Andy     Sci-Fi  Chapters 1 - 5

Draft


Chapter One

The darkening clouds seemed to roil above him, threatening a deluge as he brought his panting steed to a sliding stop at the edge of the river, the damp earth nearly causing him to loose his footing as he slid down from the saddle, trying to keep control of his mount with the reins as the sky split apart with another blinding brightness, the lightening renting the air above him with a thundering crackle of energy.

Holding a hand up to protect his eyes from the violence of the flashes, the young man made his way over to the edge, looking down towards the river’s edge some fifteen feet below, his horse held tightly tethered by his gloved fist.

A tremor of apprehension crossed his face, before presenting a resolute image to the figure who had stood up from the rocks below, her face nearly concealed by the damp hair that clung to her bare skin, its length hanging down around her to trail down into the water, her dark eyes locked on his as each held the attention of the other.

“You have lingered too long,” the nymph finally said, her passive pale face showing no expression at the sight of the mailed warrior, her words nearly lost to the rising winds.

“I warned you, as you stood so boldly at your father’s door,” she added, giving a slight shake of her head as she noted the flash of anguish in his eyes.

“I was sent forth, my message scoffed at. I was driven out into the darkness for being what I am,” her appearance now taking on a more sorrowful look. “Now you face a storm of your own making, one bred from your own misery.

“To find what you seek, you must follow it,” nodding her head towards the flashes still seen over the darkness of the forest as the center of the storm moved beyond the river’s bend.

“They have come for her, the quest will test your very soul,” she sighed, both of them suddenly turning towards that furtive dark shape that suddenly appeared at the water’s edge, a ragged bolt of lightening revealing the robed figure now standing there as the light crisscrossed the sky above them.

”Take heed, for that what you now seek may not be what you expect to find,” the girl added slowly, turning back to look up at him as she took a step down into the swirling waters, “For nothing is as it first seems…

“Andy! The loud voice called out, interrupting the flow of the tale, causing a swift, low voiced response as the text was saved with a speed born of such abrupt halts.

“Get your duff up off that computer, I’ve called for you three times,” the often heard words booming down the hall.

“I want this trash out of the kitchen, so get up off your royal backside and do something around here.”

“Yeah, I heard you the first time, Angie,” Andy replied softly, letting out a low sigh, knowing the weekend was over and the tale wouldn’t be touched again, until the next one came along. The hero would be left trapped in time, his quest unfulfilled, his love held by another’s will… until the story was continued once more.

The very air seemed to be hanging, as if in limbo, the once distant deep rumbles of thunder was now moving closer with the storm gathering it’s strength as the trashcan was finally set in place, a hand going out to test if the growing winds would be able to knock it over, knowing who would be tasked should that happen before the garbage man could make his rounds in the morning.

It was nearly midnight when the computer display flashed, giving the appearance it was coming life once more, that some stray surges of light from the lingering storm had breathed life into it.

“This is the one,” the first one said, the strange deep blue eyes studying the figure, unaffected by the darkness around them.

“Yes,” the second figure gave out, nodding its head in agreement. “The quest has been fulfilled, we have found who we seek,” bringing up the carved wooden box it had been holding.

“It will tell us,” the first one let out, opening the box and reaching in to bring forth the dark purple band from its resting place.

With care, and a respect born of what it held, the creature then lifting one side of the bed covers, exposing the right hand.

“As we were told,” the second figure gave out, nodding as the band was slid over the wrist, a sudden deep glow coming from its core as it seemed to lose its rigidity, changing it’s nature to become one with the its new owner.

“I was beginning to lose hope,” the second one quietly remarked, his eyes mesmerized by the flickers of power racing across the one-inch band.

“A year and a day,” the first one replied, turning to give his companion a glance, “Then it will be done.”

“You’re moving slower than usual this morning, like you’re still lost in that fantasy world you live in,” Angie let out, looking across the kitchen as Andy sat down at the table, giving the school bag a glance as she inwardly let out a slight scoff at it’s worn appearance.

“I figured you’d miss the bus again, have to hitch.”

“No big deal, I’m not the one who gets the letter from school on child endangerment. Besides, it’s downhill.

“We have any cereal left?” she quietly asked, seeing her usual box was missing.

“Did you haul your little butt up to the store?” Angie replied, leaning back against the counter, letting out a scornful expression at her.

“No, instead of thinking of your breakfast, someone decided to stay in that dungeon of a room, typing away at the keyboard all day.

“Your dirty little mind was lost in another lurid tale of adventure and magic, instead of thinking ahead like everyone else.”

“I had some,” sitting back, now realizing the box was one of those in the sack set out with the trash last night. “You ate all of it?”

“What does that make me, the evil the step-mother?” Angie gave out, “You going to write me into one of those stories you’re always hiding yourself in?”

“Another year of school facing you, and then what are you going to do?” throwing a look as she set her own plate down on the counter.

“Between doing whatever you’re doing in that room, and running off to your friend’s house, you’re pretty much useless around here on the weekends. I have to do everything myself.”

“You didn’t stop by the store,” Andy gave out, grabbing at the bag, knowing the futility of an argument.

“It’s Monday, which means you can stop by the store on the way home. Just get off the bus down at the bottom of the hill, and walk from there.

“Don’t be forgetting my cookies, and we’re nearly out of milk.

“I’m $50 short on the rent as well, so go by the bank and get me out something to keep a roof over your head.”

“That’s my school money. Father left that to me, and I’m going to use it for college. It’s not so you could go out and drink it.”

“I guess you want me to pawn that computer in there.” Angie replied, grabbing at her car keys lying on the counter.

“That was given to me in the will, you’ve tried that threat before,” Andy gave out, heading back towards the bedroom.

“Then I’ll just have to go down there to the bank and throw the paperwork from the landlord in the face of that suit who oversees your trust fund,” Angie gave out, shaking her head at she headed for the door. 

“I’ll be late tonight,” giving a yell down the hall towards the back end of the house.

“You better be in there doing your homework when I get in.”

“Hey, Loner,” Mary gave out, moving over on the seat to let Andy sit down beside her. “You look your usual cheerful self this morning.”

“Hey back, party girl,” Andy replied, stuffing the book bag down on the floor of the bus, “I thought I was going to have to walk in this morning. Rough dreams, couldn’t sleep for half the night so I was thinking on a new story.”

“Oh,” leaning back down to bring out a thin sheaf of papers from the bag and holding them up, “Here’s the end of the last Chapter. I wasn’t able to get any further into it.”

“Any sexy parts in it yet?” Mary asked, grinning as she gave the papers a quick glance. “Has her gown been torn, baring one shoulder and breast as the brave lad pressed his lips to hers before turning to face the approaching dragon?”

“You’ll have to wait for it,” Andy sighed, resting against the back of the seat, “This one isn’t going very fast for some reason.

“I’m thinking on adding these magical beings, they sort of pop into the story, bringing something that saves her.”

“That’s cheating, you’re better than that,” Mary muttered, carefully setting the papers in her own bag. “That doesn’t sound like someone who won the District Writing Contest.

“Let the guy fight it out with the monster, he gets his ass kicked, the girl gets ravaged by that evil wizard. Everything seems on the edge of disaster until the hero stands up for the final battle.”

“How can he win if she’s already been ravaged by the wizard?” turning to look at Mary with a quizzical expression.

“Hey, I just give ideas, I hate writing. I just read them, and know what I’d like to see. That would be different, more like real life. Sometimes the hero doesn’t arrive in the nick of time, and the good do die young.

“Look at it as a test of his character. Is he going to bring her home to his father afterwards, knowing she’s been held in the tower for a week, at the mercy of the evil one?”

“Sometimes the bad guys win,” Andy sighed, pondering the idea. “Might work, it’d have some shock value to it. I’ll have to think on it.

“You could have her under a spell,” Mary added, giving more thought to the idea.

“We could just say she was, just to hide the truth of what happens,” Andy replied, showing a slight smile.

“The wizard immediately takes her as his bride, a week of so goes by before the lad can find a horse and sword… he…

“What are you doing?” Andy gave out, seeing the notepad being brought out.

“You’ll forget, you usually do,” making a few notations on the pad, “and I’ll have to think this stuff up all over again.

“I’m told we’re getting a new student in our class,” talking as she wrote, “Some guy from Japan as I heard it,” finishing up her notes before looking over to Andy.

“You’re in the office first period this semester, so let me know if he’s cute.”

“Like I’d know,” accepting the notes from her, making sure they were tucked down inside the bag.

“What makes you think old lady Keeling won’t run the guy down to his first class?”

“Because she’s lazy, and she’s a bitch. Likes to boss us lower life forms around,” grinning back at her.

“It’s an exercise of her assumed authority, so that means she’ll want to tell someone what to do, which brings us back to you, the loner.”

“Cute is the smile, the dark wavy hair, the eyes that capture your attention the moment you set eyes on him.”

“If he’s that good looking, maybe I should just keep my mouth shut and get to know him for myself,” grinning back over.

“No… everyone knows you too well, that would never go over,” Mary replied, looking out the parking lot as they approached the school, “You’re too into yourself, I’ve mentioned it before.

“He’d last a day, maybe two at most.”

“It’s that noticeable, huh?” stepping back to let Mary go down the aisle in front of her once the other students had moved past them.

“Oh, yeah. You’re a confirmed hopeless case, and I’ve been thinking lately that you’re getting worse. You should see someone about that.

“I don’t even know why I hang with you these days.”

“You’ve been hanging since we were in Fifth grade,” Andy gave out, seeing she was already looking for her other friends.

“Maybe it’s just become a habit, maybe because it’s just us two that live up there on the hill.”

“Maybe it’s my fate, my place in the world. Hey,” Mary suddenly gave out, turning to look back, “Put that in the dragon tale, that sounds good.”

“That one is on hold, I’m considering a Sci-Fi theme on this one,” shifting her eyes at the thought. “We haven’t done one of those, and I’ve been getting some ideas down.

“It’s going to be great.”

“Yuck, there isn’t any romance in those,” Mary gave out, shaking her head at the notion. “It’s all weird aliens, space ships and computers that run wild, worm holes and all that tech stuff that makes your head hurt trying to figure it out.

“It’s not something you can wrap your arms around, if you know what I mean,” leading them towards the main doors of the school.

“I’m just a kid here. Where’s the adventure? Where’s the sex?”

“Yeah, it’s hard to find a likeable alien these days, they’re all teeth and slobber,” peering down the hall towards the front office, noting the lone figure sitting outside on the waiting bench.

“It would have to be standing right in front of you, asking if you wanted to take part in the grand adventure,” deciding to head for the lockers first.

“She’s old and mean, but she hasn’t bitten anyone in years,” Andy gave out, coming up to where the boy was sitting, raising an eyebrow at his appearance.

“You sure?” he asked as they exchanged glances.

“Not saying she won’t, just saying she hasn’t… lately. The odds are in your favor,” Andy replied, showing him a faint smile. “You appear to be agile enough to escape her clutches.”

“Are you staring?” noting he hadn’t shifted his attention back towards the office window.

“Sorry, we appreciate beauty where I come from,” standing up and offering a hand as he give a slight bow, “Keiichi, Keiichi Aikawa. I guess I’m the new guy.”

“Andy, to those who think they know me. The Loner to everyone else,” taking his hand for a moment. “Welcome to hell, lets go face the beast.”

“What happened there?” he suddenly asked, pointing at her wrist.

“Oh, I hadn’t noticed that,” lifting her arm up to look at the mark around her wrist.

“Looks like you spilled something acidic, the skin is reddened, and slightly puffy,” Keiichi added, leaning closer to get a better look.

“Actually, it looks like you were wearing something there, like a bangle or bracelet and had an allergic reaction.”

“Doesn’t hurt or anything,” running a finger over the raised area, “but I don’t own any bracelets. The only jewelry I can claim as my own is a ring Father left me.

“I’m thinking someone pulled my hand off while I was sleeping, and then stuck it back on.”

“Thanks for taking a look, Doc,” throwing him a quick smile. “You look like you’re from Japan. Nice accent, I like it.”

“Yes, but I wasn’t born there, my father worked there for the past ten years. He’s into research.”

“Ah, if you’re here then he’s one of those out at the Institute; that place over past the airport. I didn’t see you on the bus, that’s the same one I ride.”

“He gave me a lift, he wanted to go in early. You know, make that first lasting impression.”

“Well as I understand it, if he’s working out there, he’s impressive enough,” waving a hand towards the office door.

“Since you might have some samurai in your blood, I’m think a frontal approach is best,” nodding towards the counter inside the office. “That’s where they bring all the victims.”

“How come they call you the loner?” standing up, to follow Andy inside, “You are most attractive.”

“Oh, I get these comments from other students,” pausing to give him a look.

“They would come up to me, fawning all over me before trying to gain entrance into my private world. They thought they had some sort of ancient right to control me, to demand my time and attention, just because I look as I do.

“I make it plain. I’m not a walking sex slave, nor a social ant, I’m something else.” lifting an eyebrow.

“I don’t go out to parties, I don’t date, and in case it hasn’t become apparent yet, I don’t have any friends.

“You won’t find me on any of the social websites, so don’t go wasting your time.

“I like to write stories, and I’m one who is always in the exercise room after classes are out, using the weights. I like to keep in shape.”

