WHEN WORLDS

COLLIDE Written by DTYarbrough

A Science Fiction Short Story

Copyright 2010
All rights reserved
 WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE
Written by DTYarbrough

“Who could that be?” asked Charlie.

“We're all here,” said Rikki. “Maybe it's someone wanting to join the club.”

“Just answer the door, Charlie,” said Jeff. “Your already up.”

“May I come in?” asked the gentleman in the gray business suit. “I have a
proposition that I think will interest you explorers. You must be Charlie.”

“I didn't get your name,” said Charlie. “What sort of a proposition?”

“I would prefer to discuss it with all of you,” he said. “If that would be acceptable.”

“I guess so,” said Charlie. “Come on in. Can I offer you a soda?”

“Who is it, Charlie?” asked Jeff. “Don't just stand there with the door open.”

“This gentleman has a proposition for us,” said Charlie. “What did you say your
name was?”

“Dr. Jones,” he said. “But you can call me Indy.”

“Indiana Jones!” said Charlie. “No way!”

“Please be seated Charlie, over there by Jeff, and let me explain.” he said. “Rikki,
you and Sheryl need to listen too.”

“We planned to,” said Rikki. “This ought to be good. Charlie, have you met this
gentleman before? This isn't one of your tricks, is it? How does he know our names?”

“I can assure you that we have never met,” said Indy. “Let me get right to the point,
Rikki. Your grandfather is in the possession of an artifact that I am in dire need of. I
would be willing to pay a great deal of money if you could obtain it for me.”

“I'm sorry but only my grandfather can make that decision,” said Rikki.

“Where can I find him?” asked Indy. “He doesn't seem to be at his residence. I would
very much like to discuss the skull with him.”

“Isn't he somewhere halfway around the world on an expedition?” asked Charlie,

knowing very well that her grandfather was probable playing checkers at the lodge.

“Perhaps if you told us what you need the skull for,” said Rikki.

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 “I afraid that's impossible. I can only say that it's a life and death situation.” said
Indy.

“Do you have some form of identification?” asked Rikki.

“Here you go,” said Indy. “It my membership to the International Archeological
Society.“

“This says Dr. H. W. Jones Jr.” said Rikki. “I thought your name was Indiana.”

“Dr. Henry Walton Jones Jr.” said Charlie. “That's Indy's real name.”

“Could you step outside for a minute?” asked Rikki. “I just need to discuss
something with my colleagues. It'll only take a moment.”

“Okay.” said Indy. “Open the door when your ready to finish our discussion.”

“He's the real McCoy,” said Charlie.

“As silly as it sounds, I think you're right. His card said member since 1924 . He
must be a time traveler.”

“So now we know what he needs with the crystal skull,” said Jeff. “But we can't let
him talk to your grandfather.”

“He said it was life and death,” said Sheryl. “Do you believe him?”

“Indy would never tell a lie,” said Charlie. “We've got to help him.”

“Get the door, Charlie.” said Rikki.

“So, what have you decided?” asked Indy. “Can you help me?”

“I'm afraid we can't help unless you're willing to tell us a little bit more about why
you need it,” said Rikki. “Who's life and death are we talking about?”

“You'd never believe me,” said Indy.

“You can start by telling us how you know our names,” said Sheryl.

“Rikki's grandpa had mentioned her in one of his articles in Digging Up Bones,”
said Indy. “ I asked around and was told that she was a member of The Explorers Club
along with Charlie, Jeff, and Sheryl.”

“According to the movies, you should be over a hundred years old,” said Charlie.
“How do you explain that.”

“Movies?,” asked Indy. “What movies?”

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 “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the lost ark for one,” said Charlie.

“They made a movie about that?” asked Indy. “Was it any good?”

“Get to the point. Were you alive in 1924?” asked Rikki. “Your ID said member since
1924.”

“Ever heard of typos,” said Indy. “Maybe it should read 1984.”

“See, he said maybe. I told you he wouldn't lie,” said Charlie.

