Chapter VI: Planned

Tom sat up before eventually dragging himself out of bed. Although he strongly preferred his own bed, circumstances required he remain on base and immediately available with three new aliens now there. The same was true for General Langton, who he almost ran into upon exiting the officers' quarters.

"Sir," Tom saluted, somewhat informally given no one else in sight.

The man returned it equally informally but with some haste. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

"No sir, just got up a few minutes ago."

"Grab something and be in my office in fifteen minutes." As quick as that, the large man was already moving down the hall again.

He had an inkling of it having to do the 'heads-up' the General gave the day before, and tried guessing again in earnest what it could be, while getting heavily creamed coffee and a fresh-made sausage-egg sandwich from the cafeteria. He also wondered how his sister was doing; he'd intended to check on her, as no doubt she had risen early and was already busy. More medical and some psychological tests on the two simisages where scheduled, as well as getting at least a blood sample from the human boy. Although human, Mathew was also alien he had to remind himself. As such, there was a high level of interest from other researchers as to any physiological differences a human from a different planet (and universe) had.

Something else he needed to manage that morning.

At least Lucie was actually handling the boy himself. He never was all that comfortable around children, perhaps (another) reason why he hadn't seriously pursued finding a woman yet.

All excuses, you know.

Perhaps the real truth was…he was scared. Scared of perhaps giving up what he had for a roll of the dice. Of getting burned. Of having to be a father.

It was funny in a way. Being responsible for four aliens and keeping the entire shebang secret was something he could handle and even kind of enjoyed. Having responsibility as a husband and father…

A glance to a clock showed the fifteen minutes nearly up almost before he knew it, and he hastened to the General's office posthaste. There, it was a breath-taking thirty minutes for the greying but still quite adept man to lay out what'd been discussed between a multitude of high-level brass and scientists, complete with a tidy little risk and benefits assessment. In the end, he was reeling!

"Again, this hasn't been approved yet, but this previously-considered-unlikely scenario has been discussed for months and now that the opportunity has surprisingly presented itself, I've been instructed to make preparations."

While letting out a long, silent sigh, one immediate concern was evident, something he thought sounded rather assumed and perhaps glossed-over. "Do we think they'll agree to all that? Certainly we'll need their cooperation."

The General raised his thin eyebrows briefly in the impression of a shrug. "All we can do is put forth our proposal, however we do have a bargaining chip. Obviously we won't mention aspects of the plan we think they might disapprove of and go about those less openly. So if we can get their initial cooperation, that's all we need. The door needs to be cracked open, so to speak. Twice, of course."

Tom nodded slowly, knowing the referenced bargaining chip. He would prefer not taking that tactic, but if that's what it took... Watching his superior take in a deep inhale and release it slowly as his heart continued its rapid pulse, he guessed the next subject, causing his heart to beat double.

"Then, the next thing to arrange is the subject of volunteers." After a long pause: "Tom, would you consider being one?"

He had a feeling he'd be asked, even so the question hit hard.

"You meet all the qualifications," Langton continued in a more-than-usual confident voice, "You're single, no children, both parents deceased with your sister being the only remaining close family. You're also already on this project and have a partial science background. In short, you're ideal."

Secretly he was somewhat intrigued by the idea…and quite honestly fearful. This was something far beyond what he could have imagined…and carried great risks. There was also one over-riding concern. "I don't think I can leave Lucie by herself, as I am her only close family left." He noticed the General nodding immediately, as if having anticipated that.

"I understand. And that's actually part of the reason I'm going to be asking her to be the other person on the team."

Time froze for him, as now he was surprised. Then angry. "You want both of us? Sir, risking both of us at the same time…"

"I know, I know, Tom," the man returned, raising both hands. "And honestly, the President would prefer a diplomat instead with the priority with establishing a beachhead, so to speak. However, the benefits the two of you together bring is hard to ignore, and you've already had some diplomatic experience. Remember the Mideast military cooperation proceedings you sat in, before you transferred into R&D?"

"Uh…that? I don't think that qualifies me for any kind of diplomacy role." Indeed, he'd been little more than a face to take notes on technological matters, although he had admittedly picked up a few things including becoming semi-versed in a foreign culture.

"Still puts you head and shoulders above anyone else who would otherwise qualify, and you'll get a little further training starting immediately."

He started grimacing with uncertainty.

"Tom, the two of you together is what I consider the perfect team: a full-fledge scientist to gather information, and a high-ranking, disciplined military officer doubling as diplomat to see to the other objectives. The two of you can handle the widest range of issues from scientific to intel and security. Finally to point out the obvious, both of you have the most relevant experience. No one else comes close."

Tom took a deep breath, trying to weigh his own risk-benefit balance, but it was hard to think clearly. Whenever his sister was involved, especially if she could be in real danger…

"I know it's a lot to think about and I'm not going to sugar-coat it, the job carries high risk," Langton continued. "But to let you know, I recommended both of you for this mission. I know how well you two work together…and…that you're pretty close to each other. I thought it important you should stick together in case…well, something happens. But if you succeed, the rewards are quite potentially…beyond imagining for this country."

As the General waited, Tom struggled through conflicting emotions to formulate an answer…any answer. "It…is a lot to think about," was all he could manage.