“Apparently,” giving her another glance. “Of course, you must realize that is part of your problem with others that gather around you.

“You must attract them like bees to the hive,” realizing that the thickly braided dark hair fell down below her waist.

“Yeah, well I’ve also been known to keep them at arms length, by use of force. I’ve got it so no one bothers me, and I don’t bother them. Life is good.

“It works for me, but that’s why I’m the greeter for the front office this semester, they want to keep an eye on me.”

“Who wouldn’t,” Keiichi gave out, smiling at her frown as he found himself at the counter.

“I know karate,” he gave out quietly as they stood waiting for the secretary to acknowledge their presence.

“Won’t help, it’s been tried,” Andy whispered back. “I wanted to try out for the wrestling team, but that got shot down. I was told to try the cheerleaders.”

“Don’t tell me, they suddenly had no openings for a non-social being.”

“Oh, you are bright,” Andy sighed, slowly nodding her head. “The rest of them would have said ‘anti-social’. As I said before, welcome to hell.”

“I don’t see any blood,” looking up to see Keiichi looking at her again as he exited the office.

“The school rules are different here,” bowing once more as he gave her a smile. “I didn’t have to battle my way out of the office, nor did I have to say much. Nodding my head seemed to accomplish most of what was needed.”

“Let’s see,” holding out a hand to take the class slip, “I’ll take you to the one you need to be in for this hour.

“After that, its gym and then lunch,” pointing it out on the paper. “You can follow it from there.

“If it wasn’t mentioned, we ride Bus 18. It’ll be one the yellow ones out front when class is over for the day. Miss it, and it’s an hour walk.”

“I thought you said you worked out after class,” giving out a hopeful look.

“Can’t, duty calls. Have to do the shopping,” throwing him a wan smile. “I guess its volleyball or whatever else the coach has planned for today.

“Any advice, before we go in there?” Keiichi asked, reaching out to touch her arm as they stood outside the classroom door.

“When in doubt, do what I do,” nodding towards the door. “Find a seat as far back as possible, answer only when asked, and never ever give the impression you’re smarter than the teachers.”

“What happens if you do?”

“Everyone will begin to pester you, wanting to get into your private world, asking for the answers to the test they never bothered to study for.

“After they realize you’re tired of them, they soon begin to call you a loner. If you good at being a loner, then they just call you ‘The Loner’.”

“If you’re able to stand your ground, maybe punch them out, then everyone gives you a cautious look as you pass by. Whispers of ‘the loner’ erupt behind your back.

“My walk across the break area has been likened to the parting of the Red Sea.”

“They won’t let it slide without at least one of them challenging you. They thought I was a snob when I ignored them, that I was too good to have anything to do with them and their cute little ways.

“I am just myself, nothing more. I am quite capable of ripping all those tissues out from where they tuck them, but I kept it simple. Grab the hair, push the face into the dirt a couple of times… let them admit defeat.

“Voia! No broken bones, and one messes with me.”

“Hia, I understand,” a smile erupting. “Just where did you say the tissues were tucked?”

“You’ll figure it out soon enough; I don’t see the need to give simple directions, even if you are the new guy.

“Careful you don’t lose an eye in there.”

“You are very different,” readying himself to enter the classroom.

“I’m the loner, and I’m the best of my kind, pure and simple.” giving him a slight bow as he headed into the room.

“The last of a dying breed,” her eyes following him as he vanished through the doorway.

“You sit by yourself as well,” Keiichi remarked, setting his lunch tray down across from Andy.

“An old habit, I enjoy it when I find an empty table,” glancing over at him. “No one wants to talk school, and as I’m not a social insect, there isn’t much else to talk about.

“There is baseball,” he offered.

“Do I look like I’m into baseball?” giving him a look. “I like to write. Do you know anything about aliens?”

“Ah… no. However, I hope you will allow the intrusion, as I find myself lacking others to talk with. I have discovered that if I keep my mouth shut, then they think I can’t speak English. If I speak, then there is no mystery about me, so I am ignored.

“I have opted to follow your advice. It is better to be thought dumb, than to open mouth and remove all doubt.”

“Yeah,” pondering his words as she lifted an eyebrow.

“Of course, you must realize that goes both ways. Perhaps remaining silent works best, I use that myself.”

“Who names a girl Andy? That is most unusual,” lifting his own tray in preparation to leave when she did.

“It’s not Andy.”

“It’s Andromeda.”


Chapter Two

“So, my son,” Issi Aikawa gave out, seeing that he was waiting for him at the top of the steps. “I trust your day went well.”

“Hai, Father,” bowing in greeting. “A most interesting day. I am now settled with the front office.”

“You have this look,” his father finally remarked, seeing that his only child had been pondering something during most of the meal.

“I met a most unusual person today, Father,” the thoughtful expression remaining on his face as he idly picked at another portion of rice and chicken.

“A face of a flower,” turning at his mother’s questioning eyes, “A mind of steel,” giving his father a quick glance, giving a quick bow towards him for allowing his mind to wander from the meal. “A most remarkable girl.”

“Ah, this explains all,” his mother gave out, a smile coming to her as she gave her husband a glance, “First day in school, a new friend.”

“What is her study in?” looking over to him.

“Aliens, I think,” giving a slight shrug. “She mentioned she likes to write, but that’s about all I have learned. She hasn’t mentioned any other interests yet.”

“You once mentioned to me of the still point,” looking over to his father once more. “She is like that, as if she was the center of something, where all is silent and still. She is the stone in the stream, and the water flows around her.

“She prefers her own company and hides her true nature from others with a simple facade. Everyone calls her Andy,” glancing back to his mother.

“What do you call her?” Issi asked, pausing his meal to wait on his reply.

“I have decided I will call by her proper name. Andromeda.”

“What Issi?” his wife promptly asked, seeing his face pale, fearing it was another heart problem returning to plague him.

“Keiichi, pour your father’s tea,” her concern growing as her husband remained silent.

“Andromeda Benson?” he finally asked, the question coming out low, is if he were pondering the name.

“Ah, it is nothing,” seeing his wife’s concern, “Something I thought I had heard before, a name mentioned while I was at work today.”

“Come, let us savor the pie your mother has prepared,” looking over to Keiichi.

“A most remarkable man, Dr. Aikawa,” a voice sighed behind him as the painting was being studied.

“Dr. Benson, the man who started us on this little adventure of ours.”

“Paul-san,” turning slightly to see who had entered his office. “Yes, I was just wondering about him, the Founding Father.”

“His work was far beyond anything at that time, he caught the attention of the big boys, the ones in Washington who make things happen,” Paul added, moving to stand beside him, giving the image on the wall his attention for a moment.

“You’re following in his foot steps,” turning to give the office a glance. “We hope you’ll be comfortable in here, the décor has remained pretty much the same over the intervening months we were seeking a replacement.”

“If you would like to change the motif, please let Miss Dickerson aware of your desires,” walking over to the desk, glancing down at the title of the magazine lying there.

“It quotes him in there as saying that if he wanted to know the answer to a difficult problem, he would ask his daughter.”

“When asked, the daughter’s reply was that her father was raised being taught Columbus thought the world was flat, and because of that, he still has problems when trying to understand the cosmos,” giving Paul a glance.

“Sounds to me that she’s saying our culture interferes with understanding of the big picture.

“Nice form,” Paul added, shifting his attention to the mermaid sitting beside it.

“I regret I never had the chance to meet him,” Issi remarked, “It is a difficult task you have presented here.”

“I thought if I could understand him a little better, I might follow his ideas,” having noted his glance back to the magazine.

“Oh, yeah. Please, anything that we had stored around here is open for you,” Paul let out, waving a hand around them.

“Your immediate predecessor, Professor Barnes, didn’t leave much behind I’m afraid, not that he made much progress of note.

“I’ve always thought he just didn’t get the big picture, spent too much time out on that boat of his. You can thank him for the present artwork in here.”

“Physics is a confusing field, so many theories, so few facts,” Issi remarked. “I suppose most of us have our quirks, our ways of escaping the mental stress that surrounds us. This project is beyond what I expected, my tour impressed me.”

“Oh, we’ve come a long way. Dr. Benson’s vision has given us a lot to consider,” Paul, gave out, reaching in to his pocket to bring out an ID badge.

“I forgot to give this to you,” handing it out, “We’ve sent out an email to the entire staff, so everyone is aware you’re running the big office,” giving out a smile.

“I suppose I should show my face,” clipping the badge to his jacket, “I’m intending to begin with a complete review of the work done to date, following the thought process that got us to where we are.”

“Ah, Miss Dickerson,” a smile coming to his face as they passed her desk in the outer office, “If you would be so kind,” gesturing back into the office, “The mermaid may remain on the desk, but the large stuffed fish staring at me on the other side of the room must go.

“Same for that other artwork of the sea, I fear I am not much for sailing.”

“I would rather eat my fish, not engage them in conversation as I ponder the workings of the universe in there.”

“So, what does a bright one like him have to say to bare breasted mermaids?” she let out, waiting until the elevator doors had closed behind him before looking over to Paul

“As long as it gets us results, they can discuss anything they want.

“Call Bill, he wanted that mermaid, so tell him he gets the fish. Tell him I tried, but it seems the good Doctor has an interest in them as well.”

“I have a call to make.”

“So, this is now my baby,” Issi mused, his eyes taking in the sight of the large chamber that occupied most of the floor space of the lab.

“Dimensional physics, that’s what I’m calling it,” one of the staff came out with, brushing away some of the dark fallen hair from her face as she realized who had spoken.

“Aylessa,” holding out a hand to greet him, “I hope you brought your own bottle of aspirin, we’re nearly out down here.”

“Yes,” smiling at the name she had come up with, “I suppose that is part of what we’re doing, trying to open a new dimension.”

“You can’t go in there, sir,” seeing he was about to head towards the chamber.

“Sorry, we’re ready to power up. Brian thought you might want to see what results we’ve been getting. We haven’t run the system since Dr. Barnes fell overboard.”

“We keep the magnetic field contained within, and it’s highly unstable at power up. That outer clear shielding is to keep us safe if it blows. It’s two inch polycarbonate.

“We’re following in Dr. Benson’s footsteps, but none of us want to follow him all the way to the grave,” giving Issi a faint smile.

“We should invest in some warning lights,” following her over to the control station, noting the heavy shielding of it’s viewing portal, and the thickness of the walls as he entered.

“Here you go, Doc,” Brian gave out, holding out a set of earphones. “The field sometimes generates a reflective wave effect, and it can actually create audible fluxions in the air if we run it at higher levels.”

“The outer door gets sealed, and we can’t unlock it again until the system runs through its cycle,” Aylessa explained, going back to his comment on the lights.

“No one can get in, or out, while we are in here running the system.

“We control it from here,” leading him over to a control panel, the green lights shifting over to red as she selected the proper buttons.

“We’re closed up,” called over to Brian, “I’m sending out the alarm,” pressing another button momentarily.

“It’s just a simple press and release, but it operates an audible warning tone through out the building. Let’s everyone know we’re down here opening a hole in the fabric of space.”

“What happens if they’re deaf?” throwing her a smile.

“Oh, we just use the camera to identify the remains,” she quipped, smiling back. “It was put in after the accident.”

“What is it?” seeing her sudden wince, “A migraine?”

“Yeah, perhaps,” rubbing her forehead. “It’ll pass, can’t take something for it while I’m at school,” looking over to Keiichi.

“We kids are thought incapable of making proper decisions when it comes to such things, which is probably why attending this school is a requirement and not a choice.

“Must be from this wonderful lunch.”

“I’ve discovered that it effects the other end,” giving out a slight grin. “I haven’t gotten a headache from it yet, but I haven’t been exposed to it as much as you have.

“I see that your wrist is better.”

“Yeah, faded away last night, nothing seems to bother me for very long,” rubbing the skin for a moment, realizing the sensation she had picked up was now fading as well.

“Making any progress on your alien story?”

“Oh, no. Still pondering some aspects of it, still taking down notes. It requires a lot of research,” looking back over.

“Does the alien suddenly appear, its space ship crashing into the dark woods after leaving a bright streak across the evening sky, or has it been here for years… waiting for the proper time to make itself known?”

“Then, there’s others little bits to come up with… where do they come from? How to they go back… that sort of stuff.

“I’m still considering a name for the main character, so with all of this hanging it hasn’t progressed very far.”

“How about Jason, or perhaps Milos?” sitting back to consider some names for her.

“I was thinking more like Pumpkin,” throwing him a slight smile.

“You mean a girl’s name?”

“Sounds that way to me. Of course, if you want, we could try it your way and give her a boy’s name.”

“You could call her Andy,” giving her a grin.

“I’ll give it some consideration,” showing her faint smile as they stood up to turn in their trays, “I suppose I could just use that in the title as well, really mess with their heads.”

“While you are pondering on where they will come from, you might want to add why they came.”

“Sure, put all the pressure on me, the author.”

“What is it?” Mary asked, seeing Andy was standing still, her attention on something beyond the parking lot that was now filled with buses being loaded for the run home.

“Oh,” realizing what she was listening to, “They’re back at it again.”

“Hold on, I haven’t checked this thing in months,” bringing out her laptop, trying not to lose her books as she knelt down to balance it on her knee.

