Peter was having a sandwich for dinner at his desk when his phone rang. The name in the display read 'Etienne Dumoulin'. This was the name of the technician who had figured out how to plot the anomalies inflicting CERN during the day.
"Bonjour Wind!" He used Etienne's nickname and most of the very limited french he had picked up in nine months at CERN.
"Bonjour Pete. Guess what? I've managed to track down the apparent focal points of the anomalies."
"Focal points?" Peter was surprised.
"Oui. Points, as in more than one. There is one from before the shock of this afternoon, and a new one after. Before the shock the epicenter was located in the target block of the Celeste project. BTW Peter, we did a run on Celeste and target time was exactly the time of the shock. We are beginning to think these two occurrences may be connected." The french researcher paused to let Peter digest the implications of his investigation. "Peter, we have to shut down Celeste, at least until we can verify this."
"Yes. of course." Peter felt devastated. And he knew Laura would feel even worse. Project Celeste had consumed most of the last two years of her life. "You mentioned that there is another focal point?"
"Indeed. But it would be more precise to say that the focal point has moved. Anomalies after the shock were very much weaker. When I first started plotting the results, they showed that the focus might be still centered about four hundred and thirty kilometers to the south east of CERN. But still there was something strange about the data, so I gathered reports on electronics service requests and of equipment failures in the area and discovered something quite disturbing." He paused dramatically.
Peter sighed. Wind could do amazing feats of analysis, but he did love the 'grand disclosure' a bit much. "Well, go ahead, tell me what is so disturbing?"
"After including flight and satellite data, it appears that the focal point has moved to somewhere close to Cannes and at approximately six kilometers altitude above the earth. And it is slowly drifting back to its original position."
"It's moving?!" Peter was shaken.
"Yes, at about forty-two kilometers per hour, and it is tracing a perfectly straight line back towards the target block of Celeste," replied the technician. "It should be back in almost exactly six hundred and 3 minutes, assuming it does not change speed or direction.
"How accurately can you plot its position?"
"With current data to within two hundred meters or so." Etienne looked up with a crooked little smile. "But I can build a device to track it down to within ten centimeters, assuming I can get the device to within one kilometer of the focal point."
"How soon can you put the device together?"
"I already have the components. It can be ready in two hours."
"Good. Please get to it immediately, and call me as soon as it is ready, or if the focal point changes velocity."
"Yes , Peter. Good bye." The technician hung up.
Peter immediately called his boss. After three rings she answered her cell phone."
"Hello Peter. I assume you have important news." She sounded more anxious than miffed.
"Yeah. And it's a good news, bad news deal. The bad news is that the Celeste project may somehow have triggered today's shockwave. I have already given the orders to power down the detector block." There was only silence at the other end. "I'm sorry Laura. This will set us back for a month at least."
"When I was in Equestria and saw the plot of the anomalies on their side, somehow I knew Celeste was to blame. It reminded me so much of the ring tunnel."
Her words were calm, but Peter felt the heartbreak in her voice. "Now the focal point has moved almost to the Mediterranean at an altitude of just under twenty thousand feet, but it's already making its way back to CERN and should arrive in almost exactly ten hours. The good news is that Wind has come up with a way to track it as it moves. He'll have the device ready in two hours. I think we need to call your friend in Washington, as well as get news of this to your counterparts in Equestria," said Peter.
"Your absolutely right. I'll be back to the office in an hour." Laura sounded better, having something concrete to do.
"I hope I haven't ruined your dinner," Peter apologized.
"We just got dessert. We'll have it and be on our way. And Peter, thanks for making sure we had this much time together. I really appreciate it. Bye for now." She hung up.
***
Laura put away her mobile phone and looked across the table at Gail. They were sharing two different pastries, a tradition established on their first date. She smiled in apology. "Well at least we were able to have dessert. Happy third anniversary!"
"I guess I shouldn't be too greedy. Coffee can wait until after you've saved not one but two universes, if I understood all that." Abigail reached over and fed her significant other a forkful of a triple chocolate confection appropriately called 'La Fin du Monde'. As her sweetheart chewed the bite with a look of bliss on her face, she signaled the waiter to bring the check.
***
Mary was sitting in her office debating with herself the wisdom of drinking yet another cup of coffee. The clock display on her computer had just passed three in the morning
when her phone rang. It was Dr. Connor.
"Hello Mary. I'm going to give you the number of my assistant Peter Tobler." She read off a phone number in France. "Please call him as soon as possible. Our team have determined that the event earlier today has moved the anomaly's focus by several hundred kilometers, but it's heading quickly back to CERN and should reach it in just under ten hours. One of our techs is putting together a device to track the focal point and pin down its location, which I hope will then allow us to implement the Equestrians' plan by having a massive energy discharge at the focal point. Have you made any progress in securing an energy source? And please tell me it's not nuclear."
