Gatekeepers 21
-The Dimensional Cycle
"Discovery"
Disclaimer: Much to my detriment, I do not own Gatekeepers21, or anything affiliated to the show. However, the characters and locations of this story are all of my sole creation.
Author's Note: I apologize for not getting this out sooner. A combination of factor's included finals, boredom, and several books which I am reading for my personal enjoyment, including the Lord of the Rings series. And although breakthroughs are wonderful things, so is getting around to those things you most enjoy. Special mention to RVD for his feedback. It is nice to know that there are people who are willing to R&R.
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He walked across the campus green. The grass beneath his shoes was the kind that cushioned every step; it seemed to squelch around the tread. Chris thought is might be Bermuda or something, but it wasn't too important. Nothing seemed very important right now, as his mind was on other things. The only reason that he was coming to class today, like he always did (he rarely missed a single class) was simply a matter of routine. It was something normal that could keep him from losing himself in the strangeness of his life. He looked up, and saw Durrin Hall in front of him. He sighed; he was early, again.
He took his time going through the corridors, but still got to the lecture hall at the back of the complex with seven minutes before class started. At least he would get the seat he liked. The lecture hall was built in s step-up style, so that on every progressing level there were two rows of desks. There were about seven or eight tiers in all. And at the bottom, was the lecture stand, were the professor would stand. The acoustics weren't too bad in the room, which was one of the few reasons Chris liked it. He had been to this lecture hall the previous quarter for a literature course. He glanced at his watch, and frowned. The first day of class, and suddenly five minutes seemed a near eternity.
He was about to reach into his pack to pull out a book to read when it happened. The world seemed to hum almost imperceptibly; he looked up to see a girl walk in. She had pale blond hair down to her shoulders, and a pair of over-alls that went over a simple t-shirt. An already fading aura of purple with tints of green seemed to glow around her, but it was over in moments.
Christopher Daniels smirked, as he brushed an errant stand of black hair back around his ear lobe. His bangs and side-burns were always out of order. "A gate signature," he said quietly to himself as he watched her. He would have to purposely find a way to speak with her after class. Chris thought that Christa would jump at the sound of another Gatekeeper in the ranks. He would have to send her an IM. Her communicator was always online.
With still some time before class started, he stood from his seat and moved back a couple of rows so that he was directly across from the girl, and slightly behind. He needed to get an ID on her before anything else. Good thing he had brought his Notepad computer with him today. His cell phone was one of the new ones with the mini-camera. He opened the phone and got an off-center picture of her without her or anyone noticing. Transferring the picture into a Zip Folder, he forwarded the image to a friend of his.
Andrew was not only a friend, but also a roommate from a year ago. Chris hadn't known it at the time, but Andrew turned out to be an adept hacker. Chris had only promised to keep the hacking a secret fro tow reasons: first, Andrew's abilities could prove a valuable asset to him; and two, Andrew had found a way to bypass A.E.G.I.S. security, and hack the mainframe. A secret for a secret.
Even as Chris finished sending off the file, he couldn't help but shake his head at his luck. He'd been a Gatekeeper for almost five years now, and despite his unpopularity in high school for being "weird", and his best attempts at anonymity in college, he still found himself networking with dozens of people, and making really good friends. Nothing ever worked out the way they were supposed to.
His gate ability was one thing. He had been given the title of 'Gatekeeper of Energy'. As much as he, or others could tell, his Gate allowed him the ability to manipulate energy waveforms: throwing energy waves, creating shields, manipulating energy signatures, and forming and controlling spheres of energy (orbs, he had called them) were just the few things he could do. The most important of his abilities, as AEGIS – North American branch saw it, was his ability to sense and even find other Gatekeepers. Chris had been able to locate some 15 new Gatekeepers in the US-West district in his years since joining. All he needed now were a couple of warlocks, and he'd be great on the set of "Charmed".
But despite his great 'potential', as Christa called it, he wasn't the happy little Gater. Some people saw his outer stoic exterior, and would comment on how serious he looked. He didn't like to smile unless he felt like it. And despite his abilities, and the small measure of pride he got from trashing some Invaders, he didn't like his job. He didn't trust his abilities, because he wasn't sure if he could trust the source.
