Chapter 20: Where's Waldo?
Note: Partway through this chapter, the characters watch part of a Doctor Who serial from 1967 called "The Underwater Menace" (the ending in particular). You can find a video of this section on YouTube if you search for "The Underwater Menace 3".
T-27 days, 11 hours, 41 minutes and 52 seconds (09-14 ∇ 10:03).
"To what do you ascribe your miraculous recovery?" the reporter asked.
"It was certainly no miracle," the Emperor of Earth replied from his hospital bed. "You hear about injuries similar to mine on my world all the time. The victim partially recovers, but bears some lasting damage for the rest of their lives. Similarly, in my case I was able to recover control over my upper body, but I will never be able to walk again." Nimnul was calmly sitting up in his bed. His sheets were cluttered with intricately hand-drawn mechanical plans of robots and positronic brains, and a pencil was tucked behind his ear. He was wearing a pair of dark goggles to shield his sensitive eyes, but the parts of him that were visible above the sheets looked completely healed.
"That may be the case on your world, Your Excellency, but wasn't it true that your thoracic spinal cord was severed in four places? I fail to see..."
"It was a standard case," Nimnul stressed, looking with some distress up at Francine, who was standing beside the bed.
"But it was severed in..."
"The Emperor has answered the question," Francine sniped, "and no more need be said on the subject." A couple of attendants took the hint and escorted the complaining reporter out of the room.
"I have something to say before moving on," Nimnul announced, waiting a few moments until he had regained the attention of everyone in the room. "I have heard enough talk about my 'miraculous' recovery and my 'miraculous' defeat of the Danaans. Let me make this clear: I am no different than any other ordinary person, and I possess no extra-ordinary powers. From an early age, I was surrounded by those who, by virtue of unfair advantages at birth, claimed the right to be my superior, because they had family fortunes to draw on, or were gifted with the ability to calculate impossible calculations in their head. I was born with none of those, yet I got where I am today because I worked longer and thought harder than any of my rivals at unraveling the secrets of the universe. Those secrets I will continue to use for the benefit of the people of this, my adopted home."
The people gathered duly applauded at the conclusion of this little speech. Francine responded by shaking her head at the depths of Nimnul's self-deception. While this was happening, a couple men in white pushed a large-screen television on a stand into the room. After plugging in the power, one of the men played with the controls of the television and the equipment sitting in the cart below it for a few minutes. When he stepped away, the face of Commissioner Simmonds beamed on the set. "Emperor!" he cried. "I'm so glad to be seeing you in such excellent health!" A corner of the television image showed the output of the video camera that was mounted on top of the set.
"Really?" Nimnul asked accusingly. "Are you really glad? Your lieutenant, Commander Gorski, did not want to see me in such excellent health! He was paid by Danaan gold to betray me, to betray the entire human race!"
The dignitaries in the room with Nimnul looked away, not wanting to get involved in a possible shouting match. They included veterans and commanders of the recently-concluded war, engineers and scientists and three reporters, who were eagerly transcribing every word. Francine and Reynard Keigh now stood behind the television set, unnoticed. On a table next to them were stacked four videotapes with sarcastic labels that showed they contained every episode of the Rescue Rangers show that was ever aired.
After a pause considerably longer than the 2.56 seconds it took for light to make the round trip from the Moon to the Earth, Simmonds responded. "Anton Gorski is currently under maximum security, awaiting his trial for treason in a military court. I assure you that I had no part whatsoever in his actions during the Battle of Clavius."
Nimnul glared at the image on the screen. "You're as addicted to money as Gorski," he accused. "The same corruption of greed that infects the entire World Space Organization, and The Company. You're not interested in the greater good, only in lining your own pockets! However, I believe in the rule of law, and it's true that the communications uncovered between the Danaans and Gorski do not involve you. Yet. If you are innocent, you will have to work hard to regain my favor."
Simmonds paused. "Yes, Your Excellency."
"Expedite the trial. I will let the general public decide on his punishment. While we are on the subject of crime and punishment, have the Largesses been caught?"