“Yep, she’s hot,” her attention on the display once it powered up, watching the pulses ripple outwards from a central point on the map that covered the screen.

“Both generators are online The field is slowly building, but it looks like they haven’t changed anything,” glancing over the data streaming down the right side, before closing the cover to stand back up.

“Looks like the same algorithms to me.”

“What was that?” Keiichi asked from behind them, causing Mary to spin around, protecting the laptop as she looked at him.

“Who the hell wants to know? Weren’t you taught not to spy on people?”

“I am just here to ask about the gym,” he replied, looking over to Andy, then back to Mary. “That graphics caught my attention, it was not something intentionally done.”

“This is Keiichi, the new guy,” Andy let out, noting Mary’s expression.

“You was supposed to tell me,” giving a look in return.

“I warned you,” giving out a shrug, “That should have been enough.”

“He’s been wanting me to show him where to work out after school.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” Mary gave out, returning her attention to Keiichi.

“Look, dude. I wouldn’t mess with the Loner, she’ll leave you in a ditch somewhere. You’ll get your exercise from trying to get back out, since it’ll be a deep ditch.

“That means back off, Jack,” giving him stern look.

“My apologies,” Keiichi quickly replied, taking a step back, “I am interested in such things,” nodding back towards the laptop. “It looked like standing energy waves.”

“They should be pulses, waves can cause an unstable disruption of dark matter,” Andy replied, lifting an eyebrow.

“We’re working on a Sci-Fi story, it comes in handy when you’re able to see what you’re trying to describe,” Mary added, still giving out a look.

“I see,” looking from one girl to the other, trying to determine if they were being serious, “Who is winning?”

“At present, the aliens have the upper hand,” Mary promptly replied, lifting an eyebrow. “Anything else?”

“How do you know they should be pulses?” looking back over to Andy.

“Because a wave has both a leading edge and a trailing edge,” giving him a look. “A pulse does not, and it originates from a single point.”

“How can you tell, I thought they were the same?”

“Not on a quantum level. I wrote the software, I was only interested in pulses of wavefunction and neutrinos at the time, so that’s what it breaks down in the displays. It’s a dimensional analysis.”

“Hey, I’m sorry about working out, but it just hasn’t worked out,” showing him a slight grin. “I decided to head home.”

“Headache,” slowly smiling at him.

“You realize we’re going to have to kill him,” Mary gave out, watching as Keiichi got off the bus, leaning back against the seat for the ride up the hill.

“Why did he want to sit behind us?”

“His father works for the Institute,” Andy replied thoughtfully. “A coincidence?”

“That he’s following you around like some lost puppy?” glancing over, “No, that’s been done before as I recall.”

“Somebody new shows up for work and the next thing you know, they’re suddenly out there running it like a dog and pony show...” giving out a thoughtful expression. “Ergo… his father must be involved.”

“Maybe they’ve found someone to replace Dr. Barnes,” Mary sighed, shaking her head slightly. “They’re persistent; you have to give them that.”

“We need to check the wave function collapse,” looking back over to her.

“I think we’re looking at the same old thing, but he’s bound to change something sooner or later, and that’ll be our first indication.”

“Well, I say the fact that it’s up and running again was our first indication,” Mary replied. “I tend to think slower than you.

“I’m just a simple person, you know.”

“You should make some plans for the summer,” Angie gave out, waiting until the dishwasher had been started.

“So I can further delete what funds I have remaining?” leaning back against the kitchen counter to look over.

“I still have my senior year to get through; I might need some school clothes, textbooks… cereal.”

“As I understand it, the interest alone is enough to cover such simple requirements,” returning Andy’s look. “You’re only young once. You should explore a little bit of the world.”

“Perhaps I should just move out,” wondering what had brought out this sudden interest in her going away for the summer. “Lock, stock, and barrel.

“I can ask around. That way, I won’t be such a burden on the needs of the family budget. You’ll be able to cover the rent without me eating the food, or using up the hot water.

“I’m going over to Mary’s, we’re working on a new tale about space invaders.”

“Little green men?” Angie asked, shaking her head at the idea.

“Actually, I haven’t thought that far ahead,” grabbing her school bag. “I rather like purple.”

“This place is just so neat,” Mary remarked, following Andy through the trees to the shed. “Your father was really thinking ahead when he built this over top the old storm shelter.”

“Well, I had to nudge him once or twice before he realized the potential,” reaching down to spin the lock mechanism, lifting the small panel so she could press her hand against the scanner beneath it.

“It’s a good thing we have it,” standing back as the entrance made itself known, the panel at their feet dropping to form steps that led down.

“Man, this is better than Space Camp,” Mary gave out, waving a hand over the sensor, watching as the system became active, the three wide displays giving out a glimmer before bringing up several different screens of data.

“Our secret clubhouse,” Andy replied, making sure the entrance had closed back up.

“You should put this place in the story,” Mary remarked, turning to look at her, “It’ll fit right in.”

“We’ve got tons of supplies, and enough food to last us a year from the looks of that storeroom you’ve added back there next to the Orb.”

“What are you looking at?” Andy asked, finally pausing in her research, seeing Mary’s interest in the last display, her head now set upon her palm as she watched something.

“Oh, while you’ve been over there studying their progress, I’ve been keeping an eye out for intruders,” keeping her attention on the display, reaching up to tap it with a finger. “We’ve got company at the second perimeter.”

“You need to pay closer attention, time brings its own changes,” nodding over to one wall, where a two red lights where flashing. “Something has tripped the alarm.”

“A dog?” Andy asked, reaching over to select another switch on the console in front of her, the image coming up on the display.

“Why now?” looking over to her.

“Maybe it’s just a routine check. Maybe someone dusted off the file and decided to see if you’ve moved away.”

“Yeah… right, like that’s going to happen,” her eyes narrowing as she selected several other switches.

“Maybe because they’re back to their old tricks… it’s carrying a microchip and there’s a tracking device in the collar.

“I’m not picking up any warm vehicles nearby, so they must have walked up the hill.”

“We should run a sweep,” Mary mused, sitting back to look over, “This is most unusual.”

“It’s still over by your house, so it isn’t able to pick up anything,” crossing her arms as she pondered the display. “I say we give it dose of sub-sonics, see if it runs off.”

“I say we kill the tracking signal and see who comes looking for it.” Andy gave out, returning the look.

“Ah, drain the battery. They’ll think it died on them. The bug in the collar, not the dog,” noting her expression.”

“You get the data off the chip and I’ll see what happens when they lose track,” reaching out to press one of the controls on the panel in front of her.

“Well, they’re good,” Mary finally came out with, sitting back to observe the results. “I got the info.”

“Response time was 40 seconds,” Andy replied, her eyes narrowing at the data on the display.

“They were either expecting something like that, or it also contains an automatic type switch,” keeping her attention on the new signal.

“That’s a dog whistle we’re picking up, they’ve switched to manual mode.”

“Maybe they know who they’re dealing with, and have had some training,” Mary sighed shaking her head as she returned her attention to her own display.

“Hey, maybe they don’t know who their dealing with. Your father didn’t have an accident as I recall it,” watching as the dog moved further off.

“Darn, I guess they wanted to keep it alive, it’s now headed for your place.”

“Let’s download the latest to your laptop, and head out. I suppose I should go back home and see who has come calling.”

“Glenn Johnson,” Mary gave out, closing the lid on her computer. “If they’re good, the name will match.”

“Maybe it’s his dog,” pausing to give her a glance as everything was powered down.

“You know anyone with a dog?”

“No,” not bothering to let her answer, “You don’t have any friends either, and this is the first dog we’ve ever seen up here on the hill. Usually, it’s just us with the deer and the rabbits.”

“When something changes, or doubt exists, consider it a warning.”

“Did you run a bio scan this week?” giving her another questioning look.

“What is it going to tell me, that I’m harboring an alien life form?”

“Yeah,” Mary replied, leaning back to give her a smile as she looked at her.

“Maybe a parasite kind of thing, and it bursts out when exposed to gamma radiation.”

“Hmmm… good point.”

“Write that down, we can use that.”

“That was a good idea, structure development is now flat lining. I think I’m all grown up,” checking her clothing once more as they readied themselves to leave.

“Fat chance. Your eyes don’t glow in the dark, so we’re still in the development phase,” giving her a look.

“And, I don’t think your brain is fully matured. It’s just the rest of you that gives everybody that impression.”

“Have you always been that smart?” throwing Mary a grin as they stood outside the shed, making sure the door had closed properly.

“Only since that day I met you and your father,” throwing her a wave. “See you in the morning, don’t miss the bus.”

“Hey,” holding out a hand. “I’ll need the credit card; you’re going to want another latex cat woman suit. I think we both know you’ve outgrown that old one.”

“Get me that vampire one, the cat woman was a little too small to start with,” Andy gave out, digging the card out from a pocket.

“They’re all going to be too small if you continue to grow,” giving out a smirk. “Deal with it. I’ll see what I can find.”

“Well, order a better quality, that girl in the movies doesn’t have a problem with her fit.”

“Its skin tight, why not just spray yourself with some rubber paint,” returning her look.

“It would fit but I might be allergic, and the choices on where to place the sensors would be limited.

“I’ll deal with whatever you can find. I don’t feel like exposing my regular clothes to whatever energies they’ve got lingering in there.”

“Sure, I see your point. They just might disintegrate unexpectedly. No one wants to get caught walking around with her sensors showing.

“There’s always one who wants to call the cops.”

“You know, if you just used your own suit, you wouldn’t have to get me involved with buying more clothes.”

“I thought you were hiding that,” pausing to give Mary a look. “We’re at that stage?”

“Why not,” giving out a slight shrug, “What can they do at this point?

“Beside, those costumes wouldn’t hold up more than a few minutes in a combat environment.”

“I thought I was going to have them drag the lake,” Angie let out as Andy entered the house.

“Not yet,” returning the comment with her faint smile. “I was out walking the woods, thinking on things. Talking to the deer.”

“Did you decide on a color? The aliens, are they green or purple?”

“Oh, I’ve decided they look just like anyone else,” looking over to the person sitting on the sofa. “It makes it harder to spot them, keeps the reader guessing.”

“This here is Glenn,” turning to introduce her to the man. “He’s an old friend from college.”

“Hey,” giving him a quick wave. “If that was your dog out there, it just ran down the street.

“I think you’re supposed to have them on a leash,” noting the athletic appearance he presented as he suddenly stood up.

“Sorry, I should chase him down,” bring out a device from his back pocket.

“My little box seems to have died on me, he was sitting down on the walk a few minutes ago. He usually barks at the sight of someone.”

“He looks younger than you, Angie,” turning to follow Glenn as he hastened down the walk, looking around for the dog.

“You’re a funny one this evening,” throwing her a glance. “You want to go out to eat with us?”

“Oh, no. I’ll pass, thanks anyway. I want to do some typing while it’s still fresh in my head.”

“You’ll probably have to chase him down the hill, I think that dog is on a scent, probably after one of the deer.”

“I thought all the deer always ran uphill, back into the woods,” turning away from the doorway to give her a look.

“Hey, beats me. Maybe something spooked him. All I did was walk up to the door, and that thing was high tailing it down the road.

“I think I heard it whining and whimpering all the way…” lowering her voice as Angie went out to start up her car.


Chapter Three

“He is resting, after being up most of the night with his work. He is well,” seeing her son’s concerned expression. “He asked that I show you this,” setting a magazine down on the low table.

“Quantum physics?” his confusion showing as he read the title, his breathe halting suddenly as he recognized the girl standing next to an white haired man in the photo on the cover.

“He say that is her father,” reaching out to tap the cover of the magazine. “His painting is on the wall behind his desk. He was the founder of the Institute.

“This is the one, your new friend?” keeping her attention on Keiichi as she watched his expression.

“She is younger here,” slowly lifting his eyes to look back over to her. “This must have been several years back. She is grown today, but that is the one.”

“Her name is Andromeda.”

“I saw no resemblance to the father,” sitting back down, “A most unusual name to give a child.”

“She could be a model, yes?” looking back over, seeking his mother’s approval.

“She has agreed that this Friday, we will begin exercises at the school.”

“Perhaps your father can pick you up,” looking over at her son.

“Perhaps we should meet this one,” seeing he was now absorbed in the magazine article.

“Father?” Keiichi came out with from the doorway.

“Hai,” Issi replied as he took off his glasses to rub his eyes, finally glancing around. “Yes?”

“May I ask something?” entering the room to set the magazine down on his desk.

“This article on Dr. Benson, he was credited as being a very bright mind, one of the best in his field.

“Why would such a person ask his daughter for an answer?”

“Well, I suppose another might give him a different perspective on the problem he is facing,” letting out a slight sigh. “Sometimes, we need a fresh point of view.

“It is like this,” reaching down to tap the papers he had been studying, “We have a state of flux in the field, and finding the solution is giving me a headache.

“It’s generating a wave form?” a faint idea forming as he peered over at the diagram on the papers.

“Yes, but it’s off, and damn if anyone can find the cause. Dr. Barnes struggled with this, and now it’s been handed down to me to solve.

“I’m beginning to think the problem lies within the mathematics, something in the formulas, so I’ve begun with that.

“Once we get past this, perhaps we can then concentrate our efforts on the field effect.”

