awed and confused by the new device. There was no radio-active substances involved in its makeup. Why did he feel this way near it? Larry shook his head as he stood up, to clear it of the buzzing sound that wouldn't leave his ears. Cooper noticed him do this.
"You all right, son?" he asked his young helper.
"Yeah, I guess so."
"O.k. Then move over. I'll do the final check. Hopefully we'll accomplish our goal some time today."
Knowing he sounded too gruff and uncaring in such a situation new to everyone, he moved to put a hand to Lary's shoulder. "You did fine, son. Don't worry. No one really understands this thing yet; not even me. That's what we're here to do...understand more about the unknown and develop what we can to put our knowledge to good use. Here, let me just turn 'er on here, and see what I can see with those circuits."
The Doctor turned on the machine and instantly everything went wrong a second time. Sparks flew back and forth over the panel, singeing his hand.
Everyone jumped back,startled. The transport sequence seemed to activate itself. The lights over the platform flashed wildly. The warning alarm rang and rang.
"It's a good thing no one's in the other device!" Cooper barely managed to whisper. "God knows what will happen next! Everyone! Keep back as far as you can! We'll just have to ride out the storm, now! Maybe she'll burn herself out."
* * *
Little did Dr. Cooper know, there WAS someone in the other device! Mike Montaine was just finishing sweeping up the transporter platform. He'd pushed all the concrete pieces and dust toward the front, and had made a pile of it before the forward beam circle.
"Boy, it's hot in here!" he was saying, wiping his forehead with his sleeve. The broom was now leaning against the wall beside him, and he was standing directly in the center of the beam circle on the right! Mike looked up at the machinery over his head. "Hmmmm...wonder what this thing does? I wish it was a shower! I sure could use one about now!" Then he laughed and put his hands on his hips. "Hey! I know!" he cried, "Machine, take me to my dustpan!" Laughing again at his thoughts Mike began to walk toward the steps, but as he took his first step, the lights on the ceiling started to flash rapidly. Looking at them again, startled, Mike froze in his tracks. It was like he was being kept in the strange circle by an invisible energy force.
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