CHAPTER 18The blue light of the tunnel receded, and Mara and Ping found themselves standing in the laboratory where they had started. Looking at the hand that held the Chronicle of Cosms when they were inside the steam sample, Mara noticed it was now empty. The copper eyepiece rested in its stand, pointing at the plastic sample globe, at the steam they had examined—and had experienced.
“The more I think about it, the more that feels like being sucked through some kind of a straw,” Mara said. “I’m not liking it too much. Seems like a lot of trouble to go through just to fine-tune Reality.”
“I admit it is somewhat disturbing,” Ping said. “Though I must thank you for the once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Mara had already turned toward the counter and leaned over the mounted eyepiece. Pluckin
