Brian Saves the World, Maybe

Chapter 41 - An Unusual Elevator

"Okay, let's give this a shot," Brian said, taking a deep breath. He and Jessica sat in Brian's car, waiting for Watkins to arrive.

Jessica, Brian thought, indicating to TV that he was about to speak to her. Testing, 1, 2, can you hear me?

Jessica cocked her head. Brian? Oh, oh, how do I answer? She scrunched her nose. "How do I answer?" she repeated aloud.

Brian chuckled. "I heard you the first time, loud and clear."

"Really?"

Really, Brian signaled to her.

Okay, can you hear this? she signaled back, squinting.

Brian gave her a thumbs up. "You might be putting a little too much effort into it, though," he added, grinning.

Jessica looked over Brian's shoulder at something. "There he is," she said, pointing.

* * *

"What's this about?" Brian asked as he and Jessica got into the back of the police cruiser.

Watkins waited for them to get settled, and began driving, before saying anything. "Just a precautionary measure," he said, glancing at them in the rearview mirror.

"What does that mean?" Jessica asked.

Watkins' jaw muscle twitched. "You'll find out soon enough."

Brian looked at Jessica. He clearly won't be telling us anything, he signaled. Hey, I'd like to revisit the Gateway program on the way. Do you mind covering for me?

Jessica squinted. Sure, I'll talk for us, if needed.

* * *

Brian entered the Gateway elevator and looked at the button panel.

"Floor number," Zed said.

Brian stroked his chin as he gazed at the buttons. Let's see what's on these other floors.

I recommend working through them sequentially, TV said.

Agreed, Brian thought. Let's do above ground, first. The "G" button was illuminated, indicating the floor they were on, and the next floor up was labeled "1."

"Floor 1," Brian said.

After a brief moment of motion, the doors opened, and Brian jerked back, gasping instinctively. The doors had not opened into a room but had seemingly opened into outer space. Brian stood with his back to the opposite wall, as he gazed out at planet Earth. He now noticed the thick glass that separated him from the vacuum of space, but it still took him a moment to adjust.

Brian stared for a while and noticed that the elevator compartment appeared to be orbiting the planet. It's like we are looking out from a satellite, or something, he thought.

Brian turned to Zed. "Question: where are we?"

"This is floor—"

"Right, never mind!" Brian interrupted. TV, what do you make of this?

We appear to be viewing Earth from space.

I know we are looking at Earth, Brian thought, shaking his head. What do you think it means?

I would say it means that this is an unusual elevator.

Brian put his head in his hand. "Floor 2, please."

Zed pressed the button.

The doors opened to a similar scene, except the Earth was much smaller. Brian frowned.

"Floor 3."

This time, instead of Earth, Brian was looking out at a giant, red planet. Brian's jaw dropped at the site. "Mars!" He had seen photos of the planet, but nothing like this.

He skipped to floor 10. He could see a blue-gray planet in the distance, about the size of the moon, as viewed from Earth.

Floor 15 revealed a desolate scene of dim stars, with nothing else in sight.

Floor 20, on the other hand, was vastly different. The doors opened to a bright sea of colors. It was as if luminescent paints had been poured out onto the canvas of space. Brian stared at the spectacle for a few minutes, unable to look away. "Amazing," he muttered.

Brian, Jessica is trying to reach you.

He jumped at the sudden interruption. Oh. She can talk to me in here, too?

"Brian. Helloooo in there," Jessica signaled.

Brian half-expected her to continue with, "What have ya got worth living for?" next, from The Princess Bride.

We'll be there in about ten minutes, Jessica continued, Better come back soon. Watkins thinks you're sleeping in an upright position, like some weirdo, she finished.

Brian smirked. Thanks, Jessica. Be there in a minute. You won't believe what I've seen.

He looked out at the vivid scene before him for another moment, biting his lip, and then said, "Floor 21."

Zed blinked. "The floor you have chosen requires Operator approval. Would you like to speak to the Operator?"

Brian sighed. "Soon."

* * *

Brian spent the last few minutes of the drive signaling to Jessica what he had seen.

Watkins slowed the vehicle and turned. Brian recognized the gas station from his earlier visit.

As they pulled around the back of the building, Brian saw a giant satellite dish, surrounded by a tall, chain-link fence. A sign was posted on the fence, that said, "DANGER - Electrified Fence."

"What's all that for?" Brian asked, pointing.

"All part of the plan," Watkins said, dismissively.