Act 1

Scene 4

Location - Excavation Site EchoCharlieSeven – Hanger/Warehouse– Late morning

The camera's view is from a high point of the interior of a very large building facing toward the rear of the building. The floor of the building is about 120 meters wide and it seems to be at least 5 times longer than that. Sunlight is shining down onto the floor thru large windows that run along the lower part of the ceiling on each side of the building. Large light fixtures hang down from the ceiling and provide for even lighting throughout the cavernous space. Near the rear of this space in the center, are two very large, uncovered, coffin shaped crates each of which contains an oddly shaped humanoid form. There are three people standing on a raised platform that is in-between the two crates, they are leaning against the nearest crate while one of them is pointing at something near the top of the humanoid form and inside the chest cavity. The Camera lowers its horizon and zooms in on these people.

"This is the fourth typeOmega we have found so far, and they are very different from the Nirvash typeZERO."

"How are they different?" Linck asks. Linck has grown quite tall over the years and his movements are very fluid, from a distance you could easily mistake him for Matthiue.

"Well for one thing the chest cavity is not as wide as it was in the Nirvash, and it is deeper from front to back." Renton starts walking to where the head of the Archetype would be if it had one, followed by the other two. "However; there two important differences within the nervous system." He stops and points at a bump inside and to the front of the chest cavity. "This nodule is where the compact drive receptacle interfaces with the organic base. It is basically the same as in the original Archetypes. One of the biggest changes," Renton points at another nodule located lower down in cavity. This nodule is about a third larger than the first. "is this nodule, which is not part of the original organic base type."

"What does it do? This question is asked by a young girl who appears to be in the process of leaving childhood and entering into her teens. She is bent over the edge of the crate, her arms crossed and resting on the crate's wooden edge. Her long straight hair reaches down to about the middle of her waist in the back. A few strands of hair have slipped over her shoulders and are hanging straight down in front of her. The color of her hair seems to be a blend of her mother's and possibly that of her father's, but it is more likely the Coralian DNA in her genes are responsible for its bluish tint. (1)

Renton looks over at her. "To tell you the truth Ayame we don't really know. There are many more nerve bundles terminating here than at the original location." Upon hearing her name she turns and looks straight into Renton's eyes while he talks. Her eyes are almost the same color as Anemone's, with just a tint of gray, she also has a reddish slash in both of her iris's, they're shaped like the lower case Greek letter Sampi on the outside of the right eye and on the inside of the left eye. (2) "This is something a team of researchers including myself will be studying at Tensor." She turns her head and looks intently at the fourth Archetype.

"Dad what is the second difference?"

Renton points to the lower abdomen of the Archetype. "The braincase, for lack of a better word, is almost three times larger than in the earlier types. This suggests they have more capabilities, but we have no idea what those capabilities are." Renton pauses for a moment then says "There are just so many unanswered questions."

Ayame appearing slightly bored turns around and sits precariously on the edge of the crate while swinging her legs back and forth, her heels lightly bouncing off the wood of the crate. "What about that one?" She says pointing at the other crate.

Renton and Linck turn around and lean against the crate. "We know even less about that one. It was found in different part of the mine, it has not even been typed yet."

Linck, "It looks so different."

"It is, it's larger than any other types found so far but has a very small chest cavity."

Linck starts walking toward the other crate and says. "It looks almost graceful, like it was built for refboarding."

"Yes, its center of gravity is lower than the others so it should be very maneuverable."

Linck stops at the other crate. "You're right the chest cavity is small, how could a pilot fit in there along with all the other required equipment."

"We just don't know the answer to that yet." Linck turns around and starts to walk back toward Renton and Ayame.

Ayame asks, "Why are they here?"

Renton, "We're not sure but Dr. Egan"

Ayame perks up at the name and interrupts Renton. "You mean Dr. Bear?",

"Yes",

"Then why didn't you call him that?"

