In Search of the Time and Space Mach (5 page)

‘Can it transport people?' she asked.

‘Whoa. Not so fast,' cautioned Ben. ‘This machine is purely for transporting matter, not people. It'll be years before the technology will be developed to transport humans safely.'

‘But it could happen? One day?' asked Max eagerly, unable to bear the thought of another six weeks stuck in hillbilly land.

‘You bet! In fact I know of a scientist living in another part of the world who is working on a machine that will transport people not only through space but through time as well.'

Max stared at the small purple object in her
hands. Could it be true? Could this little device one day transport people through time and space?

‘People have been trying for years to discover the secret of this type of travel and so far no one has managed to conquer it,' explained Ben importantly. ‘But here in Mindawarra, we've got a little bit closer. And now we need to celebrate! Linden, why don't you and Max go and get the okay from your dad to stay overnight, and Eleanor and I will get the party ready.'

‘All right! A party!' Linden shouted.

When Max and Linden left the shed, Max couldn't stop thinking about the Matter Transporter and the fact that in just a short time, she could be off this farm for good. Even though she was enjoying the idea of going home, thoughts about the mystery scientist kept pestering her.

‘Do you know who the scientist is Ben was talking about?' she asked.

‘His brother,' said Linden, like it was no big deal.

‘His brother?' said Max incredulously.

‘Yeah. Ben doesn't talk about him. They worked together in England but then they had a big fight and Ben and Eleanor left. They haven't spoken since.'

‘Is he the one with Ben in that photo in the shed?'

‘Yep. It's a pretty old photo, though.' Linden smiled. ‘That's back when Ben had more hair.'

Max ignored the hair comment.

‘Do you think his brother might really be close to creating a Time and Space Machine?'

‘Well, Ben reckons he's smart enough to do it, but he doesn't want to have anything to do with him. I reckon it must have been a really bad fight.'

Max's head was full of questions about Ben and his brother. Why did they fight? Where was Ben's brother now and how close was he to completing the Time and Space Machine? Or was it a far-off dream that only a few weirdo scientists were interested in?

Either way, Max was sure Ben was being overcautious about the Matter Transporter, which she was sure could become the world's first People Transporter.

And she would be its first passenger.

Alex Crane had only minutes to save the world from total destruction. The fiendish Clarissa Latham was going to use her Retro Galaxy Gun to destroy Earth's orbit and send it hurtling into the sun if she wasn't handed all the gold that existed. Just before the deadline, Clarissa's bungling assistant, Jimmy the Rat, accidentally leant on the detonator button and the countdown to the end of life as we know it began.

The only way to stop the countdown was to go back in time to Clarissa's hideout and keep Jimmy from pressing the button.

With the seconds ticking by, Alex set the coordinates on the Matter Transporter control panel, pressed the transport button and was hurled at twice the speed of light into Clarissa's hideout. All she had to do was destroy the Retro Galaxy Gun before Clarissa and Jimmy could have their evil way.

Just get to the gun before Clarissa could

‘Max. It's ready,' a voice called.

Max closed her book. She would finish writing about Alex later, for now she had her own spy mission to complete.

When Max went to the dining room she stood in the doorway with her mouth sprung wide open.
The table was laid out with fine silver and crockery and food that stretched from one end to the other. Ben and Eleanor were in their best clothes and even Linden was scrubbed up to look pretty decent.

‘You might want to close your mouth. The flies can get pretty bad at this time of year,' said Linden, trying to hold back a smile.

Max did as she was told and shot Linden a look that made him realise his humour was as welcome as a bowl of worms.

Ben pulled out a chair for Max.

‘Madam, dinner is served,' he said in a posh accent.

Max looked at the table and wondered how her arteries would survive. At home they only ever ate salads and low-fat meals that wouldn't cause pimples, increase stress or make you fat. According to her mother, anyway.

But it had been a long time since Max had eaten and she was so hungry she could manage anything.

