The Indigo King - James A. Owen [83]
The mournful howling of the two badgers was so pitiful that the companions had to move them down the back side of the hill, away from the celebration and into the woods.
It took several minutes and the combined efforts of John, Jack, and Chaz to settle them down. Then the companions began to discuss any ideas they might have to get back to Sanctuary.
“The Lanterna Magica used to be powered by a candle,” John suggested. “Maybe we don’t need the electricity.”
Jack shook his head. “I was looking it over with Reynard. We’d have to take it apart to do something like that, and we don’t understand enough of how it works. What if we broke the mechanism that makes it function?”
“I wish you’d thought to bring a generator, too,” John said to Uncas. “Not,” he added quickly as the badger started to tear up again, “that I’d have thought of it either.”
“The Serendipity Box?” asked Chaz. “Could it give us a generator?”
“Not likely,” John said, eyeing the box. “It’s too small, and too big a risk to wish for something it can’t give us.”
“We might just as well wish for a generator,” said Jack. “It could fall into our laps this very minute.”
“Not quite that fast,” someone said, “but give me a few days, and I might be able to arrange it.”
It was Hank Morgan who had spoken. “I’m only an amateur time traveler,” he said with some degree of modesty, “but in my day job, I’m an electrical engineer. I’m certain we could construct an electrical generator in a few days, give or take. And then we can power that thing up and get you on your way.”
“Perhaps we could fix your watch,” John suggested. “Could you take us back with you?”
“I wish I could,” Hank replied, “but I’m afraid the device doesn’t work that way. Not yet, anyway. It’s a one-person contraption. I’ve tried to take a passenger, but it just left them standing and clutching empty air. But perhaps in the future something can be done to change that. It’s busted, anyway. But if I ever get another one, I’ll give it to you. You really ought to have a watch if you’re going to be traveling in time.”
“I’d appreciate it,” said John. “I’m going to catch hell for the last one I lost.”
The group returned to Hank’s tent, where he kept a large bag filled with various handmade tools and implements, and a second one filled with raw materials.
“Ever the Boy Scout, eh?” said John.
“The what?” said Hank. “No, I just like to always be prepared.” “Couldn’t you have just used that watch of yours to pop back and forth in time, and simply bring back the tools you need?” asked Jack. “That would be a lot easier than fashioning everything by hand.”
“Would if I could, brother,” Hank replied. “It just doesn’t work that way. The only thing I can actually take back and forth is the watch. Everything else has to be created or acquired.”
“Does that include … ?” Jack asked, indicating Hank’s clothes.
“Yep,” Hank admitted with a slight blush. “First trip out, I found myself absolutely starkers. Should have seen the first knight who stumbled over me. He thought I was some kind of crazy man.”
“It didn’t say that you were naked in the book,” said John. “Not that I recall, anyway.”
“A favor from Sam,” Hank explained. “I have to preserve my dignity where I can, you know.”
“But I’ve seen you take notes,” said Hugo. “Should I even ask how you get them back?”
“Better for us both if you don’t,” said Hank.
As Hank worked, the companions remained apart from the celebrations and revelry, so as not to risk disturbing the timestream worse than they had. Now that they had Hugo, all John and Jack wanted to do was get home.
Fred, Archie, and Chaz turned into an unexpected trio of friends, who passed the time playing logic games. Uncas mostly stayed at Hank’s side, feeling as he did responsible for the entire mess. If he could help, he would.
As it turned out, the Little Whatsit was a great benefit to Hank’s efforts, providing him with instructions and diagrams that he otherwise would have had to work out himself.
“With that book,” Hank said, wiping his