"What do you mean, I'm just like Grandpa? He died when I was five, I barely even remember the guy," Chris had told his parents after his first successful Gate operation. He had come home looking dirty, and with some small scratches and tears in his clothing. It had been his first time in the field, and Los Angeles was nothing if it wasn't a bit rough.
"Your grandfather," Chris's mother had said in a tight voice, "he had the same sort of ability as you."
"He was a...Gatekeeper?" Asked a surprised and still alarmed Chris who was still, at that time, getting settled to the idea.
"You could say that," said his mother in a voice that seemed angry about something.
"But, why didn't you tell me?"
"It wasn't important at the time, but-"
"But what?" A strange exciting feeling started to build in him.
"The people your grandfather associated with, came and talked to us. They had suggested that...maybe, the Gate ability had skipped a generation, and could come out in you. But they weren't sure. They said it differed from family to family."
"So you and Dad aren't...?"
"No. And neither have any of your cousins, yet."
Chris had nodded at the time, before he had gone to get cleaned up. Since that time, five years ago, nothing had been the same. Not even his relationships with his parents.
Chris had long since scanned the AEGIS network mainframe for his grandfather. Angelo Rutherford Monetti. Joined AEGIS Network in 1939. Status: Deceased (1989). Gate: Gate of the Mind. Ability: can alter the perceptions of allies and enemies. Can bring chosen subject under control (mental influence). Can aggressively destroy mind of opponent.
The file had gone on with all sorts of missions, and reports. Lots of glowing commendations, etc. There had even been an independent report on how he had died. Chris had skipped over it. He wasn't sure he was ready for it, not yet. He first knew that he had to come to terms with his abilities, before he went much deeper with his grandfather.
He looked at his watch. The lecture would be over in fifteen minutes. An icon flashed onto his screen. It was a data transmission from Andrew. He had found something.
"Subject of Inquiry has been found. Julia Samantha Lyonns. Student of Clinical Psychology. Note: get this, she is the daughter of Corporate Tech Head, Louis B. Lyonns. He's a big player in CyberSpec Inc. The corporation has recently opened a fabrication plant out in the central desert. If this girl is the next Gate person, she could be a link to newer, better tech. Just a head's up. Good hunting, Andrew."
'So, ' Chris thought. 'Big bucks daughter in the market for a psych position.' True the University had a good psych department, but she'd probably just as quickly be at Berkley, or one of those places. "There's more to this than what is being said," Chris mumbled to himself. The professor was wrapping up his lecture. It was time to make the approach.
Chris stood up with many other people, even before the professor had finished. With a class this large, it was expected that people (especially on the first day) would be jumpy about getting out to their next class sections. He purposely lagged in putting his backpack in order, as he watched Julia get up from her desk, and start to leave. Chris waited as she let the general surge of students rampage out of the lecture hall, before following with her.
Chris had already decided that this time around he would use as much of a direct approach as possible. He had at least seven different approaches that he used at any time, but given the routine of getting other Gatekeepers to join the ranks, the most direct was usually the best. Within moments, he found himself walking next to her. She was only an inch shorter than him.
"So," he said addressing her, "what did you think of the first day of class?" It was generally easy to strike up conversations with people on campus. There was generally a sense of closeness, especially in class groups. Chris thought it derived from the whole 'Us the Students vs. Them the Instructors' mentality.
She put on a guarded smile. "Not bad, especially for first," she was already checking Chris over, "but definitely on the slow side." she laughed as she started to let her guard down. Something about the situation did seem funny, but Chris just sort of smirked.
Julia was still watching him out of the corner of her eye, trying to read him. Chris was used to this by now. They would wonder at whether or not Chris could be trusted. Was he some sort of stalker or pedophile? He certainly didn't look the type, they would surmise. No, probably just another student in the sea of the University.
