Mirrors

'I hear your book on wormholes hit the bestsellers list.'

Sarah looked up from the ancient scroll she was studying and pushed her glasses higher on her nose to peer at the tall stocky man in the doorway. 'What are you talking about, Martin?'

'The Secrets of Instantaneous Travel and other Marvels of Science. Or have you written another book on wormholes that I haven't heard about?'

'If I have, it'll be in one of those alternate universes,' Sarah laughed. 'So what's this about the bestseller list?'

Martin walked across to the desk and settled into a rickety wooden chair. 'Don't you bother following your reviews and stats at all?'

She shrugged. 'I just write the stuff. The university says I have to publish so I publish. I don't care what people think about it.'

'Well, you've hit the spot with this one anyway. Right up there with what's-his-name who wrote about aliens and the pyramids. And stargates. You did mention those in your book, didn't you?'

Sarah laughed again. 'I take it you haven't read it then?'

'Much too dry for me, my love,' said Martin languidly.

'Says the man who devoured Monkey Leaves in Modern Computing.' Sarah carefully rolled up the scroll, inserted it into its protective tube and removed her gloves. 'But I'm sure you haven't come to bemoan my so-called success—that is, if I really did make the MST bestsellers list.'

'You did, and no, that's not the only reason. In fact I have read your book and found it fascinating. However, you've missed one key element that answers all the questions and proves your case.'

Sarah sat back, her eyes glittering with amusement. 'Oh? And what would that be?'

'Mirrors,' said Martin smugly.

'Mirrors,' Sarah repeated. 'Sure. And if this is true, why have you never come to me about it before?'

Martin stood up, went to the window and looked out on the college green. After a moment he turned back. 'To be fair, I didn't know what line of research you were following. All anybody would say was that you were doing some research for the space academy. We all assumed it had to do with new ways of powering their intergalactic ships so we could get to Androgen in five years instead of five hundred. Certainly that's all that's been reported in the press, or anywhere else, for that matter.'

'I'm glad my misdirection worked,' said Sarah. She rubbed wearily at her forehead. 'Mind you, it very nearly backfired on me. I had Space Command on my back demanding to see the results of my research and wanting to know how soon they could implement it! But you still haven't told me what it has to do with mirrors. Or is that just your little joke? A bit of smoke perhaps?' She grinned at her friend.

There was a knock at the door and Martin turned to the window. Sarah raised an eyebrow at this strange behaviour but put it aside for the moment. A red-haired young man put his head round the door and smiled apologetically.

'Professor, I was just wondering—' He stopped as he spied Martin at the window. 'I'm sorry. I didn't realise you were busy. I'll come back later.'

'No, Fabian, it's all right,' said Sarah. 'What is it?'

Fabian took a step into the room and glanced doubtfully at Martin's back.

'Don't mind him. He's in a snit because I apparently made the MST bestsellers list while his book is still languishing in obscurity.'

Martin snorted but didn't turn around.

Fabian smiled slightly. 'If you're sure.' He stepped further into the room. 'It's just that I had a thought about the relative timing of fractal flares and how we could harness them to create a shift in time and space.'