A.L.O.M Episode 2: Stranded Page 2

  “If I can help you reconstruct the basic mechanics, which I can do from here—you're good at following directions, right? Right! Anywho, as I was saying, if you follow my directions, then the only other thing you're gonna need is fuel.”

  “Man, I'd need metallic hydrogen! How in the hell am I supposed to get my hands on that?” More than one hundred years had passed since the creation—or better yet, replication—of metallic hydrogen. And even to their day it still remained the strongest fuel available to man.

  What was it exactly? It was a petrol created by humans, made to replicate the chemical core components of the planet Jupiter. Without a doubt, the most powerful synthetic sustenance known to man. Getting that in this time? Impossible.

  “Yeah, man, well... you can't. But, you can get something else. Something just as strong.”

  “Bro, I'd need like…” Vlad racked his head trying to think of feasible, natural elements that might equate the electric and metallic properties of metallic hydrogen. Pacing back and forth, his head hanging towards the ground, arms crossed in front of his chest, he thought. “... like- nickel, maybe aluminum. Obsidian- no, no, magnesium. Something like...” Vlad gulped hard once the picture had become clear. It was an epiphany that he dreaded to think of. He knew what he needed, he just didn't dare say it.

  “Yeah, man, you need lava.” Win eagerly interjected.

  “You have got to be fucking kidding me!”

  “Toa, jamuy yoj su cha orqo.” Vlad said slowly and deliberately, hoping that the Princess would understand.

  The Princess gulped deeply, her eyes widened. She pointed to herself as if to ask if Vlad was certain that he was directing his question to the right person. He nodded his response. She gulped again. Was this crazy Sky Man actually asking her to go to the fire mountain with him? Was he mad? Had he finally lost his marbles?

  Yes, was the most likely answer to all of those questions, she considered.

  He had the look of desperation in his eyes, and try as she might, she could not resist the invitation. Besides, he would more than likely need her in his venture. He knew nothing of the fire mountain and could very well get killed in the attempt to climb it. Finally, having decided that while this undertaking was indeed insane, she wouldn't have the heart to let him go at it alone, she answered, “Ari.”

  Vlad's smile widened.

  Hope. Finally, he had hope.

  No one ever said that time travel was easy.

  I hope you enjoyed “A.L.O.M. Episode 2: Stranded”

  Stay tuned for “A.L.O.M. Episode 3: Underearth”

  Coming soon.