“But some are very close,” protested Luis.
“What did you mean about not knowing who or what will come out on the other side?” said Adam.
“Well,” continued Luis, “for teleportation to work, your body would have to be disrupted, particle by particle, and completely destroyed in the process. This brings up the Mind-Body Problem of philosophy. Will you still be you when you emerge on the other side? Will you have the same personality? Will you have the same mind? Will you have the same soul?”
They all sat quietly pondering the implications of what Luis had just said.
“Sounds kind of Frankenstein-ish to me,” said Adam. “And you really think Ian and his gang used RTP to teleport?”
Mel said, “We think it’s a possibility. Our intelligence community has reported cases of KTP members seemingly disappearing, never to be seen again. At first we thought they were being murdered and the bodies destroyed. But then some of the ones who went missing were in high standing among the KTP, and it didn’t make sense. Also, around that same time, some of the peacekeepers who had been dabbling in teleportation were also reported missing. We’re wondering if they had a breakthrough and teleported somewhere and can’t get back.”
“Or if they never made it all the way out,” said Luis.
“I can’t even wrap my mind around that,” said Adam. “We can only hope that what Luis just said happened to Ian and the gang.”
“Adam!” said Maddie as she smacked him on the arm.
“What? It’s the truth.”
Mannie snickered.
She shook her head in mock disappointment. “Adam, what am I going to do with you?”
“Love me forever?”
He put his arms around her waist and kissed her on the cheek several times as she playfully struggled to get away.
“Gross,” said Mannie.
Everyone laughed.
Adam made a mental note to read up on this quantum physics stuff sometime.
Chapter 51
When it was finally time to board the plane to return to New York City, Adam had mixed emotions. He could tell Maddie did, too. He had really grown fond of Maddie’s friends and New Mexico in general. He was going to miss them tremendously. But he couldn’t wait to get home to see his own friends and get back to a normal life—or what he hoped would be a normal life.
Maddie wiped the tears from her eyes as she hugged and kissed Mel, Luis, Mannie, and Sancha.
“We hate to see you go, mi encantadora amiga. Please promise that you’ll come back soon,” sniffled Sancha.
“I promise,” Maddie said softly as she wiped her nose.
Adam hugged them all as well. When he saw Mannie bravely holding back tears, his own eyes welled up. He really loved this family.
“Stay brave, big guy,” he said as he tousled Mannie’s hair. “Come visit me in New York City sometime.”
Mannie beamed. “I’d love to! Can we, Mamá? Can we, Papá? Pleeeaaase?”
“Of course we will,” said Mel. “It’s about time you got to see the Big Apple.”
Adam gave him a high five.
“Luis, you’ve got to tell me more about this teleportation business,” said Adam. “We’re going to teleport to wherever Ian is and kick his sorry ass.”
Luis laughed. “Deal!”
Maddie rolled her eyes and shook her head in mock exasperation.
Adam wished there truly was a way to teleport to home and back. That way, they could see each other as often as they wanted.
They made their way up the stairs of the private Cessna and stopped at the top for the final good-bye waves. Maddie blew them kisses through her tears before turning to enter the main cabin. Adam gave one last wave and followed her.
Once inside, the staff and pilot gave them the Namaste greeting. Maddie hugged them all and gave quick introductions. Adam thought he recognized a few of them from the KTP meeting.
The pilot said, “That was a great thing you did in arranging the meeting with the KTP. We’re making strides toward our freedom, and it is an honor to transport you home safely.”
Unaccustomed to this kind of admiration, Adam said, “I just started the wheels turning. It took all of us coming together to make it happen.”
One of the crewmembers said, “I’m Mason. It’s my pleasure to serve you today. Would you like a tour?”
Adam shook his hand. “Great to meet you, Mason. I’d love a tour.”
“Right this way.” Mason motioned for them to follow.
He let them into the main cabin. There was a two-seater, leather couch at the front of the aircraft, opposite the electric door they had just entered. They passed through the galley that contained a microwave and convection oven combination, a small refrigerator, an espresso machine, and a minibar. Beyond that were four spacious seats facing one another, two on one side of the aisle and two on the other, all with small laptops available for use. In the next section were two additional seats, facing each other on one side of the aisle, with a table between them set with a white tablecloth, formal place settings, a floral centerpiece, and a bottle of chilled wine. Across the aisle was a spacious couch. At the back of the airplane was a lavatory, sink, and changing area with a hard sliding door for privacy. Adam had never seen anything like it. He felt like he was in a dream.
They took a seat at the table and Mason presented them with steaming hot washcloths. Following Maddie’s lead, Adam took one, wiped his hands with it, and put it back on the tray. Mason opened the wine and poured them both a glass.
“Your meal will be out soon. Please let us know if you need anything at all.”
“Thank you, Mason,” said Maddie.
She looked at Adam, smiled, and raised her glass.
“To a safe flight home and great times ahead.”
They clinked their glasses. Adam took her free hand, leaned across the table, and kissed her gently on the lips.
“To great times ahead indeed.”
The meal was one of the best Adam had ever eaten.