Langton nodded. "There's some time before we need a decision. To be perfectly clear, this is voluntary, but besides the keeping the two of you together as family part, I can't overstate you really do make the most qualified team, the only qualified team anyone can think of. And personally, I know both of you and have complete faith in your abilities."

Tom didn't realize he'd been holding most of his breath, or that he'd broken a cold sweat until after leaving the General's office. He made himself take several deeper breaths, but it didn't help. Hell, he was even shaking.

Was it all from fear?

It was one hell of a historic opportunity, no doubt. Hell, calling it life-changing would only begin to describe it, let alone the world-changing potential and the huge advantage it could give the United States. He just wasn't certain it was a job he was capable of, despite Langton's overwhelming vote of confidence.

First things first, though. He needed to wait until after the General talked with Lucie, then he and her would be due for a long talk.

Still, he found himself already leaning toward an answer as he continued to his own office, surprised to find himself smiling slightly. It was worth remembering he and Lucie wouldn't be the first, after all.


It was a second morning of torture.

Perhaps not in the traditional sense, but there were a goodly lot of needles to go around this time. I got some, Charna got more, even poor Mathew suffered a few. Although Lucie and the technicians were quick and efficient, the needles were far from the only tests. There was the treadmill, heart monitors, breathing analyzers, MRIs, strength measuring apparatuses, and a host of other things. At least it was medical equipment I felt somewhat familiar with, unlike much of the Pokémon-specific medical devices I'd observed. Unfortunately any differences I mentioned resulted in a thorough questioning and lots of notes taken, basically extending our lab time.

Supposedly during this, Sarah and Mike were talking with my parents to explain more of what was going on and why they weren't being flown in and allowed to see me. That conversation was to be monitored since some things couldn't be said. Including where we were. Which wasn't an issue actually; none of us had been able to wrestle that out of anyone, other than still in the country. Hell, I had yet to see an outside window!

All of us were more than ready for a long lunch when it was time, but during our afternoon lab session, Lucie's manner seemed different. Preoccupied, I would say. When her brother checked in, he too was acting different, speaking few words. Then dinner was unlike the previous one in that we had a more pointed discussion, with most questions revolving around governments and military. That line of questioning made me uneasy and I was glad to retire to our quarters for the rest of the evening.

"We're being sent home tomorrow morning," Sarah announced unexpectedly.

I wasn't sure if I should had been surprised or not. I mean, Charna and I (and Mathew) were the aliens, not my sister or Mike.

"Can't tell you how many warnings we've been given," she continued with an exasperated exhale. "Basically we can't say anything about you or where we've been, except for the cover story. Sure hope work believes it and they haven't already fired us."

"If either of us have been fired, these people are going to have to pay our wages then," Mike added a little sourly.

"Are Mom and Dad still at my house?" I asked. As of lunch they still were, I was told…under watch.

Sarah shrugged. "Haven't been able to talk to them since this morning."

"Will I be going too?" Mathew asked, looking worried.

The kid had been a trooper during all the battery of tests, and seemed to be accepting things rather well, I thought. Heck, he was now even letting Charna sit beside him, not complaining or squirming as she wrapped an arm around him. I gave the boy's head a quick ruffle as I slid down beside him. "I don't know, but I assume you'll be staying with us."

"I want to go outside sometime," he returned sullenly. "Tired of being inside."

"Yeah, we all do," I agreed. More softly, "Are you getting homesick yet?" Only once did he mention missing his mother, though I suspected it was worse than he let on.

He nodded.

Sarah reached around me to give his shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"I'm glad you stay with us," Charna said in wrapping her tail around herself, careful in not touching the kid with its barbed tip.

"Charna will be glad if you stay with us too," I translated.

To his great credit, he actually put his head against Charna's while yawning.

Though she was the only "true" Pokémon present, Charna and I were both reminders of home and I guessed it was comforting to be surrounded by us. That and he was about spent for the day.

As was Charna and I; we were all conked out shortly after the television came on.

Next morning, I said goodbye to Sarah and Mike before they left, then it was to the lab. Followed by lunch. Followed by more tests. Followed by dinner and more questions.

For days: wash, rinse, repeat.

With only some tests and exams changing day-to-day and a meeting with Tom's superior, General Langton, to provide variety, I wondered when I'd start losing track of the days. Thankfully Mathew spent only a fraction of our lab time, though his likewise growing boredom was obvious. Finally video games suddenly appeared in our quarters, and I managed giving him a good challenge on what he called "some primitive stuff". Charna had a go too, but found the more advanced strategy aspects as too much.

All of that though was just stuff to pass the time while waiting for a critical answer: were they going to let us take the zangoose back? Though the preoccupied behavior from Lucie and Tom faded, I harbored suspicion it was tied to it. What could they possibly be debating anyway, as Tom claimed they were? In the meantime, multiple times I thought about asking to see the creature again, and every time thought better of it. Really, what was there to say?

The one I really needed to talk to was Palkia. Hell, I was surprised he didn't simply take the zangoose, Mathew, Charna and myself back already. He certainly had the ability...didn't he? He could just pop in and take us.

Assuming he followed us.

Otherwise, we were fully on our own.

