Chapter 6
Lindsey stood quietly as a salute was fired, his eyes catching James's where he stood next to his parents. The younger man gave a slight nod, he would be at the meeting later.
The gathering broke up after condolences had been given to the family, and a small group gathered at Lindsey's apartment that evening.
"So, Lindsey, what is going on?" Lilah crossed her arms, her feet planted firmly as she waited for his explaination. Near her, on the couch, Gunn's expression was almost a match for hers.
Jillian Locke looked up from her laptop, perched on Lindsey's kitchen counter, raising an eyebrow in curiosity, having already heard from James about the letter Alexa had sent him. She poked Weasley in the shoulder, the academic looking up from his book, startled.
Lindsey took his usual seat in the arm chair before replying. "They didn't find Alexa or Shannon's bodies in the rubble, or parts of them. They found some unrecognizable pieces of what they think were computer hardware, and a map on the back of a scrap of wood with a map of the bomb locations."
"James said Alexa had blown up her own house when he called earlier," Jillian piped up. "And if they haven't found the bodies, I'd lay bets that the machine worked."
"What machine?" Lilah turned her attention to Jillian, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"In theory, it is a computer system and programming to allow someone, or more than one someone, to break the barrier between one reality and another, provided one has access to an image of some sort. We were working on eliminating the need for images, but Alexa was getting impatient. She tested it, and from what we've seen, theory works in practice. And she blacked out New York City, which matches the estimated power draw needed to break the dimensional barrier." James replied in Jillian's stead. "It was Alexa's pet project and theory. Weasley did the research, Jillian developed the hardware, and I developed the software."
Lindsey gave James an annoyed look. "You didn't tell me that earlier."
"You didn't ask." James shrugged. "Anyway. There are a number of places she could have gone, but the most viable option we've been able to come up with is the Angel and Buffy universe. Particularly, Los Angeles, shortly before the end of the last episode of Angel."
"It's the only DVD missing from Shannon's collection. And none of Alexa's DVDs are missing at all." Lindsey took up the thread of narration again. "James still has all the notes to build the machine, but the materials cost more than he can afford."
"Wait a minute." Gunn interrupted Lindsey. "What are you planning to do?"
"Go after them," Lindsey said simply, and the room erupted into chaos.
A few hours later, once everyone had calmed down, and food had been ordered, Lindsey and James finished laying out the plan as they had roughed it out.
"And you're going to need money from all of us to get the materials for this, correct, Lindsey?" Lilah raised an eyebrow, and Lindsey nodded.
"I can't afford much, Lindsey. Not with a new wife, and we're hoping to get a house in a few years." Gunn shook his head apologetically.
"I'm putting all of my money into this project, since I won't be back to need it. That only covers about half the materials. We can't touch any of Alexa's money, not until it gets through all the estate stuff. And Shannon's is tied up in the same way."
"Whatever they left behind, anyway," James interjected. "I checked Alexa's bank account. It was drained dry before she left. She took every penny she'd saved with her. I don't know about Shannon, but I doubt there would be much money left in her name, either."
"I'll put my money in the pot." Jillian looked over at Lindsey. "I'm coming with you, like it or not, Lindsey."
He frowned, but nodded after a moment. "Where does that put us?"
"You're still short money to fully fund the project." Weasley had been quiet until then, and the whole group turned to look at him. "Approximately the cost of the glass and the projector, actually. I can cover that."
"We'll split the cost," Lilah said rapidly. "And that will cover everything to go after them. But what about your lives here? Someone's bound to miss you."
"I can choose to retire from active duty in four months, when my re-enlistment comes up, and I'll wrap up my other affairs shortly before departure." Lindsey paused, looking over at Jillian. "You, Jillian?"
"I've been a civillian contractor for the last year, Lindsey, so I don't need to worry about re-enlistment coming up. Don't you keep up on the news?"
"Apparently not." Lindsey shrugged. "James, how long will it take to build the machine, and prepare it for use?"
"Anywhere between three months and a year, depending on how long it takes to aquire the neccessary hardware, and run the variables. Possibly longer if problems arise."
"I have my notes on hardware production for the machine from last time. We shouldn't have any production problems like we did last time." Jillian shrugged one shoulder. "Maybe new ones, but not any of the old ones."
"The research won't have to be done a second time, and I'm close to a theory on travel without images. Using what amounts to a phone number, instead," added Wesley.
"In other words, a Stargate." James grinned at the confusion on Wesley's face. "Don't worry about it, Wes. It's a tv show."
"Oh. Unfamiliar territory." Wesley shrugged. "If you want to use that metaphor to better understand it, then whatever works." He turned his attention back to the heavy book in his lap, his brow furrowing in concentration.
"And the software, James?"
"All I have to do is run the variables. And if Wesley finishes with his stargate theory before the machine is finished, I'll work on incorperating that into the program. It might allow us to retrieve you at a later point. If it works."