A/N: Warning: The science contained in this chapter is largely made up!
I'm a historian, not a physicist, or a geologist, or anything useful like that.
Sorry, it's kind of a short exposition-y chapter, but I'm starting on chapter three right now, so hopefully we'll have some more action going on soon.
Disclaimer: Still don't own anything but Alice. You know, if that novel ever gets published, this will be a crossover fic… how odd.
Chapter Two: Set Your Alarm for Volcano Day
"So what is it that you need help with?" Tesla asked, sitting down in an armchair, holding his left arm against his chest. Helen had repeatedly tried to put it in a sling, but Tesla kept removing it, saying it clashed with his wardrobe.
"The power source, on the time machine. You remember it, yes?" Alice said.
"I designed it," Tesla replied.
"Yes, I know," Alice said. "It's been having problems. I was stuck in 1969 for a week until I could jury-rig it enough to make it here. And let me tell you, that is not a fun place to be."
"Speaking of which," Helen interrupted. "How did you know where and when to come?"
"I've been to the future," Alice explained. "The past is easy. Or is this the present? I mean, technically, this is my future, so I get a little confused…"
"That power source was perfect!" Tesla declared. "What have you been doing to it?"
"I didn't do anything!" Alice insisted. "It was working just fine until maybe a month ago. And when I say month, I mean from my point of view. I was in 2012 for a few days, did a weekend in 1632—that one was probably a mistake on my part—then I spent a few weeks lounging in the French Riviera in 1790—"
"Well, you must have done something to it," Tesla said, interrupting. "It wouldn't just stop working."
"I may have… lingered a little too long during a volcanic eruption," Alice said timidly.
Tesla tilted his head and looked at her. "When?"
"79 AD?" Alice said nervously.
Tesla rubbed his right hand over his eyes. "Yes, that would probably do it."
"But you can fix it, right?" Alice said. "Because if not, you're going to be stuck with me for quite a long time."
Tesla looked up suddenly. "No, no, I can fix it."
"Just what is this power source?" Helen asked.
Tesla eyes lit up excitedly. "It's quite brilliant really. It derived power from the earth's electromagnetic field, so it would work virtually anywhere on earth. Except," he said, casting a dark look at Alice, "if you try to use it during a massive volcanic eruption. All of that molten rock going everywhere and the ground shaking, well, the device has trouble tracking the field. If it isn't recalibrated, it starts doing unpredictable things. It might work a few more times, but eventually, the difference between where the field is and where the device thinks it should be makes the whole thing unstable." He regarded Alice for a moment. "It's actually amazing that you managed to make it here."
"Actually," Alice began, "I was aiming for two weeks ago, and on the lawn here. I wound up five miles away on the wrong day. I had to use public transportation, and the people of this century are quite disgusting." She shuddered. "I miss the good old days, when it was improper to touch random strangers." She looked from Tesla to Helen. "See, unlike you two, who got to ease into the changing times, I haven't been hanging around for the last hundred years. I had this 21st Century impropriety thrust upon me."
"You've managed to blend in rather well," Helen observed, indicating Alice's attire.
Alice glanced down at her clothes. She wore black pants and boots, a grey blouse, and a black duster. "Yes, well, I've found that this is pretty universal. Occasionally I have to keep my coat closed to keep from being stoned for dressing too much like a man, but it works all right."
"So where exactly is the time machine?" Tesla interrupted. "The sooner you're on your way, the better."
"Aw, just when we were starting to be friends again," Alice said with mostly mock sadness.
"You shot me," Tesla said accusingly.
"And I feel terrible about that," Alice replied. "I didn't really expect you to one day just stop being a vampire. I didn't even know that was possible."
"Yes, well, it's depressing enough as it is, I don't need you rubbing it in," Tesla responded. "So, the time machine?"
"There's a bit of a park on the corner of 12th and Lunceford," Alice said finally.
"I can have someone go pick it up," Helen said. "What does it look like?"
Alice smiled slightly. "I think you'll know it when you see it."