Mary smiled at Laura's cool delivery of the rather startling news. "Does this mean that we have less than ten hours to avert the m-brane collision?"
"That's what we think. And Mary, it may have been one of the experiments we were running that created this situation in the first place. The initial focus, and its current destination is smack-dab in the middle of the detector stack of the Celeste project. We doubt this is just a coincidence. And today's shockwave happened just as we ran an experiment with that stack as the target."
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Mary. "But on the other hand locating the focal point is the key to preventing the brane collision. Rest assured, I have figured out a way to provide the energy needed without having to nuke Geneva! However, it's classified, and in any case I still have to convince my government to sanction the effort. Having an instrument to track the focal point will go a long way towards providing hard evidence to back our assertions."
"I have asked Peter to e-mail you all the pertinent information, design of the instrument and a link to our website where we are tracking the focal point's current position. We have very little time, and we still have to communicate this to the Equestrians. When is your next expected contact with our allies?"
"Actually, it could be at any moment now." She quickly began scribbling a new note to Twilight Sparkle.
"Good. I'll be back in my office in thirty minutes. Let me know as soon as you have news."
"Will do, Laura. And thanks, we have a chance now." The sound of a car engine running in the background stopped as Laura hung up. Without hanging up Mary spoke again.
"Bill, please advise the Vice-president of my discussion with Dr. Connor and inform her that I would like to see her as soon as possible, and that this is a code alpha emergency. Also, please forward all e-mail I receive from CERN addresses directly to Jim and the VP as well." She heard a chuckle on the line.
"Will do Ms. Lachance" said a voice.
She looked down at the note she had written.
Dear Twilight,
Please read the notes I have left on the computer screen on my desk. I have found a way to apply energy to the focal point and Dr. Connor's team has succeeded in devising a way to locate and track it. It's location changed during the 'event' and is currently on the move, at least in our universe. I suspect it may be the same in yours. Anyway, we should resume the fifteen minutes swap schedule ASAP unless I notify you otherwise. Also, if you get into trouble while on this side, seek out Vice-President Walker (the nice lady you briefly spoke with last time!) and tell her this: 'Code Alpha verification Tango, Three, Mary, Bravo.' and explain our situation. You can also ask to call Dr. Laura Connor at the phone number written on the little yellow sticky note at the bottom of this letter. I have put a similar note in my pocket for if you leave the office.
Your friend,
Mary
Her phone rang again. It was Mrs. Walker.
"Be in my office in ten minutes." She hung up.
Mary was starting to get nervous about the timing, when the world began to fade...
***
... and brighten again, to a view of Spike lifting the sleeping cap away from her (Twilight's) supine body. She smiled. "Hiya, handsome!"
"Hello, Mary," said the dragon with a blush.
"Spike, I have important information and not a lot of time. Can you get either Minister Hoofing or one the the Princesses here ASAP?"
"Absolutely!" He saluted and ran off on his cute little stubby legs. She didn't have long to wait, as Sunset Hoofing arrived.
"Hello Madame Minister," said Laura, a bit surprised. "That was quick!"
"Good day Ms. Lachance. Spike advised Princess Luna, who teleported him directly to my office in the Ministry of Science and I teleported us both into the antechamber of this apartment. It took but a moment."
The baby dragon stumbled in, clutching his belly and looking a bit greener than he had just moments earlier.
"Two long distance teleports in a row! My stomach isn't made for this."
"Thank you Spike. You're my hero!" She couldn't resist giving him a hug as he waddled into range of her hooves. His bashful blush reduced the excess green in his complexion.
"Ahem. Spike said you had something urgent to tell us."
"Yes, indeed!" said Mary, abashed in her turn. "I have been in contact with Dr. Connor. The location of the convergence focal point in our universe has changed. But I am pleased to report that her team have found a way to locate and track its movement. It is moving back towards its original position and should be there in a bit over nine hours from now. Laura surmises that if it reaches the location of the old focal point again, then we may experience another incident, and this one may be terminal."
Hoofing's expression became grim. "This is a disaster, Ms. Lachance. If it moved as well in this universe, we may no longer be able to find where to focus our own energy blast. It was through coincidence that we were able to locate it in the first place."
"I may be able to rectify that," said a new voice. Mary looked up as Princess Luna strode into the room. Spike and the Minister bowed, so Mary did as well.
"That is a great relief your majesty. Could you please explain how?" asked the old mare.
The Princess looked at Mary, as if deciding how much she could disclose to the human.
"When an individual is in a perceptual exchange, their spectral presence creates a resonance that leaks into this universe. This is how the exchanging parties' brains connect. I can feel the location of Equestrian party resonating into this universe."