A man in the room spoke up. "Yes, Your Excellency."
"Good. While I may be angry beyond words with them, I will not be having them executed. In fact, I will even go so far as to completely abolish the death penalty."
This announcement electrified the reporters.
"Yes, I thought you might like that," Nimnul said, although he was addressing the inhabitants of his head rather than anyone in the room. "With that business out of the way," he continued, "I have a rather optimistic announcement to make. The power generators that won us our survival will be going public, and the nuclear waste on the Moon will become a new energy source. I have had the time to finally name the devices: the Nimnul Weak Force Transducer."
The reporters were beginning to think they might need more paper in their notebooks.
"I'll get the word out," replied Simmonds. "There is one final order of business: the matter of appointments. The job of administrator for Nimnul Lunar Hospital was simple enough. Doctor Helena Russell had the best qualifications for the position."
"Inform her immediately," Nimnul ordered. "We'll evaluate her performance in three months."
"The tougher position to fill is that of Commander of Moonbase Alpha. We currently have..." (the Commissioner looked down at his computer screen) "...Paul Morrow as acting Commander, but I think we need someone more prestigious to take over on a long-term basis."
"Who were you thinking of?" asked Nimnul, his eyes wandering to his plans.
"Actually, I was thinking of naming you to the post," Simmonds replied. "In your current physical condition, the Moon's lower gravity would be ideal."
Nimnul looked up in annoyance. "You'd like that, wouldn't you? Leave me so busy managing construction up here that you have free reign down on Earth. Well, the needs of the Empire outweigh any physical discomfort on my part, and just as soon as I'm strong enough to make the trip, I'm going back down there. Name somebody else."
Simmonds sighed. "Very well. My second choice would be Captain Anthony Cellini. A decorated war hero would do very well for publicity, and given the recent construction mishaps, Moonbase Alpha needs all the publicity it could get."
Francine looked over at Captain Cellini, who was in the room. He looked very uncomfortable. "Do you want the job, Tony?" she asked.
Cellini put a finger under his collar. "If you appoint me, I'll do my duty to the best of my ability," he stammered.
"But you don't think your abilities are best suited to the job of command," she completed his thought.
"I...I'm an explorer, Empress. The unknown is where I thrive. People I don't really understand."
"But you commanded men in the field," Simmonds observed, trying to get the camera to pivot far enough so he could see the captain. "You were essential in the recent victory."
"That wasn't really me," Cellini replied, sheepishly. "I worked on strategy, true, but the command, the camaraderie that led to victory, that was the work of Captain Koenig here."
All eyes turned to the man mentioned.
"Do you want the job, then?" asked Simmonds.
"Ah, well, that is...if, if you will have me," Koenig answered.
"Fine with me," remarked Nimnul, who was already working on another diagram.
The sounds of keys being tapped came up from the television screen, as Commissioner Simmonds reviewed Koneig's file. "Yes, this is acceptable. John Koenig, I hereby appoint you Commander of Moonbase Alpha, effective immediately. The requisite paperwork will arrive via the next Earth-to-Moon shuttle. Please get it back to me promptly."
"Yes, sir."
"This concludes our business today, Emperor."
The people in the room turned to congratulate the new commander, as the image on the screen went black.
Most of the group left then. Nimnul reached over to a side table that was covered with videotapes and picked one up labeled "The Underwater Menace".
"Could somebody get this into the VCR? I left off on Chapter 3."
Keigh stepped forward and put the cassette into the machine that was under the television. The image on the screen changed to a monochrome scene of humanoid creatures swimming underwater. Nimnul picked up a remote control and pointed it at the machine, pressing a button to cause the scene to fast-forward to the next scene, which showed a wild man in a surgeon's smock and a theatrical black cape. Facing him was a young man wearing a black wetsuit, but the scientist was addressing someone off-screen.
"I underrated you, Doctor," the man on the screen said in a German accent. "I hardly imagined you'd have the nerve to kidnap Zaroff himself!" Professor Zaroff laughed evilly. Like many mad scientists, he had a habit of referring to himself in the third person.