The same thought must have crossed her mind, because she blushed slightly. "No, it's okay," Chris laughed, "I'm not dangerous or anything. Just thought I'd start a conversation, maybe get a leg up on study groups." Julia smiled, and kept on walking towards the campus Commons. "Oh, by the way," Chris said extending his hand, "my name's Chris. Christopher Daniels."
"Julia Lyonns. Nice to meet you," she smirked, shaking his hand. The two of them were walking at a leisurely pace. Neither having any place to go. "And for the record," she smiled, "I wasn't wondering if you were dangerous. I was wondering at how infatuated you must have been upon my entrance into the lecture hall."
Chris must have had a strange look on his face. But kept on talking. "What?! Did you think I didn't notice the digital camera in the phone? or the way you would periodically look over at me?" She stopped musing, with a victorious smile to look at Chris, who had a face of complete disbelief. "Oh, you mean I misunderstood?"
"Just a bit. You see, I have had a bit of interest in you, but not just because of how good you look." He smiled at her openly. "Good looks are just a fringe benefit for us wanna-be pedophiles." He glanced at her, but she was slow to the catch of his joke. "Sorry, that's just my humor at work. Anyway, my interest is much deeper in that." Chris looked around, and then looked at Julia again. "Do you have any more classes, or any place you need to be for the next hour?"
The smile of Julia's face fell, as she took a step back. "You're not trying to kidnap me or anything are you?" Chris frowned. This hadn't been going as he had planned.
"No, despite your father multi-national interests, mine are closer to home, sort of," he hesitated as he wasn't sure how to put this. "If you want to trust me, and find out what all this is about, I suggest we find an out-of-the-way spot. You know that park a little ways past the Science building?"
Julia nodded. "Then meet me there in half an hour."
"Where will you be going?"
"To take care of some business."
"Planning on bringing in accomplices?"
"No, there will not be any kidnapping, if you come. As much as it would please me to get millions from your father, no. Not my style. And yes, I do my homework on people who interest me." He winked, good- naturedly, and went off, taking his phone out of his pocket.
"Christa," he spoke into the phone, "I think I've got another one."
"Discovery"
Disclaimer: Much to my detriment, I do not own Gatekeepers21, or anything affiliated to the show. However, the characters and locations of this story are all of my sole creation.
Author's Note: I apologize for not getting this out sooner. A combination of factor's included finals, boredom, and several books which I am reading for my personal enjoyment, including the Lord of the Rings series. And although breakthroughs are wonderful things, so is getting around to those things you most enjoy. Special mention to RVD for his feedback. It is nice to know that there are people who are willing to R&R.
----------------------------------------------
He walked across the campus green. The grass beneath his shoes was the kind that cushioned every step; it seemed to squelch around the tread. Chris thought is might be Bermuda or something, but it wasn't too important. Nothing seemed very important right now, as his mind was on other things. The only reason that he was coming to class today, like he always did (he rarely missed a single class) was simply a matter of routine. It was something normal that could keep him from losing himself in the strangeness of his life. He looked up, and saw Durrin Hall in front of him. He sighed; he was early, again.
He took his time going through the corridors, but still got to the lecture hall at the back of the complex with seven minutes before class started. At least he would get the seat he liked. The lecture hall was built in s step-up style, so that on every progressing level there were two rows of desks. There were about seven or eight tiers in all. And at the bottom, was the lecture stand, were the professor would stand. The acoustics weren't too bad in the room, which was one of the few reasons Chris liked it. He had been to this lecture hall the previous quarter for a literature course. He glanced at his watch, and frowned. The first day of class, and suddenly five minutes seemed a near eternity.
He was about to reach into his pack to pull out a book to read when it happened. The world seemed to hum almost imperceptibly; he looked up to see a girl walk in. She had pale blond hair down to her shoulders, and a pair of over-alls that went over a simple t-shirt. An already fading aura of purple with tints of green seemed to glow around her, but it was over in moments.