By the fifth day (I think), I was going crazy as Charna became more argumentative with Lucie on every test, putting me in the middle since I had to translate. The worst came on having to find some pattern in a sea of colored dots. From my child-sized chair, I watched the woman try to coax Charna with several 'Pleases'. Charna simply crossed her arms and whipped her tail, narrowly missing her. Yet Lucie grew more insistent, resulting in my wife throwing the puzzle's pointer across the room and startling a technician.

Raising her fists, "I'm tired of this! I want out!"

It was a demand she made multiple times the day before, with only a promise to be allowed outside "soon". Now it was next-day afternoon with 'soon' having yet to arrive.

I was as fed-up as my wife. To the now reeling woman, "Lucie, we've both had enough! We need a break from all this testing, and we need to go outside for a while. This constant artificial light just isn't good for us. We need to see some sun and green!" Waving my arms about as I got myself worked up more than I intended, "You don't even have any plants in here!" I swore I explained about Pokémon types and how as grass types, we tended to feel unnerved if we're away from greenery for days on end. Apparently I wasn't believed! "That, and when are you guys going to let us know if we can take that damned zangoose back with us?! Come on, the decision shouldn't be that f'ing hard!" I folded my arms in a huff and glared, somewhere knowing the lack of good, old-fashioned sunlight was really getting to me now that I was attuned to it.

Lucie sighed loudly, putting a hand to her now glistening forehead in a sign of a headache. Then staring up at the ceiling with her long black hair falling behind, "Alright, I'll see again if I can get you guys outside." Setting aside her tablet, she took a moment to mumble something to herself and give each of a pointed look. More calmly, "You're right, you've been cooped up here for too long. I'm sorry, I know I've been riding you guys hard. We probably all need a good break."

Despite the positive answer, her tone suggested something she wasn't telling us. "And about the zangoose?" I pressed.

Averting my stare, "It's…still being discussed."

"Should I remind we're keeping our end of the bargain?"

"And quite willingly," Lucie said with a hint of snarkiness. "Alright, come on, let's see if I can get you guys outside if you follow me this time," speaking quickly as she headed to the door, waving us to follow.

I immediately felt bad since I knew there was little she could do about the zangoose, but fortunately we left the room before either I or Charna could complain further. In the next ten minutes, we had miraculously gained both guards and the great outdoors, with Lucie staying inside and mumbling something about looking for her brother. Again, I had the sense something big was going on, but we were now outside for the first time in many days and…

…Goddamn, we were in the middle of the desert!

"No plants!" Charna cried, holding a hand over her eyes to cut out the scorching hot, near-overhead sun beating down.

"There's some cactus and a couple shrubs over there," I pointed out to be slightly upbeat. "And they're green." I suffered the glare from two black and white eyes for my effort.

It was also plain we were inside a military base; through the wavy distortion of heat waves rising from the baked ground, the occasional cacti and desert shrubs complimented a long chain-link fence in the far distance. In other directions, there was a variety of desert plantings outside other buildings, all looking as either barracks or garages of some sort, with hangers and perhaps cargo planes in the distance. By far though, the largest building seemed to be the one we'd left, larger than all the others put together.

"What's the name of this base?" I asked one of the familiar guards.

"Can't tell you, sorry," he replied.

"How 'bout the state at least?" And to perhaps loosen his tongue a little, "I'm guessing Nevada. Area 51?"

The African-American man replied only with a white-toothed smile as he adjusted his desert-tan camouflage cap before refolding his arms.

"So, you monkeys aren't going to, um, melt or something out here, are you?" another of the guard quartet asked.

Spreading my arms, "No, we love the sun; we need it." In actuality, it was the hottest I'd ever endured since becoming a simisage, save for being inside a Flamethrower. "But it is a bit hot."

"Too hot!" Charna yelled, as if suddenly realizing how searing the sandy and rocky ground was on her bare feet and quickly hopping between them.

I chided myself for not recognizing the danger sooner, but was impressed she'd withstood the half minute since we came out and made me glad for my sandals! But my poor wife… Looking back to the building, there was no shade to be found!

"Is her feet burning?!" the black guard asked with some alarm.

Screaming, she leapt onto me without warning, nearly toppling both of us.

"Oh! Hey, there's some shade on the other side," one of the other men said, pointing to the far corner of the building.

We all made a bee-line for it, then half-way down again the building's impressive length to arrive at some picnic tables under a trellis blocking a good portion of the hot sun. It was also surrounded by an impressive variety of desert plants and cactus, some of which were flowering. I felt Charna instantly relax as I put her down on the relatively cool paving blocks. I started relaxing too as we sat at one of the tables, one of the guards going to fetch ice water from the cafeteria we were outside of.

"I know we aren't supposed to ask questions about you," the black guard started after a few moments of silence, "but where the heck do you come from?"

"Come on Samuel," another interjected quickly, "you'll get us in trouble. We've already gotten chewed out."

"Well, what have you been told?" I returned anyway, tempted to answer. After all, Charna and I hadn't been given any restrictions about talking…

"Well, that you're aliens," Samuel answered. To the other guy: "I mean, they had to tell us something to explain two smart, green-haired monkeys, one of which talks."