There was lots of excited talk and passing of plates as Max sat at the table and thought about what to choose. Thing was, though, after she'd scraped the sour cream off the potatoes, piled her plate with honeyed carrots and said no to the pyramid of sausages that came her way, she took her
first bite and thought she felt her stomach turn over itself. It was one of the best meals she'd ever tasted and she heard very little of the conversation that filled the kitchen as she took more than she'd usually eat in weeks.

Later, when they'd celebrated themselves out and Linden and Eleanor had gone to bed, Max sat with Ben on the verandah as the rain began to fall on the corrugated-iron roof.

‘Here's that rain Larry predicted,' said Ben. ‘He sure has a good nose, that pig.'

It was true! Larry was right. Or it was just a coincidence. Either way, it was raining.

Max looked at Ben, who was staring up at the rainy night sky.

Now was her chance. If she handled it right, here was her opportunity to find out more about the Matter Transporter.

‘Ben, what would be the worst thing that could happen if the Matter Transporter was used for humans?'

Ben rubbed his hands across his full belly and sighed.

‘It's too early to tell, Max. We have to get it right for transporting objects before we start trying it on humans.'

Not happy with that answer, Max tried again.

‘But if the sandwich transported in perfect condition, then maybe the same could happen with people.'

Ben smiled.

‘I'd love to be able to tell you you're right Max, and maybe you are, but for now I'd say it is better to be on the side of safety until we work out a few more things.'

Max was convinced Ben was just being extra careful and knew the machine was safe.

As they listened to the rain, Max looked out into the distance. You couldn't see Ben and Eleanor's neighbours from the farm and the town was even further. All there was as far as the eye could see, was blackness. There was a whole world outside this place, thought Max. And Alex Crane spent her time travelling all over it. What if there was a machine that could zap you places in an instant. Max thought about how different her life would be then.

‘Ben, how far away are we from inventing the Time and Space Machine?'

He frowned.

‘That's a hard thing to estimate, Max. It could be years away or right under our noses.'

‘And you know the scientist who is working on it?' asked Max.

Ben stopped looking at the black distance and stared at the ground.

‘Yeah. We were close. Once.'

‘What happened?' asked Max.

Ben shifted in his seat and bit his thumbnail.

‘We didn't agree on something very important,' he said quietly.

‘Do you still keep in touch?'

Max could see a kind of sadness creep into Ben's eyes.

‘The last we heard he was living in London and working for the Government,' said Ben, taking a deep breath and looking up again like he was searching for something.

‘Sometimes, Max, people have differences that make them feel they can't speak to each other any more,' he said. ‘It's sad because he was a great guy and it ate me up that we parted on such bad terms.'

Ben let out a long sigh. ‘It's been a big day, kiddo. Better hit the sack. We've still got lots of work to do if we're going to make the transporter perfect.'

He stood up and gave Max a kiss on the top of her head. ‘It's good to have you here, Max,' he said
with a smile. ‘I know Linden loves having you around. Someone his own age, rather than a couple of oldies like Eleanor and me. ‘Night.'

Max watched Ben as he walked away, his shoulders heavier than when they first sat down. All she had wanted to know was whether the transporter was safe enough to get her off this farm, but after all Ben had told her, why did she feel so bad? She'd never had an adult confide in her like he had. It made her feel special, but also sad.

And she hadn't realised Linden liked her. After she'd been such a cow to him! She'd never had any real friends. Not for long, anyway. She'd moved houses so many times because of her parents' jobs that when she met kids she liked, it wasn't long before she had to say goodbye to them. And so the easiest thing was not to make any friends at all. Saved on all those goodbyes.

She looked in the house and saw Linden asleep in a bed near hers. He was okay. After a little while he might even grow on her. Maybe being on the farm wasn't such a bad thing after all. In the city, all she'd do is stay at home and listen to music and wait for her mother to get in late and barely notice she was there. Whereas here, Ben, Eleanor and Linden actually seemed to like her.

She thought about Ben and how he was sad about his brother but wasn't doing anything about seeing him again. Max didn't understand it, especially as they could both be working on the Time and Space Machine together.