“Waves have a leading and trailing edge, Father,” his eyes widening at his sudden intake of breathe in response to his comment.

“You need to switch over to a pulse,” the answer suddenly coming to him.

“We’re losing energy at each side of the wavefunction,” Issi uttered in amazement, reaching for his pencil.

“Yes, that’s it, causing a loss at the critical point as the field begins to form. It can’t trap enough of what we need to cause the conversion.”

“Don’t look at me if you also discover it’s affecting the neutrinos, causing a loss,” seeing his father pause to give him a questioning look.

“She told me,” tapping the cover of the magazine.

“So you’re back here looking for the workout area,” Billy gave out, giving Keiichi a look of contempt.

“I was to meet someone,” lifting his bag. “We were going to use the weights,” nodding towards where the noise and voices could be heard.

“Well, you’re not on the football team, not one of the school jocks… or an invited member,” another boy added, coming up to the door.

“What woosie did you say you were waiting for?”

“Andromeda,” looking from one to the other, lifting an eyebrow.

“The loner,” he then let out slowly, seeing their confused expressions.

“You got to be shitting me,” Billy gave out, a fleeting expression of anxiety crossing his face. “That crazy bitch isn’t down in here, and knowing that, I don’t think you’re welcome either. Coach don’t go for any weird.”

“You got a problem with that, little man?” he added, seeing Keiichi hadn’t moved.

“Do you have a problem with me?” Andy asked, coming behind Keiichi, her eyes locked on Billy.

“Ah… look, we don’t want any trouble down here, Loner. We was just kidding the man,” Billy let out, his face quickly taking on an uncomfortable expression as he tried to recover from the situation.

“We was thinking you were the lone Loner, you know. We got your back.”

“Sure, like I believe that,” her eyes darkening, “He’s with me down here.

“We go back, Billy. I know where you live, so you know if I hear of him getting any grief, I’ll hunt you down and rip your little spine out with my bare hands.

“We clear on that?” looking from one to the other.

“As far as you boys down here are concerned, he’s visiting royalty.”

“Sure, Loner. We’re cool with the man,” Billy quickly let out, “No problems with the team, either.”

“I’ll go tell the coach,” the other boy let out.

“Oh, yes. Go tell the walking donut man,” Andy replied shifting her attention over to him.

“Go appeal to authority, tell him that someone capable of standing up to your gutter attitudes, unswayed by the sight of your manly football muscles, has stopped by, and prevented you from taking part in your favorite past time of being a bully.

“Tell him that girl who showed the entire team that she could out throw the quarterback has shown up again.

“Get out of my face before I step on your toes and make you cry,” nodding towards the sounds of others in the room behind them.

”I might just want to take my tire iron to your sweet ass,“ a third boy let out, joining them at the door, his damp towel tied around his waist as he gave Andy a leering look.

“Why don’t you just step in here with the big boys.”

“Why don’t you meet me out in the parking lot tomorrow after school. You can show us your tire iron in front of everyone, and make sure you bring one of those long ones, not one of those little things.

“Whichever, I’ll show I can either wrap it around your neck, or shove it up your backside.”

“See you then,” turning to look at Keiichi. “Come on, we’re over here.

“You’re dead meat, dude,” Billy let out, turning to look at the other student. “Coach ain’t going to be there to haul your ashes from the fire.”

“The Loner is going to make an example of you, I’ve seen that look in her eyes before,” the second boy added, shaking his head.

“You’re toast, man. If I was you, I would go find her and offer an apology.”

“I always dress like this,” seeing Keiichi’s sudden interest in her shorts and exercise top as he followed her across the hall. “Learn to deal with it.”

“I know,” giving her well defined form another glance, “or take a hike. Man, you’re rough on everybody.”

“I can deal with someone like you, for awhile at least,” nodding her head as she led him into the room she opened up.

“At first, there was some resistance to me using the equipment. The coach gave the argument that his football boys needed it more than some nobody girl who has too much time on her hands.

“And of course, sharing it would be a serious distraction to their cause, them all sharing a unilateral lack of maturity,” closing the door behind them.

“That was a couple of them,” nodding her head over to the door across the hall.

“This was once part of the Music and Band storerooms. They dropped it when funding got cut, so when two complete exercise sets were donated, I got want I wanted.

“So far no one has fainted from the sight of me being in here.”

“This is a nice set up in here. There are no other students who want to use these weights?” looking around at the room, dropping his bag down next to hers.

“Those that do, use the ones across the hall,” nodding back at the door.

“I thought you said… Oh, never mind. I get it now,” Keiichi let out, his eyes narrowing slightly as he followed her glance.

“You really are the best loner. They should give you an award at graduation.”

“Oh, I get recognition all the time, at random times, from random people. I’m still wondering why they limit themselves to a single finger. It must get sore from being extended like that.”

“Must be all that exercise,” Keiichi gave out, showing a grin as he shook his head at her expression. “I take it they’re limited in mind and abilities.”

“One on one I’m no match. That seems to bother them, and if they form a gang, they’re stuck facing formal charges and fearing the results of an elevated response on my part.

“It seems they’re just smart enough to understand the laws of the jungle.”

“You seem to walk softly and carry a big stick, how long has it been that way?” walking to select the weights from the rack.

“Oh, Fifth grade. I suppose it really began with the usual… hair pulling in the halls, the snide comments, the problems one deals with when your school locker begins to get spray painted, or filled with used motor oil… dead mice, stuff like that.

“I found a nice snake in there one day, a poisonous one. I kept with me the rest of the day, until one of the teachers saw it and made me let it go.”

“All that doesn’t bother you?” watching as she set the weight bar up on the supports for him.

“I guess I’m designed to handle it,” her smile showing, “It’s always been there in the background of my school life.

“I’ve come to understand that no one seems to like my kind, those who are different. Especially in a herd mentality.”

“What kind of herd?”

“Sheep comes to mind,” sliding the weight on her end of the bar.

“When the worst of the bullies vanished from his bed one night, it all seemed to quiet down. He thought he was part of a wolf pack, and thus untouchable.

“Oh, he lived. They found him down by the lake, beaten so badly he was airlifted out. They never found the responsible party, and the kid refused to say anything about what had happened. Everyone thought it was the father; he was always getting drunk on the weekends back then.

“Don’t look at me,” holding her hands up at his glance. “I don’t come with much remorse or pity for these types. Today, I do my thing, and they do theirs… only now they do it to someone else.”

“That Billy over there was beginning to sweat,” dropping his shirt down next to the bench.

“Yeah, I guess there’s nothing wrong with his memory. It’s the rest of his mind that gets my attention from time to time.

“Up through Seventh grade, he tended to wet himself at the sound of my voice. I see the therapy sessions have been helpful.”

“How is it that you have no tan lines?” watching as she added more weights the bar for the next set.

“Well,” throwing him an amused glance as she added another 100 pounds, “Maybe I have this nice little spot out in the middle of the woods, perfect for working on someone’s tan.

“Its either coming from that, or this is my natural skin tone and I don’t get tan lines from the sun.

“That’s as close as you’re going to get for an answer.”

“I see you’re at your limit,” watching him strain to lift the bar. “Time to shift over to something else.”

“Here,” walking over to pick up one of the fifty pound disks, returning to set it on his chest. “Let’s see if you can sit up.”

“Sorry, I had to dry my hair,” seeing Keiichi give his watch a glance, as he caught sight of her.

“I thought I should be presentable,” stopping to lift her heavy veil of hair, letting it fall back down her back.

“You planned ahead,” eyeing the light dress she was wearing, suddenly aware of the pulse of his heart as he reached out to take her bag for her.

“You’re so beautiful.”

“Yeah, so is Niagara Falls,” giving him a look at the comment. “Trying to jump the Falls is not a nice way to die,” giving him a glance as they went outside, seeing a car was now coming into the parking lot.

“I haven’t got a clue on what that reference means,” giving her a smile.

“Yeah. Usually when I show someone I can bench twice their own limit, they start to come up with other ideas. When competitions of strength fail, they’re at a loss as what to try next, the result of haven been born male.

“You can’t impress me or sweet talk me, and you’ll see part of my true nature tomorrow, if the fool still wants to show me his tire iron.

“You can decide then if following me around is worth the risk.”

”I sort of figured something like that when I realized Billy knew you were being serious,” giving out a wave to get the driver’s attention.

“Consider yourself warned, I have acquaintances, not friends.”

“I thought that other girl, the one with all that red hair, was a friend of yours,” studying her as they waited.

“I noticed that her hair is almost as long as your own.

“She seems to know you quite well, and is very protective for some reason.”

“Mary accepts me for what I am, ever since we met,” giving Issi her attention as the car stopped in front of them.

“I think you meant ‘who you are’,” reaching out to open the car door for her.

“I wouldn’t think so much around me,” using a low voice as she followed his gesture to get in. “It leads to confusion.

“You’ll end up like everyone else around here.”

“So, this is my son’s new friend,” Mrs. Aikawa gave out, greeting all of them at the door, “Welcome.”

“Keiichi has mentioned you several times since beginning at the school.”

“Oh, I always get some attention,” Andy replied, returning her bow, “I just don’t see myself as worthy of much comment.

“It is nice to meet you.”

“I’ve read an article, it mentioned you, there was a picture on the cover,” Keiichi remarked, gesturing for her to follow him into the living room.

“My mother saw it as well. She is most interested in your family.”

“That was awhile back, when father was doing his work in Physics,” looking over to Issi as they all sat down.

“He once worked out at the Institute, that place out on Route 5,” motioning off to one side with a hand.

“Oh, I thought that was south from here,” Keiichi remarked, looking over to his father. “I haven’t seen the place yet.”

“It is most impressive,” Issi gave out, nodding for the tea to be served as his wife returned with a tray.

“Why is he not there today?” Keiichi asked. “You have not mentioned your family.”

“Oh, they killed him, during one of their experiments,” looking over to him, “once they reached the point in his work where the field was being generated.”

“He had an idea on how to create a dimensional shift, as he called it. He thought that it might allow the transportation of objects through the fabric of space. In a sense, by folding space back upon itself.

“If proven successful, the journey to the stars would be shortened, no more considering the thousands of light years that separate points in the universe.”

“How does one do that?” looking to his father.

“Space is not a void,” Andy quickly pointed out, “and it’s not a linear plane, either. Some even speculate that it follows the Gaea concept, that the universe is in itself a conscious entity, and we are all apart of it.”

“There was an explosion in the lab,” Issi gave out, sitting back with his tea. “Today, there is a protective barrier,” seeing his wife’s expression.

“The generators were over charged, and the field couldn’t handle the surge.

“Apparently someone thought the problem they had encountered was simply one of power levels, everything else seems to make sense.”

“Nothing is as it seems,” Andy added, noting Keiichi’s expression.

“With Father, went all of his ideas as well. He wasn’t one to fill countless pads with his notes, a most distressful discovery on someone’s part.

“He had a very good memory, and tried to think ahead. He always had said I was his inspiration.

“However, someone already had another plan. He was outside making an adjustment to the chamber when it was started up.”

“It was designed to run a complete cycle before shutting itself back down.” Issi remarked.

“Stopping at a midway point would cause a field collapse,” Andy came out with. “Basically; it would disintegrate everything within its sphere of influence.

“As father was working on an integral component, it didn’t get to that point. The generator amplifiers simply failed, throwing metal everywhere when it exploded.”

“I am sorry to hear of your loss. That sounds like one of those worm hole kind of things,” Keiichi gave out.

“But how would you send something, wouldn’t the object have to be placed in this chamber?” looking over to his father once more.

“It sounds to me like you’d have to have two of them, one that transmits, and a receiver.”

“We are currently working on a molecular level; using neutrons and atoms. The final goal was to be able to project the field to a known physical area, not some box with wires going this way and that.

“The system would be able to envelope larger objects as the work progressed, and transport them through a dimensional portal within the field.”

“So, it would exist outside of the chamber,” Andy added. “Anything you bought there would get transported or shifted, the field would get projected around it, opening space. The worm hole, as you called it, would appear and dissipate as controlled by the system.

“Some bright soul in Washington suddenly realized that if you were able to project the field to a given area, and they then suddenly collapsed it at mid cycle… no more object… no more person… no more city, for that matter. Depends on what you were trying to transport, and how much power you had to do the job.”

“We should cease this talk of work, dinner is nearly ready for us,” Issi suddenly gave out, seeing his wife’s glance.

“Hey,” Keiichi came out with, getting Andy’s attention, “Would you like to see that article my dad found?”

“This is it over in here, I just wanted to show you before we sit down for dinner,” walking over to his father’s desk, lifting it up so that she could see it.

“Interesting,” Andy gave out, pausing at the sight of the wide chalkboard standing back against the wall of the room, its surface covered in scrawled formulas.

“Oh, my father’s latest work,” returning to stand beside her, “It is very complex. He started on this after I had mentioned something concerning pulses.”

“Well,” reaching out to pick up the stick of chalk, pondering the writings for another moment, “This top part here is leading somewhere,” reaching out to mark through an entire section at the bottom. “But this is going nowhere, he is not accounting for the virtual particles.”

“There,” standing back once more as Keiichi stared in shock at what she had done, “That is more like what he had in mind,” replacing the chalk as she then looked over.