Linck stifles a smile, as if he knows where this conversation is going. Renton looks down at Ayame and says, "Ayame interrupting someone while they are speaking is very rude." She loses her smile and put her head down. Renton continues, "Ayame look at me, you should know this." She slowly looks up at Renton. "When you talk about someone's work you always address them by their sir name, it is a sign of respect."

"Oh",

"And if they have earned a title you address them by that title. . . .Doctor is a title earned after many years of study and hard work. In private he may tell you to call him Bear or in my case Greg, but in public you should always refer to him as Dr. Greg Egan or Dr. Egan." Renton softens his tone. "When your dad is at work or in public how do people address him?"

She pauses for a second and replies "Colonel Sorel or Sir.",

"Why",

"Ah, . . . because my dad has earned that title.",

"It's the same in the civilian world."

Ayame face brightens a little:" I'm sorry Uncle Renton, I never thought of it that way."

Renton smiles back, "Apology accepted, now where were we."

Ayame replies, "I asked you why they are here."

Renton continues where he left off, "Dr. Egan believes the Scud Coral are creating them for us, just like they created TheEND and the Nirvash."

Ayame, "But why?",

"We're not sure why, it may be they are replacements for TheEND and the Nirvash but I think it is more than that." Renton pauses as if in thought. "I wonder if they are guiding us or pushing us along the new path of evolution.",

"Dad you said you thought it was more than that." Ayame returns to bouncing her heels on the crate.

Renton replies "I don't have an answer yet; if we can solve the control problems hopefully we'll know more."

Ayame kicks her legs out a little too far and starts to fall backward into the crate. Renton and Linck both alarmed reach out to grab her left arm, Renton catches her left hand just as her right hand lands on the chest of the Archetype and she says. "Ohhh" Renton pulls her back up. Ayame quickly turns around and touches the Archetype again. "I feel it, I feel it!"

"What do you feel Ayame?" Renton says as he touches the Archetype. "I feel nothing." Linck watches Ayame and Renton and then reaches out and touches it but says nothing.

Ayame looks at Renton and smiles then looks back at the Archetype. "I don't know how to explain it . . . it . . . feels white and swirly . . . like . . . like when you pour cream into tea. "

Renton stands up, looks at Ayame and asks. "Anything else, do you feel anything else?"

Ayame stands up still smiling brightly, brushes her blouse back down, looks at Renton and says. "It seems to be humming . . . . very lightly . . . nicely, but . . . yea it hums."

All three of them turn; look at the other crate and start walking toward it. Linck gets there first and touches it. "It feels just like the other one."

Renton and Ayame reach the edge of the crate; Renton bends over and touches it. "How does this one feel?" Renton says as he turns his face toward Ayame and notices her hand has stopped about a foot away from this Archetype's chest. His glaze follows her arm to her face, she looks worried and unsure. He starts to stand up. "It's ok you don't have to touch it."

Ayame stands there for a few seconds, bites her lower lip and plunges her hand unto the chest. "Noooo . . . NOOOO" She pulls away sharply like her hands were glued to the chest and she had to break free. She is visibly shaken and quickly turns away from the 2ed Archetype.

"Ayame, are you ok? Renton and Linck say almost in unison.

"It . . . it felt black . . . white flashes . . it. . it"

Renton kneels down in front of her. "It's okay you don't have to talk about it." He stands up and places his hand on her back. "Let's go over there and sit on that bench." They leave the platform and walk over to a bench along the wall of the hanger, a beam of sunlight shines down onto the bench from one of the overhead windows. By the time they get to the bench Ayame has regained her composure.

Ayame sits down in the center of the bench, between Renton and Linck. "Are you feeling better?" Renton asks with a worried look in his face.

She leans against Linck and says "Yes, it just scared me that's all." Renton sits there looking at her as if deciding what to do next.

"What happened Ayame?" Linck asks.

Renton looks at Linck, then Ayame and says. "Ayame you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

Ayame sits up straight and runs her hands thru her hair pushing it behind her. "It felt strange . . . when I was reaching out to touch it. . . it felt like something was pushing my hand back." She pushes her arm out in mock reenactment then retracts her arm. "But I had to know." She pauses and looks at her hand. "It felt dark, . . . like the clouds under a thunderstorm, and it was buzzing." She put her hand down and looks at Renton, her eyes wide. "Then it knew, it knew I was there." She shivers, "So loud, so black, . . . it felt like it was pulling me in, like it wanted to eat me."

