Memory Traffic

Chapter 7: The Start

My stomach tightened, my breath caught, and my heart skipped a beat, all at the same time. "You're pregnant?"

Nancy tried to pull away again, but I refused to let her go. "Yes. About eight weeks. Is that still okay? You were happy about it before."

"Is it okay?" I sputtered. "Is it okay?" My heart soared. I grabbed her to me and lifted her, spinning her in a little circle. "It's more than okay!" I set her down gently and kissed her.

"Hey!" Sharon shouted up the stairs. "Come on, Ethan! We need to do this. Now."

Nancy giggled. "We can talk about it more later. Let's get to the lab."

I took her hand, then took the lead, heading down the stairs to the hallway and the second flight to the lab. All eyes turned to me when we came into view.

"Finally," Sharon muttered, and I flashed her a don't-be-a-bitch look. She rolled her eyes.

"Ethan, please come and stand by the gate," Dr. Müller requested.

I squeezed Nancy's hand before releasing it, facing the blue side of the door. He nodded to one of the lab techs sitting at a bench. She threw a few switches, and I heard a hum of electricity. I felt the crackle of static around me, just enough to make me aware that something odd was happening.

Dr. Müller nodded. "Good. Now, set the key to the fifth watch face. That will send you to the Alpha Centauri system storehouse. Our contact is there knows to watch for you and let you through. They'll also help you get to Vega Prime and back."

"Just keep walking when you exit the gate and go with the flow of travelers," Sharon instructed.

I pulled the stem on the watch and turned it. When I pushed it back in on the correct setting, the hum of electricity increased as the watch face settled. "So, do I just open the door and walk in?"

"Yes. It should be that easy," Dr. Müller said. "Good luck."

I took a breath and released it, squaring my shoulders before reaching for the knob. I snatched my hand back when I was shocked as I touched the knob.

"Is that supposed to happen?" I asked, looking at my hand.

"I don't think so," Dr. Müller said, looking over the shoulder of the tech. "All readings appear to be normal, however. Try again."

This time, I felt no shock as I gripped the knob. I turned it and swung the door inward.

It opened onto a platform where a ramp led down from the door. Beings of all natures moved toward what I could only assume was the exit. I set my jaw and stepped through the door, walking down the ramp and into the throng, glancing back once to ensure Sharon was right behind me. She nodded, and I watched the door shut on the lab, Nancy's worried face the last thing I saw.

"Just keep moving," Sharon ordered.

I did as she told me. The crowd moved steadily, and soon, we climbed a set of stairs and were dumped into a larger area full of bright lights flashing in the night with low-flying vehicles whizzing by overhead. Crowds were gathered in pockets around street performers and at stalls hawking things I couldn't hope to recognize. It had the feel of a shopping district, a casino, and a carnival all rolled into one.

I pulled Sharon into an empty space on the walkway. "Okay, now what?"

Before she could answer, Juno appeared beside her.

~

"Room 1926," Juno said into his phone. He paused, listening. "Ten minutes. Got it."

Alex stepped into the bathroom and motioned for me to follow. He shut us in and fished out a small baggie from his pants pocket with two red and blue capsules in it. "Nancy sent us these. You need to take yours," he whispered.