Nimnul smiled. "I love Doctor Who," he confessed. "That show always had the best villains. On my world, most of the early episodes were erased by those idiots at the BBC, but here, I can watch every serial!"
"I'm sorry to interrupt," said Professor Bergman, one of the scientists who remained.
"What is it?" scowled Nimnul.
"It's the matter of the Danaan's records. The ones we were able to recover from their mothership."
"Yes?"
"We've discovered the key to decoding their written language, with the help of one of the patients, a Miss Laurel Weir."
"Miss Weir?" Nimnul asked in surprise. He saw her standing at the doorway and beckoned her forward. She was wearing a cast around her right arm. She was wearing street clothes (including the obligatory long-sleeved blouse to cover her left arm to the wrist) and had a suitcase at her feet.
"Yes, Emperor?" she asked, walking up to him.
"I didn't know you had a talent for languages."
"Neither did I," she confessed. "Funny what amnesia can hide from you, isn't it?"
Examining her critically, he reached forward and plucked a small object off of her sleeve. "What is this?" he asked.
"Oh, that's a wood shaving. I must have missed it when I cleaned up after Sparky."
"Sparky?"
"Yes. That's...that was David's pet mouse. You remember, the one I found in his glove?"
"He kept a vermin, as a pet?" he asked, dangerously. "The man must have been deranged. Perhaps it is best that he didn't survive. If you wish to remain my assistant, you will space that animal immediately!"
"I can't believe you, Emperor! David saved my life. I think the least I can do to repay him is to take care of his pet."
"Get out of my sight!" Nimnul ordered. "I never want to see you again!"
"Fine! Consider me walking out that door as my resignation from your service!" She picked up the bag, and a small wooden box that was next to it. Small scratching noises could be heard from inside it. She was followed by Francine, who gave Nimnul a dirty look before leaving.
"As I suspected," said Nimnul, reviewing the pages which Professor Bergman had handed him, "this is just the opportunity I was waiting for. I want you to put all your men to work on decoding the rest of those alien texts, immediately! Soon, we will be able to proceed to the next stage of my master plan." He handed back the pages. "Take good care of these translations, translations which were made by nobody." He looked around the room at all the people that were milling about. "Well, you have your assignments, now get out of my room! All but you, Agent Keigh."
The scientists and reporters rushed out of the hospital room. Nimnul picked up a comlink and pressed a button, causing the door to close itself. "I'm getting tired of remotes," he muttered. "What's taking those engineers so long?"
Keigh had the distinct feeling that the eccentric emperor had forgotten him, so he picked up the stack of Rescue Rangers videotapes, cleared his throat, and stepped in front of the television. "Did you want me for something?" he asked.
"Yes. First of all, I've been told you had a major part in saving my life. For that you have my gratitude. I can grant you anything in my power."
"Well, it's not precisely in your power, but I'd appreciate a recommendation to the Company-I'd really like to stay on the Moon."
"You actually like this place? I admit, the fact that the inhabitants of Moon Base Alpha are 100 % human is comforting, but I feel too constricted here. Everything is preplanned. No surplus parts to play with. But I can understand that you might see things differently. I'll do what I can for you.
"With that settled, there is another thing I need you to do for me."
"What is it?" the agent asked.
"I need you to go upstairs to Harold Largess' room and search it again. You need to find proof that the man was a fanatical Rescue Rangers fan, that he was impelled by that fanaticism to attempt my assassination."
"I was already in charge of the investigation, Your Excellency, and we found no such evidence. By all accounts, Harold Largess was a megalomaniac, pure and simple. He was motivated by no cause greater than himself."
"Then you weren't looking hard enough," said Nimnul carefully. "Go back there and find me the proof I need." Nimnul reached forward and took one of the videotapes Agent Keigh was holding. "In fact, how about you find me this in Harold Largess' bedroom. You obviously forgot to press the 'Eject' button on his VCR."
"Are you asking me..."
