In The End

Section1: Chapter 11

Silvana had been walking two steps behind the two men. She put her hand on the wall and forced herself to look forward, The lights were starting to blur around the edges."Don't tell the army," she said weakly, "No matter how much they offer you,"Doctor Nokivori nodded, "I don't like the army," he said, "Had to pretend I was sick and insane, to stop them from making me manufacture weapons. But you're going to have to tell me everything," He looked at Silvana. Silvana could tell he wasn't trying to be unkind, but his gaze hovered on her ears too long for her liking. "Everything you can remember about your world. It doesn't matter if it seems trivial. I need to know just how you might have got here. And how you're going back. You don't object to me studying you a bit? Just seeing the effects of interdimensional travel." Silvana suddenly remembered Charles, attaching the electrodes to her naked flesh, and shivered. "So long as you treat me like a person, and keep to your side of the bargain as well." she said, weakly.Naoki took her hand, and Silvana could feel the strength flowing from his body to hers. She could tell that Doctor Cherekenovsky was looking at the way their hands had woven together. She was expecting him to look disgusted or alarmed, but the main emotion on his face was sadness. 

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 "You need to keep living plants in your lab."Naoki added, looking at Silvana and shaking his head."Of course, that's one of the requirements for her. It's her power and life source.""Then that's fine."He didn't really think it was fine. The soldier in him didn't trust the doctor, and he continued to keep an eye out for any dangers.They made their way to the lab and the research carried on. The doctor took samples of Silvana's blood, skin, sweat, and even a small clump of her hair. He tried his best to study them. He asked Silvana questions, which she answered, and Naoki learned a few new things about how her world worked. He noticed her answers to personal questions about her family and life tended to be shorter and vaguer. Finally, a question rolled up that he didn't expect, but it was stupid he'd never asked it himself."Silvana, how old are you?" 

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"One hundred and four," said Silvana quickly, "I've barely come of age.." Then she looked at how everyone was staring at her, mouths open, as if being a hundred and four was incredible. She wondered if the scientist was jealous, or remembering the times when he was at that youthful age. Then it hit her. "Oh.." she sighed, mentally kicking herself for being stupid, "Lunar calendar." Before the scientist opened his mouth to convert, she said, "The moon is a lot faster on your world. On mine, there are roughly five moons per cycle, not..." she closed her eyes, and thought for a minute "Roughly twelve, if your cycle is the same size as mine."The scientist nodded, "So you'd be about twenty. Were you born with your magic?"Dr. Cherekenovsky noticed now Naoki tensed up when that was mentioned."Some people might be curious as to where your powers came from, and how they work,"Naoki stepped forward, almost daring him to say more. He was strangely protective over this..creature. "But I am not among them. Everything here is secret. My mouth is sealed. I'm sorry I brought it up," he said. That was only partially true. He'd have to tell other scientists. He wasn't smart enough to figure it out on his own."In the meantime,." he said, "I have ideas about what could have happened," He looked at Silvana and Naoki, "I'll try get this done quickly."Immediately, he'd tried to compose a letter in his head to the other leading scientists, trying to get their opinions and their research without mentioning Silvana in person....At the end of the day, they had to finish the research. Silvana was tired, so Naoki said they should call it a day. Even he was exhausted. He hated to think how she must be feeling. Naoki noticed the doctor was struggling. He was trying as hard as he could, but it wasn't going to be enough. Naoki could see her getting weaker, day by day. He hated to think what might happen to her if she didn't get home in time."Dr. Cherekenovsky, can I talk with you in private?"He asked and the doctor followed him to another room."Look, I understand the position you're in, and that you can't accomplish much alone. So if you need help, I guess you can take up to three other scientists to join you in this research, as long as Silvana returns to her world as soon as possible."The doctor stared at him for a moment."Well, I'm glad you think so. I do need help. There's no way I could construct any sort of interdimensional portal alone. What are the conditions?"He hardly needed to ask. He got the impression Naoki had a lot of conditions."I must see them first. I get to meet them before they meet Silvana or learn anything about her. They can't share any private information with other people. And they must give me their word. If they break it, I will not hesitate to kill them quietly. You know I'm more than capable."Naoki glared at the doctor, and he could see he was shaking."If everyone keeps their mouth shut, that shouldn't be a problem."He said as he walked off towards the other room."I expect the three of them chosen by tomorrow." He added coldly.He took Silvana's hand for support after the long day, and the two walked off through the corridors. They both managed to find their way out fairly easily."What did you talk about?"She asked. "We're involving other scientists. I needed to make sure this project moves on quickly. We both know we have to do it fast."The rest of the walk to their hotel was silent. They grabbed some food on their way, but Naoki didn't pay attention. There was so much going on in his head.