Renton looks at Ayame for a few seconds, "I'm so sorry Ayame, I had no idea, I would never have let you near it."

Ayame stands up and starts to walk toward the crate that holds the Fourth. She turns around with a mischievous smile. "But then I would never have got to touch this one . . . Uncle Renton. Can I have it?"

Renton stands up laughing, "You're growing up way to fast, let's wait awhile before I answer that." Renton waves his hand at Ayame and Linck. "Come on you two, let's go out outside it's almost lunch time." He turns and heads toward the open doors on the other side of the hanger.

Ayame runs ahead of Renton then turns and yells at Linck. "Well come on slow poke, you're not going to let me beat you out side are you?" She turns around laughing and bolts toward the door.

"Oh no you're not!" Linck yells back as he races past Renton. When they reach the door Renton turns around and looks at the other archetype. "TheBlack, that's what I'll name it. Black . . .angry . . . I wonder, is that why the Scud were trying to encase it in amber".

As Renton is walking toward the hanger entrance a short but well muscled man comes barging out of an office door next to Renton and almost knocks him down. "Oh, I'm sorry sir."

Renton regains his balance. "That's ok, in fact Jason I was just coming to see you, but you seem to be in a hurry."

"Yes, I just got a call from the tower. The new guy that was just hired . . .Thomas I think his name is, just drove the big forklift off the tarmac and got the damn thing stuck in the mud."

"Is he ok?"

"Yea, he's not hurt, but he sure is not going to be ok!"

Renton looks a little worried. "What are you going to do to him?"

"Oh no sir, you misunderstand me, I will dress him down real good of course, but I am not the one who is going to crawling in the mud rigging the lift cables."

"I thought the lift points were on the sides and top."

Jason smiles. "They are, but he doesn't know that."

Renton and Jason have a good laugh. "Well, I trust you will have the forklift ready before the Gekkogo gets here."

"Not to worry sir, it will be ready."

"Good, and could you please have your crew finish closing up the crates."

"Right away, was just waiting for your okay."

Renton nods his head. "Thank you Jason, I'll meet with you later after the Gekko arrives." Renton starts to chuckle. "Oh, by the way, have fun."

Jason starts to turn back toward the door. "I will sir, I will."

Renton steps out of the softly lit hanger into the harsh glare of the noon time sun reflecting off the whiteness of the concrete aircraft ramp. He uses his hand to shade his eyes but this gives little relief and he pauses until his eyes adjust. The aircraft ramp stretches out in front of him a good 300 meters and is connected to the taxiway that parallels the south end of the runway. The runway is aligned slightly east of north and the far end appears to disappear into the haze of the distant mountains.

The whole complex lies in a long valley that if seen from a high altitude or on a map would resemble the needle of a compass pointing to magnetic north. To the east of the runway about 5 kilometer away is a ridge of reddish brown rock, the top of an earthly mountain range, one of the few places in the world that was not covered by the Scab Coral. Renton turns to the north and walks toward the edge of the hanger. As he nears the edge of the hanger the western wall of the valley comes into view. In sharp contrast to the eastern wall the western wall towers above him and consists of layer upon layer of Scab Coral that looks as if a giant had pulled the caps off of a bed of impossibly large mushrooms and stacked them one on top of the other.

As Renton gets closer to the edge of the hanger, more of the complex comes into view. The mine entrance can be seen in the distance stuck into the base of the ridge like a child might stick a straw into a wall of sand at the beach. Renton turns the corner of the hanger and the full length of the building is revealed. Two roads with sidewalks meet just 30 meters down the side of the hanger, one runs alongside the hanger and ends in a parking area just behind the hanger, the other branches off at a 45 degree angle and leads to the command and housing cluster.

