chilly ocean.<P><P>Grant struggled to keep his grip on the booth as he fell under the surface of the water.<P><P>Luckily, the booth did float, and Fife managed to stay relatively dry. Grant spit water out of his mouth as he clambered up into the booth.<P><P>"I--I guess you're legitimate," Grant said, laughing a little.<P><P>Fife also laughed.<P><P>"I'm glad I could satisfy you."<P><P>Grant sighed as the two were overcome by the silence and calm of the place. Nothing but the ocean and the light of the moon and the lapping of water against the booth...<P><P>After a while, Fife spoke.<P><P>"So what do you think?"<P><P>"Let me ask you about Jake first. What was the problem with her that you mentioned before?"<P><P>"Well--when she departed there was one of her, but when she returned, there were two of her. Apparently you had been having some sort of wild party."<P><P>"I was with two girls, yes."<P><P>"So somehow, when the process inserted Jake into your P-Vest, it wanted put her where your lover was--only thing is, there were two lovers, and hence, two Jakes."<P><P>"So she remained split when she returned?"<P><P>"Yes. It's pretty scary. One of her was more than enough!"<P><P>Grant laughed, but then got serious again.<P><P>"What is she going to do? Are both copies the same person, totally?" Grant asked.<P><P>"I don't know. We're doing some tests, but both of them feel that they are the real Jake, and as far as I know, they are. But only one can continue on in her P-Vest capacity. So I'm afraid we're in for some difficult times with her--or rather, them."<P><P>"It's weird."<P><P>"Yeah. And I wanted to ask you--was there anything strange about the girls you were with? Also, I'd really like to meet them and--if it's possible--test them."<P><P>"Well, they were definitely into fun. Booze and drugs and sex, every which way. But beyond their hedonistic character, they didn't seem particularly interesting."<P><P>"I see."<P><P>"Sorry for causing all this mess," Grant said.<P><P>"No, no. After saving your nation from almost certain defeat, you're entitled to some fun. Heck, I've done it--had orgies I mean. When you have the power, you make it happen. But you just gotta remember to keep it under control, only do it occasionally, or else you'll start sliding down that slippery slope where it takes more and more to get you off. I've seen it happen, and it's not pretty. When you combine the hypernatural nature of Aconck with sexual perversity, you can find yourself in some pretty horrific situations."<P><P>"Huh, yeah. And what is Aconck--another Earth?"<P><P>"Oh no--it's the overall name we use for the universe composed of all the different editions of Earth we can visit."<P><P>"I see."<P><P>The two were silent for a few moments, then Granticaine spoke.<P><P>"So what happens when I leave? Am I still the Primate, or does the Earth choose someone else?"<P><P>Fife nodded.<P><P>"We've been looking into that.<BR><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0046.txt">Next (Page 46)</A>