"But your majesty, how does this help us locate the focal point on our side?" asked Spike.
"All we need to do is have an Equestrian in perceptual exchange use the device Dr. Connor mentioned to locate the focal point in the human universe. From the leaking resonance I will be able to find the equivalent location in ours. Once I get close enough I will be able to feel the location of the focal point directly, and apply the magical energy. This last must be done in synchrony with a similar energy discharge in the human universe." The Princess looked to Mary in expectation.
"That's a relief! And I have some good news. I have devised a way to get an extremely powerful energy discharge to the focal point, as long as it stays above ground level on our world. But I still have work to do in convincing my government to allow this to take place, so I need to get back immediately." She looked at Spike with some regret. "I suggest you get Glowball here as soon as possible and do an exchange with Laura so they can help you locate the focal point in Equestria."
"I concur. I know where Glowball is and I will bring her here. Good day Ms. Lachance," said Princess Luna. She nodded to Hoofing and Spike, and then disappeared with a pop.
"Wow. What a way to travel!" said Mary, impressed.
"Yeah, but don't try it on a full stomach, especially if Twilight is doing the teleporting," the little dragon complained, causing the Minister to cackle in sympathy. As he approached Mary with the sleeping cap, she again gave him a brief hug.
"Now you take care, Spike!" She nodded to the old mare, and lay prone on the cushion. The cap descended on her head, and darkness...
***
Glowball and Time Crescent had had an excellent meal at Chez Squeezee. They had just finished sharing two different desserts as they usually did, when the restaurant suddenly became utterly quiet. Time Crescent's eyes grew big staring at something behind her marefriend, and the only sound she could produce was "P, p, p, pri..."
The scientist pony turned around in her chair find herself muzzle to muzzle with Princess Luna. Everypony in the eatery started bowing at the same time, except for Glowball, frozen in the awkward position.
"Hello your majesty. Care for dessert?" said the grey mare, feeling quite lame immediately after she had said it.
Luna took a step back, trying to maintain a dignified expression. "Good evening Glowball. I am sorry to interrupt your dinning, but we have urgent need of you back at the castle." She nodded to Time Crescent. "Please accept my hospitality in apology. And take a nice cab ride home." She tossed a purse to a waiter nearby. "Please make arrangements for the lady. Good evening all." She nodded as she scanned the flabbergasted diners. Then with a double pop she and Glowball disappeared.
The Maitre d' suddenly appeared at Time Crescent's side. "Would Madame care for a digestif before her carriage ride?" She smiled as the full extent of the situation sunk in. She had just gone from librarian to VIP in less than a minute. Might as well enjoy the ride while it lasted.
"Yes. A glass of Zapp-Apple brandy. And an order of crepes suzette, if you please." She has always wanted to try them but could never afford either one. Tonight, she would have both!
"But of course, Madame." The Maitre d' galloped off as if he was serving the Princess herself.
Her smile waned a bit. It was too bad Glowball had to leave. This would have been even better together.
***
Glowball and Pincess Luna popped into existing right next to Spike as he was taking the sleeping cap away from Twilight's head. He jerked back in surprise, smashing into Sunset Hoofing. The sleeping cap fell square onto her head and the elderly mare dropped like a stone. Fortunately, she dropped mostly onto one of the large cushions, next to the one on which Twilight was just in the process of waking up. The baby dragon ended up on the floor between them.
The lavender mare jumped up, an expression of panic on her face. "Did Mary speak to the Princess? And Spike, what are you doing on the floor?"
Spike picked himself up, then gingerly removed the cap from minister Hoofing's head. She was snoring slightly.
From behind her Twilight heard a laugh. She turned to see Glowball still snickering and Princess Luna, who was looking a bit distracted.
"Now I understand why you needed me so badly Princess Luna. Everypony else here is just lying down on the job!" said the grey mare.
"Twilight Sparkle," said the Princess, "what happened while you were in the human universe?"
"I read some messages from Mary and a document on this strange screen that glowed."
"That was a computer screen," interrupted Glowball. "Did you surf the 'net?"
Twilight's look of perplexity answered her question.
"What... did Mary's messages... say?" asked Luna in a somewhat stilted voice.
"She informed me of the human's success in tracking the focal point, that she has found a way to provide the human contribution to the energy discharge, and that we have less than ten hours to get set up or it's curtains for both universes."
"She told us the same. Did she say anything else?" asked the Princess.
"Yes, she told me that if I got into trouble in the human world to ask for Vice-President Walker and to tell her 'Code Alpha verification Tango, Three, Mary, Bravo' whatever that means. What did Mary say to you?"