The Command building sit in the center of a large circle, at the three o'clock position sits the hospital. The Research/Office building sits at the six o'clock position and the commissary and shopping exchange complex are at nine o'clock. The twelve o'clock position is occupied by a group of buildings that consist of the recreation/dining hall and the K thru 12 school house. The grounds within the circle are well manicured with the just the right mix of trees, open areas and walkways.

Behind the command area is the housing area. It is shaped like a crescent moon with two medium size apartment buildings on each side of the recreation complex and these apartments are flanked by about fifteen single family houses on each side. All though several hundred people work here only a few people can be seen walking around, and the ones Renton is interested in are about a hundred meters in front of him.

Eureka is talking to Ayame and Linck; she is wearing a light green maternity dress and is holding a pink parasol over her head to keep the sun off her wings. She notices Renton and waves, Ayame and Linck see her wave they look at Renton, wave at him then turn and run off toward the dining facility. Eureka yells something after them then turns and starts walking toward Renton. She walks like she is floating on air; her pink parasol tilted back spinning over her head as if to counter balance her tummy. Renton picks up his pace without thinking about it.

As she gets closer Renton notices how relaxed her face looks with that slight smile he had grown to love but had not seen much of lately. Just as they meet she stands on her toes and gives Renton a quick kiss on the lips. "You didn't wake me up this morning."

Renton smiles, "You looked so peaceful laying there when I got up, I did not have the heart to wake you up."

"Thank you, . . I have not slept that well since, well I can't remember when, although I was looking forward to waking up next to you."

"Well that pleasure was all mine this morning." Renton turns his head and looks at Ayame and Linck racing away. "Where are they off too so fast?"

"Oh I told them Tiptory was here and wanted their help cooking lunch."

"Lunch" Renton lips pucker a little and he puts his hand on his stomach remembering how spicy her cooking is. "How long till its ready?"

"She said about two hours."

"Two hours huh, you have anything planed?"

"No, how about you"

Renton looks one more time at Ayame and Linck as they disappear behind some trees. "Just some quality time with my wife. . . . Shall we go for a walk?"

"Yes that would be nice" Eureka says, as she turns to walk down the path her parasol hits Renton in the back of the head. "Um" "I'm sorry."

"I think I should hold that for you."

Eureka moves to hand the parasol to Renton, stops and starts laughing.

"What's so funny?

She chuckles some more. "It's just . . . just . . . this vision of you walking in the park twirling a pink parasol above your head."

Renton chuckles "Yeah, still your wings."

Eureka starts to collapse the parasol. "I'm not going to melt." Eureka finishes collapsing the parasol and hands it to Renton as they both turn and start walking toward one of the pathways that lead toward the hospital.

Renton puts the parasol under his left arm and with his right hand takes hold of Eureka's hand. "How did you meeting with Tiptory go this morning?". . .

"It was very pleasant, she asked how I was feeling, and about how I felt about the baby and other things. I then told her about how I could not sense the baby and how I was a little worried about it."

"And?"

"Well you know in some ways she is just like Norb, you can never get a straight answer from her. . . . But still she has a way of calming your worries." Renton shakes his head. Eureka continues, "Funny thing though, when we said goodbye and she held my hands, she said "Oh" like she was surprised and smiled. When I asked her about it she said "Oh it's nothing dear, everything is going to be all right.""

Renton fights back a chuckle, "You didn't press her on it did you?"

Eureka shakes her head "No I know better."

The path Eureka and Renton are on leads them behind the Research building. Eureka looks over at the building and she starts to tense up. "Renton can I ask you something?"

Renton looks at Eureka and sees the tension in her face. "Of course you can, what's bothering you Eureka?"

Eureka looks away from Renton as if wishing she did not ask the question, then looks back. "Wouldn't you rather be at the university in Bellflower assisting Dr. Bear in his research of the Amita Drive?"

Renton looks ahead as if his mind is somewhere else and a few seconds later says "No." Renton stops in some shade, looks Eureka in the eyes and says "You remember what it was like when we came back from the wilderness." Eureka shakes her head. "No one would leave us alone, if we went outside a crowd would gather around us, . . . people would want to shake our hands or have their picture taken with us, and everyone wanted to touch your wings." Eureka shudders.

