Prologue
“Actually,
my dog found it.”
“Your
dog?”
“Yep.”
“Could
you tell our viewers how it happened?”
“Well,
we were walking through the field toward the wood lot when Clown starts barking
at something in that white birch stand. Where all those trucks are now. Clown’s
there barking, fur standing up the length of his back and teeth gleaming white
and angry, so I drop a shell into the four-ten and wander over.
“I’m
not superstitious—never was—so when I saw the horn on that stallion’s head the
first thing I says to myself is this is Harry Fergusson’s idea of a joke, like
the time I … well, I won’t get into that. But the animal isn’t mine or his.
Clown won’t go near it, and the horse, it just stands there grazing. Looks up
at me once with eyes black as the devil’s coal bin, tosses its mane, and walks
back through this gray place in the air on the far side of the trees.
Disappears as it goes in, like walking into heavy fog. I called you folks soon
after.”
“Did
you try to follow the ah ... horse ... into the fog bank?”
“That’s
no fog bank—seen enough of those living here all my life
—and
no. If I was younger, but no. I’ve got a farm, a wife. Daughter in university.”
“What
are you going to do now?”
“How’s
that?”
“Now.
What are you going to do, now that you might have a gateway to another world on
your back forty as it were?”
“Same
thing I’ve done all my life. Look after my land and family.”
“You
do know there’s talk of setting up a facility to study your discovery?”
“As
long as they remember they’re on private property. I own this land free and
clear, and it’s worth more to me than ten new worlds.”
“There
you have it folks. Joseph McDermitt, farmer, and discoverer of what just may be
the world’s first confirmed interdimensional portal …”
*
“
… return of the first manned expedition through the interdimensional portal
known as McDermitt’s Rift, for the farmer who discovered it several weeks ago.
I’m speaking with Dr. Tara Dwyer, biologist and sole civilian member of the
expedition. Dr. Dwyer, congratulations and welcome home.”
“Thank
you, Susan.”
“So,
Dr. Dwyer, how does it feel to be the first civilian—and the first woman—to
walk on another world?”
“A
little overwhelming, to be honest.”
“Care
to tell us about it?”
“I’m
not sure where to begin.”
“Well,
our viewers have seen images from the remote probes. Is the otherworld as
similar to our own world as these shots suggest?”
“Hard
to say. There are trees and rivers and grass, the air is breathable, the sky is
blue, and there’s a moon almost identical to ours, save for some discrepancies
in crater patterns. The flora is the same or similar, with some notable
exceptions, but …”
“But?”
“Well,
in layman’s terms, it just felt different.”
“Why
is that?”
“Maybe
it’s not the place—maybe it’s me—but the minute I stepped out of the Rift into
that meadow I felt almost as if I’d been reborn, like I was a child again and
everything around me was new and wonderful. Or like I was new and wonderful
again, in a very old place. Those aren’t the right words, but for the three
days we were there the feeling never left me. The knowledge that another world,
unspoiled for all we know, is just a few steps away from our own—it’s
humbling.”
“I’m
sure it is, and we appreciate you talking so soon after your return. There’s
one question that we all want an answer to, though. Is there intelligent life
on the other side?”
“Yes.
We think they’re human, or at least humanoid.”
“What
is she doing? She knows that information’s classified. Somebody shut those
women up.”
“Human?
Tell us about them, Doctor. Who are they? What are they like? Are they
friendly? Hostile? Primitive? Advanced?”
“But
sir, they’re broadcasting live.”
“Cut
their power. Throw in a grenade. Send in the god damn tanks. I don’t care. Just
shut. Them. Up!”