“But he's trying to mislead us,” said Rikki. “That's almost as bad.”

“Okay, I'll tell you the whole story, but I can't promise you're going to believe me.”
said Indy. “It all started when my father built a time machine and brought he and my
mother back to 1899.”

“Back to 1899?” asked Jeff. “Back from when?”

“That's not important,” said Indy. “I was born later that year. I grew up and it wasn't
until my father was on his deathbed that he told me about the time machine.”

“Does the time machine use a crystal skull?” asked Rikki.

“My fathers last request was that I return his and mothers bodies to their place of
birth.” said Indy. “But the time machine is unable to transport me more than fifty years
into the future.”

“How far do you need to go?” asked Rikki. “and don't just say it's not important.”

“Almost ten thousands years,” said Indy. “It's all my fault.”

“What do you mean it's your fault?” asked Charlie.

“When I was twenty-one I hocked the skull to finance an expedition,” said Indy. “I
later bought it back, but it wasn't until I tried to use it in the time machine that I
discovered someone had switched skulls.”

“And you think my grandfather's skull is the one you're looking for.” said Rikki.

“It means the world to me to be able to fulfill my father's last wishes,” said Indy.
“Can you help me?”

“I believe we can,” said Rikki.

“So you'll get the skull for me?” asked Indy.

“Well, not exactly,” said Rikki. “Now it's your turn to believe some tall tales.”

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 …....................................

“Wow!” said Indy. “Those were some tall tales.”

“We'll take you back to recover your skull, but when you're through with it, You've
got to return it,” said Rikki. “If it's our skull, it would alter our time line if you don't.”

“No problem,” said Indy. “But I could use it for a while before I have to return it.”

“You've got all the time in the world,” said Rikki. “Just be sure you return it
eventually.”

“Scout's honor,” said Indy.

“That's good enough for me,” said Charlie. “It's already happened or we wouldn't be
having this conversation.”

“When can we get started?” asked Indy.

“Any time,” said Rikki. “But we'll have to blindfold you. We can't let you know where
our time machine is hidden.”

“You mean the one in your grandpa's cave,” said Indy. “You let it slip when you were
telling your stories. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.”

“Darn,” said Rikki. “Well, let's get started. Do you have a car?”

“A rental,” said Indy. “It's parked out back.”

“A Ford Explorer,” said Charlie. “How appropriate.”

“Jeff, why don't you drive?” said Indy. “I can't afford to be stopped. My fake drivers
license fooled the rental agency, but I'm not sure it would fool a cop.”

…...........................

“You guys wait for me in the cave,” said Indy. “I'm gonna slip into something a little
more comfortable.”
…..............................

“Wow!” said Charlie. “Now that's the Indy we know and love. You've even got your
bullwhip.”

“I never leave home without it, son,” said Indy. “Let's get this show on the road.”

“Follow me,” said Rikki.

….............................

“What year?” asked Jeff. “What's the location?”

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 “Is this the Mariana trench you were telling me about?” asked Indy. “This is
amazing.”

“You ain't seen nothing yet,” said Charlie. “Tell Jeff when and where you want to
go.”

“Damascus, August 22, 1921,” said Indy. “Abdulah's pawn shop, around midnight.”

“Got it,” said Jeff. “But I may need directions to the pawn shop once we get to
Damascus. Going up.”

“Wow! That looks just like a map right out of National Geographic,” said Indy. “I
can't leave the ground in my machine. Actually, I can't move at all except through
time.”

“I'd like to see your time machine some day,” said Charlie.

…............................

“There it is. Abdullah's pawn shop,” said Indy. “Now what?”

“We jump,” said Charlie. “Everybody ready?”

“Do it, Jeff,” said Rikki. She watched as Jeff pressed the red button.

“Let's go around to the back,” said Indy. “Through this alley.”

They all watched as Indy picked the lock and opened the door. “Give me a second
to disarm the alarm system,” said Indy. “Okay, come on in. He keeps all of my stuff in a
special safe in the back room.”

