30 Worlds, Episode IX: "Supernova Shocker"
BOOK TWO*CHAPTER THREE
William came to by a tap on the shoulder by Zenon. "William, are you all right?" Zenon asked. "I'm fine, Zee," William said. "William to Bridge. What's our status?"
"We're all right, William," Sofia said. "All systems read nominal, Captain," Calhoun said. "Acknowledged, Sergeant," William sad as he loosened his restraints. "Tinka, what's out temporal position?"
"Checking, William," Tinka said. "Astrometric sensors indicate our temporal position as May 8th, 2014. We are currently holding geosynchronous orbit over New York City, New York."
"Roger on that," William said. "E.R.I.N., summon senior officers to the Observation Lounge. We need to plan our next move." "Understood, William," E.R.I.N. said.
"Zenon, remain here and check on the transporter systems. If we need you, we'll contact you down here," William said as he crossed to the transporter room doors. Zenon nodded before they closed shut behind William.
In the observation lounge, William took his customary place at the head of the table with Sofia, Phineas, Ferb, Rocky, CeCe, Kim, Alex, Charlie and Kelsi seated around. "Zenon, are you listening?" William said. "Loud and clear, William," Zenon said from the transporter room.
"Here's where we're at," William said. "Today is the 13th birthday of Riley Matthews, whom we ensured would exist thanks to what we went through on 9/11. Now, we must ensure that Riley takes over the Key power, and then we must bring her aboard the Enterprise."
"In this time frame, I will continue in my persona as Jason Berman, now acting as an expert on one of the most colorful legends of this world," William continued. "E.R.I.N., switch to Briefing Mode and, for the edification of all present, access the Turk file."
A few hours later, William stood and watched as Cory Matthews took attendance for his first period class. After that was done, he began the day's lesson. "The other day, I taught you all about having something to fight for," he began. "As an extension of that lesson, I have invited a special guest to speak today. Mr. Berman?"
William walked up to Cory. "This is Jason Berman, the docent of the Turk-182 exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art here in New York. I want you to give Mr. Berman your undivided attention. Mr. Berman, the class is yours," Cory said before sitting down at his desk.
"Thank you, Mr. Matthews," William said. "Nearly 30 years ago, Terrance Lynch, a NYFD firefighter, was injured during the rescue of a little girl from a burning building. Normally, this would be cause for celebration. However, two factors worked against Lynch: 1.) he was off-duty at the time, and 2.) he was drinking at a bar across from the building that the incident occurred in. As a result, he was denied the pension and benefits that would have been due him."
"Lynch's brother, James, was incensed at the treatment Terrence was receiving from the City, but only made things worse with his initial forays. So, one day, he was in Central Park on the day that then-Mayor John Tyler was dedicating an apple statue as part of a campaign to revitalize the city. However, somehow, vandals managed to plaster 'Zimmerman Flew and Tyler Knew'—a reference to a political scandal involving Mayor Tyler—on the statue," William continued as he inserted a DVD into the classroom's TV/DVD player.
"Young lady, would you get the lights, please?" William said, pointing to a brown-haired girl that he knew from E.R.I.N.'s briefing to be Riley Matthews. As she returned to her seat, William pressed play on the remote in his hand.
"A few days later, Lynch did the same to a supposedly-graffiti-proof subway car, adding what would become his calling card...Turk 182!, a combination of a nickname other firefighters had for Terry and Terry's own NYFD badge number," William continued. "Over the following weeks, Turk proceeded to embarrass Mayor Tyler at every turn, including this incident at a New York Giants football game."
"Everything came to a head when Lynch explained his story to a New York newspaper but when his comments were quoted out of context in reports, he decided to make one last statement that night during a ceremony marking the completion of a massive restoration of the Queensboro Bridge. Following an enormous petition from the citizens of New York, Mayor Tyler decided not to press any charges against Lynch. To this day, the legend of Turk 182 inspires all who believe in doing the right thing, no matter the obstacles in front of them," William finished.