“We
didn’t meet anyone, so I can’t answer most of your questions, but they’re
advanced enough to build with wood and stone.” “—approaching them now,
sir—” “We found the remains of what
looked like a homestead a few miles from the Rift—” “—I’m sorry, but I’ll have
to order you to stop—” “—with traces of what seems to be human DNA—” “—I’m
warning you, ladies. This operation is under military command—” “—My tests have
to be confirmed, but once the public is given the access it is entitled—”
“—Turn
that camera off—”
“Keep
rolling, Eddy. This is Susan Kenning reporting live from McDermitt’s Rift. I’ve
been talking with Dr. Tara Dwyer, who has revealed the existence of intelligent
life on the other side—”
“—I
said turn that camera off—”
“Soldiers have entered the press area. They
have ordered us to stop broadcasting and are harassing my cameraman. We will
stay on the air for as long as we—”
“—Have
it your way—”
“—Oh
God. Is the sound still running? Eddy, are you okay? This is Susan Kenning
live. Dr. Dwyer has been seized. She’s being hauled away by men in uniform. My
cameraman has been shot. The place is filling with soldiers. I’ll keep talking
for as long as I— ———”
“…
shut them down, sir. You might want to send in a medic.”
“So
much for god damn secrecy …”
*
“
… I’m sorry Mr. McDermitt, but there’s nothing I can do.”
“My
family’s been on that land for over a hundred fifty years. It’s worth three
times what those gray-suited leeches are offering.”
“I’m
sorry you feel that way, sir, but the government’s offer is non-negotiable.
They’re acting in the interests of national security …”
*
“…
don’t know how it happened. Damn thing’s just there …”
*
“…
can’t see how it’ll affect me. I still have to work for a living …”
*
“…
interesting business opportunities …”
*
“…
should have seen it coming. I’ve been getting the weirdest feeling the last few
months, like something big was about to happen. Sometimes I’ll wake up and the
stars are just screaming some kind of happening. I mean just the other day, the
day before they found it, I was talking to Joan and both of us, for no reason,
looked up and saw this cloud that looked like a unicorn. It was only there for
a second, but we both saw it. We didn’t think much of it at the time, but the
next day when I was watching the news and they were talking to that
farmer—what’s his name? McDrummitt?—I called Joan up and told her to turn on
her T.V. She calls me back when it’s over, and I remind her of the cloud we saw
and tell her I think it was a sign. I mean, what else could it be? Joan’s
really sensitive to that kind of thing, really tuned in, you know, and she
thinks I’m right. It can’t be a coincidence. There’s no such thing. Everything
happens for a reason, and …”
*
“…
still think it’s a hoax …”
*
“
… what do we do about the media? Since O’Dwyer opened her mouth they’ve been
all over us. ‘No comment’ can only get us so far. The networks are filing a
joint suit to gain access, and it looks like the courts are going for it. As
for the public—in New York, L.A., and Chicago they’re burning effigies of
General Manson here, with a swastika armband. And I don’t need to tell you
about the riot in front of the Rift.”
“As
for the public, they’ll stick a swastika on anything that doesn’t give them a
warm fuzzy feeling.”
“That’s
not the point. The point is, what do we do?”
“Are
we soldiers or politicians?”
“Unfortunately,
these days we have to be both.”
“But—”
“Controlled
exposure, gentlemen.
“Pardon,
sir?”
“Pardon,
sir?”
“Controlled
exposure. Prepared statements, issued daily. Pretty pictures—hills, flowers,
trees—the kind of new-age feel-good bullshit that most of them will be
projecting onto the place anyway. Useless information. Botany and weather
patterns. Give them as little as possible but give it to them as often as you
can. This time tomorrow, P.R. wants the airwaves dripping sweetness and god
damn light.”
“Outstanding
idea, sir.”
“We’ll
get right on it …”
*
“…
Interrupt this program with the following special report. Earlier today, the
second expedition through McDermitt’s Rift returned with what might be the
biggest news of our time, or any time. They have made contact with people on
the other side. I repeat, contact has been made. Humanity is not alone, and our
neighbors are much closer than anyone would have thought just a few short weeks
ago. As of yet, all members of the expedition—a completely military line-up
this time—have been sequestered, but the following recorded statement has been
released by Major Daniel Hack, the exploration project’s media liaison.”
