After getting on the plane heading for Chicago Rick was a bit worried. There were several questions on his mind. Would the elder Woodcombs be amendable to relocation at the compound? Will Ellie's machine help Greg? Then there are the Children. What to do with Holly? She is only 3 years old and already better shot than either Kate or himself. She speaks several languages and seems to effortlessly acquire more and more. She can type and read. So this is a big dilemma how can he keep her interested in anything? Then there is Cousin Stephen has he really understood what he did? Rick thoughts strayed to the Admiral the man responsible for all these separate wheels to be in motion. A Magnificent Bastard of a man!
Kate noticed the discomfort of her husband. He might be in pain since it was not that long ago the man was shot in the shoulder.
Kate rocked him gently "Rick honey are you in pain?"
Rick looked at the worried face of his wife.
"Oh no honey I was just thinking." Rick said.
"I suppose you do have much on your plate" Kate said.
"Yeah so are we in Chicago yet?" Rick asked.
"Yeah about 15 mins out. According to Sarah we are circling in an attempt to land in a 40 mile head wind" Kate said.
"Daddy Sarah can do it" Holly said.
"Cousin Rick, have a little faith in my wife's ability" Chuck said.
Just then the Plane started on its descent. And a few minutes later they were all safe on the ground.
"So this is where we part company. The pilot is flying Casey and Gertrude plus Morgan, Kyle and Alex back to CA while the rest of us will be disembarking here. Have a safe trip my friend" Chuck said while hugging Morgan.
There were two white vans one which took Chuck, Sarah, Ellie , Devon and Claire the other was for Stephen and Mary, Greg, Rick , Kate and Holly.
The two vans went separate directions one went to the hotel the other went to Ellie's and Devon's home. Honey and Woody were waiting when the van arrived. Devon got out and hugged his parents and told them that lots of good news came from the wedding but it has to wait until tomorrow. they all were beat.
"Mom I will let Ellie's cousin Rick to tell you all about it tomorrow they are coming over after Ellie's lab session. Right now I am tired and want to snuggle with my wife." Devon said.
"Ok" Honey said. "Well welcome home."
"Thanks Mom I knew you would understand." Devon said climbing the stairs to his home.
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Rick was in deep discussion with Stephen while riding in the van
"So let me get this straight you have all the patents and assets of old Roark International?" Rick asked.
"Yes Richard I do now own all my patents. The problem is Roark International is no more. Once Ted Roark died everything went into receivership. The Campus in Anaheim is all that is left that and a few factories in China." Stephen lamented.
"I see" Rick said.
"I need capital to put Orion Computers on the map." Stephen explained.
"What about the trust? It could be used in this sort of enterprise?" Rick asked.
"I suppose it would work but I think I need more investment than 500 million." Stephen said.
"Really why?" Rick asked. He was really wondering what sort of plans needs more than ½ billion in start up costs.
"Have you thought of merging your assets with your Son's company CI?" Rick asked. "Since that would lower your capitalization and since CI is an established firm your loans would be less."
"I would need to discuss that with him" Stephen pondered.
"I am sure Chuck would agree" Rick said. As the van stopped at the 5 star hotel.
The gang exited the van and walked across into the lobby. Rick's reservations of 3 suites were already and Rick picked up the keys and each group was led to their rooms.
It had been a long and exhausting day even Holly was asleep in her father's arms as he placed her in the bed. Kate gave her a good night kiss on her forehead then they left the room. Rick's shoulder was giving some problems but nothing that a pill and some sleep could not cure.
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The next morning after all had eaten they all met up at Ellie's lab. Chuck was not looking forward to this at all. Since he was the baseline for all the tests which Ellie would be conducting. Chuck was placed in the chair first and everyone crowded around the screen. Ellie had Chuck flash and do several tests. Next up was Kate. Ellie just asked her to think about a situation
Rick then got on the microphone.
"Kate honey recall what you did to Maddox."
Kate now remembered every detail of what she did and Ellie noticed the similarities between the two scans but there were minor differences too.
Next in the chair was Holly and she was to watch a TV show in Tagalog.
Ellie studied Holly's brain patterns they were identical to Chuck's and Kate's.
This is the proof Holly is a child of the intersect! Ellie said.
Now it is Greg's turn in the chair. Ellie was intently staring at the scans and then she saw the one place she would have never suspected being the problem.
"Greg you have a memory problem." Ellie said.
"I am going to insert this probe into your brain and deaden that over active area. Once, I finish you should be pain free" Ellie assured.
The operation was pretty painless a surgical laser vaporized a small hole in his skull and the probe was guided into place then a small current was released. Ellie intent on the scans showed the probe did its job. Removing the probe and sealing the small hole with a calcium glue which mimics real bone. Greg was now asked to move his leg. The scan showed no activation.
"There is no pain!" Greg answered.
"Ok Greg you still need to use your cane your leg muscles are not as strong as they once were." Ellie said.
Greg was relieved.
"Also do not try to wean yourself off the pain pills" Ellie warned.
"Ellie that chair is amazing" Rick said. 'We must have one like it at the hospital research wing."
"Ok but Chuck and I built it ourselves and CI created the software" Ellie said.