After the school bell rang, Cory asked Riley to remain in the classroom for a moment. "Riley, Mr. Berman is not all he seems," Cory said. "His real name is William Edwards, and he needs your help."
"What is this all about?" Riley asked. "Riley, this world—your world—is being threatened by a organization known as the Army of Inter-Universal Chaos," William said. "You are the Key from this world that when combined with the Keys from twenty-nine other worlds will produce the only power that can save the multi-verse."
"Riley, your mother has had contact with William and his people before," Cory said. "In fact, without William himself, you wouldn't be here."
"What do you mean, Dad?" Riley asked. "On 9/11, William rescued your mother from the Western Tower of the World Trade Center before it collapsed," Cory said. "She had just learned that she was pregnant with you that very morning."
"I gotta sit down," Riley said before slinking back down into her seat. "This is the God's-honest truth, Ms. Matthews," William said. "We need your help."
"I'm writing notes to the rest of your teachers, informing them that you'll be indefinitely absent from your classes while you're doing this," Cory said. "In the meantime, I suggest that William escort you home and get you packed."
"Daddy, I don't want to go," Riley said before hugging Cory. "Riley, you have to do this," Cory said. "After all, we all have people we love and care for that are threatened by the A.I.C.-Maya, Farkle, your family..."
"All right, Daddy," Riley said. "Brace yourself then," William said as he raised his communicator to his lips. "Edwards to Enterprise. Zenon, two to beam to the Matthews residence."
William and Riley dissolved in the Enterprise transporter...and resolved in the middle of the Matthews living room, where Topanga was sitting, working on some paperwork.
"William, I assume you're here for Riley's things," Topanga said. "Yes, I am, Topanga," William said. "Please come with me, then," Topanga said. William followed Topanga into Riley's bedroom. "We packed her things this morning before Cory left for work," Topanga said.
William smiled. "Thanks for your help, Topanga," William said. "No problem, William," Topanga said. "I owe you so much for saving my life on 9/11."
Out in the living room, Riley watched as William and Topanga walked out with Riley's things. "Riley, come here for a moment," Topanga said.
Riley walked up to Topanga. "Riley, please take care of yourself and listen to William's instructions. This way, you'll be all right throughout all that is to come," Topanga said. "Yes, Mom," Riley said.
"Good luck, Riley," Topanga said. William re-activated his communicator. "Edwards to Enterprise. Two to beam up," he said.
"Bye, Mom," Riley said before the Enterprise transporter claimed her.
A few hours later, William led Riley onto the Bridge of the Enterprise, where Sofia sat in the command chair. "Riley Matthews, this is Princess Sofia, my fiancee and the Enterprise's executive officer. When I'm not available, you'll be under her command," William introduced.
"Welcome aboard, Riley," Sofia said. "It's a pleasure to have you aboard." "Thank you, Princess," Riley said.
Suddenly, a beeping sound came from Calhoun's Tactical panel. "Captain, incoming message...from Kalabar. The message is originating from a location 5,000 kilometers off our starboard bow," she reported.
"Put it through," William said. As he did, he pushed a button on the Tactical panel. Kalabar's unwelcome visage appeared on the Enterprise viewscreen.
"William Edwards, how good it is to see you again," Kalabar said. "And I see you have another member of your merry band of losers." "Merry we are, Kalabar... but losers, we are not," William said. Riley stepped forward.
"I don't know who you are...or what you want... but I can tell you this, you C.L.B.*," Riley said. "We're not gonna rest until we destroy you all."
"You're a spunky little one," Kalabar said. "I think that once we take over the multi-verse, I'll make you my little pet."
"I hope you know that I'm not house-broken," Riley said. Then, after Riley performed the akanbe gesture, William gestured for Calhoun to terminate the channel.
::TBC::
*=Creepy Little Bastard