Renton turns back toward the path and they start walking. "Gramps and our neighbors tried to shield us from all the attention and it worked for a while."

Eureka shakes her head and says. "Yes, we were both trying to get caught up in our schooling and in our spare time you where helping Axel and I was watching the kids."

Renton sighs. "We hardly had time for each other or ourselves, you slept in the apartment with the kids; and me and Gramps slept in the garage, but we did it, we passed our exams and got our diplomas."

Eureka smiles shyly and says "Yes, it was hard but we had to set an example for the kids."

Renton smiles and looks at Eureka. "I never told you this, but after we got our diplomas I was going to ask you to marry me. I talked to Gramps about it and he told me that I should ask Holland first." Renton pauses. "I asked him why, and he told me that Holland was still your guardian and it was only right that I talk to him first. Well what could I say but ok."

Renton chuckles. "So the next day Gramps and I went to the palace. I thought this should be easy what could he say but yes, well was I in for a surprise. First we waited in the Ante room for what seemed like forever, . . . this had never happened before, normally he would see me right away. I was starting to get a little nervous but I thought maybe we caught him at a bad time. Finally his secretary told me I could go in but Mr. Axel Thurston had to wait out here. Well his secretary opened those huge doors and announced "Mr. Renton Thurston to see you sir." Holland was standing behind his desk in his formal imperial clothing. "Thank you Martin, Mr. Thurston please have a seat." As he pointed at the chair in front of the desk, then those huge doors closed and the noise they made sounded to me like a cannon blast."

Renton pauses then continues. "I was totally unprepared for this; all I could say was "Yes Sir." Holland seemed to be studying some papers on his desk as I walked over to the chair and sat down. After about . . . I guess 15 seconds he put the papers aside, took a hard look at me and said "Why do you want to marry Eureka?" I looked away and said "Because I love her."

He stood up and said "I know that, why do you want to marry her now?" I started to stand up and he told me 'Stay seated" I sat. I was so rattled I could hardly think. "Because, because I, I love her." He started to walk around the desk. "How will you take care of her?" I tried to answer but all that came out was "I . . . I" and he did not seem to hear me. "How will you provide for your family?"He kept walking around the desk. "Where will you live?" his voice seemed to get louder in my head. In a panic I said "At grandpa's place, I will be a mechanic just like my grandpa." He was standing in front of me. "A mechanic, the son of the great hero Adrock Thurston, the same son who became a hero even greater than his father, just a mechanic!" I was still panicked but I was also getting angry, I started to get up. "I will be a great mechanic just like my grandpa!"

"He put his hand on my shoulder and in a fatherly kind of voice said. "Please, sit down." He then backed up and leaned against his desk and looked down at me. "Do you know what your grandpa did before you were born?" His sudden change of tone confused me. "I know he worked at Tensor on the reflection board for the Nirvash." I told him. Holland sighed and said. "Your grandfather is much more than a mechanic, he is a noted scientist and an accomplished engineer." I was dumbfounded. "When he was in postgraduate school, he was part of a team that increased the efficiency of reflection film by almost nine hundred percent." All I could say was "I had no idea." But that was not the only surprise about gramps Holland had in store for me."

Renton feeling the heat of the late morning sun, changes paths and heads toward one of his and Eureka's favorite spots. "Holland asked me. "Do you know who built the first Refboard?" "I could see where this was going. "No way." I said. Holland smile at me and said. "Yes it was your grandfather who built the first board. He built it as a model to test out the new film." Before I could say anything he stood up and said. "Renton I know you want to know more about your grandfather but that's not why you're here is it." I said "No sir". During the whole time Renton was talking Eureka had been totally engrossed in what he was saying. Renton looks ahead and says "Ah, we're here."