“You hock a lot of stuff?” asked Rikki.

“Well, it's not like I have a full time job with a steady income,” said Indy. “I have
expenses you know. I'll get it all back when I make that big discovery.”

“Is this the safe?” asked Jeff. “You should let Rikki try to open it. She's pretty good
with combination locks.”

“I can handle it,” said Indy. “Turn on the light switch over there.”

“Wow! It's like a genies treasure stash in here,” said Charlie. “This stuff must be
worth a fortune.”

“Some of it,” said Indy. “If you can pick out the fakes from the real ones. That's how
we first met. He hired me to authenticate some of this stuff.”

“He's got it open,” said Sheryl.

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 “There it is, the crystal skull of Ranchipur,” said Indy. “I can't thank you guys
enough. How do we get back to the cave?”

“Try taking something else you don't intend to return,” said Charlie.

“I always wanted one of these ...” said Indy.

“We're back,” said Sheryl. “Are we going home now?”

“The sooner the better,” said Indy.

“Just let me get it parked and back to the present,” said Jeff.

…...................................

“Thanks again guys,” said Indy as Jeff pulled the Explorer up to clubhouse. ”You
don't know how much this means to me.”

“Could you autograph one of your movies for me?” asked Charlie.

“Sure kid, anything for my heroes,” said Indy.

“Did you hear that, Jeff,” asked Charlie. “We're heroes.”

…..................................

“Now who could that be,” said Charlie. “I'll get it. Indy, what's the matter? The car
wouldn't start. ”

“It's worse than that,” Indy replied. “The world's been destroyed.”

“What!” exclaimed Rikki. “What do you mean the world's been destroyed?”

“When I got to the future where mom and dad where from, the earth was barren,”
said Indy. “The air was so messed up that I almost died before I could reset the
controls on the time machine and get out of there.”

“Any idea what caused it?” asked Rikki.

“Not a clue,” said Indy. “But I wasn't there long enough to see very much. That's
where I was hoping you guys could help.”

“We can't go forward in time beyond the present,” said Charlie.

“There is one possibility,” said Rikki. “Temporal interference. We encountered two

places on earth that seem to interfere with the time machines operations.”

“The Bermuda triangle and Nessie's cavern,” said Sheryl. “We actually went into

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the future once.”

“We can try but there's no guarantees,” said Rikki. “But it will have to wait until
tomorrow. My parents have me on a curfew since our camping trip. I have to be home
by dark.”

“Can't you sneak out,” asked Indy. “I remember when I was a kid and ...”

“I'm grounded too,” said Sheryl. “What's the hurry?”

“I guess your right,” said Indy. “A few more hours aren't going to matter. I'll just
sleep here tonight.”

“Promise you won't try anything without us,” said Rikki.

“I promise,” said Indy. “It was probably something I did that caused this mess in the
first place.”

“Well, make yourself at home,” said Rikki. “We'll see you in the morning.”

…..............................

The next morning the guys arrived at the clubhouse after an early stop at
McDonalds. ”I hope Indy likes Egg McMuffins,” said Charlie. “Should we knock?”

“Not unless it's locked,” said Jeff. “You don't want to wake him if he's sleeping.”

“Mrs. Brown!” said Charlie. “What are you doing here.”

“Ah … I … ah. I was just visiting your friend Dr. Jones,” said Mrs. Brown.

“In your nightgown?” asked Rikki.

“I was taking out the trash and we got to talking and … Why am I explaining myself
to you kids?” said Mrs. Brown.

“Has Mr. Brown gotten back from Cleveland yet?” asked Sheryl.

“No, He'll be back …. excuse me. I've got to run now. Nice meeting you, Henry … ah
I mean Dr. Jones.”

“Have an exciting morning, Henry?” asked Rikki. “You explorers are all alike.”

“Hey!” said Charlie. “Do you really think so?”

“Get your pants on and let's get started.” said Rikki.