Christopher Daniels smirked, as he brushed an errant stand of black hair back around his ear lobe. His bangs and side-burns were always out of order. "A gate signature," he said quietly to himself as he watched her. He would have to purposely find a way to speak with her after class. Chris thought that Christa would jump at the sound of another Gatekeeper in the ranks. He would have to send her an IM. Her communicator was always online.
With still some time before class started, he stood from his seat and moved back a couple of rows so that he was directly across from the girl, and slightly behind. He needed to get an ID on her before anything else. Good thing he had brought his Notepad computer with him today. His cell phone was one of the new ones with the mini-camera. He opened the phone and got an off-center picture of her without her or anyone noticing. Transferring the picture into a Zip Folder, he forwarded the image to a friend of his.
Andrew was not only a friend, but also a roommate from a year ago. Chris hadn't known it at the time, but Andrew turned out to be an adept hacker. Chris had only promised to keep the hacking a secret fro tow reasons: first, Andrew's abilities could prove a valuable asset to him; and two, Andrew had found a way to bypass A.E.G.I.S. security, and hack the mainframe. A secret for a secret.
Even as Chris finished sending off the file, he couldn't help but shake his head at his luck. He'd been a Gatekeeper for almost five years now, and despite his unpopularity in high school for being "weird", and his best attempts at anonymity in college, he still found himself networking with dozens of people, and making really good friends. Nothing ever worked out the way they were supposed to.
His gate ability was one thing. He had been given the title of 'Gatekeeper of Energy'. As much as he, or others could tell, his Gate allowed him the ability to manipulate energy waveforms: throwing energy waves, creating shields, manipulating energy signatures, and forming and controlling spheres of energy (orbs, he had called them) were just the few things he could do. The most important of his abilities, as AEGIS – North American branch saw it, was his ability to sense and even find other Gatekeepers. Chris had been able to locate some 15 new Gatekeepers in the US-West district in his years since joining. All he needed now were a couple of warlocks, and he'd be great on the set of "Charmed".
But despite his great 'potential', as Christa called it, he wasn't the happy little Gater. Some people saw his outer stoic exterior, and would comment on how serious he looked. He didn't like to smile unless he felt like it. And despite his abilities, and the small measure of pride he got from trashing some Invaders, he didn't like his job. He didn't trust his abilities, because he wasn't sure if he could trust the source.
"What do you mean, I'm just like Grandpa? He died when I was five, I barely even remember the guy," Chris had told his parents after his first successful Gate operation. He had come home looking dirty, and with some small scratches and tears in his clothing. It had been his first time in the field, and Los Angeles was nothing if it wasn't a bit rough.
"Your grandfather," Chris's mother had said in a tight voice, "he had the same sort of ability as you."
"He was a...Gatekeeper?" Asked a surprised and still alarmed Chris who was still, at that time, getting settled to the idea.
"You could say that," said his mother in a voice that seemed angry about something.
"But, why didn't you tell me?"
"It wasn't important at the time, but-"
"But what?" A strange exciting feeling started to build in him.
"The people your grandfather associated with, came and talked to us. They had suggested that...maybe, the Gate ability had skipped a generation, and could come out in you. But they weren't sure. They said it differed from family to family."
"So you and Dad aren't...?"
"No. And neither have any of your cousins, yet."
Chris had nodded at the time, before he had gone to get cleaned up. Since that time, five years ago, nothing had been the same. Not even his relationships with his parents.
Chris had long since scanned the AEGIS network mainframe for his grandfather. Angelo Rutherford Monetti. Joined AEGIS Network in 1939. Status: Deceased (1989). Gate: Gate of the Mind. Ability: can alter the perceptions of allies and enemies. Can bring chosen subject under control (mental influence). Can aggressively destroy mind of opponent.
The file had gone on with all sorts of missions, and reports. Lots of glowing commendations, etc. There had even been an independent report on how he had died. Chris had skipped over it. He wasn't sure he was ready for it, not yet. He first knew that he had to come to terms with his abilities, before he went much deeper with his grandfather.
He looked at his watch. The lecture would be over in fifteen minutes. An icon flashed onto his screen. It was a data transmission from Andrew. He had found something.
