Echoworld

They walked in, Shaun holding the door for her, and they sat in a corner, far from all other customers.

"Would you rather I'd lied to an old friend of mine?" Shaun asked reasonably.

A disinterested waitress came up to them. "Orders."

Wren looked meaningfully at Shaun. Catching on, he said, "Three flat cakes with meat on the side and some orange juice, each, please."

She scribbled it down and walked away.

"I'd rather you'd left the topic untouched."

"Do you really care what someone you're never going to see again thinks about you?"

"Not so much. I'm more angry about everything you implied. Do you really think that lowly of me?"

"Of course not. Look, I'm sorry, all right? I apologize. Forgive me?"

She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Do I have a choice?"

He gave her his special half-grin. "No, not really."

"I thought as much."

The waitress came back and plopped the food unceremoniously before them. She them put two glasses in front of them and filled them with orange juice. She walked away, without a word to either of them.

"Gotta love the service," Shaun said sarcastically, forking food into his mouth.

"Yeah. Is this pancakes and bacon?"

"Yes, it is definitely what you call pancakes," he replied guardedly.

"But the bacon? What is it?"

"Best not to think about it. Just eat."

Wren gave the food a disgusted glance before digging in. She hadn't eaten since two days before. The rest of the meal passed silently, as did their departure. In fact, there wasn't a word spoken between them until they'd found a deserted building from which they could transport peacefully.

"Eric? Sierra Bravo. You there?" Shaun said into his comtra.

"Here." The comtra crackled viciously, but Eric was understandable - a good sign.

"Are you set up?"

"Yes."

"Alpha universe."

"Two minutes."

"What should I expect on coming to your world?" Wren asked as she moved into position near Shaun.

"Mass chaos."

The first thing they noticed upon arrival was the stench. The dimness seemed to intensify the smell.

"Eric?" Shaun whispered cautiously. He grabbed hold of Wren's hand, to make sure he didn't lose her.

Lights came on and Shaun grimaced, squinting. Sure enough, Eric was calmly sitting there. "Sorry. I had to be sure it was you. The transporter's been acting up recently. Bringing back strange creatures." He nodded to a nondescript pile of what seemed to be limbs; the source of the smell.

"You're as good as your word, Shaun, my friend," Eric said, grinning, looking at Wren. "She's very pretty."

"She's got a bit of a job to do before anything else."

"All right. Exit's that way," he said, pointing behind him. "Hey, come back I one piece, okay? Both of you." There was true concern in his eyes.

Wren nodded in determination. "Sooner we leave, sooner we get back." She looked to Eric. "You've managed to get us to every other echo of mine. Do you think you can do that now?"

Eric shook his head regretfully. "I wish I could, if only to make your task easier. But Wren has a web of protection wrapped around her. Nothing can enter it unless she wills it. Sorry."

Wren shook her head. "Don't be. It's not your fault." She turned to Shaun. "You ready?"

"As much as possible."

Together they headed for the door, faces set with grim purpose.

"Be careful, buddy," Eric whispered to Shaun's back. "I don't know what you' re doing with Wren, don't know why you've kept her alive, but I trust you. Be careful."

Wren had never seen a city in such a state of disarray. It was incredible. The night sky glowed orange with uncontained fires and the smell of burning was prevalent.

Even Shaun was amazed. He'd been aware of the political nature of his world, but this was incredible. Mass mayhem. People ran through the streets, smashing windows and looting shops. A child sat beneath a nearby tree, wailing in fear.