"Very much the same," said the princess. "Now, I have a plan and we need to get Dr. Connor here so we can brief her and get Glowball into position. Spike, could you please help effect the exchange?"
"Yes, your highness," said Spike. Raising an eyebrow he addressed the scientist pony. "Glowball, if you would lie down on the job please?" This time Twilight snickered as Spike lowered the cap onto Glowball's head. A moment later he removed it, and the mare woke up.
"Hello Princess Luna, Spike, and Twilight Sparkle I presume?" she said, confirming this was indeed the human. She looked at the form sleeping on the cushion next to hers. "Is the Minister indisposed?"
"At her age she needs her rest. Let's let her be." Princess Luna answered hastily. While the minister snored and everypony else paid rapt attention, she described her plan.
"Ingenious!" said Laura. "I will need to switch back with Glowball for an hour or so to make arrangements and instruct my assistant Peter."
"That would indeed be wise," answered the Princess. Spike went through the hat ritual again.
Glowball woke up, looking upset. "Darn, that was short! I was in a vehicle with Laura's girlfriend going amazingly fast on the road. Now I understand the thing some pegasi have for speed: it was such a blast! Oh, and for some reason she knew it was me, and not Dr. Connor. She even called me by my name, and she kinda did remind me of Time Crescent. That part was kinda weird!"
***
Laura woke back up in the car. Abigail glanced at her and smiled. "You're back. That Glowball person was as excited about being in a car as you were when I took you hang-gliding on your birthday."
Laura was not entirely comfortable with the idea of Glowball spending too much time with Gail. It must have shown on her face.
"You're jealous!" Her girlfriend chuckled. "Don't worry hon. I won't be coming on to her when she's in that pretty head of yours. At least not much, anyway." She smiled mischievously.
"Ha ha. Very funny. Well, you'll get to test your restraint, because it looks like Glowball and I will have to exchange bodies for a prolonged span of time during the next ten hours." Laura grew serious. "It looks like the only way to locate the focal point on their side is that we find it on this side first, and then have a person in perceptual exchange go to that location. That means Glowball and I have to stay in a swap until we get that done." She paused as Abigail drove on.
"If we fail, we might not be able to get together before the end comes. Will you wait with me in my office?"
"Sure, love. But I don't doubt you. You'll pull us through," said Gail. She offered her right hand to Laura who clasped it in her left. Feeling a bit more determined, she took out her phone and called Peter.
"Peter, I need a helicopter, something that can go up to twenty thousand feet, and I need it within hour on the CERN helipad."... "Yeah, the usual VIP service, and don't worry about the costs."... "How's the detector coming along?"... "Good, have it and Etienne waiting at the helipad and call me as soon as the chopper has arrived." She hung up and dialed another number.
"Hello Mary. We have a plan..."
***
On a chair in the Vice-President's waiting room, Mary put away her cell phone. She was relieved that Laura and the Equestrians were on their way to finding the location of the focal point in both universes. She looked up expectantly at the Vice-President's door, then at her watch. Being ten minutes late was not in the formidable politician's habits. She got up and walked to the door. Hearing no noise from inside, she dared open the door a crack and peeked in.
Mrs. Walker looked up at her from her desk and said with a smile "Hello Ms Lachance. Please do come-in and have a seat."
Mary swallowed and complied. Nice was also not part of the old lady's style. Usually with her it spelled trouble.
"Madame Vice-President, have you come to a conclusion about my proposed usage of the laser defense..." she stopped when Walker started chuckling as if she had told a good joke. She had to try again, the fate of the world depended on it. "Really, Mrs. Walker, this is a matter of life and...," more cackling, "... death."
"I had not imagined," said the VP, "that this is what it would feel like to be human." She stood up and did a slow pirouette. "And then the first real human I meet is one I already know! How rich!" She laughed again.
A sudden realization hit Mary like a ton of bricks. "Minister Hoofing?"
***
Prince Blueblood had gathered all the highest ranking noble Lords and Ladies of the House of Magic, despite the very unconventional hour. All of them but Sunset Hoofing.
"You may wonder why I have called you here." He turned his back to them and looked out the window. "It has come to my attention that Princess Luna seems to have suddenly acquired executive power in Equestria, again..." He let the implications of that sink in.
"I believe that we, the unicorn tribe, have a special responsibility in ensuring that the primal role of our true sovereign, Princess Celestia, is never again so easily compromised as it was a short while ago." He turned back to the assembled unicorn nobility. "Tonight I call the Unicorn Estates General, to meet here in Canterlot in two hours. Please advise all unicorn sorcerers, mages and magicians that they are required to attend. They are not to cooperate with Minister Hoofing or Princess Luna's plans until the House has voted. Is that clear?"
Nopony among the Lords and Ladies dared dissent, he noted. He left the room satisfied.