Renton and Eureka enter a small wooded area. Just a few tens of meters into the woods is a small open area that has a lovely water fountain sitting right in the middle of it. The walkway leading to the fountain splits, goes around it and reforms on the other side. The fountain which is about two meters high, consists of three tiers and is shaped like a wedding cake. The bottom tier appears to float just above the pool of water contained in the base of the fountain. The other tiers appear to rise out of a lake formed by the tier below it.

To add to the ambiance of this setting the trees have been pruned to provide a gap that runs east/west in the canopy so the sun always shines on the fountain. Four cast iron benches have been placed around the edges of this oasis, beckoning walkers to stop and rest awhile. Renton scans the area and chooses a bench located in the shade, and he leads Eureka toward it.

"Shall we sit in the shade for a while?" Renton extends his hand out toward the bench.

"Yes that would be nice." Eureka sits down first and beckons Renton to sit next to her. Renton sits with his left side against the side of the bench and Eureka slides over and rests against his right side. A look of contentment comes over Eureka's face and she says. "I love this place."

Renton places his arm behind Eureka's neck and across her shoulders and Eureka snuggles closer to Renton. "I know, so do I." Renton looks at the fountain and says "Now where was I?"

"You were talking to Holland."

"Ah, yes."

"Holland told me to follow him to his study, and once inside he offered me a drink and asked me to sit down, then he sat in the chair opposite from me and said "Renton I know I could not stop you from marring Eureka now if you decide to, but I have a proposition for you." Of course he had my attention; he told me how he had been following my progress at school and asked me if I had thought about going to college. . . . I told him I had thought about it, but I did not know how I would be able to go and earn enough money to take care of you and the kids. . . . It just didn't feel right to continue living off of Grandpa."

"He then told me that he, Dr. Egan and several other members of the College Board have been thinking of creating two scholarships named after us." Eureka looks mildly surprised. "Yeah I know how you feel, all I could say was "Huh." But after some careful consideration they decided to name it 'The Adrock and Diane Thurston Memorial Scholarship for Interspecies Communication' and they thought we should be the first students to receive it. Of course I was flattered, I really wanted to go to college and I knew you did too, but I did not see how we could do it."

"As I sat there trying to think of an answer he said. "I know you must have questions as to how you and Eureka could both go to college, raise the children, and help Axel, am I correct? " I shook my head yes. Holland then got up and went to the back door of the study and when he opened the door, there stood Grandpa." Renton pauses for a moment and looks up at the sky.

Holland explained how he had been pulling political strings so Grandpa could be paid for all the work he did when he built the new Refboard for Nirvash. Grandpa then told me that he was ready to close up shop. He said he would still tinker but the real joy in his life now was his grandchildren and great grandchildren."

"Holland had one last surprise. He told me he had bought a small mansion next to the campus and he wanted us to live there with Grandpa while we went to school. I was also informed that there was an excellent primary school on campus just for the children of the faculty and students."

"After they finished I just sat there thinking, it all sounded too good to be true but I was still worried about something and it must have showed on my face, because Holland asked me if there was something bothering me. I told him I was worried about how you would feel if I did not ask you to marry me. After all we had been together for over three years and I was sure you felt it was long overdue." Renton feels Eureka move her head, she is looking at him with a smile on her face but she does not say anything.

"And then I heard Taho say, "You don't have to worry about that Renton I will have a girl to girl talk with Eureka." "I darn near jumped out of the chair, I never heard her enter the study." She then said "Well what about it Renton, are you going to college or not?" "Well at this point all I could say was yes.

Eureka places her right hand on Renton's cheek and tilts his head so she can look into his eyes. "When Taho told me you agreed to go to college I was so proud of you. I didn't mind waiting at all." She pulls his face a little closer and kisses him on the cheek she then slides her legs unto the bench and snuggles up against Renton again.

Renton kisses her on the top of her head and then starts thinking about the part of the meeting he did not tell Eureka about. Looking back at it now I can see how I was set up, I didn't have a chance.Even if I had said no, what Holland told me next would have left me with no choice. After I said yes Holland asked everyone to leave except for me.

