Through the Wormhole

Chapter IV: Ancient Rocks of Mirovia

"Daniel? I brought you cookies."

Dan heard his door open and PPMC's whirling hands but didn't take his eyes off the multiple blue windows that floated before him and above his computer. He flipped back and forth between his story and the geologic time scale.

"You working on your story?" PPMC asked.

"Oh. Sorry, PPMC." Dan finally looked at her. "Yes, I am."

She moved Junior Bucket to his dresser, set the cookie pan beside it, and gestured at his computer. "May I?"

"Be my guest." Dan turned the keyboard, and the screens flipped with it. He picked up a cookie and nervously chewed it while PPMC reviewed his work.

She chuckled. "Dan, I'm just gonna be honest—you do not know how to write an intimate scene."

He blushed. "Sorry. I don't read a lot of Romance."

PPMC returned his computer. "You also don't have the experience."

He blushed harder.

"It's okay." PPMC patted his back. "You will one day." She next gestured at the PPMC Gauntlet on his forearm. "May I see the gauntlet?"

Dan removed it and handed it to her. "PPMC?" he said while she studied it. "I'm sorry I was such a jerk earlier."

"Huh?" PPMC rotated her hands.

"It's just"—Dan rubbed his eye—"ever since Mom died, I've been obsessed with geologic time. Anyway, I'm sorry."

"Aw, don't worry about it." PPMC lifted her wrist. "Your dad and Chenoa warned me." She paused for a minute, seemingly lost in thought, and added, "Dan... about what you said in the wormhole about your mom...?"

"I was scared; I don't know what came over me," he quickly answered.

PPMC sighed. "I know there's something you're not telling me. Ben said you were the last person with your mom."

Dan seized up. "Goodnight, PPMC. I'm going to bed." He shut off his computer and pulled his pillows down. "Mirovia Ocean tomorrow, remember? That's more important. Just make sure the gauntlet's okay. That's all I'm asking."

"Please don't change the subject on me." Dan heard PPMC's frustration. "I'm just trying to help."

"Goodnight, PPMC." He put his covers over his head and pretended to fall asleep. Dan waited until PPMC left to uncover himself. His fist shook, and a tear ran down his cheek. "I'm sorry, Mom."

***

Dan's impatience caught up with him during the middle of the night. He had to see the Mirovia Ocean! He had to see the stromatolites. PPMC told him to stay put for the night, but she seemed to forget Dan was Daniel Matton.

He climbed out of bed and snuck to his closet, pulling out the sunsuit and helmet. Dan changed and carefully slipped the helmet on. He started to reach for the gauntlet but stopped. There was no doubt PPMC would try to call him once she noticed he was gone, and Dan didn't want her to distract him from his research. Therefore, he let the gauntlet be and grabbed his hoverscooter. She was AI-powered, so he was confident she could find the ocean.

He thought about the mysterious force that saved him earlier during the trip to PPMC's cockpit. Dan still didn't know how that was possible. Then again, his mom said she would be with him during Precambrian Time. Ghosts weren't real, though... right? Whatever the case, he couldn't dwell on the strange phenomenon.

Dan found the cockpit and searched for the button that opened PPMC's hatch, but there were too many to choose from.

Hoverscooter 23 turned on and slid out from his armpit.