“He’ll understand most of what I added,” noting his expression as he stared over at what she had written beneath the portion now lined out. “I kept it simple.”

“It took Father two days to grasp the implications when I gave him such a clue,” throwing him a smile.

“He’ll pick up on it sooner or later.”

“How come he doesn’t look like you, my mother pointed it out,” holding up the magazine.

“He’s not my father,” turning to look at the cover, before looking back, her faint smile returning.

“We met when I was smaller, and he put me in the Fifth grade when I was the same height as most of the others of that age.”

“What about your mom?”

“What mom?” lifting an eyebrow at the question.

“I was adopted, just a lost orphan,” waiting to follow him into the dining room.

“Who named you?”

“My mother.”

“How did you meet him then, your father,” Keiichi asked, beginning to realize she wasn’t providing anything.

“It was a dark and stormy night,” looking over at him before she glanced back over at the magazine cover. “He was reading a tale, something about a raven.”

“Then, there came a tapping,” Keiichi quickly added, playing her game. “I get it,” throwing her a wry smile.

“I’m writing a new story, some things just come to me,” her eyes shifting at his expression.

“Get used to it.”

“Get used to you telling all, and saying nothing?” shaking his head at her.

“Isn’t that the way of it?” returning his look. “All we hear is talk, and not much is seen in the ways of action. Why is it that progress is slow, while failure is immediate?”

“You have progressed so little in the last one thousand years. The same arrogance, the greed, and let us not forget… the unbound ego.”

“I like history class best,” seeing his expression change, “It tells more than people want to accept.”

“Once the politics get involved, you are bound to repeat the mistakes. When governments are run by the citizens, you will experience a major shift in your development.”

“You talk funny, too,” Keiichi noted, trying to understand what she had said.

“It’s as if you’re just an observer, somebody who takes notes and passes them on. No attachment, no compassion.”

“I give no apologies for being what I am,” showing her smile once more.

“Consider me an introvert, or someone with a detached personality, if that helps.”

“No… that doesn’t help at all. Maybe I should just call you Andy, and let it go at that.”

“Ah, you’re learning. That’s what everyone else does,” turning to see his mother in the door way.

“Dinner time.”

“Why the bodysuit?” Keiichi asked, leaning over to as Mary as they stood watch Andy waiting out in the middle of the parking lot.

“Actually, she prefers them for combat. It promotes that slim trim figure of hers, and I think she likes that dark bluish gray hue,” Mary replied, checking the time on her watch. “We watched this movie a while back, the girl was wearing one. She’s loved them ever since.”

“Ok, let’s try this,” seeing his look. “It serves as a distraction, and there’s not much to grab a hold of, except her hair.”

“He’s a no-show,” Keiichi let out, glancing around the area before taking in the sight of Andy once more.

“I was expecting a showdown, but there only a couple of others out here waiting to see if this kid gets his butt kicked.”

“Oh, I think they’re only here to call out if he brings out a real tire iron. He’ll just get hurt, same as all the others before him.” Mary, replied, letting out a slight sigh as she motioned for Andy to join them.

“They know she won’t back down, and everyone thinks she has black belts in several fighting forms.

“She’s got this sort of maiden warrior image going for her, only she’s able to back up words with action.

“I’m not going to say what she is, and as you can see, they’re not willing to find out,” noting his questioning look.

“Deal with it, or go out there and find out for yourself.”

“You think she’d kick my butt, too?”

“Sure, if motivated. She’ll do more than that if she feels the situation warrants it. She once threatened to rip a guy’s spine from his body. Man, was she pissed over what the kid had done to her new jacket.

“I still think she would have done it if I hadn’t intervened. She still wants to rip his heart out; she mentions it from time to time.

“Well, same as last time,” Mary gave out, shaking her head as Andy walked up. “They go whine to the coach, and he tells them to blow it off, we’ve got a game coming up… blah, blah, blah.”

“Nothing changes,” replying as she looked over to Keiichi. “Looks bad when a girl kicks your butt, and leaves you laying in the dust, crying for your mama.”

“I’ve noticed that as they age, they listen to fear more than to reason,” Andy gave out, walking over to pick up her book bag.

“Perhaps fear is the reason,” Keiichi remarked.

“Hmm,” returning his look, “Perhaps. You might have a point there.”

“So,” changing the topic, “Did you father faint when he saw I had made a few changes on this formula?”

“He wants to see you again, I am to ask you back over,” holding up her book bag for her to take.

“Now I’m a consultant on dimensional shifts,” smiling at the remark, “You’ll have to let him know I’m just a high school kid. No one of consequence.”

“He didn’t mention that part, maybe he hasn’t gotten to that section of the equations. He said something about making a few changes to what they’re working on in the lab. He wanted to observe the results, see if they’re on the right path.”

“Oh crap, here we go again,” Mary let out, shaking her head at the remark. “Somebody is sure to notice now.”

“Notice who?” Keiichi asked, getting slightly confused.

“Not who, what,” Mary replied, still shaking her head as they headed towards the bus stop on the street.

“Man, I need to get that license and dump my permit,” sighing at the wait after checking her watch.

“Who’s what?” Keiichi asked.

“She’s what,” nodding towards Andy, who had remained silent.

“The one she calls Father always referred to her as his Singularity, and kids in school have always called the Loner. It won’t take the government that long to call her ‘wanted for questioning’.”

“Hopefully,” glancing over to Keiichi, “They won’t get you involved.”

“Why would someone be interested in me?” looking at each of them.

“Your father works at home, he comes back to work with part of the problem solved. He of course, tries to explain it isn’t all his work, being an ethical person.

“The government, of course, wants a name, ethics being something they’ve only read about in a dictionary.”

“He mentions your name.”

“You guys act like you live in some sort of secret world,” giving each a look again.

“This is all a part of that story you’re working on. It’s all beginning to all make sense.

“That showdown in the parking lot didn’t happen because it was just a setup, something to impress the new kid with.”

“He’s figured us out,” Andy let out, raising an eyebrow as she gave Mary a quick glance. “We’re not real.”

“Let’s leave it at that.”

“As you command, my Queen,” a wide smile forming as they exchanged looks.


Chapter Four

“Yes,” Paul gave out, nodding his head as he spoke on the phone.

“He’s been doing something down there in the lab, hasn’t mentioned much about it to anyone.

“I’m thinking he’s onto something new.”

“Yeah,” holding the phone tighter against his ear, “I read the report, that’s something we’re going to have to address as well. I don’t like a mystery around here anymore than you do.”

“I know. Our man watching the house sent me a copy,” answering the questions he was hearing. “She’s been there, and our new top guy is now acting strange.

“We’ve gone through this before, and I’m telling you it’s time we had a little sit down chat with that kid.

“What am I supposed to do, send a couple agents out there to shine a light in her face? Besides, that lame brained idea Angie came up with last time didn’t last five minutes. Our man was out the door before he had time to say five words.

“Hey, you don’t pay me to shove a stick up somebody’s keister. I’m the guy who you call to break it off, I rip their heads off and piss down their throat.”

“I’ve been getting the school reports as well, and you can let someone else have the pleasure of walking up and asking for all the secrets of the universe she’s been hiding from the rest of us.

“I’d like to takes notes, because I’m pretty damn sure she’ll take them out in seconds.”

“We’ll have to find a way to isolate her while the tests are going on, it’s the only way,” giving his opinion on the situation.

“Hey, don’t tell me I’m the only one who realizes she has a weakness.

“She has a friend.”

“How’s this supposed to work, Dr. Aikawa?” Aylessa asked, giving the new device a puzzled look before glancing over. “I’m to stick it where?”

“The field dampers, the first phase field unit,” walking back over to her as his excitement began to show.

“I’ve got Brian working on opening the side access port. Once that’s done, we insert this into the primary circuit, just after the pre-amps.”

“Its something I made,” giving the object his attention for a moment. “It works as a null field delay, and I’m thinking it’ll stop most of that neutrino loss we’ve been experiencing.”

“What’s the effect going to be?”

“Ah, now we’re approaching the unknown in all of this,” showing her a smile. “That’s what I intend to find out. That’s how we progress to our goal.”

“I’m thinking its going to take us most of the afternoon to get that part in place, so once that’s done we should see about dinner, and then gather back here this evening.”

“The place will be mostly empty,” she remarked, “So, if we blow something, there will be fewer casualties.”

“Hey, I’m here to help,” Aylessa called out, leaning down to where Brian was laying beneath one of the access panels.

“How’s it going?”

“Well, I think we’re approaching your area of expertise,” Brian grunted, throwing a quick look her way before carefully snaking his hand back out.

“The electrode plates have to be moved before we can get that new gizmo in place, and my hands are just a little too large to reach that rear retainer plate.”

“I think this section was built in Japan, so your hands should fit in there with no problem,” showing a smile at her expression as he moved aside.

“I told you, we’re not making hand jokes in here, stuff like that gets my Irish boyfriend upset.

“You don’t have a boyfriend, and that tale you gave about having been born in Ireland is so much hogwash.

“You were born in Hawaii, it says so on your birth certificate. I checked with the HR office.”

“So, you’re saying to me that my mother lied,” taking his place at the panel, examining the area he had mentioned, holding her hand out for the tool he had been using.

“Never saw anyone from Ireland that looked like their parents lived in Hawaii for the last 500 years or so, especially someone with that natural skin tone and dark features,” he replied, shifting to one side as he watched her work.

“Deal with it, you’ve been duped by your own family.

“You’re now saying I’m one of the indigenous people of Hawaii. I might have qualified for a scholarship if I had known that, continued my schooling,” pausing to give him a look.

“I could have been hired by some business that pays overtime and hires qualified staff.”

“Oh, I’m qualified, I just couldn’t reach in that far,” giving her a sweet smile. “I’ve got big hands.”

“You see this?” waving the tool at him, “This comes with an extension set. You just wanted to see me lying on my back so you could ogle at the sight that comes to mind in your fantasies each night.”

“How do you know that?” feigning a hurt look.

“Because I’m smarter than you are,” giving him another glace. “I checked with the HR office.”

“Now, if you don’t mind, get up off your ass and get the kit this thing came with.”

“Don’t bother to try and sneak a peek, I’m wearing something under my skirt today,” giving him a wry smile.

“What’s that mean?” trying to understand what she was really saying with the comment.

“Think on it for a week, check back,” shaking her head.

“I’m waiting,” rolling over onto her side, setting the tool down as she gave him an expectant look.

“We could go grab something to eat if he’s going to keep us in here like lab rats this evening, “ setting the kit down beside her.

“The good Doctor has already invited me to dine with him this evening,” raising an eyebrow at the comment.

“Ah, I hate to burst your bubble there, but the man is twice my age and married.”

“That usually indicates his has some experience, that he knows what he’s doing,” snapping on the longer extension, “I like that aspect of him.”

“I might just ask him for a raise,” a faint smile showing as she moved back to the panel, returning her attention to her work.

“How long is this going to take?” watching as she worked.

“He got some ideas on the drawing board,” holding her hand out for the new device, “This is just one of several ideas he’s working on.

“We’ll test this tonight, and then move up to the next step. I think we’re looking at a few weeks of serious work.

”Yeah, I know,” noting his expression. “You were hoping for a 9 to 5 job out here. All of this work you’re getting paid to do is interfering with your nonexistent night life.”

“You’re just going to have to find someone to feed your fish for you.

“Now, go bother somebody else, you’re distracting me.”

“I hate riding the city bus,” Mary let out, holding onto the laptop with both hands.

“There are some creepy people who come out after the sun sets.”

“Just use your skills on them,” Andy replied, smiling at the comment, “They will flee in fear.”

“My skills, that’s a laugh. I should have brought battle armor and a ray gun,” tuning to look out the window at the light poles passing by.

“How far we are letting this fool follow us?” lowering her voice as she used the reflections on the glass to spot the man sitting at one of the rear seats.

“End of the line, where we get off,” lifting the bus schedule up to look over it once more.

“If we hoof it, we can slip over to Elm Street before he knows what happened, and then catch the 45 bus back uptown. We switch again at the MidCity Galleria.”

“They won’t have a clue on which way we’ve gone.”

“We’re both wearing white shirts, we’re going to stand out like a sore thumb,” Mary pointed out, shaking her head at the plan.

“Part of the tactics. I brought the black cloaks we used for last Halloween,” grinning at Mary’s expression as she held up the cloth bag.

“We’ll vanish into the shadows, and he’ll be left stumbling around.”

“He’ll call for back up.”

“Only if he feels threatened,” giving her a reassuring glance. “Standard protocol, they won’t want him blowing his cover by doing something overt.”

“No,” seeing Mary move towards opening the laptop, “We don’t need to kill the cell phones, at least not yet. That’s would raise suspicions. Let’s hold onto that ability for a while longer, never know when the element of surprise is needed in our favor.”

“Wait,” she suddenly came out with, giving something her consideration before looking over to Mary, “They have a car following.”

“Well,” Mary replied after a moment, “At least he won’t have to ride the bus back uptown.

“You meet the strangest people on the bus these days.”

“What do you mean you lost them?” Paul gave out, fuming at the report.

“I don’t want to hear this crap, you lost two teenaged girls while they were riding the bus?”

“Riley is going to ride a lawnmower up your ass when he hears of this.”