Then she had a brilliant idea. It was so brilliant she almost yelled out. She was going to use Ben's Matter Transporter to go to London and find his brother, tell him how Ben felt and get the two of them talking. She'd also see if he'd finished the Time and Space Machine and if he hadn't, she'd help the brothers change the world with it.

Max stayed on the verandah for what felt like hours thinking about her mission. She imagined how proud of her Alex Crane would be. It was a long while later that she let out a big yawn and realised how tired she was. Tomorrow would be a great day, but now she was worn out and before she travelled anywhere, she needed to sleep.

The next morning after breakfast, Ben gave Linden a list of things to do around the farm. Cleaning out feed troughs, feeding Larry and Ralph, clipping the front hedges. Farm and house stuff that didn't sound too interesting, but Max needed time alone with Linden.

‘I'll help,' she offered.

Ben and Linden looked up at Max like she'd grown two heads. Ben frowned.

‘You sure about that?' he asked. ‘It's messy work. Especially after last night's rain.'

‘There's nothing wrong with a little dirt,' said Max, trying to look enthusiastic. ‘Let's go.'

Linden felt Max's forehead and turned to Ben.

‘Feels okay. No fever or anything.'

‘Ha ha, Mr Smartypants,' said Max. ‘Let's make a move before you kill everyone with your sense of humour.'

Eleanor stood up. ‘I'll get you one of Ben's old shirts to wear. And Linden's got a spare pair of overalls you can have.'

Max looked down at her clothes. They were new and she could just hear her mother if she even as much as looked out the window at dirt.

And then, as if Eleanor had read her thoughts, she said, ‘Your mother won't be happy if we send
you back with all your clothes caked in mud.' She smiled and went to get the clothes.

So her mother had always been as picky as she was now, thought Max.

After she was dressed, Max strode into the kitchen, ready for action.

‘Okay Linden, let's go. We've got lots to do and there's no time to waste.'

She marched past Ben, Eleanor and Linden and through the door. Ben shrugged his shoulders, as unable as Linden was to explain where Max's sudden enthusiasm for dirt had come from. Linden grabbed an extra piece of toast and followed her.

The more he knew girls the less he understood about them. He decided then and there to give up even trying.

Outside, Linden threw the toast to Ralph, who ate it in one gulp. He picked up a shovel and headed over to Larry's trough.

‘You can start by bringing those buckets around,' he began. ‘And then …'

‘There's no time for that,' said Max. ‘I have a proposition for you.'

‘A proposition?' Linden said, confused. ‘It's just a feed trough.'

‘I know what it is. I want to find out if you can help me out with a mission I'm working on.'

Linden laughed.

‘Are you from some secret spy organisation or something?'

‘Sort of,' said Max.

Linden turned to Ralph.

‘It looks like Max. It sounds like Max, but I think aliens must have come and switched bodies with her in the middle of the night.'

‘If you don't want to be involved just say so and I'll find someone else.'

Linden stared at her.

‘There's no one else around for miles.'

He had a point.

‘Okay, then you'll have to do,' said Max, eager to get on with explaining the mission.

But Linden wasn't so easily won over and wanted her to know it.

‘Maybe I'm busy and won't have time to help you.'

‘Busy?' yelled Max. ‘What are you going to be busy with?'

‘Oh, this and that,' he said.

Max suddenly realised she was being baited.

‘Okay,' she said quietly. ‘I want to work with you.'

Linden was impressed. Max really did have emotions.

‘Sure I'll help. What's the mission?' he asked.

‘I want to use Ben's Matter Transporter to go to London and find his brother. Then I can tell him how Ben feels about him and find out how close he is to completing the Time and Space Machine that will make them both famous.'

Linden was impressed.

For a second.

Then he just thought Max was crazy.

‘But Ben said the Matter Transporter wasn't ready to transport humans,' he reminded her. ‘Who knows what will happen if you try it on yourself?'

‘Not just me,' smiled Max. ‘You're coming too.'

