The Third Gate

32

Porter Stone’s office looked as immaculate and minimalist as the first time Logan had entered it. The only difference he noted this time was that the lone calendar page of the current month had been removed, leaving the walls completely bare.

Stone, who had been speaking into a radio, snapped it off as Logan stepped in. “Jeremy. Please have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

Stone looked Logan up and down with his cool, appraising gaze. “So. What did you want to see me about?”

“I understand that things are proceeding very well.”

“I’m extremely happy with our progress. The tomb interface-the air lock-has been permanently affixed to the surrounding rock. The Umbilicus has been run from the Maw to the air lock. It’s now fully powered and pressurized. The link is stable-we’ve run numerous tests and diagnostics. We sent down a five hundred megahertz ground-penetrating radar, piloted remotely. It, along with sonic imaging tests, seems to detect three chambers beyond the first gate, one placed after the other in series.”

Although he was talking about the find of his career, Stone’s verbal delivery and body language remained calm and reserved. Only the hard glitter in his blue eyes suggested what he was really feeling. “Everything is in readiness,” he continued. “It’s time to break the seal and enter the tomb.”

Logan ran a hand through his hair. “Who will be making the initial penetration?”

“Tina. Dr. March. Ethan Rush. A couple of Frank Valentino’s boys for the heavy lifting. And myself, of course.” He smiled. “One of the perks of funding this little expedition.”

“I would recommend one other,” Logan said.

Stone raised his eyebrows. “Oh? And who might that be?”

“Me.”

Slowly, Stone’s smile faded. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Why should I bring you along on this first incursion?”

“There are lots of reasons. For one thing, it’s part of my job description. You brought me here to investigate various strange phenomena: we both have a strong suspicion this tomb may in some way be responsible for them. I’m also uniquely qualified to document this event-and I know that such documentation will be important to you in the future.”

“Yes. But why not wait until the tomb is stabilized?”

“Because if there is indeed an active curse-in whatever form it might manifest itself-I should be there from the beginning. Recall Narmer’s opening words: ‘Any man who dares enter my tomb.’ Nobody has yet entered the tomb-but the Station already has been plagued with unexplained phenomena. There is a good chance that whatever else might happen may well start with this initial penetration.”

“That’s true,” Stone said. “All the more argument for you to wait. There’s no reason to expose you needlessly to danger.”

“I’ve signed the liability waivers and indemnification documents, just like the others-Ethan Rush made sure of that.” Logan sat forward in his chair. “And there’s another argument for my presence, Dr. Stone. Nobody knows what lies on the far side of that gate. But of anyone on this Station, I’m the most prepared to deal with it. You’ve seen my resume. You know the kinds of-shall we say- nonnatural phenomena I’ve come up against in the past. I’m as inured to such things as anyone could claim to be. Frankly, I’ve seen things that might break a less experienced person. You need me precisely because we don’t know what we’re going to find.”

Stone fixed him with a penetrating gaze. “You forget I’m not exactly a novice at this sort of thing. I’ve unsealed more than my share of tombs.”

“Not one with a curse like this on it.” Logan drew in a deep breath. “Let me do my job, Dr. Stone.”

For a long moment, Stone continued to stare at him. Then his sly, almost private smile slowly returned. “Eight a.m. sharp,” he said. “Don’t be late.”