Story: Oneiromancy, XV

(Part O , XIV , XVI)

For every organised effort such as Dreamline Alpha, there would have to be another such as Dreamline Omega; A team designed to examine the revival of that mysterious current of communication, should they ever move past the obstacle in time hindering all their efforts. Even as Alpha was wound down to a somnolent state, researchers were selecting from their students their successors, who might in turn choose their own. Positivity and optimism prevailed, even in the normally cynical world of academia.

In the interregnum, the somnolent period, Dr Kibbel and his other now redundant comrades, returned to far more normal work. While he chose to return to active practice, others moved on to different topics of research, and still others moved out into the world of real work, but they all kept a little black of phone numbers just in case.

At the other end of Kibbel's phone call, a Professor was speaking. "Alastair, is that you? Don't you know it's rather late here? For goodness sake, did you forget I live in Thessaloniki now?!"

"Professor, we've had an Omega. Two subjects apparently working in tandem. They have, to put it mildly, met the obstruction in person." Helen could feel the tension of excitement coming off Kibbel even as he tried to control it for their sakes.

"Don't be daft! Blasted British with mythical senses of humour!" The Professor was indignant, obviously. He was an extremely loud blusterer, and Helen winced on Alastair Kibbel's behalf as she heard the bellowing.

"Now you listen to me, Professor Goosing, the two are here with me now. They have seen each other in their dreams, and even communicated symbolically. Not only that, but they've seen the Tweedy Woman. I might be deactivated but I know when I've stumbled on something. Also, the man received a blackboard message from Omega." Kibbel was doing the calm and sedate manner of bullying very well.

"It couldn't be possible, surely? We were anticipating a much longer time before any contact might be made with the other side." Goosing, quiet enough now to not be overheard, was calculating the potentials even while making his half-hearted objections.

"It seems that the plurality has caused an exception. During the last incident, the woman was confronted by the obstruction, drawing attention away from the man, who got the message. We almost lost her."

The professor harrumphed loudly enough that even the normally unflappable Stanley jumped. "'Lose her'? We'll lose her over my dead body! I'm buying plane tickets right now. Get someone to air out my old flat." The professor hung up precipitately.

"Well, that went better than I expected." Kibbel said to the air, and then he turned to his office guests. "You're in for it now. There's no better expert on dreams, dream communication, and generally bizarre psychic phenomena than Professor Edouard Goosing."

"And...?" Prompted Helen.

"He's also the most crusty, obstreperous and loud academic tyrant you could ever hope to meet."

"Oh. He'll help us though, right?"

"Yes, oh yes, he'll help you or die trying." Kibbel looked in a cupboard. "We're going to need more paracetamols though." Returning to his two patients, who were sitting rather stiffly and uncomfortably on his couches, the tone became serious. "Ultimately, though, however well we prepare you, you're going to have to solve this problem together. You two go places where no-one else can reach, apart from that Obstructer. You'll be on your own, except perhaps for Omega."

To be continued...