At
approximately sixteen hundred hours this afternoon, Eastern Standard Time, the
second expedition through McDermitt’s Rift, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel William Hennessy, returned after a seven day mission. The
objectives of the mission were to follow up on the leads brought back by the
members of the first group two weeks earlier, to locate members of whatever
civilization exists on the far side of the Rift, and if possible, to establish
friendly contact. Lieutenant-Colonel Hennessy and the men and women under his
command were successful in attaining their objectives. While their findings are
temporarily classified, I am authorized to announce that an agreement in
principle exists, regarding future relations between our two peoples, and that
another mission is being prepared. An ambassador with authority to negotiate on
our country’s behalf has been appointed, and …
*
“…
been given a second chance …”
*
“…
don’t know, sir. He just wandered through.”
“Hold
him until I can get somebody down there.”
“He
doesn’t want to stay, sir. Says he’s exploring and wants to tell his people
what he’s found.”
“Is
he armed?”
“Just
a spear. Didn’t look like he was trying to sneak anywhere.”
“I
suppose we have to let him go. But call me the minute anything else comes
through …”
*
“…
still don’t know how the damn thing got there …”
*
“…
a permanent watch on the other side.”
“That
might jeopardize our negotiations, General.”
“Colonel
Hennessy, until we know exactly what’s on the other side of that thing, it poses
a threat to national security. That’s my first responsibility, which makes it
your only responsibility.”
“Yes,
sir.”
“And
while we’re at it, I want some deep covert reconnaissance. Let’s get a look at
what we aren’t being shown.”
“Yes,
sir. But …”
“Yes,
Colonel?”
“Well,
sir. Nothing we’ve seen suggests that these people pose any threat. They’re
primitive, sir. Pre-industrial.”
“Let
me ask you this, then, Colonel. Is that Rift out there ours? Did we do it?”
“No,
sir.”
“Then
why don’t you just humor me by assuming that someone on the other side did?
Now, I don’t know about you, but to me, that suggests …”
*
“…
are they Christian …”
*
“…
handful of villages. I don’t see why we should take their wishes into account.
We’re the most powerful country in the world...”
*
“...
given permission by the natives to set up an enclave on the other side of
McDermitt’s Rift, in the gateway to what people are calling Neverland. While
the size and nature of the enclave have yet to be released, officials assure us
that it will eventually be open to the public. In the meantime, construction of
the first permanent structure is scheduled to begin early next week. The
settlement, we are told, is to be called Liberty, a fitting name for …”
*
“…
Paradise has been regained, and it’s American …”
*
“…
Director of the newly formed Bureau of Otherworld Affairs, or BOA, promised,
and I quote, ‘some exciting new developments …’”
*
“…
Where the body of Dr. Tara Dwyer has been pulled from the wreckage …”
*
“…
reconnaissance teams are reporting in, sir. Our first group has penetrated
about a hundred miles upriver. Their reception has been positive, the people
friendly, and the land almost entirely forested with the occasional area
cleared for small-scale farming. The villages are mostly independent, with a
sort of loose trading affiliation. No central organization that we’ve been able
to detect. They’ve found no industrial technology either—nothing beyond
hammer-and-anvil smithery. But the metal isn’t local, so some broader network
has to exist. As far as large-scale economy …”
*
“…
What do they have that we can trade for?”
“I’ve
been thinking about that, and I have an idea.”
“Yes,
Ms. Henworth?”
“It’ll
require geological surveys, but consider this. We all know our supplies of
fossil fuels are running low. We’re investigating alternatives, but that’s a
slow process. Now here’s this whole other world that we have access to—that
only we have access to—and getting from there to here involves no more than
taking a few steps. Or driving a few trucks.”
“Please
go on.”