“Find them, I don’t care how. Just do it. I want to know where they are when this test begins this evening.

“It can’t be a coincidence that she’s out on her own at the same time this is going on out at the lab.”

“Told you,” Mary gave out, looking over at the display on Andy’s cell phone as it buzzed.

“I told her we were going out to a movie and then it’s a sleepover at your place, the same thing we did last week,” pondering the phone number on the display.

“That didn’t take very long, we’ve just caught the bus back.”

“It shows you the depth of the organization,” Mary replied, leaning back in the seat to open her laptop.

“You should have let me kill the phones. You answer that call and they’ll know exactly where we are inside of ten seconds.”

“Hey, relax over there. You almost killed that wino that came out of the alley while we were making our way across, you know,” Andy gave out, shaking her head at the memory.

“Not my fault, girlfriend. He tried to paw me someplace inappropriate. I watch television, I know what to do with folks like that. I got skills, you know.”

“He was just trying to grab your computer, hoping for fast trip over to the pawn shop.”

“Same difference,” returning the look. “He’ll live,” giving up a slight shrug of her shoulders, “Involuntary rehab, no big deal.”

“Hmmm…” giving the display of the computer her attention, “This is interesting.”

“Check that wave form, he’s onto something new out there. Our choice of transportation sucks, we’re going to miss it.”

“No, this is just the preliminary run, “ Andy pointed out looking over at the data, “He’s only using a single generator, and that one is at quarter power compared to last run.”

“I think he’s being cautious,” nodding her head. “We’ll get there before he ramps it up. There’s data to collect, a review process that they go through before moving on the next step.”

“He must have come up with something new in the circuitry,” Mary gave out, nodding her own head in agreement, “That’d explain it.”

“Hey, you knew,” looking back over to Andy.

“Keiichi let it slip, when he was trying to get me back out there,” pursing her lips at the attempt.

“He’s getting insistent, so his father must be wanting a few more answers to the questions raised by what I’ve provided so far. He thinks he’s onto something this time.”

“Never give them all the information they’re asking for,” leaning back in her own seat with a sigh. “That’s what the aliens would do, keeps them with the upper hand.”

“Besides, they have to prove they’re capable of building the thing first, and then have the responsibility to use it, second.”

“Good luck with that happening, you know what we’re dealing with here,” Mary replied, shutting the cover. “You might want to consider reversing that process.”

“What happens when they get it running, and those folks at the top decide it’s more important to use it for their own wants and desires, humanity be damned?”

“Well, maybe I’ll introduce them to my friend Mary, and her ray gun,” smiling once more. “I hear she has skills.”

“We hit that thing at peak power, with an idle field, and all you’re going to see is this enormous flaming ball of plasma reaching hundreds of feet into the air. The shock wave is going to bust every window within five miles of that place.

“It’ll look like a thermonuclear device going off.”

“Maybe we should slow down the process, seeing as how we’ve got bus people actively interested in us these days. They screwed up again, coming at us before the chamber was ready for the final tests.”

“The way things are going, I’d say humanity is going to get the short end of the stick from all of this.”

“You really think so?” giving Mary a glance as they made they’re way towards the facility, keeping to the darker shadows provided by the numerous oak trees.

“I can collect all the data we want from here,” Mary gave out, bring them over to one of the larger trees that bordered the fence.

“How about you go take a look see while I monitor the output levels, and then we’ll determine how far the system has progressed.”

“After that, we can decide on if we need to keep it going at a slower pace, let their minds catch up with their brains.”

“Sounds like a plan,” dropping her clothes to reveal the dark gray bodysuit.

“You hang out here, and I’ll take a peek,” waiting as Mary adjusted her earpiece.

“You set?” looking up as Mary got herself settled on one of the large branches.

“Yeah, comms are a go,” she replied, opening her laptop once more, selecting several keys to press.

“Better head in, they’re beginning to power up again. It won’t long before they realize where we’ve gone.”

“Ten percent, all levels are looking good, and holding on Gen 1,” Aylessa gave out, looking over to Issi. “We should all don hearing protection.

“I’ve sealed the doors, we’re recording.”

“You’re not so hot you know,” Brian remarked, moving over beside her as he handed her one of the earmuffs, “He’s been taking both of us out to dinner ever since we shifted to a later work schedule.”

“Well, big boy,” a smile forming. “Now, what does that say?”

“I’m not talking to you,” making a face at the implication, “It just means he’s taking care of his team.”

“Standby your station, Mr. Big Hands. He’s going to need that field data as soon as it builds.”

“I’m on it, no need to tell me twice,” shaking his head.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. You Irish girls are hot tempered, so don’t go getting you riled,” seeing her expression.

“Field is hot,” Brian reported, looking over to Issi, “We’re at twenty percent and holding steady.”

“We haven’t gone beyond thirty percent since we made the changes,” Aylessa gave out.

“Want to see how everything looks at fifty?”

“Dr. Aikawa?” seeing he was engrossed with something as he stood looking out the observation port.

“What is it?” he let out in a low voice, still mesmerized by the sight of the dark shadowed figure, now holding a hand against the chamber housing.

“Abort, go to combat mode,” Mary suddenly gave out, deftly closing the laptop with one hand as she reached out to snap the braided line with her metal hook, using her weight to allow her to fall downward, her feet on the ground just a few seconds after the silenced shot had struck the bough next to her head.

“They’re covered from infrared signals, using night vision,” slipping the computer around to her back with the straps as she leap up against the fence to gain the top, keeping her feet on the upper most section as she crouched down and began to run the length.

“Coming out, meet me at the far end,” Andy quickly replied, looking over to see Issi’s face, throwing him a shake of her head as she pointed back at the chamber.

“What took you so long?” Mary gasped out, nearly running head long into Andy as she made her way along the top of the fence line.

“They’re getting themselves a truck or something, and all the lights are coming on. We don’t have long.”

“Tried to give Issi a warning,” hurrying her along. “They’ve got an inverted outcome, it’ll blow if they run it to full power.”

“We have to slow them down then,” Mary gave out, catching her breath at the end of the fence line, looking towards the outlying buildings situated behind the back of the lab.

“Take out the generator shack, keep them limited until we come up with a better plan.”

“I can’t think of a better idea than yours, we’ll play the same game,” holding up a palm as a silver orb appeared on her palm.

“I’ll give this a heave as soon as you reach the tree line over there,” nodding her head.

“What about those other idiots,” Mary replied, not satisfied, “They shot at me.”

“You’ll get your chance, it’s unlikely this will end anytime soon,” gesturing with a hand as she swiftly moved closer to the building she had selected.

“What the hell was that?” Brian let out at the sudden rumble that shook the lab, followed by a loud whine as the amplifiers began to spin down, the power levels dropping back to zero on the meters.

“Dr. Aikawa, the generator has failed,” Aylessa called out from her station, her attention on the controls in front of her, “Everything is dropping offline.”

“Everyone remain calm,” Issi gave out, holding up a hand. “We’re alright, it wasn’t inside the lab with us. It has to be outside, one of the support buildings.”

“Something arced on us out there,” Aylessa called, out peering out in to the chamber area. “I see some smoke building up out there.”

“Well, nobody chased us home,” Andy let out, dropping down on Mary’s bed with a low sigh.

“They got caught with their pants down, the explosion stopped them in their tracks. Catching a cab from the Airport was easy to do.”

“Let’s keep the laptop in the clubhouse for tonight. They’re sure to pull some other clever stunt. Don’t want the data getting lost.”

“I’ll deal with its absence,” giving out a look, “Won’t have to worry about that guy trying to steal our secrets, either.”

“Somebody is getting desperate, trying to scare me by shooting like that. They’re getting me upset.”

“Now, they’re busy picking up the pieces of their generators,” Andy gave out, “Tit for Tat as Father once said. The cost of playing the game has just gone up, we’ve just raised the ante.”

“Yeah, but I bet they have more chips than we do at this point.”

“Doesn’t matter, we’re one step ahead of them.”

“Yeah, but they’ll come calling.”

“We’ll be able to spot them by the nervous look in their eyes,” returning her look.

“What kind of bomb did they use?” Paul let out, walking up to the scene.

“No residue from any type of explosive, no indications of any wiring, timer… nothing,” the first man replied, turning to look over at him.

“I can’t say they used one, other than it appears that one was used, in a manner of speaking.”

“What do you mean, pieces of the generators are lying around us,” fuming at the report.

“Actually, no,” one of the others remarked, nodding towards the structure. “They were turned into of lumps of slag, melted,” shaking his head.

“They were so hot, they simply melted holes in the walls when they flew apart in a million pieces of what’s left for us to see. The walls aren’t bowed out, like you’d expect to see from something conventional. This wasn’t something we know about.”

“It’s as if the heat of the sun was used,” the first man gave out, seeing Paul’s expression. “I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”

“No radiation,” one of the men dressed out in a protective suit reported as he walked up to the group, “No readings of anything unusual,” removing his helmet, swiping at the sweat.

“We located one of them after that bus trip, up a tree. We’re guessing she was trying to get a look over the fence.

“As soon as we did something to get her on the ground, we were dealing with this,” gesturing at the debris. “We lost them again.”

“Liquefied the metal,” Issi remarked, coming up to them, turning to survey the damage in the morning light.

“Most impressive. Molecular warfare.”

“What do you mean, Doctor?” Paul asked, seeking some additional information.

“You see this,” reaching out with a shoe to give one of the lumps a quick nudge, “It’s been transformed.

“You’ve seen mercury, it’s a liquefied metal,” a slight smile forming at their expressions. “Someone has the ability to change the molecular structure, that’s what we are seeing here,” walking closer to examine the destruction.

“It looks to me that the steel was turned to jello and then some sort of polarity reversal between the atoms occurred, which resulted in the dispersal of this material, probably produced the heat as well.

“The slag might have been produced by a combination of heat and the internal shift in its makeup,” seeing the raised eyebrows. “I’m guessing it quickly reverted to its former state.

“Look, you can see where an object entered,” his eyes going over to the exterior wall panels, lifting a hand to point out the entry.

“That hole shows something came in from the outside, all the others are from the contents being thrown back out. You can see how the edges of the metal are bent inwards, it stands out compared to all the others.”

“Oh,” seeing they had remained silent on his observation, “I can’t explain the how, what, or why,” shaking his head slightly as he looked around them once more.

“A most impressive ability. I’d like to take a look at some of this under an electron microscope.”

“You know how it works on metal, gentlemen,” turning to walk back towards the lab. “I’d wager that kind of weapon would take out a tank in the same manner, anything the user wanted to use it against for that matter,” smiling at his double entente.

“Everything in nature is made up of molecules, and that includes you and me.”

“You’re saying this could be used against people?” Paul asked, making sure he had heard right.

“Certainly,” pausing to look at the group. “However, I wouldn’t expect the results to look so shiny and clean.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I have some other problems to wrap up,” waving a hand back towards the building. “I’ll be in the lab.”

“They could have taken out the chamber,” Issi sighed, playing the disk back once more, studying what had been captured, “but instead, it wasn’t touched, only the power source.”

“Most interesting,” muttering to himself as he removed the disk, placing it in his briefcase, “That explanation of domestic terrorists they came up with doesn’t hold much water.”

“Well, we’re down for awhile,” Brian let out, looking over to Issi.

“So it would seem,” nodding his head in agreement.

“We’ll have to redo that pre-amp board, and modify it,” Aylessa remarked, letting out a deep breath. “That’ll take us some time.”

“We have it now,” Issi replied, “It’s been a long night, let’s all take tomorrow off, so we can start fresh.

“I’ve asked for a portable diesel generator to be brought in, that will provide what we need for the lower voltages. We’ll be able to test the components as we get everything back together.”

“We’re going to be at it for a couple of weeks, if not more,” Aylessa sighed, looking to each of them. “One step forward, and two steps back.”

“We’ll begin by running some temporary power cables, the portable unit should be here by then.

“After that, it’s going over everything visually, then testing each section for hidden damage caused by the back surge we got in here.”

“I’m thinking we’ve suffered a month’s loss, if not a bit more, so it’s back to a regular day shift until we recover from this.”

“Did they say what caused the jenny to let go like that?” Aylessa asked, gathering up her notes and setting them in her desk drawer.

“Oh, they want to blame it on some outsiders, but I’m thinking the turbine failed, throwing the blades everywhere. You can see some of the holes in wall if you walk around.”

“I already tried, they’ve got the entire place locked down, taped off and even have Restricted Access signs, along with some jerk security guards,” Brian let out.

“I guess we’ll have to watch the news tonight, see if they got any calls when that thing went, maybe a long range shot through the fence.”

“I didn’t think a warped turbine would cause that much excitement,” shaking his head. “You call the insurance company, some dude arrives out here with his computer, comes up with a cost estimate and he hands you a check from his briefcase.”

“Dr. Aikawa,” Paul called out, walking across the parking lot, “Have a minute?”

“Sure, need my help on anything out back? I’ve given my team the day off, tomorrow as well.

“Can’t do much, Paul. Not until we get some power run to the chamber.”

“Oh, that’s not an issue. I’m guessing no one was injured, that building is up against the back wall of your lab. I didn’t think to ask you before.”

“Not a scratch on our end,” pausing to consider that.

