Page 60 of Lunar Bound
"As in we might end up scattered across multiple dimensional planes," Solar corrected. "Our energy signatures would be distributed across an infinite number of potential realities."
“Theoretically,” Lunar added.
Dani closed her eyes briefly. "Of course. Because this wasn't terrifying enough already."
Suddenly, she reached into the bodice of her space suit. She pulled out a small object and handed it to Lunar. “Does this help? Gary said to give it to you once we were safe.”
Lunar activated the small energy stone. It didn’t have much data on it, but it did have the coordinates. Poppy had received Galaxy Brides’ message. She was waiting. He felt his energy amplify. The resonance between them stretched across impossible distances, becoming his fixed point in the universe.
“I know we’re not safe, but—” Dani said.
“It helps,” Lunar interrupted. “We have a target.”
Lunar moved to the navigation console, his shadow essence interfacing directly with the ship's dimensional calculator. “I can compensate for the missing twilight energy by modulating my shadow signature to approximate certain frequencies."
"That's not possible," Solar objected. "Shadow cannot mimic twilight."
"Not traditionally," Lunar agreed. "But Earth changed us both. My shadow essence has evolved beyond standard parameters."
To demonstrate, he allowed his form to shift, the darkness within him thinning slightly until hints of twilight-like energy became visible in his core. It wasn't true twilight, and Eclipse would have been insulted by the imitation, but it might be enough to balance the fold.
Solar's light dimmed slightly in what Lunar recognized as surprise. "When did you develop this capability?"
"During confinement," Lunar explained. "I had extensive time to experiment with the Earth modifications to my essence."
"Earth modifications," Dani repeated thoughtfully. "You mean Poppy."
Lunar didn't answer directly. "The calibration will require precise synchronization between our energy signatures. Even then, the success probability remains below optimal parameters."
"Again, translate that for the human. What are our chances?" Dani asked.
"Carrying a human with us? Thirty-seven percent," Lunar calculated.
"That's better than I expected," Solar admitted.
Dani looked between them. "You're both crazy, you know that? Thirty-seven percent is terrible odds."
"The alternative is returning to Zorveya or drifting through space, hoping we meet a friendly ship until our resources are depleted," Lunar pointed out.
“Neither one of you thought to mention this to me before we left the surface?” Dani asked.
Lunar and Solar shared a look.
"Right," Dani sighed. "Okay, then. Let’s do it. Why not? We only live once. Might as well make it count."
They worked in silence, Lunar and Solar calibrating their energy signatures while the transport limped away from Zorveya. Long-range sensors showed pursuit vessels launching, but they remained hours behind. It was enough time to attempt the dimensional fold if they worked quickly.
As Lunar interfaced with the ship's systems, part of his consciousness remained fixed on that faint energy signature from Earth. Poppy.
"Calibration at eighty-four percent," he reported.
"It's not optimal, but it may be sufficient," Solar answered.
"Milano might be monitoring for arrivals," Lunar cautioned. "They tracked our original landing."
“That’s probably because we crash landed in a public space,” Solar countered.
"Can we mask our approach?" Dani asked.