“Well,
I’ve been working on this proposal for a few weeks now. Mining, drilling. Look
over the brief, and if you like it I can give you a more in depth version. We
don’t have to stick to fossil fuels, either. There’s lumber there like we haven’t
had in over a hundred years. Precious metals. Arable land with undepleted
aquifers. That’s what they have on their side of the equation. On our side, we
have virtually a whole generation of young people unemployed or underemployed,
and a generation ahead of them clinging to jobs they hate as though their lives
depended on being at work on time Monday morning. So we send them off to do the
work, sell it with the old land of opportunity spiel, and virtually all of our
economic problems disappear. If we do this right, we won’t have to buy anything
from anyone, and we can sell what we want when we want for how much we want.”
“I’m
not sure the WTO will share your interpretation.”
“And
I’m very sure that the WTO’s mandate doesn’t extend to trade with other
worlds.”
“It
all sounds very promising, Ms. Henworth. But what about the people who already
live there?”
“Offer
them compensation. Sign treaties, trade agreements. I’m not talking invasion:
I’m talking business. There’s more land there than they can use, and we have
things here that they’ve probably never dreamed of. Which brings in another
possibility—a whole new market for our manufactured goods. I’m telling you, if
we move into that world there’ll be nobody in this one that can touch us …”
*
“…
Upriver reconnaissance crew’s latest report. Things are getting interesting.
They’ve found a system of large lakes—more like inland seas—with several
villages along the shores, and some impressive sailing technology. They’ve also
found a city. The city is built of stone and wood, and seems to be the center
of a large hegemony …”
“A
what?”
“Something
like a country, sir.
“Oh.”
“How
large, we don’t know, but from the size of their fleet it looks like the lakes,
at least, are theirs. Also, the land around the city seems to be inhabited by
what we might call peasants. The crew will be meeting with the leader, I
suppose we should call him the King, later today …”
*
“…
to spread the word of Jesus …”
*
“…
still can’t figure why the damn thing’s there …”
*
“…
imagine going to the other side? It’d be, like, a kind of pilgrimage. Think of
the wisdom they must have, unspoiled by the greed of our corporate culture.
They’re like us as we should have been …”
*
“…
and all I’m sayin’ is why should the government have the only access …”
*
“…
turning away thousands of people a day. We have to have a public access system
in place before the next election, or …”
*
“…
turns out that the King on the lakes—Danic’s his name—is claiming all the land
downriver, despite the evidence of local autonomy. Anyway, the team leader, a
Captain Allan Bailey, spent a long time talking with him and his advisors, and
they’ve struck a deal. Seems we’ve secured land rights for the area directly
around Liberty for ten miles in every direction in exchange for some high-yield
hybrid wheat to be brought upriver with the next expedition, pending the BOA’s
approval of course. Captain Bailey hopes that he hasn’t overstepped himself,
and that his initiative corresponds with the wishes of …”
*
“…
send in the loggers. I want that land cleared …”
*
“…
massive public outcry against what is being interpreted by many as an
imperialist colonization …”
*
“…
we should never have let the media become involved.”
“But
sir, they were called before we were.”
“What
is happening to this god damn country …”
*
“…
here on the sight of what used to be the McDermitt farm, where early last year
Mr. Joseph McDermitt stumbled upon the portal now known as McDermitt’s Rift.
The scene is very different from what it was a year ago. Gone are the farmhouse
and barn, the tranquil fields of grazing land. Center stage is held today by
this fleet of front-end loaders, flatbeds, bulldozers, and cranes as they begin
work on that will eventually become the Lewis and Clark Memorial Riftport, a
building that, once completed, will enclose the Rift, and allow safe and
controlled access to Neverland for not only military and government personnel,
but private citizens as well. That’s right. Rumors are flying both here and
around the capital that the otherworld is about to be made public, and the
White House is promising …”
*
“…
bring the trucks through at night, and make sure the cameras keep their god
damn distance …”
*
“…
other nations are demanding access.”