"That's mostly accurate," I provided, partly giving in to temptation. "Although a bit simplistic; it's really more complicated than you would think." I enjoyed the variety of resulting expressions on the guys' faces, pausing for a long drink of the water just provided by the returning guard. Since my mood was improving from the massive dose of sunlight and nearby fauna, I was preparing to throw them another bone when the door from the cafeteria opened again, both Tom and Lucie appearing. In another moment, the Colonel promptly dismissed the guards.

After the men had returned to the building, "Not bad out," Tom said as he sat with his sister opposite Charna and I, adjusting the collar of his light-weight blue uniform shirt.

"How are you holding up out here?" Lucie asked, stripping out of her lab coat.

"It hot," Charna provided before another long drink.

Using my free hand to wave air onto my face, "We're hot, but it's bearable," I added. At least for the ten or so minutes we'd actually been out in it. "The sunlight feels really good though." I gave a long sigh to emphasize the point, although a point that still mystified me to some degree.

"How's your water consumption?"

I looked to Charna as she was still downing her glass. Cocking my head toward her, "We're sucking it down, and I'm already sweating pretty good." Indeed, my green hair was damp and with little wind, my sweat was slow to evaporate. Despite the question, it was obvious they were warming up for something, considering the intent, business-like look on both their faces, although Lucie seemed more at ease.

"Don't worry, there's plenty more water."

Tom nodded after his sister finished. "Well, I have something to ask you," the man started. "At this point, we have most of the critical data we wanted, so we can start to think about letting you guys return."

Charna was immediately standing. "When we go?!"

The man hesitated for a second before continuing, "And…Lucie and I would like to go with you."

I resisted coughing as I watched my wife's mouth fall open. After some seconds ticked by, "You mean…you want to go to the other Earth?" Just to be sure.

"Yes," Lucie said in a confident tone while forming a smile.

Several things occurred to me at once, making it hard to pick what to start with. Eventually persevering, "I highly doubt Palkia is going to allow that."

"He not want mix two universes," Charna added, nearly slamming her empty glass down as she sat again.

Momentarily surprised she pointed that out, I added that to my reason. Not that I hadn't already told them that days ago.

"Well, you're here," Tom countered. "As is she," indicating Charna.

"I'm from here," I served back. "And we're here to take back something that shouldn't be here, namely that zangoose."

Lucie raised her finger as if about to lecture. "Even so, if there's already three Pokémon here and nothing bad has happened, therefore it's reasonable to conclude there's no harm in transporting two humans to the other Earth along with you. Further, I'll assume two humans from here can blend in far better there than Pokémon can here, seeing as there are billions of humans there already."

I had to exchange looks with my wife yet again, meeting her astonished face. The animal behaviorist did have a valid point, unfortunately. Hell, if I hadn't been changed into a simisage when I was transported to the Pokémon Earth, I likely could have lived out a near-normal life. As much as being on a different planet shared with a bunch of powerful, border-line magical creatures would have allowed, that is.

Wearing what I was sure was a scowl, "Why do you want to go there anyway?" asking to gain time for thinking up more counter-arguments. Although, deep-down…having some company from my origin planet…held appeal.

"Research," Lucie promptly returned.

"Relations," Tom added. "You've already pointed out they know about this world now, thanks to you. In fact, you've given them some of our entertainment in the form of movies and television programs, correct? So it shouldn't be much of a shock if we went there to talk to their governments. Someday…we may even have a normal method of travel back and forth. Initially however, we would just be exploring and learning."

Tip of the proverbial iceberg? I locked eyes with him. "You wouldn't be looking to bring back advanced technology by any chance, would you?" I'd watched too many sci-fi movies and programs about alien contact and the desire of governments to exploit it. The question at least got me the satisfaction of watching Lucie give her brother an unhappy stare, and Tom frowning.

The Air Force Colonel recovered quickly though. "You've already brought some technology back, a tablet computer and a camera. I think your own written account pointed out this world is more advanced in some areas, and the alternate Earth in others. Of course we would explore trade opportunities. That's natural."

"That Earth is more advanced in far more areas than the other way around," I pointed out. Indeed, the only real area I could think of where this Earth was more advanced was in agriculture. With a couple billion more humans, necessity was clearly the mother of invention. "Please be honest: you're looking to give this country a huge leg-up technologically." Popping a rapidly-melting ice cube, I crunched it between my teeth.

"I can't deny we hope to pick up some stuff," he returned flatly, "that's just a matter of course. It's called trade. It's what friendly countries…worlds do. Don't you want to help with that?"

His stare bordered on accusatory as I allowed my tail to whip in irritation, even as I wondered how much of a point he had. It wasn't so much a matter of not wanting to help acquire technology, but we were talking about technology from a place that wasn't supposed to mix with this place. "Some technology simply wasn't meant to be here. That place is in a different dimension, a different universe with its own set of physical laws. Even the food could be dangerous."

"Well, you're eating the food here just fine. So is Mathew."

"So that was a bad example," I admitted.

"And again, the stuff you left here worked just fine with no ill effects, so the technology has to be compatible with the physical laws here. Further…"

I planted my cheek on a braced arm while staring off into the distance, as the man obviously didn't get that any further points he made to me were moot. Palkia would be calling the shots no matter what, and I was still fairly certain what his answer was going to be.

"…and this is your country too, Alex. Still. Isn't it?"

