He had a point. What difference did it make what star system his planet belonged to? The fact is he was here, at least mentally.

Alien Joe seemed to be reading my thoughts. “Human travel moves from point A to point B on a linear realm. Think beyond this.”

My head was swimming with a million thoughts.

Am I awake? What the hell is a lucid dream? Is there a purpose to this? He said it was a portal, only we’re both here in Antarctica…

“You’re referring to trans-dimensional travel. Theoretically, it’s the only way to travel beyond the speed of light.”

Alien Joe smiled. “Very good, but let’s refine your conclusion. Travel pertains to an act of physical movement; movement invokes the passage of time, which is a component of the physical dimension. As we speak, you and I occupy a higher dimension where time does not exist. I mention this to ease your mind about hastening your journey back to the submersible. Time is not passing in the physical sense while we are conversing, so don’t feel pressured. Let me also assure you that you are not being held captive. Simply express the desire to leave, and you’ll find yourself back in the ice tunnel and on your merry way.”

“Will I remember any of this?”

“No.”

“Then what makes it real?”

“The implications of our communication are very real.”

Settling deeper into the seat cushion, I began to rock, finding the familiar action soothing. “You say we’re in a higher dimension. It doesn’t feel any different.”

“Do you hurt?”

“No.”

“Yet you were experiencing physical discomfort before you entered the ice tunnel.”

“But if this was a lucid dream, I wouldn’t be shivering or suffering from frostbite or aching muscles or joint pain. Or even hunger.”

“Good point.”

“How many dimensions are there? Are they all like this?”

“You studied quantum physics at Princeton. How many dimensions are there, Zachary?”

That’s why the icon seemed familiar!

“Ten. There are ten dimensions, at least according to superstring theory. And they’re arranged just like that icon glowing on your—your front door.”

Ten golfball-sized sparks of energy appeared between us, hovering four feet above the wooden floor in the same alignment as the icon, only now the three upper dimensions were burning white, while the middle six were flowing with the colors of the spectrum—red to orange intoyellow, followed by the darker green, blue, and indigo hues. The lowest dimension, our physical dimension, remained bathed in violet.

“Interpret what you see, Zachary.”

“Energy. It seems to be flowing through the ten dimensions in accordance with the electromagnetic spectrum, from the three upper worlds into the bundle of six, and from the six to the one, the physical world.”