“They
can demand all they want, Mr. Secretary. That Rift is on American soil …”
*
“…
locals don’t acknowledge the uh … king’s … authority. There may be some
resistance when we start breaking ground.”
“Well
we do acknowledge the king’s authority. Do what it takes, but get the job
done.”
“Should
we use force, Ms. Henworth?”
“If
necessary, use whatever ... No. Wait. I have a better idea. What’s the king’s
name again?”
“Danic,
ma’am.”
“Danic.
Good. Get word to Danic that his subjects are rejecting his word but that, as
this is his land, we don’t feel we have the right to press the issue. Be
polite. Be respectful. But get him to do the dirty work.”
“That
will definitely delay the project, ma’am.”
“In
the short run, yes, but in the long run …”
*
“…
eagerly awaiting completion …”
*
“…
what do you mean, not human?”
“Well,
sir, the locals call them elves.”
“Elves.”
“Elves,
sir.”
“Congratulations,
Captain Bailey. You’ve discovered the employment pool for Santa’s little
helpers.”
“They’re
not that kind of elf, sir.”
“How
many kinds of elf are there, captain?”
“I
don’t know, sir. In all seriousness though, colonel, I’ve seen these people up
close. They’re similar to us—two legs, two arms, faces, hair—but I had
Lieutenant James run a DNA check, and it’s unlike anything she’s seen. And
their bone structure, it’s just, well, different. Finer. And their features
don’t line up with ours. I don’t know how I can say it any better, sir. I
wasn’t expecting to… I wasn’t expecting this to happen. I’ll transmit some
photographs at the end of my report, and you can decide …”
*
“…
Sure they’re not human?”
“We’re
sure, ma’am.”
“Does
the media know?”
“Not
yet.”
“Keep
it that way. And see if you can collect a specimen or two. We should run
tests.”
“Tests?”
“You
have a problem with that?”
“No,
Ms. Henworth.”
“Good.
Now get me two subjects—one male and one female—and let’s see what we’re
dealing with …”
*
“…
troops arrived this morning, General. Three boatloads of spearmen and archers
led by a big guy with an impressive ax. Everything is under control …”
*
“…
don’t care what you do. Just keep the media out until that town is up and
running and the ground around it’s been ploughed. We don’t want the public
seeing anything you couldn’t stick on the front of a god damn post card …”
*
“…
so I’ve been wondering, why should we develop it ourselves when we can let the
private sector do it for us? They do the work, they spend the money, they take
the risk, and we collect the taxes …”
*
“…
can’t keep people out of there much longer …”
*
“…
was my land, God damn you. I’m entitled to something.”
“You
were compensated for the land, sir. Your receipt is on file. This is your
signature?”
“You
call that compensation? I have a family to feed, you slick little shit, and I
can’t find work. I’m a farmer. That’s all I know. All I’ve ever done. And no
one’ll hire me at this age, not even as a God damn janitor.”
“You
were informed of the government’s free retraining programs when you were paid
for the farm. I have some brochures here if you lost the ones you were
given...”
“I’m
fifty-eight years old you son of a...”
“Take
your hands off my tie, sir, or I’ll have to call security …”
*
“…
at the office of the BOA, where Joseph McDermitt has been arrested for assault.
We’re waiting for the authorities to escort him from the building and… yes, it
looks like a large crowd is coming out the main exit. And there’s McDermitt
now. He’s being led down the front steps by a police escort, and his hands have
been cuffed behind him. He seems to be ducking his head. Mr. McDermitt. Mr.
McDermitt, how do you feel? Mr. McDermitt. Mr. McDermitt. Mr. McDermitt …”
*
“…
I don’t care how you do it, captain, and between us I’m not crazy about this
myself. But we’ve been placed under the authority of the BOA, and Henworth wants
two specimens: one male, one female. So get her two specimens. One male, one
female. Peacefully if possible, and otherwise, well, otherwise.”