Still irritated, I put my gaze back on him with a quick glance to an almost apologetic-looking Lucie. "You know, that's a complicated question. I have official residence in the Unova region these days."

"Since you aren't dead, you never gave up yours here either." Cracking a slight smile, "So I guess you have dual citizenship. Maybe you could serve as an assistant ambassador…"

For whatever reason, Lucie looked about to burst out laughing as I started wishing I was just a simple, normal simisage without all these complicated things to worry about.

"Just how does dual citizenship work when his other is in another universe?" Lucie finally asked, somehow maintaining her composure. "I can't imagine how the State Department is going to handle that one!"

Tom stopped dead with a spreading smirk. "Well, I imagine it would add another field or two to the address section."

I couldn't help a snicker, but got myself sobered up. "Look, guys, you can try and convince me all you want, but the decision isn't up to me. Palkia is the one you have to convince, and I already know this'll be a very tough sell. He is quite opposed to mixing the two universes, I assume for very good reasons."

"Yet he comes here himself occasionally to watch this world, if I remember what you wrote correctly," Lucie pointed out and gaining a nod from her brother.

I was truly regretting leaving that story… "He can also look after himself and pop out when necessary, as well as control the dimensions."

"He seemed to have a problem with that last year, when he took you with him from this world accidentally."

I glared at the man, unsure whether to admire his logic or get angry at his pointing out every damned tiny flaw in my arguments while missing the points. "Special circumstance."

"Alex," Lucie said calmly while putting a hand to her brother's shoulder, "so just let us talk to Palkia. We would very much appreciate your support, but if you can't give it, at least introduce us. Just…trust us. For myself, I would really love to see all the various forms of life on that world. It would be a wildest dream coming true. After reading your account, seeing your photos and listening to your descriptions these past days…I have to go there myself!"

Again, I wasn't necessarily opposed to that. Sure, this was my (former?) country we were talking about, but how wise was it to give it any huge leap in technology and knowledge? Something about needing wisdom to use it properly. Further, if it got into the hands of others…

Fixing a stern gaze on both of them, "What do you think would happen if you brought back some great new technology that leads to or could be used to make a powerful weapon? Say something far more powerful than the Tsar Bomba, but at a hundredth of the cost and without any of the radiation. Then the technology is stolen, and every powerful nation got it or could get it. Or a terrorist group. How much closer to destruction would this planet be? That is just one of my worries here. And of course there's the whole thing about contact with aliens; is this planet ready and wise enough to handle such stuff?"

Tom clearly had been hoping our conversation wouldn't get to this, judging from his uncomfortable grimace. Lucie wore a more thoughtful expression at least, and I cocked my head to her.

"Your concern is…valid," Tom admitted slowly with a sigh. "In fact, both of us have had this exact conversation with General Langton and his superiors more than once the last few days, believe me. All I can offer is to trust we'll exercise enough wisdom to limit what we learn and bring back. We will trust those on the other Earth to exercise the same caution, which I assume is an easier job at this point for them since they have already known about us for a while."

I felt Charna's concerned eyes on me.

"You think they destroy themselves with what our humans teach them?"

"It's possible," answering my wife. I really didn't know which way to go on this. Perhaps this was another matter to defer on, which meant helping set up the meeting they sought, regardless whether I personally supported their request for transport. This also meant going beyond our original (supposed) agreement. However, I couldn't really stop them in any case; if Palkia was still in my back yard, all they had to do was go there and start talking; he would hear them. If he wasn't still there…then I would be of little help, as my ability to "sense him" didn't seem operate here.

Though perhaps

I fought a smile and tail twitch as I realized another possible opportunity, to perhaps demand a few things in exchange for introducing them.


"You're leaving?!"

Mathew was acting more alarmed than I anticipated. Holding his arms, I looked up to his slightly higher eye-level in trying to physically calm the boy. "Yeah, but we'll be back in a couple days, maybe less. We have to go talk to Palkia. But don't worry, you'll be in the best of hands here." I looked up to Lucie, who gave a smiling nod while waving to a female colleague, who smiled in turn.

"Hey, no fear, I've given instructions that no tests are to be run while we're gone," Lucie consoled as she also patted the kid's head.

"I…will be alright, I guess."

I almost felt proud of the brave face he suddenly put on, and ruffled his short, black hair before just embracing him. "Be good, OK? Your mother still made me responsible for you, you know."

Charna also embrace him and he gave an "OK" while seemingly enjoying our double hug. He also didn't want to let go, keeping us close as I tried backing up.

For what we'd been through together, I really didn't want to let go either.

Later that afternoon we were on a civilian-marked Air Force plane (conscious this time), followed by a drive in a van hours later, then finally arrived at my house after dark. Straight from the van and into my dimly lit garage, I found Sarah and Mike waiting and we exchanged long hugs with some petting of my hair.

"You know, these people still won't let you meet Mom and Dad," Sarah complained after with a jabbed thumb at the small group of plain-clothed men watching us.

"Sorry, but we still need to keep their contact with others to a minimum," Tom provided with a rather apologetic tone. Directly to me: "But you can still have a phone call though, after we speak with Palkia."