“Odd, now that you mention it, the debris pattern I mean,” giving him a thoughtful look. “Unless I’m mistaken, it all came out the near side of the building.”

“Yeah,” now realizing Issi was right, “That is odd, normally a bang like that sends stuff everywhere.

“What do you think might have caused that?”

“Oh, you’ll think I’ve gone over the edge on my theory,” letting out a low chuckle.

“A magnet.”

“That’s the only thing I can think of,” holding up a hand at Paul’s expression. “There had to be a powerful magnetic field being generated from that side, so when it blew or whatever that was, everything containing ferrous metal was attracted towards that direction.”

“I can’t say that is the answer, but it’s the best I can come up with, without conducting a proper detailed study.”

“I can understand your wanting to track down the source of this, but I’d be careful if I was you.”

“Whatever did this has the ability to manipulate matter at its core, thus, taking it one step further, in can probably change itself as well.”

“But on the other hand, it could have been hit by lightning,” Paul gave out slowly, “That’s what one of the others has theorized, and it would provide some of the same effects, the magnetic field.”

“Well, you’re welcome to accept anything you want, and you might want to offer that to the Insurance folks,” slowly shaking his head at the remark, “but in my 25 years of physics, that’s not what happened.”

“The second generator wasn’t running,” giving Paul a weak smile, “There was no power, and it was sitting separately from the other one, as I understood from what I saw of the floor supports.

“With one of them affected, perhaps you have a weak argument, but with both… well, I’d say you have an intelligence behind it.”

“What do you mean?”

“With one, we could still have used the chamber.”

“It would have sent that material right through those cinder block walls,” Issi mused, still considering the day’s event as he drove home.

“All of it was directed away from the lab… and away from the chamber… but we were shut down.”

“Greeting’s Father,” Keiichi gave out coming down the steps of the house to welcome him home. “You’re back early.”

“Another set back, I’m afraid,” handing over his briefcase for him to carry, “So, there was nothing else to do but head home, perhaps see if there is any pie left for me.”

“Here you are,” setting the plate down on Issi’s desk, giving the computer display his attention for a moment.

“That looks like some Sci-Fi clip,” he finally remarked, “That person in there must be some kind of superhero.”

“Superhero?” Issi gave out, pausing the screen to give the pie his attention, mulling over a thought he had gotten.

“Keiichi, you play all those games on your own computer. Is there one where you get to choose the weapons of your favorite soldier or warrior?”

“Sure Father, we play against each other online. We can choose from a lot of them, but it uses some reality in the game as well.

“Yes?”

“Well, if you pick the biggest weapon, it’s usually the heaviest. That would mean you would also move slower, and have a limited speed in your attack, maybe a slower rate of fire as well.”

“You’d have to figure out what’s best for the situation you’re faced with, and select your weapons from that. It part of how you win the game.”

“Ah,” nodding his head, setting the empty plate back down. “Tell me, what would you use if your enemy chose a molecular method of attack?”

“That cheating, Father,” shaking his head at the notion, “The game wouldn’t allow that type of thing.”

“Why not?

“You couldn’t defeat something that can change its molecular structure, or has a weapon that disrupts the molecular patterns of everything else around it.

“You would have something that is indestructible, a foe you can not defeat, the ultimate warrior.”

“You would be better off asking if it wants pie or cake,” smiling at his expression.

“If it can change its density, it can also affect gravity, just like with a black hole. Space and time come into the picture as well.”

“Is that what was on your display, someone’s asked you to do a review on a segment, checking to see it holds up to modern day physics?”

“Something like that,” reaching over to turn off the display. “I need to give it some consideration.”

“What would you say if the warrior wasn’t carrying a visible weapon when you finally catch sight?”

“Well,” shrugging his shoulders, “I guess I’d say that the hero is the weapon.”

“Yes,” Issi let out softly, his eyes going back to the dark screen.

“That’s what I came up with as well.”


Chapter Five

“I hate exam week,” Mary let out, sitting down at the lunch table with a groan. “Makes my head hurt.”

“Everything makes your head hurt these days,” Andy replied, giving her a glance. “Go see the school nurse, Miss Whatshername.”

“Nah, she still wants a sample of my blood, told me she needed my blood type for her files,” shaking her head in response.

“She isn’t getting it, needs parental permission to poke us with a needle these days.”

“Saves you from trying to explain the test results,” throwing Mary a grin, “That’d give anyone a headache.”

“Oh, you’re on a roll this morning. How’s the story coming along?”

“Plot line feels weak to me, I’m still considering how to bring our main character out.”

“Here comes your guy,” Mary remarked, nodding over at the sight of Keiichi wandering their way. “He looks lost.”

“Oh, he’s isn’t my guy. You can have him, I think he’s into redheads.”

“Toss me a bone, see what I do,” shaking her head as she smiled back. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Turn me in for a better model,” returning the smile. “After I graduate of course, hate to waste the teacher’s time.”

“Still hopeless,” sighing as she looked back over towards Keiichi. “I’d bet he’s wanting you to visit the old homestead again. That last little adventure had your fingerprints all over it.”

“I don’t have any,” keeping her eye on Keiichi. “Yeah, he’s trying to come up with a good reason to sit down with the girls.”

“You do know I’m not supposed to be doing this, right?” Mary let out, holding a hand to get his attention.

“Hey,” Mary gave out, watching as Keiichi set his tray down across from them. ‘What’s the word? Tell me what’s happening.”

“I’m trying to understand it myself,” giving each of them a puzzled look. “I just came from the front office.”

“Ah, they finally caught you,” Andy promptly replied, nodding her head. “I thought it would only be a matter of time.”

“Well?” Mary let out, waiting for him to say something.

“A scholarship program has just been announced, and it seems they have selected two of the current seniors, they want to present to them at some meeting tomorrow night.”

“So why the look?” Andy asked, pushing her tray away from her as she waited.

“I am one of them,” showing a confused expression again. “I didn’t apply for any such program. I just got here, that woman in the front office can’t even pronounce my name.”

“Who is the other, maybe that will give us a clue,” Mary said, leaning back in her seat.

“Mary Harrington,” shifting his attention over to Mary. “I thought you would probably know who that was.”

“Oh, sure. I know her. Doesn’t have much money, tells everybody she has a B average because she can’t figure out that GPA system they use. Lives a quiet life with her Aunt and Uncle.”

“Talks too much,” Andy added. “Party girl from what I’ve heard about her.”

“She never mentioned wanting to go to college though,” looking over to Mary, “That’s a new one to me.”

“Yeah, that’s odd… a scholarship, that girl must be hooked up with somebody big,” Mary muttered, leaning forward to pick up her tray.

“Congratulations, Keiichi. Good luck in school, and all that.”

“I’m not going, there has to be some mistake.

“How’s the story coming along?” changing the topic to keep the conversation going with them.”

“Oh, well we’ve decided the aliens were here before, those ancient astronauts you’ve probably heard about. They left their descendents here, hidden in the populations.”

“It helps to explain why they look like everybody else, that part is already in there,” Andy let out, turning her tray at the counter.

“We’re still working on it, might have to add a space ship, that sort of thing.

“We still need to come up with some special abilities for the alien.”

“Oh, I hear molecular displacement is hot these days,” Keiichi replied, remembering what his father spoke to him about.

“There’s a movie coming out some day, my father was checking out some of the clips from it last night.”

“That’s got to be something we can use,” Mary gave out, adding her tray to all the others, “This story is creating itself.

“All we have to do now, is go around and ask about aliens.”

“You could get picked up by the government for interfering with some secret program they have running, word will get around.”

“Yeah, you heard me. The men in black will find your butt,” giving Mary a look.

“They don’t exist, they’re a figment of your imagination,” returning the look Andy was giving her.

“Told you so,” looking past her at the Principal who began to beckon at Mary when she turned around.

“Maybe he’s one of them,” she added quietly, “He wants to see you in his office, that’s my take on that sign language he’s using over there.”

“Does he look a little nervous to you?” throwing Andy a quick glance.

“Here,” taking her laptop off her shoulder, to shove it at Keiichi, “Hold onto this for me, and guard it with your life. I might not be back for it right away.”

“What’s on this thing?” calling out after her as she moved towards the Principle, who was waiting with an expectant expression.

“The secrets of the universe,” Andy replied slowly, her eyes narrowing, “and our story of course.”

“What happens if I read some of them?” he asked, looking back to Andy.

“Well, first they hunt you down,” she replied, her voice lowering, “and then… maybe they kill you for knowing too much,” giving a shrug of her shoulders as she looked back at him.

“How come she handed it to me, I was only in there for ten minutes.”

“They weren’t interested in you, just checking something is my guess,” her gaze still on the hallway.

“Once they realized who you were, they let go faster than a hot potato.”

“Well, we have the same last period, but she never showed,” Keiichi gave out, coming up to Andy, the laptop hanging from one shoulder. “Strange.”

“Oh, definitely that,” Andy replied, lifting her arm to give her watch a glance, “It’s getting stranger by the hour.”

“What does that mean?” seeing her interest in the timepiece.

“It means she activated her tracer,” giving him a glance, before showing a thoughtful expression as she checked the watch again.

“She’s already several hundred miles from here. On a jet is my guess, altitude and speed seem to indicate that.”

“You’re getting that from a $12 dollar watch?”

“I think you’re just playing a game. If all of that was true, then how come you’re not calling the cops, getting all worked up and worried?”

“She’s got skills,” her faint smile showing at the question, “and she’s wearing her battle armor this time.”

“You can hold onto her computer, since she left it with you, but I’d hide it somewhere at home.

“I think all of this is just something you two are making up for that story, and you’re just messing with me.”

“The watch has nothing to do with it,” musing as she watched him get off the bus, shaking her head.

“How easily they get mislead.”

“I don’t know about this assignment,” Phil, the larger of the two let out, glancing back at Mary. “We just grabbed the little red haired girl, and we’re probably wasting our time.”

“Riley says we grab her, we grab her,” John, the other one at the aircraft’s controls replied, “He isn’t interested in her looks, or the color of her hair. He wants her for leverage.”

“Well, grabbing some underage high school kid isn’t the way to go, she’ll get us all thrown in the slammer.”

“Just keep an eye on her, use that electric shocker on her if she gives us any problems. It won’t leave any marks, and it’s just some wild tale she’s made up about being allergic to it.”

“I don’t think she’s too happy about any of this,” Phil gave out a few minutes later, noting the look Mary was giving him from where she sat tied up on one of the cabin seats.

“She’s giving me the evil eye.”

“Use the blindfold on her, you idiot,” John sighed, “We’ll be on the ground in about 45 minutes.”

“She’s got it on, but I think she can still see me,” Phil replied. “It’s messing with my head.”

“Riley is going to mess with your ass if you keep that crap going,” John advised, shaking his head as the turned his attention to the radio.

“The walls of the station are five feet thick, made with reinforced, hardened concrete. The damn place is a holdover from the cold war.

“She won’t be seeing anything once they toss her little butt in a cell, and turn off the lights.

“She’ll be whimpering for her mama inside of ten minutes, begging us to let her out.”

“How come she doesn’t look so scared, with us grabbing and all?” turning back to look at him.

“John, I’ve got a bad feeling on this one.”

“Strip her, get her into this,” John gave out, looking over to the nurse standing at the doorway as he tossed over a white tunic.

“Out here?” the woman asked, placing a hand on one hip, as she gave him a quizzical look, “A kid?”

“No, in there,” gesturing at the other door, “Then leave her butt in there.”

“Yeah,” Phil gave out, “and turn them lights off on her.”

“Sorry, honey. They said everything, so that includes everything,” giving her a knowing look. “You can wear this,” tossing the tunic on the small cot, “just pretend you’re at the hospital or something.”

“My watch, too?” Mary asked, hesitating at taking it off.

“Didn’t I just say everything?”

“Jeez, kid, make it easy on yourself. Play games with me and I’ll ask them to help.

“You won’t like it as much as they will,” throwing her head in the direction of the doorway they had come through.

“I don’t like you,” dropping the watch down on the table she was standing beside, adding her top and skirt. “You’re an embarrassment to your profession.”

“Just get on with it,” she replied, throwing Mary a look, “I’m not getting paid to be nice, and I got better things to do around here.”

“There, satisfied?” stepping back into the dim corner to give the woman her attention as she pulled the tunic down over her head.

“Did you get a good look?”

“You just watch that attitude while you’re here, Missy,” walking closer to pick up the items on the table, “It’ll go easier on you.”

“My name is Mary, Missy missed the flight,” returning her look with one of her own.

“Do I get that phone call to my lawyer now?”

“There’s your bed, and that’s the toilet over there,” nodding her head once more.

“You’ll get breakfast in the morning, if that is, I remember you’re down here in the dark,” hitting the light switch located outside the door as she stood with it nearly closed.

“Don’t let the bed bugs bite,” slamming the heavy steel door, the sound of the lock engaged echoing in the room as everything went dark.

“Bait,” Mary gave out, shaking her head as she found the bed and sat down.

“Sloppy bunch, have to be government folks,” reaching down to pass a hand over her middle, the thin, sheer suit responding to her touch by sending out a deep blue luminescence.

“No cameras, no way to check on anyone in here unless they open the door, which opens inward, another mistake on their part.