"Don't ask me what I am asking you to do. Just do it. Now. And don't try anything funny, because I have my ways of watching you. Now give me these other tapes-I'll need something to watch when Doctor Who is done, and I need to become better acquainted with my true enemies. No wait, hold it, this is my favorite scene!"
On the screen, the King of Atlantis was addressing Professor Zaroff, who was accompanied by a pair of henchmen. Zaroff's cape concealed his right arm. "Zaroff!" the king complained. "You are subject to me in all matters. I will not have my people..."
"Your people?" Zaroff interrupted incredulously. "Your people? They are my people now! I hold their entire world in my power."
The king was shocked. "The Doctor was right about you. I order your project stopped at this moment. Guards! Take Zaroff to the temple and hold him there."
"You're a fool! You're a fool! I'll send you to your beloved goddess Amdo to discuss the future of the universe with her."
"I demand that you..."
"You demand?" asked Zaroff, laughing. "You demand? Well since your...since your beloved goddess has developed such an enchanting appetite for people, it is only fitting that the great Thous should offer himself. No. No, I shall offer him." He pulled the cloak off of his right arm to reveal that he was holding a pistol. He fired at King Thous, point-blank. The king fell.
"Kill those two men," Professor Zaroff ordered. Two shots were heard off-screen. To the audience he victoriously screamed, "NOTHING IN THE WORLD CAN STOP ME NOW!" Roll credits and the familiar Doctor Who theme music.
Agent Keigh stepped out of the hospital room and into the corridor, passing a group of engineers who were pushing a large metallic...something down the corridor. Curiously, it looked like it could be a prop from Doctor Who.
Keigh looked accusingly over his left shoulder at the invisible somebody that he now realized had been watching his every move for the last twenty-four hours.
Francine got delayed in the elevator, and was unable to find Miss Weir when she reached the ground level. Then she tried to think if there was anywhere on the base the woman might want to visit before returning to Earth.
As she suspected, Francine found Miss Weir at the observatory, looking through the lens on the visitor's telescope. A small monitor showed the object of her observations: the gray globe of Earth. "Laurel..." she said.
"So are you going to fire me, too?" Miss Weir asked without looking up.
"I would never do something like that," Francine told her. "There's plenty you can do that does not involve the emperor 'seeing' you."
"Thanks, boss," Miss Weir said, facing her. "This war has changed him for the worse. As for me, I'm taking the next shuttle back to Earth. There's nothing for me here."
"I'll join you. We just need to make one more stop, first."
"It's a far-side moon rock. Do you know how much those are worth? I can get it past Customs and straight to your desk in less than 48 hours. It even glows in the dark, thanks to a completely safe level of residual radiation from the nuclear containment facility. Surely that would...no, no I suppose that has nothing to do with lifesaving. Yes, yes, I understand. I will repay this debt, Miss Maughlarde, mark my words!"
Klaudaine hung up the pay phone and then walked away, leaving a glowing rock behind. A few minutes later, Francine and Miss Weir passed the phone from the opposite direction. After walking a few steps past it, Francine doubled back and pocketed the Moon rock. "'Impulse purchase'," she explained with a shrug.
The main branch of Moonbase Alpha's circulating library was located between the travel tube entrance that led to the shuttle launching bay and the local branch of the Seymour Travel chain. Once inside, the reference desk was right in front. Behind it was a bookshelf that went up at least twenty feet. The left side was labeled "Robert A. Heinlein" and the right side was labeled "Reference." Manning the reference desk was a young woman with a dome of brown hair; her green eyes were behind a large round pair of spectacles that were perched on her nose. She was wearing a green turtleneck sweater, and Francine noticed she was in a mechanized wheelchair. "Can I help you?" the librarian asked.
"Yes, I have a question," said Laurel before Francine had a chance to open her mouth. "Do you know if the Earth was always covered with clouds?"
"Oh, it was not always that way," the librarian responded. "I have plenty of old books describing 'sunny days' and 'starry nights' on Earth in between the expected cloudy, rainy and snowy periods."
"Well, what happened?" asked Laurel.