Being allowed to visit with my parents had been one of my demands…one that had been rejected. I was mad about it, though I did reluctantly see their point even if it was my parents. Given that, I guess I felt fortunate for at least a call. But first things first. Such as bringing Sarah and Mike up to speed on our last few days, and explaining what we were doing at my house again…though without the why part, which was a little frustrating for me.

I supposed the fact of my (former) government wanting to send two Air Force people back with us could be something to keep secret.

With my heart pounding with uneasy anticipation, Tom and Lucie followed Charna and I into the dimly lit back yard with everyone else sequestered in the house. Was Palkia was still there? Without him, Charna and I were stranded. As expected, there was no visible sign of him with his 'dimensional cloak' being darn near perfect, so I prepared to walk ahead…

"Alex, I was becoming worried about you," a familiar voice 'spoke' in my head. "Is it safe to speak in front of those two humans?"

I glanced back to confirm only Tom and Lucie were there, and around the backyard for any obvious signs of neighbors being out and about on the other side of the fences, although the security people probably already made sure there weren't.

"Maybe," was my minimal answer. "They know about you, and that you're here." I heard Lucie murmur something to Tom in apparent reaction.

"I understand. Step forward so we can converse freely."

I breathed a quick sigh of relief before facing the siblings. "I'm going to disappear for a little bit while I talk with Palkia, do not follow," and to Charna: "Please keep them company." The humans started voicing surprised objections as I moved forward. As before, it felt like walking through a large sheet of slightly resistive tissue paper before Palkia appeared to suddenly tower over me.

I smiled on seeing the large dragon-type for the first time in many days, though the darkness of night had him in mostly shadow…before things brightened up a bit after he did something to increase illumination. "You're sure they can't hear us?"

"Yes."

I certainly still heard and saw them with Lucie gasping and Tom making a noise indicating disbelief, before launching into various descriptions along the lines of "incredible".

"So…did you follow us?" I asked, wondering if Palkia already knew where we had gone.

"I had."

"You did?!" That little revelation took me back some. Becoming animated with my arms, "Then…why didn't you bust us out of there?! Why didn't you help when we were being captured?!"

Palkia stood like stone in answering, "Allowing your capture offered the best chance of locating our quarry."

"Hey, they could of…"

"Further, it was best to allow you to negotiate with your kind here," Palkia said flatly, cutting me off. "Especially as you didn't appear in serious danger. Despite Pokémon being here, I'm still striving for the least direct interference possible, and I trusted you knew best for handling the situation. That's part of the reason I brought you. 'Busting you out of there', would have created undesirable effects, especially inside a building such as that. Since I knew where you were, I returned here as this is where you expected me to be. And that appeared to be the correct action, since you are now here."

I wasn't certain what I could say to that, not that I felt good about having been left to twist in the wind, so to speak.

"I apologize if you don't agree."

I cut short a disapproving sigh. "Well…it does make some sense," I grudgingly agreed.

"Since I left shortly after you arrived there, please inform me of the current situation."

After another not-too-happy sigh after I followed the creature's gaze toward the two waiting humans, "Well, the zangoose is there…"

Palkia nodded. "I had found it. Please go on."

I gave him a surprised upward stare. "You know that too?! I guess you couldn't take him back either without more 'undesirable effects'?"

"Correct. The room was too small for me, like all the others. Again, I trusted you could handle it with fewer problems if given time."

Not that I totally ignored the vote of confidence, but I was still irked. I gritted my teeth and moved on to summarize the events at the military base, including the battery of lab tests we were forced to endure in the name of working out a deal, and then very reluctantly finishing with the request to bring Tom and Lucie back with us. Throughout this, Palkia had remained calm until the last part, his tone then of immediate firmness boarding on anger.

"No! No one besides you, your mate, the child and the zangoose may return!"

Exactly as I thought. Yet…

During the flight back, I found myself increasingly intrigued with the idea of someone else from this world returning to the Pokémon Earth with me. How comforting would it be having someone else from my 'home town' (so to speak) to relate to? How cool would forming inter-dimensional relations between two Earths be?

Not that I necessarily believed it a good idea, but…maybe I should at least verify it was a bad idea?

Because…was it truly? Perhaps Tom and Lucie really did make some good points.

After viewing my feet to gather some thoughts, I faced back up to the giant Pokémon. "So, is there something really bad about transporting people back and forth between universes? I mean, I'm from here, but I now live in that other universe, and that all seems to be going OK."

"Alex, universes are not meant to mix," Palkia's tone transitioning to like that of teacher to student. "It's difficult to fully explain in terms you could understand, but the boundaries between them can become damaged if too many transits are done and not repaired, or if too much mass belonging to one is put in another. In your case, you don't have enough mass, so it is allowable."

"Would Tom and Lucie be too much mass?" Surely just two humans…

The eons-old dragon visibly sighed in the semi-illumination of the concealment sphere as he looked from them to me. "No, but in this case it would be what it would lead to. I doubt they would want to be the only ones…from either side. Further, I doubt this human society is ready to accept anything from outside this world, given my past observations. You stated the very same worry about the influx of Pokémon here, have you not? Multiple times."

He had me there. Almost. "But just transporting these two there and back would be much less of a risk," I returned, continuing a probably dangerous devils-advocate role. "Sort of like just dipping one's toes into the water. And since you are the only means of transport and can strictly regulate all passage, there wouldn't be any danger of damaging the universal boundaries, correct?" The fact of Palkia becoming a taxi service being beside the point.