“At least I’ll get a good night sleep,” tucking her hair braid down the back of the suit as she dug out the head covering, bringing it over the top of her head.

“Let’s wait them out for a bit, see what game they’re really playing,” checking the firmness of the pillow, “I got skills.”

“Where’s her cell phone?” Riley asked, shoving the clothing away from him as he sat at the desk.

“Didn’t have one on her, she told us she gave it to her friend,” Phil replied, shrugging his shoulders.

“What the number?” picking up a pen, giving Phil a questioning look.

“Don’t know, she says she never had a need to call herself, so she doesn’t know the number.”

“She wanted to call her lawyer,” Phil added giving out a slight chuckle at the notion.

“Not her parents?” Riley asked, sitting back in the chair.

“No parents, according to this,” Paul gave out as he entered the room, laying the folder he was carrying down on the desk, “An Aunt and Uncle, neither who were at home when we came knocking.”

“We got her address from the school files, it was the right one,” seeing the look. “We’re going back later.”

“What about Benson’s kid?”

“On the school bus like usual, as if everything was normal. Couldn’t miss her, she was wearing this gray jumpsuit, or some such thing.”

“I like it better when your hair is down, not braided up as it is now,” Keiichi said, admiring her appearance as they walked towards the doors of the school.

“That is because you don’t have to brush it,” giving him a glance at the remark. “Braided is best, switched to combat mode.”

“Ah, I see. You’re still playing that game.”

“Yes, until ordered to stand down. I’m actually just a warrior; I think the going term around here is War Bot.”

“I didn’t know you were into those kinds of games,” seeing the possibility of a new gaming partner.

“Yeah, Combat Droid, I can see you playing that part. You’ve got the image, that bad girl thing going for you. Wearing that suit, all you need is a samurai sword.”

“I know some guys who like to play, we get together online in the evenings.

“Warrior stuff, some Tech warfare. Sometimes we play Ancient Barbarian.”

“Sounds interesting, might help my writing,” returning his look.

“Maybe I should go shopping for a few games, I can learn new skills.”

“Sure, you should start out with something simple, the Warrior Princess sort of games, then work your way into the more sophisticated scenarios.

“You know, you don’t look like a War Bot type today,” glancing over at her form once more, “more like a super model. You’d look really sweet in some leather, maybe a touch of fur, a nice sword hanging from around your waist.”

“Well, I think my idea is better,” her faint smile emerging. “Blend in, adapt… I’m sure you understand.

“It’s more like that classic space movie, where the big shiny robot stood outside the spaceship while the pilot wandered about the city, trying to understand the culture.”

“You’re going to call it a War Bot in your story, I get it,” Keiichi gave out, “Something more modern, a robot that can’t be identified for what it really is.”

“Well, it’s more like something they pulled out of storage for the mission. They really don’t have wars, as such, so they’re using what they had on hand.

“Ancient technology from an era best forgotten.”

“Oh, that sounds cool, maybe some kind of hybrid battle machine that got retired and put away. Until one day, there was this need. A mission comes up.”

“Yes, but I was thinking more like a type of cyborg, stored away unused, but it was actually still alive… in a manner of speaking.”

“That’s beginning to sound like a Terminator type, half machine, half human.”

“It’s more like half machine, if it helps to see that aspect of her in that manner… and half something else,” her faint smile showing. “Human has nothing to do with it. It’s all still a mystery.”

“Well, that is what I‘ve come up with to describe her,” giving him a wave as they came to the classrooms. “I guess you’ll have to wait to until the story is finished.”

“See you at lunch, unless someone tries to make me vanish from the front office.”

“Hey,” stopping to ask, “If you get to play the robot character, does that mean Mary is the pilot?”

“Mary, Mary. Miss Contrary… Pilot is somewhat limiting. I’m going to have to make up a new word for her.”

“Oh, I like this game,” Mary let out, holding her foot against the bottom of the door as Phil pushed his weight against it once more, swearing outside at his failure to budge it.

“Get a running start, it must be jammed,” she could hear the nurse say, allowing her time to get back to the cot.

“It can’t be, it’s an electronic system and the damn thing is set to open, so it’s not locked,” Phil replied, moving back further to give himself more room.

“Nice one, I’ll give you an 8 on that,” slowly clapping her hands as Phil ended up on his face, startled by the door opening so easily as he gave all the force he could muster.

“What the…” looking up to see Mary on the bed, sitting with her legs crossed, leaning back against the wall with her hair down around her like a heavy red veil.

“A good thing I wasn’t standing over there,” carefully watching as he slowly regained his footing, winching in pain as he rubbed a knee. “Someone could have gotten hurt.”

“Where the hell is my breakfast? I’ll be wanting hot tea, a couple of donuts, and a hairbrush as well,” giving him a sweet look while raising an eyebrow.

“Make that order to go. I have plans.”

“You’ll get cold cereal and some water,” the nurse gave out, now standing in the doorway, “and like it.”

“Unless you want to go find a water hose and try to force feed me, I suggest you get me what I want,” peering over at her.

“I’ll puke on you at the first opportunity. Take you back to the days of being a grumbling candy stripper. Take care, evil one. I’ve got skills.”

“Make that a Danish, strawberry,” throwing her a smile at her facial expression while setting down the tray.

“Give me a kiss first,” she replied, using a finger to point at her backside, “That might get me to tell you how it tasted when I go and eat one for myself.”

“Told you I have skills,” giving out a satisfied look as the bowl hit the nurse in the back of the head, just as the door was closed behind her, “Didn’t spill a drop. Didn’t have any blackberries in it anyway.”

“Ok, I think I’m ready to go back home, we’re not learning anything new from all of this,” looking at the closed door from where she sat on the bed before reaching over to the cup of water that was still sitting on the tray.

Placing her hand over the top, she let two fingers enter the liquid.

“They have no idea on who they’re dealing with,” smiling as the water took on a gentle shimmer and began to evaporate.

“Hydrogen, the energy of the universe. A little bit goes a long way, if you’re wearing your battle armor.”

“I thought you put that bug in there,” John asked, looking over to Phil as he set the headset down with a sigh of disgust.

“It’s in there, I slid it under her bed while she was busy ordering her breakfast.”

“Did you bother to test it before you put the damn thing in there? It isn’t working, can’t hear a damn thing.”

“Maybe she isn’t talking to herself in there. Did you ever think of that?” Phil replied. “If someone had thought ahead, they’d have a camera installed.”

“If I have to go back in there, I’m taking a stick to her,” Betty, the nurse, let out as she used the towel once more on her clothing. “She’s just a spoiled brat, her mother should be ashamed.”

“Well, she isn’t in there crying for her like you said,” Phil let out, giving John a look.

“That kid is going to be nothing but trouble, just like I said.”

“What’s this?” Riley asked, seeing the tray of food sitting on the desk. “That was supposed to go to her, not end up sitting out here,” giving John a look.

“She says she doesn’t eat off paper plates,” giving him a pained expression, “and if we use anything else, as we did with her lunch, it goes out the door faster than we can.”

“So she hasn’t eaten since we brought her in?”

“Nope, and that hasn’t changed her attitude one bit, she’s still a pain.”

“What was in this then?” pointing at the empty bowl.

“Jello. Phil ate it, didn’t want it to go to waste.”

“I thought I told Betty to lace this with something to knock her out?”

“Don’t know, Phil took off and I haven’t seen his since. I’ve still got four hours of sitting here, watching a locked steel door.”

“What’s the story on that other one? We going to grab her next?”

“The folks who wear the fancy suits are discussing it,” shaking his head. “No one got excited when this one here vanished, so it’s all like some sort of null event.”

“She makes poor bait, no one wants her back,” John muttered, shaking his head. “I’m not surprised, she’s nothing but a pain.”

“We better not be the ones to grab that other one, she looks like a handful. I think we’re talking fists and elbows inside to three seconds.”

“Relax, they’re going to gas her, then bring her here before something else happens out there at that lab.

“We need that small scale for testing before modifying the main site out here, and I need to find out her involvement in all of this.”

“Paul tells me they’re onto something now, it looks promising.”

“I’m going to go check on Dr. Barnes, see how he’s getting along,” giving the closed door a lingering glance.

“Let me know if anything changes.”

“No,” shaking her head at the long formula that had been written out on the board, “That is only partially correct,” glancing over to Issi.

“You’re still presenting a two dimensional view at this point,” using a hand to indicate the section, “it won’t work.”

“Then, I am at a standstill,” Issi replied, taking off his glasses to rub his eyes. “I simply can not grasp what you are trying to present.”

“You must stop seeing it as a linear plane of existence,” standing back, giving Keiichi a glance before turning back to face him.

“Let’s approach it from another point of view. You are always saying you live in an expanding universe, that it all comes from a single point.

“If you accept that, then you must also accept that everything at that precise moment was in contact with everything else.

“Nothing has changed, the distance is meaningless on a quantum level, everything remains connected.”

“Quantum entanglement,” Issi slowly gave out, his eyes widening at the revelation, returning Andy’s look with one of wonder, “It’s all true.”

“Spukhafte Fernwirkung,” Andy replied, raising an eyebrow. “Now, with that in mind, let’s review your work to date,” picking up the chalk for him and holding it out.

“I’d suggest you start right here,” reaching out to tap a section of the board with a finger, giving out an expectant expression.

“What’s that mean?” Keiichi asked quietly, unable to follow along as Issi busied himself, erasing some of the figures with his fingers to quickly fill in the blanks with fast notations, his eyes gaining a gleam as he worked.

“Spooky action at a distance,” Andy finally replied, stepping back to look over, “Einstein.”

“Even he was close, but you must grasp the understanding that there is no distance, thus the speed of light is not relevant to the issue.”

“It’s all one,” shaking her head at his own lack of understanding. “Space is not empty, you’re just not seeing everything. The vacuum energy has to be taken into account as well.”

“When something happens over there, it is known here at the same time,” returning her attention to what Issi was doing with the chalk.

“How do you know all of this stuff?” seeing his father pausing, chalk in hand as he considered the next junction in the formula.

“Consciousness, it is everywhere,” Andy gave out, reaching out to give Issi a light pat on one shoulder and he added an additional notation. “Now you’ll understand why the two slit experiment changes when it’s observed.

“Welcome to the rest of the universe.”

“Is there another word for it, other than in German?” looking back over to the board.

“Hmmm… magic,” giving out a slight shrug. “It’s as good a word as any other I might come up with.”

“You have just moved from Kindergarten to the First grade,” showing her faint smile at his expression.

“You will find that works well enough for now. There are many ramifications, which will reveal themselves as you progress.”

“Now, the harder part for you to figure out; keeping it in the hands of scientists who seek the answers, and away from those who seek knowledge only to use it to destroy their fellow man.”

“The Government?” Keiichi asked, seeing his father’s expression change at the remark.

“Whose lab to you think it is?” Andy asked, turning once more to Keiichi.

“Well, I find the good Doctor is busy at his work,” Riley gave out, walking up to the work table just inside the huge room he had just entered.

“Where are all the other worker bees?” waving a hand around at the idle stations.

“Getting something to eat, if it matters,” Dr. Barnes sighed, sitting back upright in his seat to give him a look.

“For some strange reason, the slaves begin to ask about food around this time each day.”

“We’re at least a month behind Dr. Aikawa, if not more, so don’t go giving me that look of yours.”

“We have a new guest visiting with us, so I was wondering if you’d like a helping hand. A gofer, if you like,” walking around to look at the chamber taking up most of the space.

“I understand she has an interest in this line of work.”

“A girl?” watching Riley as he moved around, examining the lab.

“Yes… one of the younger types; high school kid,” finally turning back to look at him.

“Smart, as I understand, but she has some idle time on her hands for a few more days. I thought of you.”

“Probably smart enough to tell you to go kiss your own ass,” leaning back in his chair, “and daring enough to wait to see if you’d actually do it.”

“Probably, however we haven’t progressed to that point in our relationship yet,” showing a weak smile at the comment.

“I hear Dr. Aikawa is at a stopping point, anything we can do at this end to help?”

“Just be mindful of your position here, Dr. Barnes,” giving him a wan smile as he headed towards the door, “I’ll see that she brought to you.

“Maybe she’ll be able to point out any design flaws. I understand the other one is once more conferring with your esteemed colleague.”

“Can you tell me how you were able to enter the area of the chamber?” Issi asked, sitting on the edge of his desk as he gave his work another glance.

“What do you think happened?” lifting an eyebrow as she looked over at him.

“You came in though the wall, a solid wall,” he quickly added, shaking his head at the idea. “Then through the protective shielding. I have it on video.”

“That brings us to the other side on the equations,” her eyes shifting with a slight glimmer.

“Your modification was not installed properly, someone has reversed the polarity.”

“You might have lost a year’s work if we had allowed it to proceed. Your chamber would have been damaged, perhaps to the point where you would have had to start over.”

“We?” picking up on what she had said. “There’s more than one of you?”

“Let’s just say they sent in a team, and we each have our abilities… our skills.”

“What abilities?” Keiichi asked, not understanding what they were saying. “Story writing?”

“You’ve each told me you’ve been living here since Fifth grade,” seeing Andy wasn’t going to answer the question.

“And while we’re at it, where did Mary go?”

“Want to get involved in the story?” her faint smile showing at she looked over at him.