“Boxers. I've got to get me some boxer shorts,” thought Charlie.

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 “Shotgun,” said Charlie as they climbed into the van. “Looks like your stuck in the
back, Indy.”

“Oh, no, not with the girls.” said Indy as he whispered to Rikki and Sheryl. “He'll
grow out of it.”

“Soon, I hope,” said Rikki. “I'm not getting any younger.”

“For gosh sake, Rikki. You're thirteen,” said Sheryl.

…..................................

“Jeff. Take us to the Bermuda Triangle.” said Rikki. “We'll try our luck there first.”

…..............................

“I'll make one quick jump to the past, then back to the present,” said Jeff. “We
overshot by one hundred years. I'll try it again.”

“Take us down, closer to the phenomenon,” said Rikki.

“Going down,” said Jeff.

“So that's the city of Pacifica,” said Indy. “You have no idea how long I've searched
for that. It even more beautiful than I imagined.”

“We were there when it sank,” said Charlie. “You should have seen it.”

“Could I join your club?” laughed Indy. “I'm afraid I don't know the names of all of
my movies.”

“We might make an exception in your case,” said Charlie. “You're always welcome
to join us on our journeys.”

“In this case I think four's a double date and five's a crowd.” said Indy.

“We're twelve thousand years in the future,” said Jeff. What year are we shooting
for, Indy?”

“9850,” said Indy.

“That's about 600 years after we deflected the meteor,” said Sheryl. “Do you think
we failed?

“We'll know soon enough,” said Rikki. “Take us back and try not to overshoot.”

“That certainly is a mess, The oceans are gone and there's a hole where Europe
and Asia used to be,” said Sheryl. “That meteor wasn't that big.”

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 “ It would have taken one the size of the moon to do that much damage,” said Rikki.
“By the way, where is the moon?”

“It not there,” said Sheryl. “It must have crashed into the earth.”

“What could have caused that?” asked Rikki. “Oh my gosh. The meteor missed the
earth and hit the moon, knocking it out of orbit.”

“That's two times this month that we've destroyed the earth,” said Sheryl. “Not a
very good record.”

“I distinctly remember that when the meteor originally hit the earth, the moon was
on the other side,” said Charlie. “We deflected the meteor so that it should have
missed both. The moon shouldn't have been there in the way.”

“Then something changed the timing,” said Sheryl. “Maybe we slowed the speed of
the meteor.”

“I don't think that was possible,” said Rikki. “But we may have changed the speed
of the earth and moon long enough to cause the problem.”

“What do you mean,” said Sheryl. “How could we do that?”

“By stopping time. It's silly to think time stops throughout the universe when we
stop it here on earth. The meteor was unaffected but the earth and moon were,” said
Rikki. “We threw off the timing. I should have known there would be consequences.”

“What are you going to do to correct it/” asked Indy. “You can correct it, can't you.”

“Jeff, any idea how much we've altered time?” asked Rikki.

“No way I could calculate that. We've stopped time and we've speed up time,” said
Jeff. “Wait a minute. There's another set of numbers on my chronometer. Let me try
something.”

“What are you doing,” asked Rikki.

“I'm stopping time,” said Jeff. “The numbers are increasing now. They were stopped
a moment ago.”

“Speed up time and see what happens to the numbers,” said Rikki.

“They're decreasing,” said Jeff. “I'll bring these numbers back to zero and
everything should be back in sync.”

“No. Wait,” said Rikki. “We've got to go back prior to the collision before we do
that.”

“Even that won't be perfect but it's a lot better than the way it is now.” said Jeff.

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“Lets just go back to the present and do it.”

…....................................

“That should do it,” said Jeff. “Do we want to go back into the future to see the
results?”

“Might as well,” said Rikki. “We didn't double check last time and look what
happened.”

“Then it's back to Pacifica.” said Jeff.

“Could we look around a bit while we're there?” asked Indy.

“Anything for our hero,” said Rikki. “It's the least we can do.”

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