Moving his head to stare off at something, Palkia took the better part of a minute before responding. "My answer remains no. The risks are too great for both worlds and universes for a great number of other reasons. This Earth and the other were never meant to even know about each other, let alone interact. Your influence is already enough. Do not ask further."

So ended that. "Alright, I'll tell them," giving a tail-whip to imply finality. "Though I think they're going still want to talk to you themselves, if that's alright. I did promise to introduce them to you."

After what sounded like a nearly imperceptible growl, "For this one time, it is, but first inform them we will be retrieving the zangoose and the human child now, and to make them available. It is time for us leave."

"To warm them up, huh?" Of course, since Palkia knew where the base was, he could go through with it anytime despite his desire to avoid interaction. And since no one had bothered to hide from where we had flown out of with the plane having windows, I had been able to recognize some landmarks as they passed below.

Had that been a gesture of trust…or merely oversight? The later seemed unlikely.

Tom and Lucie both appeared nervous and impatient as they stared at the space Palkia and I occupied, quite obviously not seeing nor hearing us. I figured it a good twenty minutes since I entered the concealment dimension before I came out, with brother, sister, and Charna at once looking relieved.

"Amazing," Lucie exclaimed quietly. "That is truly a separate dimension?"

"That's what Palkia says," I answered in a near-whisper, considering the neighbors again.

"He controls dimensions," Charna helpfully provided, if only they could understand her.

Looking somewhat impressed himself, Tom still got right to the point of why we were there. "So then, what did he say?"

"He said 'No'," I returned with reciprocated directness. "The risks are too great for various reasons. And for the record, I mostly argued on your behalf. Oh, and it's time for us to go, so you need to have the zangoose and Mathew ready to go someplace outside."

"Damn," Lucie mouthed. "I guess I'm not surprised. Um… could we at least see this Palkia?"

Tom stood straighter in frowning. "I would like to talk to him myself, if he doesn't mind. That was our actual agreement, for you to introduce us to him."

Before I could answer, I heard Palkia's voice.

"Alex, escort them inside."

It was clear both Tom and Lucie 'heard' it too from their startled reactions.

"Palkia tell them 'no' himself?" Charna asked, moving to my side and folding her arms against her cream-colored chest.

"Probably," flicking my tail toward the humans, hoping they weren't going to anger him. Adding an arm wave in the darkness, "Alright, come on, you get to meet him now," and snagged Charna's arm to drag her along.

Tom straightened his blue Air Force cap, leading his sister as I led them both into the invisible dimensional sphere with my wife. Again, Palkia was suddenly imposing over us in the brighter sphere, and Tom and Lucie made no effort to conceal their gasps as they squinted.

"You're…real…" Tom said while craning his neck upward though otherwise frozen.

Lucie's mouth fell open with a "Oh…my…God….", otherwise mimicking her brother.

Their reactions certainly were in line with humans on the Pokémon Earth meeting him for the first time.

Palkia lowered his head some, perhaps to lesson his imposing stature. "Greetings, Tom and Lucie," he 'said' telepathically.

The siblings took some seconds while recovering before Charna tapped each of them. "Breathe. You talk now. Say 'Hi'."

"Are you going to be alright?" I asked. Was Tom sweating?

"Do not be concerned; no one can hear or see us outside this dimension," Palkia prompted.

"Tel...telepathy?" Lucie asked after touching her head. "I...this is weird."

I swore I warned them…didn't I? Perhaps I hid a smile.

"You would not understand me if I spoke verbally," Palkia explained, showing quite some patience.

After repositioning his hat since it was falling off from having to look nearly straight up, "You are Palkia?" Tom finally asked.

"I am," the large dragon-type returned, some bemusement to his tone. With the pair still seeming to be recovering from the shock, "Alex informed me of your desire to travel to our universe and it's version of Earth, correct?"

I was beginning to wonder if meeting the giant creature was more than they could handle, considering their continuing awkwardness. It was a hell of a lot less than the shock I had the year before on first arriving on the Pokémon Earth as a simisage, but a good shock nonetheless I was sure. Maybe...they were reconsidering wanting to go back with me?

"Yes, that is correct," Tom answered with sudden firmness.

"Yes," Lucie added with a likewise firm nod. Now losing her hesitation, she stepped forward while still staring up. "I read Alex's adventures there, and even if half the stuff he wrote is true about the life found there, we very much want to go! This is a chance for us to study life on another planet! It's an opportunity that has never before been available to anyone on this planet!"

Tom gave up keeping his hat in place, removing it in continuing his sister's plea, "And to visit other humans, on a different planet…in a different universe. Palkia, we can't…please understand it's hard to let this impossibly rare opportunity go by. We would learn so much."

Palkia sighed, shifting his massive bulk and moving his arms to present a posture akin to someone in thought. "As I told Alex and he conveyed to you, the risks are many and great. Travel between universes and dimensions is not something to be taken lightly or often, since it is not meant to occur. I am the only natural being for which is it fully safe."

"But you've transported Alex back forth a few times now, correct?" Tom countered, though holding a respectful tone.