“They’ve
shown no sign of hostility, sir.”
“That’s
not the issue here, Captain. The issue is orders, mine and yours. And now we
both have them. Is that clear?”
“Yes,
sir. Perfectly clear, sir.”
“And
the orders will be carried out?”
“Yes
sir. Under protest, sir, but …”
*
“…
the magic word here is jobs. People want jobs. If we say the word jobs often
enough, they’ll follow us wherever we want to lead them …”
*
“…
demand that my country be allowed access …”
*
“…
construction is nearing completion …”
*
“…
two specimens, sir. One male and one female, sir, as ordered, sir. They’re
being shipped downriver tonight and should be in Liberty by the end of the
week. Sir.”
“A
helicopter would have been quicker.”
“Yes,
sir, it would, sir, but the subjects were taken quietly, and we don’t want to
stir up local suspicions. I’m sending them down in one of my boats and will
continue upriver with the two I have left. I would like to repeat for the
record, sir, that this operation has been carried out under the most strenuous
protest …”
*
“…
find you, Joseph McDermitt, guilty of assault and sentence you to …”
*
“…
see the report on the elves in Neverland ?”
“No,
I was at a late-night session with my psychic. The full moon corresponded with
my period. Very intense. She wants to do some channeling next time. Thinks I
might find something exotic in my soul’s history. Did you say elves? You don’t
suppose that I …”
*
“…
salvation is for humans only. These abominations, these elves, can only be the
work of one creature, and we all know who he is. Our mission to our brethren on
the other side is clear. In their ignorance, they consort with the children of
the Prince of Darkness. Their immortal souls, my brothers and sisters, are in
our keeping, and we must swear before the eyes of God the Father that we will
not shirk that responsibility, that we will not let one soul dwell in darkness
while we have the will and the might to lead it, coax it, or drag it into the
light …”
*
“…
female subject didn’t survive the testing, but you should see the autopsy
report …”
*
“…
ready to go public next week. We’re expecting an attempt at a demonstration,
probably a large one, and it’s your job to see that it doesn’t happen. Use all
means short of deadly force. Arrests, blockades, fire hoses, tear-gas. I don’t
care. And whatever you do, keep it off the god damn cameras …”
*
“…
religious right is on board for this one. We’ve got an army of Christian
soldiers sharpening their crosses as we speak …”
*
“…
Want to assure each and every one of you that tomorrow’s opening of the Lewis
and Clark Memorial Riftport is not, I repeat not the first step in the invasion
of a new world. We have established diplomatic relations with the powers that
be in Neverland, and have begun what we hope will be a long and beneficial
relationship with them—a relationship based not on the domination of one power
by another as has so often plagued this world of ours, but on the civilizing
principles of commerce, on the free and open trading of goods and ideas—”
“—like that bit about ideas. Should go over well with the bleeding-hearts and
academics. Cut to camera two—” “—it is true that certain lands near the new
town of Liberty will be open to settling, but these lands have not been taken,
have not been stolen, as some of the vocal and misinformed opposition would
have you believe. These lands have been gained through honest trade and through
the diligent negotiations of leaders on both sides of the Rift, and are now
open for honest men and women to make an honest living from—” “—should cover
the blue collar demographic. I love this guy. Back to camera one—” “—that is
the way of things now, and it will remain the way of things as long as the
people of both worlds work together, with their eyes not toward the past, and
not toward some misty vision of a fairy tale paradise, but on the solid
prospect of a sound economic future, on the creation of thousands of new jobs
in the next year alone—” “—and fade to three. Cue the music—” “—on the way two
great peoples can grow together and benefit each other through free and honest
…”
*
“…
where the body of Joseph McDermitt has been found dangling by the neck from a
ceiling beam. Foul play has been ruled out …”
*
“…
Make ourselves a killing here.”
“Amen
to that.”