"Nobody's really sure. It started fifty years ago, at the end of the First Interplanetary War, so the general opinion is that the Fomorians are to blame, but nobody has been able to determine the exact mechanism, or a way to reverse the effect."
"Oh," said Laurel, disappointed. She turned to Francine. "Did you have a question?"
"Yes," said Francine, stepping forward. "I need to track down a reference to a fictional character or historical personage named 'Waldo'. I'm not sure which."
"Well," the librarian replied, "the Where's Waldo? series can be found in the children's section. It's to the left through that archway."
"Care to fill me in on this?" Miss Weir asked Francine.
"Probably nothing," Francine answered. To the librarian, she said, "No, I don't think that was it. When was that series started?"
"Around 1990, I think," answered the librarian, adjusting her spectacles as she thought.
"Then that won't do," said Francine. "This reference would have come from the 1960's."
"Well, there's the short story 'Waldo,' written in 1950."
"Could you describe the main character?" Francine asked.
The librarian smiled. "I can do better than that," she said. Working the control on her wheelchair, she pivoted around to face the left-side bookshelf behind her. A button caused her chair to lift upwards, pushed by a scissor-lift system. She plucked a paperback book from the shelf, then lowered herself, turned and handed the book to Francine.
"That's quite some chair you've got there," said a wondering Miss Weir.
"Yes," the librarian replied, blushing. "I designed it myself."
"By the way, why do you have such a big section devoted to one author?"
"Most of that is just one book. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is very popular with us Loonies," the librarian explained.
"Let's hope it doesn't give Nimnul any ideas," Miss Weir warned.
"I doubt it," the librarian laughed, misunderstanding her. "The book is very anti-authoritarian."
"That's exactly what I mean," said Miss Weir.
The battered and much-read book in Francine's hands was Waldo & Magic, Inc., by Robert A. Heinlein. The cover depicted a man in a spaceship standing before a window. Outside the window floated the Earth in space. The man was fat and bald, and probably short, with electronic gadgetry covering his outstretched arm and hand. He was looking over his shoulder at the reader with an annoyed expression.
"Yes," said Francine triumphantly. "This is what I was looking for. Could I borrow this for the trip to Earth?"
"Of course," replied the librarian. "We have an arrangement with Vostaach for just this situation."
"Very well. Thank you very much."
Francine turned to go, but was stopped by Miss Weir. "Don't you have to get a library card or something?" the pilot asked.
"She's the Empress of Earth," remarked the librarian. "I trust her not to lose a book."
Francine laughed, and the two walked out of the library.
As they exited the travel tube, Francine spotted Emperor Norton waiting. She gave the book to Miss Weir and signaled her to remain out of sight, then stepped out to confront him.
Nimnul's lower torso and legs were encased in a white plastic box covered with electronics. Working some controls, Nimnul caused the box to levitate and take him to intercept the approaching empress. His eyes were still obscured by the goggles.
"You didn't tell me you were leaving today," Nimnul told her. "No matter. I would have asked you to meet me here in any case. I have something to show you." He led her to the door of the shuttle and beckoned her to look inside.
The shuttle was full of children aged from thirteen to seventeen. All of them were wearing the orange jumpsuit of lunar prisoners. The girl in front looked at Francine beseechingly. The name on her jumpsuit was "A. WENTWORTH".
"Wh...what have they done?" Francine asked in shock, clutching desperately at the rail of the shuttle door's stairway.
"Don't you recognize them?" asked Nimnul ominously, floating beside her. "These are the Rescue Ranger fans you saw fit to remove from the list I sent you. Let this be your one and only warning: obey my orders in future, or you shall be joining these brats in eternal servitude! Shut up, Gadget! Shut up, all of you!" Clutching one hand to his head in pain, he shoved the control on his hover unit with the other, causing it to rapidly leave the scene. This was the cue for several armed guards to climb the stairs, shoving her aside to remove the prisoners.
It was at that moment that a fundamental discovery was made.
"I miss Norris," Francine Nulton whispered to herself.