I swore Palkia moved his eyes to me as if to say he really didn't want to go into that again. Still, over the minutes the two sides basically used the same arguments Palkia and I traded minutes before. I watched the Colonel closely though, unable to shake the feeling that he had a unrevealed plan he was working toward.

The discussion, as cordial as it was kept, was eventually ended by Palkia on informing there were no new points being made and we would therefore be leaving and taking the zangoose and Mathew with us.

"I see," Tom finished in looking defeated for only a brief second, quickly replaced by one of steeling himself as he replaced his cap. "Alright, let's make a trade then. We'll let you have the zangoose and the child, and in return you must take us with you."

I stared, feeling Charna's grip on my arm tighten, then shrugged under Palkia's glare, finding myself suddenly admiring the man…to an extent. Here he was, inside a different dimension, dealing with an giant alien dragon that could control space itself, not to mention handling everything else involved with Charna, the zangoose and I, yet still keeping his wits about him. Perhaps if he had been in my place a year ago, he would have handled it better than I managed! But I also became alarmed as Palkia brought his much larger head level with him and his sister, his green eyes shrinking. "What makes you think I can't simply take him, human? You are keeping something that does not belong to you or this universe, and it is far past time for it to return it to where it belongs."

Tom forced Lucie to back up, though she didn't need the encouragement as they were faced down by the dragon. "And what makes you think you can find him? Isn't that why you needed Alex here?" After a glance at me that bordered on apologetic, "Since we left the base, the zangoose and the boy have been relocated, in case you tried to take them yourself. Even Alex doesn't know where they are now. You won't find them without our cooperation."

I started seething as it sunk in Charna and I had been misled. So this was why there was no effort to conceal where we had flown from! Hell, even given window seats! Godamnit…

"They not play nice," Charna spat angrily, whipping her tail as her grip on me became painful.

I glared, but Tom was focused on the dragon and Lucie on her brother as Palkia gave a greatly restrained growl-like roar, the jewel in the center of his shield facing me beginning to glow faintly.

"Tom, was that your plan all along in case he didn't agree?!" Lucie asked, sounding more than unnerved.

The man grimaced, but maintaining a firm posture. "I have orders, Lucie."

Palkia moved his head closer to the Colonel, almost to the point of nose-to-chest. "Inform whoever gave you those orders, that I will not succumb to demands." Stretching an arm, the legendary brought a claw against the man's forehead, but the man held his ground.

Instead, Lucie lunged forward, grasping the dragon's large hand and nearly giving me a heart-attack as Tom grabbed her arm in turn, but Lucie's grip was strong on the legendry.

"Lucie!" Tom yelled.

"Wait, please, just everyone calm down!" the woman begged. "Palkia, my expertise is studying animals and their behavior and biology, and my passion is studying anything to do with life. As I've studied that zangoose, read Alex's story and now met him and heard him tell his accounts these last few days, I've come to genuinely marvel at the life that exists on that other Earth, that 'Pokémon' Earth. It is wondrous, amazing, beyond imagining. My desire to visit that place is beyond words. Can't you understand, now that we know about that world, how can we not try to go there? You haven't said that taking us there would for certain cause harm, especially with your guidance, so please reconsider. We'll also talk to Tom's superior, General Langton, and get him to relent."

"Lucie…" Tom said, now in a warning tone.

"Palkia, as a…personal favor, please let us go with…"

Finally yanking her arm away from Palkia, Tom pushed her behind him in one motion. Almost into her face and leaving her stunned: "Lieutenant! That's enough!"

I patted Charna's arm in trying to keep her calm. I felt sorry for Lucie, fearing both her plea wasn't going to cut it and the Air Force wasn't going to relent, considering the prize dangling in front of them. "Pandora's box has been cracked opened," I mumbled.

"Pan…dora…?" Charna asked as Palkia gazed at us.

His angered expression seemed to soften as I stared, not sure if I could convey my fear and helplessness in an expression, or if he understood the reference.

Palkia eventually reached past Tom to gently tap Lucie on the head. In a soft tone, "As sympathetic as I may feel, one of my duties as a regulator of space is to maintain the spacial fabric of all dimensions. As such, I must limit breeches between them as much as possible. I am sorry, but even if the risk was zero, out of principal I would have to say no. I must allow Alex to remain in the other universe as I've stated, but that also must be the limit."

Tom let go of his sister as she stepped back from him, looking dejected. Then with a great sigh, he paid me a glance before facing the large Pokémon again. "Then, I'm calling my bluff failed." On getting quizzical looks from all of us, "Palkia, my orders were to try the demand as a last resort, but if it wasn't working, to back down. We wish to have you leave under positive circumstances if we can't go with you."

"What?!" Lucie screamed almost silently, her suntanned face becoming a shade of red instead.

"Hmm," Palkia let out, raising his large head back to normal height. "Your General does have some wisdom, then."

"Thank God," I whispered to Charna with enormous relief.

"Things good now," she returned. "We go home."

I took a long look at my house after we returned from the concealment dimension. I still had a phone call with my parents to make, but now it would be to say goodbye again. I would also be saying goodbye to Sarah and her husband. Whether Palkia would ever permit me to return…I had doubts. There was a certain feeling of finality as he told me to make preparations to travel to the Nevada military base, and then back home.