"Subject of Inquiry has been found. Julia Samantha Lyonns. Student of Clinical Psychology. Note: get this, she is the daughter of Corporate Tech Head, Louis B. Lyonns. He's a big player in CyberSpec Inc. The corporation has recently opened a fabrication plant out in the central desert. If this girl is the next Gate person, she could be a link to newer, better tech. Just a head's up. Good hunting, Andrew."
'So, ' Chris thought. 'Big bucks daughter in the market for a psych position.' True the University had a good psych department, but she'd probably just as quickly be at Berkley, or one of those places. "There's more to this than what is being said," Chris mumbled to himself. The professor was wrapping up his lecture. It was time to make the approach.
Chris stood up with many other people, even before the professor had finished. With a class this large, it was expected that people (especially on the first day) would be jumpy about getting out to their next class sections. He purposely lagged in putting his backpack in order, as he watched Julia get up from her desk, and start to leave. Chris waited as she let the general surge of students rampage out of the lecture hall, before following with her.
Chris had already decided that this time around he would use as much of a direct approach as possible. He had at least seven different approaches that he used at any time, but given the routine of getting other Gatekeepers to join the ranks, the most direct was usually the best. Within moments, he found himself walking next to her. She was only an inch shorter than him.
"So," he said addressing her, "what did you think of the first day of class?" It was generally easy to strike up conversations with people on campus. There was generally a sense of closeness, especially in class groups. Chris thought it derived from the whole 'Us the Students vs. Them the Instructors' mentality.
She put on a guarded smile. "Not bad, especially for first," she was already checking Chris over, "but definitely on the slow side." she laughed as she started to let her guard down. Something about the situation did seem funny, but Chris just sort of smirked.
Julia was still watching him out of the corner of her eye, trying to read him. Chris was used to this by now. They would wonder at whether or not Chris could be trusted. Was he some sort of stalker or pedophile? He certainly didn't look the type, they would surmise. No, probably just another student in the sea of the University.
The same thought must have crossed her mind, because she blushed slightly. "No, it's okay," Chris laughed, "I'm not dangerous or anything. Just thought I'd start a conversation, maybe get a leg up on study groups." Julia smiled, and kept on walking towards the campus Commons. "Oh, by the way," Chris said extending his hand, "my name's Chris. Christopher Daniels."
"Julia Lyonns. Nice to meet you," she smirked, shaking his hand. The two of them were walking at a leisurely pace. Neither having any place to go. "And for the record," she smiled, "I wasn't wondering if you were dangerous. I was wondering at how infatuated you must have been upon my entrance into the lecture hall."
Chris must have had a strange look on his face. But kept on talking. "What?! Did you think I didn't notice the digital camera in the phone? or the way you would periodically look over at me?" She stopped musing, with a victorious smile to look at Chris, who had a face of complete disbelief. "Oh, you mean I misunderstood?"
"Just a bit. You see, I have had a bit of interest in you, but not just because of how good you look." He smiled at her openly. "Good looks are just a fringe benefit for us wanna-be pedophiles." He glanced at her, but she was slow to the catch of his joke. "Sorry, that's just my humor at work. Anyway, my interest is much deeper in that." Chris looked around, and then looked at Julia again. "Do you have any more classes, or any place you need to be for the next hour?"
The smile of Julia's face fell, as she took a step back. "You're not trying to kidnap me or anything are you?" Chris frowned. This hadn't been going as he had planned.
"No, despite your father multi-national interests, mine are closer to home, sort of," he hesitated as he wasn't sure how to put this. "If you want to trust me, and find out what all this is about, I suggest we find an out-of-the-way spot. You know that park a little ways past the Science building?"
Julia nodded. "Then meet me there in half an hour."
"Where will you be going?"
"To take care of some business."
"Planning on bringing in accomplices?"
"No, there will not be any kidnapping, if you come. As much as it would please me to get millions from your father, no. Not my style. And yes, I do my homework on people who interest me." He winked, good- naturedly, and went off, taking his phone out of his pocket.
"Christa," he spoke into the phone, "I think I've got another one."