ETTING   OME   O   LFANDRA

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Hespa's Story part 18 - ...Or Science

Cira sighs heavily.  "We seem to be rapidly running out of options and time.  I didn't want to mention this.  Before I came to Alfandra I lived in the 'Real World'.  Through a series of experiences that we don't have time to relate right now I and my Mate became well received by the people who lived in our area.  Now, this wasn't until about 2040 and it wasn't a widely know fact either.  But we were sufficiently well integrated that I taught Physics at a University and most of my students knew that I was a dragon at the time.  Many advanced physics topics were researched by my Students and I.  One of which was the nature of folding space."

"Anyway my Mate and I had another adventure thrust upon us and I had to execute a space fold to prevent something terrible from happening.  I didn't know enough about folding at the time I guess because the fold reflected off an anomaly in physical law and we wound up being reflected off it into the farthest reaches of deep space, beyond the boarders of the Super Cluster of Galaxies.  Anyway, it was a disaster.  We got separated and eventually I found my way Here."

"Since then I worked out some of the problems with space folding, but not all of them.  So you see, there is a way, but it is definitely not without risk.  That's why I didn't want to mention it.  There is a risk that we might not get where we want to go.  Mind you where ever we wind up I can protect us from problems such as no air in space or coming out in the middle of a star.  You won't be squished if we fold into rock because the rock is folded out as you are folded in, and we would just execute another fold to escape."

"Maybe we should dump this idea as too dangerous?"

Emma looks nervous, but then shakes her head.  "No, don't dump it.  I think the big problem with both Pyros's idea and the original thick air idea is that I'm from a non-magical realm and I'm definitely a non-magical creature.  So solutions that rely on me using magic are hardly likely to work.  Your idea, on the other hand, involves performing magic *on* me - and we've already proven *that* works! Speaking of which, any chance of draconifying me again?"  She grins hopefully.

Cira smiles warmly.  "Sure."  He lifts both fore claws as if in a strike.  A brief thought enters Emma's mind when she realizes what those sharp claws and the powerful mussels behind them could do to a human.  Emma's outline glows with red light and her interior becomes transparent.  When only the outline remains it reshapes its self and changes color to green and the dragon quickly fades in.  Cira backs away to make room, for the dragon is much larger.

Emma purrs contentedly, in spite of herself.

Pyros considers mentioning that Emma will have to abandon her draconic form soon anyway (the sooner she gets back to RL, the better) but, seeing her contentment after the utter failure of their first attempt to send her form, as well as remembering how *he* feels each time he reassumes his true shape, he chooses to say nothing.

"You might be surprised at just how much 'magic' exists in the Real World.  Either way though, we're in good shape as space folding has very little to do with magic and a whole lot to do with science."

Emma appears to be about to say something.  Then she pauses, and apparently reconsiders.  "That's OK then."

Pyros nods in agreement with Cira, but then raises an objection:

"Wait a minute....while I agree that we shouldn't dismiss the idea, I think you should be a little more concerned for your safety--after all, Cira said he was flung into the deep space!"  He turns to Cira.  "You said you had worked out some of the problems with folding space, but have you *tried* it recently?  With a person?"

Cira nods.

**i think i understand emma's unconcern....when you were the typist, emma, i knew i couldn't die as long as you lived....now the situation should be reversed, right?**

"That's certainly what I'm thinking.  You've become the Real one of us - therefore, you're the one who controls whether we live or die.  So don't go fiddling with the electric sockets!"

**ok, ok!...but there's one thing our theory doesn't consider, and that's the fact that what applies to us doesn't necessarily apply to cira and pyros....guys, can you survive all those things cira mentioned?...if not, i'm thinking emma should make this journey alone...**

"Cira survived it once, and you--er, Emma is going to need our help in any case..."

"Actually I don't feel there's much risk of us not surviving it.  Of course I could always be wrong.  Now, I'm not ready to try creating a fold which doesn't incorporate the generator, which means I'll be going as well.  There's nothing in rules which would indicate that it's not possible to fold a region away from the device which caused it but I haven't worked it out and couldn't do so quickly.  I don't think that's a problem though."

Hespa nods seriously.  "OK."

"Really though, I don't think we will be in any danger of being harmed.  Well not by the fold its self or its immediate consequences anyway.  Though there is a rather large risk that we won't wind up where we want to be."

"Hmmph.  How big a risk?"

"I don't think it matters...we don't seem to have any other options, so if space folding isn't likely to pose much physical danger, then we have to try it."

"Fair enough."

He pulls Pyros aside.  "One other thing.  This is not necessarily reversible.  So even if we succeed in getting Emma back we may not get back.  On the other claw, you could probably just use your usual method so you're probably ok."  He brightens considerably realizing this.

"Yes, I had already thought of that.  Don't worry about me, I'll be all right.  What about you, though?  If we make it to RL successfully, will you be able to get back Here all right?"

"I'm sure I'll be fine.  Even if by some unforeseen failure I were to be stuck there, hey, I would have made it back to where I came from.  Albeit at an earlier time than what I left at.  I could always go back to teaching Physics or something."  He waves dismissivly.

Emma cocks her head curiously, but decides not to interrupt with questions unrelated to the problem at hand.

Then she frowns slightly, and sticks up a claw.  "'Scuse me, but...  I understand why *you* have to come, Cira, but why does Pyros?  I don't want to put more people in danger on my account than I have to..."

"Nonsense!  Cira said that the physical danger wouldn't be that great.  Besides, remember how I travel between planes--by focusing first on starting point, then on destination?  Well, that means that if I'm in danger I can teleport to any familiar location...my lair Here for example.  Besides, I couldn't just sit by and do nothing while you and Cira go off--if there's a chance I can help you and Hespa by going, I'm going.  Since we're folding space, transportation should rely on *locations* rather than on *people*, so I shouldn't be endangering you and Cira by accompanying you..."

*grimace*  "Well, there shouldn't be any danger from the jump, but there can always be danger from encountering something.  I mean if we wound up in the middle of a military training field in the Outback we sure could be in danger.  But you are definitely right that your coming would not add any risk.  Hey, three dragons are better than two!"  He grins.

"All right, good point.  I guess I *would* feel safer with more company..."