‘Me? Why me?' Linden shouted.

‘Well, I can't go on my own. I'll need help. London's a big city and it will take at least two people to find Ben's brother.'

‘What if we get killed? What if the machine makes zombies of us? What if we end up floating in outer space for the rest of our lives?' offered Linden, not sure he liked the idea of being transported across the world in a machine that
couldn't properly transport a sandwich across a room.

‘If the sandwich was transported in perfect condition, I'm sure we could be as well.'

Linden wasn't convinced, so Max tried a different approach.

‘And what if we sit here and never try it?' argued Max. ‘Ben will never meet his brother again, the world may never know about the Time and Space Machine and we will have passed up an adventure that most top spies only dream about. So, what do you say?'

Linden thought about it. Max sure did have a way with words and he'd never had anything as exciting as this offered to him in his life. Just farm jobs and the odd trip to the city.

‘When do you want to go?' he asked.

‘Tonight,' said Max.

‘Tonight?'

‘When Ben and Eleanor are in bed. I figure if we're away overnight, that should be enough time to find Ben's brother, tell him about Ben and get back here before they even notice we're gone.'

‘You don't muck around, do you? Are you always like this when you want something?' asked Linden.

‘Always,' said Max with a smile. ‘Are you in?'

Linden thought about what he was being asked. There was something about Max's excitement that got to him and suddenly he did want to be part of the mission.

‘Sure.'

‘Great!' said Max. ‘Meet me at the shed at eight o'clock tonight. I'll tell Ben and Eleanor that I'm really tired and go to bed early. Then, I'll sneak out and meet you. You tell your dad you are staying here again tonight and everything should be set. Here,' she said, handing Linden a scrap of paper. ‘I've drawn up a list of some essentials to pack.'

Linden looked over the list. Backpack, torch, pen knife, money, ID, string, handkerchief, notebook and pen, warm clothes, raincoat, watch, energy snacks.

‘Now give me your jumper and shoes,' said Max.

Linden looked up, not sure he heard right.

‘What do you want those for?'

‘You'll see. It's all part of the plan.' Max smiled.

Linden wasn't sure what Max wanted the clothes for but he handed them over.

‘So, I'll see you tonight?' asked Max.

‘Sure,' said Linden, thinking about what was ahead of them.

‘Let's shake on it,' said Max.

Linden offered his hand.

‘No,' she said. ‘The secret spy shake.'

Max touched her nose and ran her hand through her hair.

Linden stared.

‘That's it?'

‘That's it. The secret shake of spies. Much less obvious than a handshake and being discreet is the name of the game.'

Linden held out his hand slowly, unsure of this new rule, and did the shake.

‘Eight o'clock tonight, and wear something warm. It's cold over there this time of year.'

Max walked away feeling excited and a bit scared. Part one of the preparations for Mission Matter Transporter was complete. All she needed now was to put the final details in place and for that she needed Eleanor.

Max went back to the house just as Eleanor was getting ready to go out.

‘Eleanor, can I ask you a few questions?' Max asked.

Eleanor was happy to see Max was feeling more at home and put down her bag.

‘Sure. What would you like to know?'

‘You and Ben once lived in England, didn't you?' asked Max.

‘For four years,' Eleanor explained. ‘That's where we met.'

‘And why did you leave?'

Eleanor went quiet.

‘It's a long time ago now. Ben and I were working on a secret project for the Government when we found out that not everything we were told was true, and in some cases, was an outright lie.'

‘And you left?' Max asked.

‘Yep. We decided we needed a big change and moved out here.'

‘What about Ben's brother?'

‘Ah, you know about Francis?' Eleanor said softly.

‘Ben told me. But he didn't say too much,' Max added.

‘He never does.' Eleanor smiled. ‘Come with me, I want to show you something.'

Max followed Eleanor to a room at the front of the house. She was amazed when Eleanor opened the door and showed her in. There were computers, boxes and books everywhere. She'd never even known this room existed.