After everyone left Holland got up and asked me to follow him into the office. He told me to sit down while he sat down in his chair. He then opened a drawer on his desk, pulled out a folder and slid it across the desk to me."Renton you need to read this. Please read all of it before you ask me any questions."

Flash Back

I could not believe what I was reading; it scared the hell out of me. "Holland this can't be true, why, did they really get that close?"

"I am sorry Renton but it's true." Holland sat up and looked me straight in the eye. "As to why, we can only guess at this time. . . . After the Second Summer of Love, most of the Scab Coral located over the world's oceans disappeared taking everyone and everything along with it."

I was angry and said "I know that, . . . but it wasn't OUR FAULT!"

"Renton calm down, I am giving you this information because I thought you were man enough to handle it." He had a very stern look on his face.

I started to look away, caught myself and looked back. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again." And he continued.

"You have to understand; most people don't care about the facts, they are looking for someone to blame. At first their anger was directed at Dewey as it should have been, but he was dead." Holland looks down and rubs his temples with his fingers."Many have moved on, but there are always a few who won't let go, ones who have to have revenge, even if it is against an innocent person."

"But why us?"

"Because you and Eureka were at the center of it, for better or worse you both have been glorified for your actions . . . as you should have been. But to those who can't let go, you and Eureka are all they have to strike out against."

I didn't want to hear these words, what did we do to them. "It's not fair."

Holland sighs. "No it's not, . . .hopefully over time they will let go of their anger, but at least two of them acted on their plans to kill you or Eureka and they were stopped just in time."

All kinds of thoughts were racing thru my head, what if they got to Eureka, are the kids safe, what are we going to do, how are we going to live?"Holland what are we going to do?"

Holland leans back into his chair. "You have already taken the first step when you agreed to go to college. It will be much easier for security to protect you and Eureka on the campus, the house you will be living in is enclosed by a wall that has security sensors built in. There are only two ways into the compound the front gate and the rear gate which opens right onto the campus."

I was beginning to feel like I was going to jail. "Are we to live like prisoners?"

"No not at all, you will be able to come and go at will; you will not even see the security that has been set up to protect you." Holland smiled. "You have been under protection since you returned to Bellforest and until now where you even aware of it?"

He was right, I had no ideal we had security watching over us. "No I wasn't."

"And that will not change, living at your grandpa's house and traveling to and from school made your movements too predictable, and anyone could enter the garage on the pretext of doing business with the shop."

I did not like it but I knew in my gut he was right. "What about Eureka what does she know?"

"Eureka knows your family has been under surveillance, she 'was' a member of the SOF, she asked me about it soon after you moved in with Axel. At the time she did not want you or the family to know. However; she does not know about the assassination attempts and I would like you to keep it that way."

"I agree. . . Ah Holland, what about after college?"

Holland stood up and walked over to the window. "Renton come here."

I stood up and walked over next to where Holland was standing. He turned and looked out the window. "Renton what do you see out there?"

"Ah, the city of Bellforest."

"Yes but beyond that."

"The world?"

Holland turned to face me, he put his left hand on my shoulder and said, "I expect you to continue making a difference." as he reached out to shake my hand.

Renton sat there listening to the sound of water tumbling down the sides of the fountain and enjoys the soft breath of the breeze that is rustling the leaves on the branches overhead. He could tell that Eureka was asleep by listening to the rhythm of her breathing and he felt his eyes getting heavy too.

Eureka and Renton are both asleep on the bench; Renton's head is tilted over resting on top of Eureka's head. Shadows keep passing over there sleeping bodies. Eureka slowly opens her eyes and a look of wonder appears on her face. She politely nudges Renton and in a very soft voice says, "Renton, Renton wake up."

Renton starts to move and in a groggy voice says, "Whhhaat, . . . what . . . what is it" as he lifts his head.

Eureka tilts her head up and says. "Look."

All around the compound people are standing outside or looking out the window. All of them are looking skyward at the same place. A huge school of over a thousand Skyfish of all different sizes, from as large as bus to as small as a Chickadee, are circling over the place where the water fountain is located.

End Act 1

Scene 4