The Stars Blue Yonder by Sandra McDonald

traveler, dropping in and out of her life without consequences, he could have been there at the party. Could have seen her with her hand cupping Richi Miller’s firm backside, seen his hand fondling her breasts.
    â€œThis is all ridiculous,” Jodenny said.
    â€œIf you don’t believe him, why are you sticking around?” Osherman asked.
    She glanced at the sofa but didn’t answer.
    â€œThis blue ring of his,” Osherman said. “He says it takes him around places, through space and time. He’s trying to find something called Kultana. We looked it up while we were down in the pub. It’s a male god from Aboriginal Australia, or sometimes a female god. From the Land of the Dead, or sometimes in charge of the rain. There’s also a Kultana orchid, a village in India back on Earth, a Kultana museum on Mary River, and at least a dozen other possibilities. He says he knew all that, and none of them seem to fit the bill.”
    â€œSo what’s next?”
    â€œIf that ring shows up tomorrow, I intend to be here. Along with scientists and security guards and anyone else who might help us catch it.”
    â€œYou want to catch it?”
    â€œYou don’t?”
    She thought that over. An intergalactic device that could transport someone across the galaxy and through time. The benefit of that to humanity could be enormous.
    â€œWell,” Jodenny said. “What kind of future wife would I be if I let you have all the fun?”
    â€œGampa,” a voice said. “Wake up.”
    Myell rolled away into the warmth and softness of his blankets. He didn’t want to talk to Homer. Didn’t want to talk to anyone. His headhurt and his tongue felt thick, and he had the sneaking suspicion he was due a massive hangover if he actually dared to wake up.
    â€œIt’s about the kids,” Homer insisted.
    He forced one eye open. The room was dark, but Homer was backlit by spectral blue light. Nice special effect, that. Homer was full of special effects
    â€œWhat about them?” Myell croaked out.
    â€œThe ouroboros will be here soon. For you. Only for you. You can’t take them with you.”
    Myell wished he had more whiskey. Or something smooth and warm to ease the grit in his mouth. “What the hell are you talking about?”
    â€œThe ouroboros is only for you,” Homer insisted. “It’s geared to your brainwaves, your body print. You damaged it by bringing the kids with you this last trip. It’s like too many people clinging to one life preserver. You bring them again, and you all might drown.”
    Myell pulled himself up and sat against the bulkhead for support. He was still wearing the civilian clothes they’d given him, along with the excellent socks. His boots had disappeared, though. He squinted at Homer’s bright light. “Did you say drown?”
    Homer stepped back from the bed, bringing some of the light with him. He was dressed today all in red, with a silver cummerbund and large white sneakers. “I mean you can’t do it. You’ll get yourselves killed.”
    Myell pressed the palms of his hands to his eyes. “But I can’t—I can’t leave them here. They need their home. Their parents.”
    â€œThey are at home. With their parents. The minute you left, the temporary eddy dissolved. Any changes you made dissolved with it.”
    â€œI don’t think I’ve had enough alcohol to understand this conversation.”
    â€œKyle and Twig are home in their beds right now, in Providence. The ones who are here are just remnants.”
    â€œAnd if I leave them here, they’ll just—what? Cease to exist? Die?”
    Homer sighed. “I don’t make the rules of time travel, Gampa. I just report them. It’s not dying if they’re not supposed to be here at all.”
    â€œSounds like dying to me,” Myell insisted. “Besides, it wasn’t my ideato bring them