‘This is my study,' said Eleanor. ‘I don't let too
many people in here, mainly because it's such a mess. In fact, you're the first person other than me to step through these doors in a long while. Now, where is that book?'

Eleanor searched the shelves as Max stared at the walls. All around them were framed degrees, certificates and awards with Eleanor's and Ben's names on them.

‘Ah, here it is. You're also the first person in a long time to see what I'm about to show you.'

Eleanor took a large, important-looking book from the top shelf. She blew across the top and an avalanche of dust flowed across the room.

‘It's longer than I thought,' she scowled. ‘This is a scrapbook of our time in England. Ben and Francis were very accomplished scientists and famous throughout the scientific world for their work.'

Max looked carefully through the book, which was full of certificates and awards and even a letter from the Prime Minister telling them what a great service they were doing for the world. There were newspaper and magazine articles praising their work, and photographs of them accepting awards and shaking each other's hand with big grins on their faces.

‘They look really close,' Max observed.

‘They were,' Eleanor said. ‘That's why it's so hard for Ben to talk about it now.'

‘What happened?'

‘When we discovered we weren't being told the truth, we were furious and decided to leave. It was a matter of principle. But Francis thought we were over-exaggerating. He and Ben had a big fight about it and they haven't spoken since.'

‘That must have been sad,' said Max.

‘It was. For all of us. We were so close and then it ended. It's hard saying goodbye to friends.'

Max thought of the times in her life she'd had to say goodbye and how each time it hurt as much as the last.

‘We often think about Francis and wonder how he is,' said Eleanor, staring at the photographs.

Max looked at Eleanor and felt close to her.

‘Can I keep looking through?' asked Max, holding the book.

‘Sure. I have to go into town for a few things but you're welcome to stay in here as long as you like.'

Eleanor turned to go out.

‘And I'll close the door so you can have a bit of privacy.'

There was a study in Max's home but she was never allowed to use it in case she made a mess of
her mother's things. Living with Eleanor and Ben was really different from living at home.

‘Eleanor!' Max said.

Eleanor stopped at the door.

‘Yes?'

Max was grateful to her aunt for all she'd done. The way she treated her, telling her all those private things, everything, but all she could think to say was, ‘Thanks.'

‘You're welcome. Oh, and before I forget, I'm taking Ben out for a special celebratory dinner tonight. I've asked Linden's dad if he can stay overnight to keep you company. You're very safe around here and Ralph is an expert watchdog. I hope that's okay.'

Perfect! Just what Max wanted so she and Linden could make their getaway even earlier than planned.

‘You stay out as long as you want. I'll probably go to bed early,' said Max.

Eleanor closed the door quietly behind her.

Max sank deeper into her chair and slowly turned the pages of the book. Eleanor wasn't kidding. The two brothers really were famous. The newspaper cuttings were filled with praise for all their work.

‘Science Brothers Head Top Secret Project.'

‘Brothers Search For Key to Time.'

‘Brothers Set to Change the World.'

Max came across an interview with the head of the Government department Ben, Francis and Eleanor were working for. Her first big lead. She wrote down the name: the Department of Science and New Technologies and the person in charge, Professor Valerie Liebstrom. But it wasn't until she came across a letter from London that she knew she'd hit the jackpot.

It was addressed to Ben and Eleanor and was from Professor F J Williams.

Bingo! Ben's brother. It was postmarked a few years ago but he might still be at the same address, or if not, maybe someone there would know where he lived.

Max wrote down the address, closed the scrapbook and put it carefully back in its place. She then searched for a street directory of London so she could scan it into the control panel. She looked through the shelves of books and, tucked between a travel guide to Africa and a book called
The Complete History of Elves
, she found one. The London A-Z. It was dog-eared and wrinkled with food stains smudged across it and sticky tape
plastered all over it to keep it together. Max tucked it beneath her shirt and thought Eleanor wouldn't miss it if she took it with her. All she needed now was to use it to transport Linden and herself to London, where, by this time tomorrow, she hoped to have met Ben's brother, Professor F J Williams, and his Time and Space Machine.